That was a mere type. Now here's a mermaid:
Disabled Woman Turned Mermaid
Watch and be amazed.
28 February 2009
25 February 2009
Standing Up for the Faith One Chinese Restaurant at a Time
Today being Ash Wednesday, Ginny (our volunteer secretary) and I went on another "date" to our favorite Chinese restaurant to get some shrimp. After we were seated, our waiter came up to me and pointed to my forehead and asked, "Ummm...what's that?" I tried to explain that I am Catholic and its something we do and all...which he then walked away. Ginny and I just shrugged our shoulders. He then came back and asked, "Do you want a towel?"
Contemporary Lenten Image
Sackcloth and Ash was SO 3,000 years ago...
The spirit of repentance and mourning in the new millennium:
The spirit of repentance and mourning in the new millennium:
23 February 2009
Stones into Bread
From a daily email reflection I get, I thought it was good to keep in mind:
Question of the day:
What stones have you been asked to turn into bread?
I believe that all would-be ministers must face the same three temptations as Jesus before they really can minister. The first temptation of Christ, to turn stones into bread (Matthew 4:3), is the need to be effective, successful, relevant, to make things happen. You’ve done something and people say, “Wow! Good job! You did it right. You’re OK.” When the crowds approve, it’s hard not to believe that we have done a good thing, and probably God’s will.
Usually when you buy into that too quickly, you’re feeding the false self and the system, which tells you what it immediately wants and seldom knows what it really needs. You can be a very popular and successful minister operating at that level. That is why Jesus has to face that temptation first, to move us beyond what we want to what we really need. In refusing to be relevant, in refusing to respond to people’s immediate requests, Jesus says, Go deeper. What’s the real question? What are you really after? What does the heart really hunger for? What do you really desire? “It’s not by bread alone that we live” (Matthew 4:4).
from Radical Grace: Daily Meditations, p.294, day 308
(Source: Preparing for Christmas With Richard Rohr)
Current mantra:
Jesus said, "Follow me"
Question of the day:
What stones have you been asked to turn into bread?
I believe that all would-be ministers must face the same three temptations as Jesus before they really can minister. The first temptation of Christ, to turn stones into bread (Matthew 4:3), is the need to be effective, successful, relevant, to make things happen. You’ve done something and people say, “Wow! Good job! You did it right. You’re OK.” When the crowds approve, it’s hard not to believe that we have done a good thing, and probably God’s will.
Usually when you buy into that too quickly, you’re feeding the false self and the system, which tells you what it immediately wants and seldom knows what it really needs. You can be a very popular and successful minister operating at that level. That is why Jesus has to face that temptation first, to move us beyond what we want to what we really need. In refusing to be relevant, in refusing to respond to people’s immediate requests, Jesus says, Go deeper. What’s the real question? What are you really after? What does the heart really hunger for? What do you really desire? “It’s not by bread alone that we live” (Matthew 4:4).
from Radical Grace: Daily Meditations, p.294, day 308
(Source: Preparing for Christmas With Richard Rohr)
Current mantra:
Jesus said, "Follow me"
21 February 2009
The Matthew 25 Project
So my best friend from high school happens to be a badass designer, and put this together for me in, like, 11 minutes. It's for this new Lenten/Easterly small faith group I'm starting at St. Dom's called the Matthew 25 Project, using the Last Judgment passage as a guide for discussion, reflection, and service. Should be fun. Perhaps an edgier image than most of our 65+ target demographic can handle, but totally worth it.
19 February 2009
18 February 2009
"There's no way we can fit into there"
A Gospel reflection for this weekend (Mark 2:1-12) I wrote for our catechist blog:
Without a doubt, in the above the situation I found myself in the most person-packed place in my young life. There was no room in the car, none. Yet, we found a way to get there.
So it is with the Gospel this week. St. Mark describes a scene in not as much detail as above, but likely with a similar feel. Hundreds and hundreds of people are crammed into this house, hoping to hear a few words from a man they hear can heal the sick. There’s likely little air circulation, a heavy stench in the room, and the annoying guy from work is standing across the room.
Suddenly, from the back, four shouts are heard: “Let us in! We have someone that needs to see Jesus! We know he will help him!” But no one wants to give up their spot, some because they have a legitimate need for healing, others because they want to test Jesus, and still others out of sheer curiosity, for this Man has captured their attention.
Minutes later a crashing noise comes from above. Light streams into the room followed by a shaky eclipse. Straining from the adjustment from relative darkness to light to relative light all can barely make out what’s happening – a man is being lowered from the sky!
As the mat comes down, people are forced to make room. Personal space no more, it’s necessary for this man to land safely. Astounded, Jesus, on account of the faith of the paralytic, says, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” When pushed by the testy in the crowd, Jesus says “Rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”
The man who could no longer walk gets up. Shouts of pure joy and exaltations come from above: the paralytic’s friends can’t believe their eyes!
There’s a consensus among the crowd: “We have never seen anything like this.”
And so St. Mark presents us with an image of faith. Do we have what it takes to approach a seemingly impossible situation and dive in head first? Will we be like my Dad and move into the crowded car? Will we have the faith of the paralytic who, despite seeing and hearing the filled house, wouldn’t give up. He just knew that Jesus would heal him. Do we have the same faith in the same Jesus?
An image of community is also presented. Four friends find a way to bring their sick friend on the mat to Jesus. Sometimes we are the four friends, stopping at nothing to help our friends heal. Other times we are the one in need of healing. Often, we’re both in need of healing and the instrument through which God works to bring others to the place they need to be to heal. Yet, often we don’t want to admit that we are in need of healing, in need of a visit to Christ in the Eucharist, in Reconciliation, in the poor and homeless, in our parents, our children, our siblings. Jesus is there, waiting to embrace us, waiting for us to come through the roof, waiting for us to gently lower others through the roof.
If we live a life of such faith, a life of doing the dirty work, a life of service, a life of faith, hope, and love, a life that’s a living reminder of Jesus; if we live such a life, perhaps others will say, “we have never seen anything like this.”
Let us strive to live this life but never desire to hear those words, only desiring to echo the forgiveness, healing, and love of Jesus.
“There’s no way we can fit into there.”
I peer into the subway car packed with people to brim. There are so many people; I can feel heat emanating from the subway car as I stand outside.
“We’ll just wait for the next one,” I think. My Dad has a different idea as he starts entering the clown-car like full subway car, dragging myself and my other friends into the car with him.
Once inside, the smell of body odor attacks my nose and I wonder, “Why did I make this trip to China?”
Without a doubt, in the above the situation I found myself in the most person-packed place in my young life. There was no room in the car, none. Yet, we found a way to get there.
So it is with the Gospel this week. St. Mark describes a scene in not as much detail as above, but likely with a similar feel. Hundreds and hundreds of people are crammed into this house, hoping to hear a few words from a man they hear can heal the sick. There’s likely little air circulation, a heavy stench in the room, and the annoying guy from work is standing across the room.
Suddenly, from the back, four shouts are heard: “Let us in! We have someone that needs to see Jesus! We know he will help him!” But no one wants to give up their spot, some because they have a legitimate need for healing, others because they want to test Jesus, and still others out of sheer curiosity, for this Man has captured their attention.
Minutes later a crashing noise comes from above. Light streams into the room followed by a shaky eclipse. Straining from the adjustment from relative darkness to light to relative light all can barely make out what’s happening – a man is being lowered from the sky!
As the mat comes down, people are forced to make room. Personal space no more, it’s necessary for this man to land safely. Astounded, Jesus, on account of the faith of the paralytic, says, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” When pushed by the testy in the crowd, Jesus says “Rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”
The man who could no longer walk gets up. Shouts of pure joy and exaltations come from above: the paralytic’s friends can’t believe their eyes!
There’s a consensus among the crowd: “We have never seen anything like this.”
And so St. Mark presents us with an image of faith. Do we have what it takes to approach a seemingly impossible situation and dive in head first? Will we be like my Dad and move into the crowded car? Will we have the faith of the paralytic who, despite seeing and hearing the filled house, wouldn’t give up. He just knew that Jesus would heal him. Do we have the same faith in the same Jesus?
An image of community is also presented. Four friends find a way to bring their sick friend on the mat to Jesus. Sometimes we are the four friends, stopping at nothing to help our friends heal. Other times we are the one in need of healing. Often, we’re both in need of healing and the instrument through which God works to bring others to the place they need to be to heal. Yet, often we don’t want to admit that we are in need of healing, in need of a visit to Christ in the Eucharist, in Reconciliation, in the poor and homeless, in our parents, our children, our siblings. Jesus is there, waiting to embrace us, waiting for us to come through the roof, waiting for us to gently lower others through the roof.
If we live a life of such faith, a life of doing the dirty work, a life of service, a life of faith, hope, and love, a life that’s a living reminder of Jesus; if we live such a life, perhaps others will say, “we have never seen anything like this.”
Let us strive to live this life but never desire to hear those words, only desiring to echo the forgiveness, healing, and love of Jesus.
I don't know how this is signficant...
February 25th is the one year anniversary that I found out I got into Echo, ran up to Tae's room, and we celebrated with a man-hug, congratulations, and smiles. If you asked for an e-mail, you probably got it then too.
This year, February 25th is on Ash Wednesday. Like I said, I'm not sure how this is significant, but it's pretty cool.
This year, February 25th is on Ash Wednesday. Like I said, I'm not sure how this is significant, but it's pretty cool.
16 February 2009
Have you ever considered a career change, Anthony?
We know he can sing... and after the Indiana Jones show at Disney, we know he can act... BUT did you know he can dance too?! Anthony was part of a Murder Mystery dinner on Saturday night -- he was the groom, getting married in order to inherit $10 mil. His best man was having a Mrs.-Robinson-type affair with his mother AND is in love with his bride-to-be. So, clearly, the best way to resolve the drama is with a dance-off. Lucky for Anthony, I caught some of it on video... :)
12 February 2009
In Honor of that Other Tall Skinny Guy from Illinois
To commemorate Lincoln's 200th Birthday, I read a book called "Abe Lincoln Remembers" to a bunch of 2nd graders. This was my 2nd time reading to 2nd graders as I read a book about Santa and Jesus for Christmas. Anyway, I don't know how you do it, Isaac, for those kids are ridiculous.
They were bright-they knew he was the 16th President, was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, and is on the $5 dollar bill. Some of their comments were priceless.
About War: "My great grandfather didn't fight in the Civil War, but he did fight in World War II."
About Being President: "I want to be President because I want to rule the Universe." (well, only God can do that but the president can help-i said)
About Wrestling: "When Patrick and I wrestle, I beat him all the time." "that's not true!!"
About Being Honest: "I like to read."
About Being President II: "I want to be President so I can tax people."
They were bright-they knew he was the 16th President, was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, and is on the $5 dollar bill. Some of their comments were priceless.
About War: "My great grandfather didn't fight in the Civil War, but he did fight in World War II."
About Being President: "I want to be President because I want to rule the Universe." (well, only God can do that but the president can help-i said)
About Wrestling: "When Patrick and I wrestle, I beat him all the time." "that's not true!!"
About Being Honest: "I like to read."
About Being President II: "I want to be President so I can tax people."
10 February 2009
Special Weather Statements
... SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK FOR NORTH TEXAS LIKELY TODAY...
INGREDIENTS ARE COMING TOGETHER FOR A WIDESPREAD EPISODE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING ACROSS NORTH TEXAS. RICH GULF MOISTURE IS WELL ESTABLISHED ACROSS THE REGION. A POTENT UPPER LEVEL STORM SYSTEM WILL APPROACH THE AREA ALONG WITH A DRYLINE TAKING SHAPE TO OUR WEST... FROM WESTERN OKLAHOMA INTO THE TEXAS BIG COUNTRY.
(as found on weather.com)
seriously... who writes these things!?! I find the special weather statements rather amusing... ingredients...episode...rich moisture...potent...Texas big country...
they're bbaaaaaaccccck
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/nyregion/10indulgence.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print
is it a good thing? (like most things, if catechized well!)
is it a good thing? (like most things, if catechized well!)
09 February 2009
Vatican and Technology
Interesting view that the Vatican must do more.
From Fr. Thomas J. Reese, S.J. Editor of "America" magazine.
"The Vatican still believes that all it has to do is announce a decision by the pope and everyone will greet it with enthusiasm. One-page press releases will not do it. Most large American universities have more sophisticated media offices than does the Vatican, which is the headquarters for a 1.1-billion member organization. Simply setting up a YouTube channel will not do it either. The Vatican needs a sophisticated and modern communications strategy.
The sad thing is that Pope Benedict is saying and doing many great things, but these media disasters are undermining his papacy. His words about peace, justice, refugees and the economic crisis are not being heard. Benedict wants to be a pastor and teacher, but he needs people who know how to run an organization and communicate in the 21st century, and he does not have them. The Vatican's model for the papacy is still the absolute monarchies and royal courts of the past. That model simply will not work today."
I think if Vatican City were located in NYC and not La Citta Eterna it would be different! My other comment is that this question begs a more local and personal question. How are our parishes and Dioceses effectively using technology, or not?
How should Echo or we as catechists help?
From Fr. Thomas J. Reese, S.J. Editor of "America" magazine.
"The Vatican still believes that all it has to do is announce a decision by the pope and everyone will greet it with enthusiasm. One-page press releases will not do it. Most large American universities have more sophisticated media offices than does the Vatican, which is the headquarters for a 1.1-billion member organization. Simply setting up a YouTube channel will not do it either. The Vatican needs a sophisticated and modern communications strategy.
The sad thing is that Pope Benedict is saying and doing many great things, but these media disasters are undermining his papacy. His words about peace, justice, refugees and the economic crisis are not being heard. Benedict wants to be a pastor and teacher, but he needs people who know how to run an organization and communicate in the 21st century, and he does not have them. The Vatican's model for the papacy is still the absolute monarchies and royal courts of the past. That model simply will not work today."
I think if Vatican City were located in NYC and not La Citta Eterna it would be different! My other comment is that this question begs a more local and personal question. How are our parishes and Dioceses effectively using technology, or not?
How should Echo or we as catechists help?
BIG NEWS!!!!
On her birthday, Saturday Night February 7, 2009, my mentor Terry Gerlach got engaged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is a phenomenal human being and awesome mentor. She has been waiting for this to happen and I am so stoked that he finally woke up and smelled the coffee/bacon/whatever breakfast food you want to use for the metaphor.
08 February 2009
05 February 2009
Just writing my paper...
If you read this tonight and you're in J.Cav's class, I may be so bold as to call you a procrastinator. (Or an obnoxious overachiever who's already done...)
That's really all I have to say. I just don't feel like writing the paper, so I figured I'd write on the blog. Happy writing, everyone! :)
04 February 2009
Overheard in the office
Female Administrator Assistant: Eye injuries are worse than childbirth
Me: I'll take your word on that.
FAA: I think you'll have to.
Me: I'll take your word on that.
FAA: I think you'll have to.
01 February 2009
Vatican joins Youtube
Rome joins in on the fun of Youtube with the Vatican Channel on Youtube. Next up, an official Pope Benedict XVI facebook account. If only.
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