Tuesday, October 31, 2006

 

What horrible Edward Gorey Death will you die?





What horrible Edward Gorey Death will you die?




You will perish of fits. Repeat this to yourself: "Things can work out even if I don't get my way. Things can work out even...."
Take this quiz!








Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code



Hat Tip to Melanie.

Labels:


Monday, October 30, 2006

 

No on 2

Jim Caviezel, Patricia Heaton, Jeff Suppan, Kurt Warner, and Mike Sweeney urge voters in Missouri to take a closer look at Question 2 which disguises legalized human cloning under a supposed ban. Dom suggests that we should ignore all celebrities, even if they are on our side, but it's nice to see some lined up on the good side for once.




Hat tip to Jason at Sirach 40:20.

 

It's a city thing

Amy Bookwalter feels that residential areas should remain residential areas - especially in Manassas, VA where there isn't a lot of residential area to begin with. So, when she heard that Howard Daniel had applied to have his house rezoned in order to run a home-based business she exercised her rights as an American citizen and attended a town meeting to vote against the application.

But, Bookwalter is Catholic and Daniel is gay. And, that's all Nick Miroff of the Washington Post needed to insinuate that she is acting out of anti-gay prejudice.

In fact, Bookwalter learned that Daniel was gay when Miroff asked her if her opposition was because of Daniel's "orientation" and if it was a "Catholic thing."

Bookwalter's response:

"This isn't a Catholic thing; it's a city thing," said Amy Bookwalter, who has spoken out against Daniel's application. "This is about keeping a residential area a residential area."

You can just feel the prejudice can't you?

The Post story touched off a flurry of media activity, including a spot on a local television station. In addition, Bookwalter's quote has been picked up by several gay websites. Now she's getting hate mail.

Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

Never the time and the place

So, I finally had time to post at the end of last week - and blogger decided to do maintenance. I felt like the proverbial girl - all dressed up and no where to go.

Labels:


Wednesday, October 25, 2006

 

Glory be to God!

Glory be to God for dappled things—
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.

Pied Beauty
by Gerard Manley Hopkins

(And for papers being completed! Glory be to God!)

Labels:


Sunday, October 22, 2006

 

Just call her Norma Rae


This post from Sister Mary Martha had me laughing out loud as I tried to imagine her playing Norma Rae to a disgruntled line at the bank.

Friday, October 20, 2006

 

The Fall Classic

Yadier Molina's homerun in the 9th inning propelled the Cardinals into the World Series. The Tigers have been waiting for days for their opponent after they swept the A's and the NLCS went to 7 games. Who will come out on top? Will the Tigers remain dominant with their pitching? Or will the Cardinals ride their current momentum? This should be interesting...

(Oh, and not to brag or anything, but I did call it!)

Labels:


Wednesday, October 11, 2006

 

Mozart's Coronation Mass


St. Paul's Cathedral Choir will perform Mozart's Coronation Mass in C on Sunday, October 22 at 4 pm at St. Paul's Cathedral in Worcester. Cost is $20 per person, $10 seniors, students and children.

From its opening bars, the Coronation Mass sparkles with energy. The majestic rhythms of the Kyrie are triumphant. The Gloria explodes in a fast triple meter. The Sanctus is marked maestoso ("majestically"). The Hosanna, brisk and joyful, contrasts with the vocal quartet's gentler Benedictus. For the Agnus Dei, Mozart breaks the Mass's format (quartet rather than individual arias) with a glorious aria for soprano. Written in pastoral style, it is his moving response to the image of Christ as Lamb of God (Agnus Dei). (adapted from The Boston Cecilia)

If you've never heard Mozart's Coronation Mass, you're in for a treat.

Labels:


 

Excuse me while I finish my papers

The due date for outstanding class work to be turned in is October 25, which is approaching faster than a TGV, so it's highly likely that I won't be around much until after then. I have one 12 page philosophy paper to finish. Please say a prayer that it goes smoothly. Thanks.

Labels:


Tuesday, October 10, 2006

 

I'm officially on board....


I meant to post this before the game that eliminated the Yankees (!!) on Saturday. Then I was just happy that the Tigers had a chance to knock off the evil Yankees and thrilled for my all my Michigan friends who have suffered through some bad years with their team. Now, I'm excited for the possibility that a team which lost 119 games just 3 years ago, letting all their young players take their knocks while learning the game, could make it all the way to the World Series. I think that they have a great chance. They have the best pitching staff in baseball and decent hitting. Oakland has great pitching also, but I don't think their hitting can match up.

My prediction for the World Series - Tigers vs. Cardinals

Go Tigers!!

Labels:


Friday, October 06, 2006

 

Male and female He made them

Tonight I went to the talk by Fr. Tom Loya - Who is man for woman and who is woman for man? It was great!

Fr. Tom began by discussing women and their particular "genius," which is that they are created to be receptive. This receptivity is built right into a woman's body - every woman has an empty space inside her which is waiting to be filled. This bodily receptivity points to a mystical receptivity as well. Women are the arch-type of the human race - all are called to be receptive before God. Woman are also signs of God's imminence and loving care.

While women are ordered toward bringing things toward themselves, men are ordered toward pushing, propelling, giving away. Their bodies are built to protect, to guard. Mystically, man reflects God's transcendence.

Together, men and women reflect two dimensions of God. Imminence and transcendence. As Fr. remarked, children learn that God is exciting, frightning, scary from their father. Children learn of God's love from their mothers.

Here's another great take on the masculine gift from Marybeth Bonacci.

Men and women's natural gifts are, of course, vulnerable to being twisted in this world of sin. That's where women's natural relational gifts can be reduced to manipulation, and men's natural strength can be reduced to domination and control. We need the Holy Spirit to purify our hearts, and to lead our inclinations in the right direction.

But there's a big difference between purifying and controlling those gifts and denying their existence. Harvey Mansfield, author of Manliness, says that "A gentleman is a man who is gentle out of policy, not weakness." Strength voluntarily withheld is completely different than strength denied or abandoned.

I like men's natural gifts. I like their strength. I like their confidence. I like how their gifts complement my own. I like the thought of being with someone who would be capable of protecting me if I were really, truly threatened.

So sure, it's nice when a man is deeply in touch with his feelings. But given a choice between that man and a man who could confidently throw a punch if a situation truly called for it, I'll take the guy who can throw the punch any day.


Amen to that!

h/t to AM at Fumare

Labels: ,


Wednesday, October 04, 2006

 

Happy Feast Day of St. Francis

Happy Feast Day to all my fellow Franciscan University Alums!

Collect:
Father, you helped Saint Francis to reflect the image of Christ through a life of poverty and humility. May we follow your Son by walking in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi, and by imitating his joyful love. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Have an Italian party with Mostaccioli - tradition has it that St. Francis requested Frangipane cream or Mostaccioli (almond biscotti) on his deathbed. Women for Faith and Family has a receipe. Enjoy!

Mostaccioli
- An Italian almond pastry

1 pound blanched almonds
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon, or 1 teaspoon vanilla
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
Approximately 1 cup of flour

Chop the almonds very fine or coarsely grind in a blender

In a bowl combine the nuts, honey, cinnamon, and egg whites. Mix thoroughly. Gradually stir in enough flour to form a thick paste.

On a lightly floured surface, knead the paste until smooth and stiff. Roll out to about 1/4 inch. Cut into diamond shapes, about 2 1/2 inches long. Place the diamonds on a lightly buttered and floured baking sheet. Let dry for 1 to 2 hours.

Bake in a preheated 250°F oven for 20-30 minutes or until set. Do not let brown.

Yield: about 3 dozen

Labels:


Tuesday, October 03, 2006

 

Calling all bibliophiles

Dom and Melanie are both blogging about a new website called Bookmooch. Here's the idea: you post a book that you don't want anymore and someone else who wants it can "mooch" it from you. Then, you wrap it up and ship it out to them. You get a point for every book that is mooched from you and you can then use that point to mooch a book that you want from someone else. It doesn't cost anything - except postage. I'm sure I'll find lots of books I'd like there. My only problem will be finding books that I want to give away...

Monday, October 02, 2006

 

St. John Vianney relics in Boston

Cardinal Sean has posted on his blog that the relics of St. John Vianney will be coming to Boston in October. St. John Vianney was a poor student, struggling with school work and failing the Latin test required for ordination twice. But, he perservered and was finally ordained at the age of 30.
St. John Vianney became known as a great confessor, spending up to 16 hours a day in the confessional. People would come from all over the world to hear him preach and especially to go to confession.

There is an upcoming event that may be of interest to you…We are looking forward to the arrival of the relics of St. John Vianney, coming to Boston from October 12 – 14. There will be events open to the public on October 13 at St. Mary’s Church in Waltham and October 14 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. Having the relics come to Boston is an important event for our diocesan clergy and for our seminary. St. John Vianney is the Patron of Priests, inspiring us and calling us all to pray for priests and for vocations.

 

A little musical nonsense

Labels:


 

Memorial of the Guardian Angels


Collect:
God our Father,
in your loving providence
you send your holy angels to watch over us.
Hear our prayers,
defend us always by their protection
and let us share your life with them for ever.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Labels:


 

Paper number 2

Done! (except for the biliography)

Labels:


Sunday, October 01, 2006

 

Novena to St. Therese of the Child Jesus - Day 9

A photo taken four days after the death of St. Therese, when she was still exposed in the choir adorned with flowers.

Happy Feast Day of St. Therese of the Child Jesus!!

St. Therese of the Child Jesus:
Master of Her Temperament


Marian Therese Horvat, Ph.D.

On September 30, 1897, a 24-year-old nun lay dying in the Carmelite Convent in Lisieux, France. She had done so little in her life that one of sisters remarked that while she was charming, what would Mother Superior write about her at her death in the report she would make for the community?

The question is amusing to us now. For the fame of this young nun would spread beyond the Convent and throughout the Church with remarkable speed. One year after her death, her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, was published. Her devotees multiplied as miracles were worked and favors granted through her intercession. During World War I French pilots carried a photo of her in their aircrafts to protect them.

In less than 30 years, in April of 1923, Pope Benedict XV declared her Blessed, and in 1925 Pius XI canonized her and named her feast day October 3. St. Pius X called St. Therese of the Child Jesus one of the greatest saints of modern times. In less than a century, she had become one of the most popular saints throughout the world.

Labels:


This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?

What I'm Reading
  • Without Roots: The West, Relativism, Christianity, Islam
  • The Cost of Choice
  • What I've Finished
  • The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde
  • The Faithful Departed
  • Cover Her Face
  • Joy in the Morning
  • Gaudy Night
  • Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture