Worth a Thousand Words

Japanese toy design from BibliOdyssey which has many others for you to enjoy.

Happy Pi Day

Just don't make that a meat pie, since it's Lent.

Many interesting and amusing facts about pi may be found at Mental Floss whence came the above photo.

Worth a Thousand Words

Red Velvet Cake by Duane Keiser

It seemed quite appropriate to use this painting today as I have finally posted Cheryl's Red Velvet Cake recipe. Check it out.

Curt Jester Turns to Negative Campaign in Attempt to Swing Votes - Updated

It is with great sadness that we note The Curt Jester is, alas, so very insecure that he is resorting to negative publicity in his campaign to win the humor category. (Also with great hilarity that we read his customary humor ... how does he do it?)

As I have too much dignity (and not nearly enough cleverness) to respond on his charges, I will simply turn to that which has stood us in good stead before.

Hypnotoad!

Now, listen carefully and go vote for Happy Catholic in the 2008 Catholic Blog Awards.

You may then turn off your computer ... you will remember nothing of this later ...

Update:



I see that the blog awards has posted the top ten in each category so far.

Heavens to Betsy ... Happy Catholic is up there for Best Overall Catholic Blog. This calls for drastic measures. C'mon people, concentrate your votes ... go kiss the egg!


Let's go all da way with our little Jamaican bobsled of a blog here ...

A Beautiful Recitation of the Stations of the Cross

Laura H. has given us a real treasure just in time for Holy Week with this recitation.

She has a beautiful voice (she's a singer after all) and this is something that I will be listening to again and again. Do go listen and download it for your own meditation.

Anyone Been Watching New Amsterdam?

John Amsterdam is a homicide detective who really has seen it all. He's 400 years old, thanks to having saved a native girl from a fate worse than death ... or maybe it was from death itself. She rewarded him, if it can be called that, by putting a spell on him so that he would live until he meets his true love. This results in an understandably brooding man who views death as a gift that he would like to earn. His current homicide cases usually remind him of a past part of his life. They are well handled and serve to lift the series above the standard show. Most interesting of all, the show consistently reminds us that immortality is a hollow gift and one of which most of us would tire. This is a message quite at odds with what we often see in modern thinking.

This reminds us most of Moonlight, in which a man, turned vampire against his will, wants nothing more than to be human again. It consistently reminds us that to be human with all the accompanying pain is still better than a false "superiority." New Amsterdam, however, has more depths to plumb and is the better show.

Bye, Bye, Eli ...
By the way, the troublesome gaping loopholes and stubborn insistence on taking what seemed to us to be the wrong side in practically every legal case got to us a while back. No more Eli Stone and we are the happier for it.

Worth a Thousand Words

Golden Street found at Flickr's Cream of the Crop.

Wall-E ... The Trailer

We're suckers for Pixar and have been eagerly awaiting Wall-E. The trailer does nothing to make me any less eager to see it.

Worth a Thousand Words

From Art Knowledge News

Music to Skate By

I think this is the sort of playfulness that delights God. I know it delighted me. Via Standing on My Head.

Talk About Being Single Minded

I saw a headline saying Hooray Once More for Lefties and had to read it three times before I figured out it wasn't about left-handed people (which would be me, ya know ... and quite obviously it's all about me!).

Worth a Thousand Words

Sinai Archangel Gabriel icon, by Heather Williams Durka (click through on the link to see more of her beautiful art).

Sacrament of Confession ... Reconciliation ... Penance

Monica asked for a quick refresher on confession. I thought I had a few things about confession posted but now realize that I have just had a few good quotes and comments of my own. Here is a more basic all-in-one guide.

No matter what you call it, this sacrament is one of the most misunderstood as well as one of the most freeing. (For the basics about what a sacrament is, check out The Raft on the Tiber, where Mark is beginning an indepth discussion ... I am looking forward to his posts.)

Here are the very basics:

6 STEPS FOR A GOOD CONFESSION

1. Examine your conscience - what sins have you committed since your last good confession.
2. Be sincerely sorry for your sins.
3. Confess your sins to the priest.
4. Make certain that you confess all your mortal sins and the number of them.
5. After your confession, do the penance the priest gives to you.
6. Pray daily for the strength to avoid the occasion of sin, especially for those sins you were just absolved from.

Source

More than anything confession calls for a good, honest examination of conscience. The priest who taught our RCIA class told us that we shouldn't make "laundry lists" of sins but truly see what in our lives is truly keeping us away from God, acting as a separation from him.

If you want a guide to examination of conscience Fathers Know Best has probably the most thorough I've ever seen. Catholic Online has a good one that also includes an overall guide to confession which I recommend reading over if you are nervous or it has been a while.

I will often spend the week before confession asking God to show me what I do unawares that grieves him most. Then I spend the rest of the week ducking because those prayers are always answered right away. If I have slid into a lack of humility, suddenly I find myself "showing off" or something similar and then being embarrassed. If my bad temper has been growing unbeknownst to me, I suddenly am biting everyone's heads off in the most public and (again) embarrassing way possible. You get the picture.

In short, He shows me without hesitation what I need to repent of, to confess, and to receive extra grace for aid in my struggles.

The examination of conscience is one of the most decisive moments in a person's life. It places each individual before the truth of his or her own life. Thus, we discover the distance that separates our deeds from the ideal that we had set for ourselves.

John Paul II, Go in Peace

Another thing that I try to remember is to pray for the priest hearing my confession. I usually do this when I am in line waiting my turn. I pray for my own openness in truly hearing what I need to, for his openness in letting the Holy Spirit flow through and enlightening me. I can't tell you how many times the priest has taken a very unexpected turn of advice that has opened my eyes.

... The use of too many words frequently denotes a desire, whether conscious or not, to flee from direct and full sincerity. So as not to fall into this we need to make a good examination of conscience.

Concise: Confession with few words, just the words that are needed to say humbly what we have done or have failed to do, without any unnecessary elaboration or adornment.

Concrete: Confession without digression, without generalities. The penitent will suitably indicate his situation, and also the time that has elapsed since his last Confession and the difficulties he finds in leading a Christian life (Paul VI). He declares his sins and the surrounding circumstances that have a bearing on his faults so that the confessor can judge, absolve and heal.

Clear: A Confession where we make ourselves understood, declaring the precise nature of the fault, manifesting our wretchedness with the necessary modesty and delicacy.

Complete: Integral Confession, without leaving anything out through a false sense of shame so as not to appear bad in the confessor's eyes.

Lent and Eastertide (In Conversation with God, Vol. 2)

It is a big struggle to confess my sins fairly baldly and just let it lie. If the priest has any questions, he'll ask them. Otherwise, God (and all the angels and saints, as someone once reminded me) already has watched me "in the act" so I just have to let it go. In other words, no excuses. Confess and live with it.

The priest instructing us also mentioned that people sometimes worry because they are confessing "the same old sins over and over." As he said, "We don't want to go around finding new ways to sin, do we?" We all have inclinations to various sins that we most likely will battle against for our entire time in this earthly "boot camp." Some we will overcome. Others we will not. We must measure our progress in terms of getting back up repeatedly to continue the battle.

Those confessionals scattered about the world where men declare their sins don't speak of the severity of God. Rather do they speak of his mercy. And all those who approach the confessional, sometimes after many years weighed down with mortal sins, in the moment of getting rid of this intolerable burden, find at last a longed-for relief. they find joy and tranquility of conscience which, outside Confession, they will never be able to find anywhere.

John Paul II, quoted in In Conversation with God: Advent and Christmastide

There is nothing like the feeling of lightness and relief from a truly good confession.

I encourage you to take advantage of this gift which the Church offers to us so freely. Lent is still here. Go before Easter.

Update
Heather mentions something that I completely forgot to include, but which I think of often to give myself that extra boost to get to confession.

Confession also has enormous healing powers. So even if I am free of mortal sins, I often find Confession very powerful and valuable. Sometimes, you just need an extra boost of grace to keep flying true!

Also, because Confession brings us into a state of grace, it makes our souls more receptive of the graces we receive from all the other Sacraments. Without Confession, the other Sacraments are limited in their power, and even harmful--all because of sin that we can't or won't have cleansed by Confession.

I remember going to confession for a specific purpose and then being dumbfounded when the priest informed me that it wasn't a sin at all. "What?" I said. "You're kidding!" He assured me he wasn't and then, when I couldn't think of anything else, asked me what I struggled with the most so that I could receive the grace to battle against it more effectively. Quite often when I just can't stand to deal with a particular sin any more I remember that I can get a strengthening dose of grace as well as absolution from confession. And I hustle to church.

Worth a Thousand Words

Purple Flowers Fantasy taken by Barcelona Photoblog.

'Tis the Season for Conversion Stories ...

... or so it would seem to me. As we come closer to the Easter Vigil when the catachumens will be confirmed in the Catholic Church, after those long months of preparation in RCIA, we begin to see their stories popping up here and there.

Here is a bit of Heather's story, posted by Sarah. Go check out the whole post and then demand part 2 (not that it's all about what I want to read or anything ...)

When Sarah and Prince Charming invited us to their second daughter’s baptism, we were happy to attend, and with my camera in hand, I was seeing the Mass unfold in a whole new way. Maybe it was that camera being like another set of eyes with which to see the Mass, or maybe it was the sheer emotion of the baptism (babies…oooh how sweet), but something moved in me that day…The same “thing” that had been there when I went to Mass with Carrie and the same “thing” that I felt when I went to Mass with my Knight so early in our relationship. That “thing,” I came to discover was none other than the Holy Spirit.

Worth a Thousand Words

One of the Anthropomorphic Trade Cards featured at BibliOdyssey. You can see the entire Victorian trade card collection here.

Worth a Thousand Words

Bottlenose Dolphins Chanonry Point from Flickr Scotland.

Denying Discussion -- UPDATED Yet Again

Scroll down to "Updated Yet Again" info.

Leticia at Catholic Media Review found this interesting trailer for Expelled, a docu-drama that looks at how scientists who espouse intelligent design are discriminated against.

What I find interesting, in reading Brett McCracken's review is that this seems to be not as much about defending intelligent design as defending the right to discuss it at all. (Jeffrey Overstreet showed me the way to the review.)

UPDATE
It is only natural for this to bring up a discussion of intelligent design in general. We had quite the conversation about that around here a while ago which overflowed into other places. Steven Riddle, a Catholic and scientist, at Flos Carmeli wrote what basically is my point of view (so glad he did that!). I am putting a bit of it below, but please do go over and read the whole thing before commenting here one way or the other. Just so we're all on the same page, ya know ...

Scientists who attack intelligent design as "not science" are not being entirely true to themselves. It would be equally valid to attack neo-darwinism. Neo-darwinism is the philosophical construct that grew up around Darwin's original proposal of evolutionary theory. While neodarwinism added some aspects to the theory as a whole (for example allopatric speciation), it also set on top of evolution an interpretive framework. Although the scientists using it would probably think of it as value neutral, it is not. Neo-darwinism assumes as its underpinning the absolute randomness of everything that happens in the natural world and in the mixing of genes. But absolute randomness is, in fact, an axiom, an expectation and it is improvable. Moreover, it is loaded with a philosophical bias that makes the theory including it untestable. ...

The objection to intelligent design is not that it is bad science (although this is what scientists might tell you) it is that it contravenes a necessary assumption of science and the way science works to make a special exception for a sensitive case. The objection to intelligent design is that it is a philosophical assumption that poses as a theory. It offers nothing that evolution does not offer already. It is simply the theistic side of the coin. Atheists (Dawkins among them) argue that evolution proceeds in a random fashion (a point they cannot prove with any evidence whatsoever) and theists say that it proceeds by design. In either case the mechanism is as Darwin originally suggested--natural occurrences acting upon a population.

So, intelligent design is not a scientific theory, it is a philosophical construct. Evolution IS a scientific theory that must carefully be teased apart from a philosophical assumption of "no intervention." Proper teaching of evolution would require a very careful statement that we can assume nothing about how the mechanism proceeds. What appears random may be random but we cannot prove randomness. What we assume to be guided could be guided, but we can even less assume that.

Updated Yet Again

Jonathan got to see it at a pre-release screening this week. He says it's very well done, but can't really say much else because they asked people not to review it yet. Suffice it to say that he used the expression, "gave the Darwinists enough rope to hang themselves."

So says Amanda Witt at Wittingshire. She also gives us the links to Expelled's site as well as to where Thinking Christian is keeping an eye on the whole thing.

Meanwhile, in these very comments boxes, there is some interesting discussion coming from Catholic scientists ... I like to see what everyone says even though I am barely up to the discussion. Check it out.

It's First Friday!

Which I remembered yesterday. Fasting for the unborn babies, their parents, and for the change of heart of abortion providers.

Here's the main statement (which I still haven't updated ... sorry!): It Began Here, Let It End Here

I am insanely busy at work right now with things that need quick response so won't be able to make it to adoration ...

Another Latin Pronunciation Bleg

We're coming to the end of China Court so there won't be too many more of these. I really appreciate the help, y'all!

Noctem quietam et finem perfectum concedat nobis ...

(May He grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.)

Worth a Thousand Words

Shoji taken by Kyoto Photo.

Did You Want a Twist of Faith in That Science Fiction?

My recent reviews of Infinite Space, Infinite God and Seven Archangels: Annihilation made me remember a few other books of that category which also give us food for reflection about faith. You can find my reviews here:

• Auralia's Colors
• Game of Fox and Lion
• Eifelheim
• the Odd Thomas series

Here is an ongoing conversation about science fiction with a Catholic twist and this is an interesting list of books which are explicitly "Christian", have Christian characters, or deal with Christian themes, have been recommended by at least ten members of Christian Fandom

I know there was a fairly comprehensive list with comments about how the faith was portrayed at a Catholic science fiction blog somewhere in the past ... but I couldn't find it. I bet someone out there knows (the Curt Jester? Scott Danielson?).

Update

• Speculative Catholic's list ... that was it! This one is great because it has comments about the books. Thanks Jeff!
• Another list ... from Scott Danielson.

It's All Downhill From Here

I'm so busy I can't do anything but provide something to make you smile.

Inspired by Siggy's whole latte art display, I found this food art. Go take a look ... I bet you'll smile at least once.

Worth a Thousand Words

One of the Fugitive Beauties of Hexandria. See more at BibliOdyssey.

In Outer Space, Can Anyone Hear You Pray?

Infinite Space, Infinite God
edited by Karina and Robert Fabian

Science fiction has always explored human nature in a variety of imaginative settings and situations. Infinite Space, Infinite God stretches a bit further and examines the human soul. This science fiction anthology's theme is Catholicism and outer space. In one guise or another, each story raises an element of spirituality, faith, and worship for our consideration.

The editors have grouped the stories in various categories such as humanity, evangelism, mission, and souls. The commentary provided for each category is insightful and well written. The only complaint one might have is that each story's plot is slightly revealed therein. Those who wish to let the stories unfold without preconception would do well to read the editors' section comments after finishing the stories. Whichever method one uses, the comments provide good food for thought and should not be missed.

It has been a very long time since I have read a science fiction anthology and this one reminded me of the pleasure to be had in sampling a variety of writers' work this way. Especially thought-provoking for me were:

• Hopkin's Well in which a soldier encounters settlers on Mars who force im to consider what constitutes a soul
• Brother Jubal and the Womb of Silence where a monk who seeks the ultimate solitude for contemplation has a mystic experience that leads him to the exact opposite of what he expects.
• Far Traveler where a secret project sends a man back to witness an event in Jesus' time that has unexpected repercussions in the future.
• Cruel and Unusual Punishment in which a terrorist chooses a punishment called "the light" instead of the death penalty and discovers that hey may not have chosen the lesser of two evils.

No anthology is without its weak stories and this one is no exception. A few are included that treat faith and Catholicism both obviously and unimaginatively, leaving the reader with no maneuvering room for their own thoughts o a subject. Thankfully, there are very few of these and the other stories are so good that the reader can quickly move on.

This book would be a good one to consider for Easter reading, when new possibilities and new life in Christ is vividly with us. This is not available in regular book stores but check the link above to order it from Amazon.

Vote Early and Vote Often

Well, voting often really isn't possible ... just dreaming there. The voting is open at The Catholic Blog Awards. You can only vote once so choose carefully.

Happy Catholic was nominated for Best Individual Catholic Blog, Best Overall Catholic Blog, Funniest Catholic Blog, and Most Informative & Insightful Catholic Blog. Y'all are so very kind! And you've made me so very happy. (If only there was a category for that.)

And I see that Catholic Media Review, of which I am a member, was nominated for Best Group Blog, Best Insider Catholic News Blog, and Most Informative & Insightful Catholic Blog. Sweet!

Do go take a look at the nominees. There are a ton of good blogs nominated and you're sure to find a new one that you can't live without (the story of my life, just look at my sidebar!).

It's tough in any category because of all the competition (which is a good thing ... I'm a capitalist y'all!). Because of my fondness for tradition and for my Jamaican bobsled team, I'm gonna revive the regular awards campaign.

C'mon ... kiss the egg!

(And if you don't know what that means
then hie thee to a rental store and catch up on Cool Runnings)

Now get over there and vote!

Worth a Thousand Words

Emotion, Ural Owl, taken by Remo Savisaar

True Love Has Never Been More Awkward

... a funny, fractured romance between two total misfits woven into an all-consuming quest for revenge and shot through with the strange, sweet hilarity of the human condition. When Lily, a lonely, oddball fast-food waitress and hopeless romantic, and Jarrod, another lonely oddball and video game clerk who has spent the last decade plotting revenge against a bully from high school, connect at a "dress as your favorite animal" party, it's a match seemingly made in outcast heaven. ...

Eagle Vs. Shark is the sweet story of two losers, one who is free to be herself, and the other who continually tries to live up to his father's expectations. Both come from families that are populated completely with what most would call losers also. However, as is often the case, no one seems to recognize this. Lily's relationship with her brother is loving and full of games they play to amuse themselves. Jarrod's family is haunted by the memory of a dead brother who Jarrod feels he can never match.

There is occasional animation included that points up key parts. It is simple, but very well done and adds an odd charm all its own to the overall movie.

This is an extremely low key movie, that makes one think of The Castle, if any of the characters from that quirky family took themselves a bit too seriously. We all recognize the types that Lily and Jarrod represent and perhaps that recognition helps make the movie resonate more with us. If one looks for a deeper meaning than mere entertainment here, the overall message would be that one need not be anywhere close to perfect to desire and deserve love ... and to find it. More than anything, this movie is quirky, funny, and (one simply cannot escape the word) sweet.

Note: The "R" rating is for language, some sexuality, and brief animated violence. What we noticed was the sexuality though it is indeed brief and not explicit.

Papa in Pink

Actually those are rose colored vestments. This and other special signs of joy such as the use of flowers on the altar are permitted on this day to encourage the faithful in their course through the season of penance.

Thank you, I'll take that encouragement! Deacon Greg has more info and links about this Sunday midway through Lent, technically named Laetare Sunday. I like seeing those rose colored vestments, though our priest always says that he feels like a gumdrop wearing them.

Worth a Thousand Words

No Toys Needed from Veronica on the Verge

Anne Rice's Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana

And I may have rolled my eyes as Jesus moons over the beautiful young girl who lives across the street. (Not to worry, though; Rice's Jesus knows that the personal problems of a Messiah don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.)

Still, you (by which I mean "I") don't read a novelization of the life of Christ for the plot. You read it to find out what insights, if any, the novelist has into the mystery of the Incarnation.

Disputations got a review copy and pronounces it good, although with a few shakes of the head along the way. I stopped reading Rice's first "Jesus book" ... what was it called ... Out of Egypt? ... a few chapters in. This sounds somewhat less speculative and much better. John's review gives you a good sense of the highs and lows and he ends up enthusiastic (which in itself is worth seeing!) so check it out.

Worth a Thousand Words

Sarcophagus in Pedralbes Monastery by Barcelona Photoblog.

Moloch Throws His Support Behind Obama

No surprises there ...

Moloch speaks ... we will scurry to do the opposite and thwart him.

Around our house, we are trying to shut our ears to all the candidates' recordings ringing through to our answering machine as Texas's primary is next Tuesday. Since McCain seems to have the Republican ticket locked up, current thinking around our house is that Hillary is better than Barack as an adversary. Our history sensei (otherwise known as Rose's history teacher) says his spidey sense tells him that if Hillary runs against McCain, then McCain will win. But if McCain runs against Obama ... well, we just don't want to think about that.

So, we're out to even up the Dems with our two puny independent votes.


Much thanks to Sandy and her husband, for the yard sign. Looks like maybe we'll be overpowering Obama with our four votes! Take that, Obama!

St. Teresa of Avila Talks About the Pew Study

My dear sister in Christ,
This is not the reason numbers have dropped, but I want you to stop and consider one phrase: The Inquisition.

Now, as an unworthy one attempting to be faithful through the pure grace of Our Majesty, I do not wish to brag. I simply wish to remind you that the Inquisition was a concrete reality in my day, and the Inquisitors questioned my work and the mystical gifts I received from God. It was not pleasant. Then my order gave me all kinds of difficulty in creating a more strict observance of the Carmelite charism. My most honorable Padre Juan was kept in solitary confinement from members of the order for a time. It was not a good moment in the history of the Catholic Church, let's say. Perhaps you've heard of it.

So how did we respond?

We became saints. ...

Ironic Catholic has her finger on the pulse of responses to the less than perfect Church ... via St. Teresa. Go read the whole thing. Highly instructive while being handled with a light touch.

It's Like Law and Order ... With More Women

Yep! I'm Excited! Nothing New About That!

You Are An Exclamation Point

You are a bundle of... well, something. You're often a bundle of joy, passion, or drama. You're loud, brash, and outgoing. If you think it, you say it. Definitely not the quiet type, you really don't keep a lot to yourself. You're lively and inspiring. People love to be around your energy. (But they do secretly worry that you'll spill their secrets without even realizing it.) You excel in: Public speaking You get along best with: the Dash

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Via Question Mark Sarah.

Worth a Thousand Words

All Smiles, from Flickr's Cream of the Crop.

Two Books for Times of Trouble that Can Enlighten Us at Any Time

These are little books but they deliver a big dose of food for thought that seems especially appropriate during Lent.

The Way of the Cross in Times of Illness
by Elizabeth Thecla Mauro

3. Jesus Falls the First Time

Why do we always assume that this first fall came from your weariness and physical pain? Could you have fallen in fear? You, Jesus who are both God and human, you understand how fear and anxiety can paralyze the will, paralyze the strength of the body, and sometimes paralyze even the strength of the spirit.

I admit that there are times when I am overtaken with fear, and I feel unable to move, to think, to pray--even to This fear brings with it a weariness that defies description and snatches away the small pockets of peace I am seeking in my life.

So, I fall now with you, Jesus, prostrated in fear, knowing that I must rise and go on. My face is dirty; I am gasping through the dust of the road.

But I get up with you. I breathe in deeply, and breathe out.

With you, I move slowly forward.

Yahweh, I called on your name from the deep pit. You heard me crying, "Do not close your ear to my prayer." You came near that day when I called to you; you said: "Do not be afraid."

Lamentations 3:55-57 (JB)

I rarely do the Stations of the Cross although I often have one catch my eye during times when I am waiting for Mass to begin, thereby beginning thoughts about it. Most often I will think about them when contemplating the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary. Although this simple, inexpensive book is presented as being for a time of illness, when reading through it I found much that is worthy of contemplation during Lent. It is worded so that the stations can apply to illness, but not so specifically that the contemplations cannot be used at any time, especially in any time of distress. Highly recommended.

Caring for the Dying With the Help of Your Catholic Faith
by Elizabeth Scalia

The Long Tunnel

Some people say the process of dying involves the appearance of a long tunnel through which one passes, moving toward the light. Just as those who report back from a "near death experience" say they felt "pushed along" through a tunnel, you may feel like you are being "pushed along" by circumstances, and unable to halt the forward motion -- a prisoner of sheer momentum. You would be right. As the journey's end nears, there seems to be no further chance to hit the brakes or to pull back a bit.

This is a scary feeling. A new skier would never attempt an advanced trail, and yet here you are moving through this experience at a breathtaking pace. Everything seems out of your control. This might be a good time to make an assessment of what you can control. You can control being wholly present to a person who is dying. That doesn't seem like very much, but it is everything.

Together with Our Lady
When Mary, the mother of Jesus, was told that her Son had been arrested, her world also began to spin out of control. In truth, you are very much Mary's companion right now, just as she is yours. What you are living through, she has survived:

• Just as your access to your loved one is decreasing as their need for sleep increases, Mary's access to her Son was closed off.
• Like you, Mary had to stand by and watch helplessly while her loved one took on the "job of dying."
• Like you, Mary had to watch the one she loved let go of her to take His leave.
• Mary, too, had to let go, and to trust that she would see Him again.
• As you lean on family and friends, remember that Mary had John and Mary Magdalene beside her for support.
• After Jesus' death, Mary had to live and eat and worship with an imperfect "family," some of whom had let her -- and her Son -- down. It is not really a unique experience, as families go.

Being "wholly present" may not feel like you are doing very much. It may seem like a pitiful amount of "control" for an adult to have over any person or event. But as Mary taught us, being "present" to another person has power. It is saying, "I will be a witness to your whole life and death, so that all you are and have been will remain in me,when you have gone. And I will help you say goodbye."

Being wholly present to a dying person is a great responsibility, one that requires all the control of which you are capable.

In the midst of our very busy lives, the last thin we are likely to think about much is how to handle the details of death. for that very reason, when tragedy occurs, we often are faced with many details which we don't understand and about which we are not prepared to make decisions. This immensely practical book is instructive on several levels. Naturally, the main information conveyed is of those modern practicalities so that we can understand them not only conceptually but in relation to Church teachings. Pain management, organ donation, hospice care, living wills, grief management are but a few of the issues upon which this slender book gives straight forward information.

What raises this volume to a different level than a "how to" book, however, is the sensitive and thoughtful spiritual commentary that is intertwined with the practical information. As one can see in the above excerpt, the anguish our souls feel during such a time is met with reminders of how our faith is there to provide comfort and encouragement ... and even, possibly, beauty, grace, and joy.

As I read through this book, I was moved to contemplate Jesus' passion as experienced by those around him, which is most appropriate for this time of Lent as we draw closer to Holy Week. It is not the sort of book I would normally read but some of the images have remained with me and will doubtless feed my contemplation during Holy Week. This is a book that I would recommend everyone keep on hand for those unexpected times when our lives are thrown into anguish and we need solid advice of both the practical and spiritual sort. Highly recommended.

Dallas Blogging Buddies

I have meant to put this section in my sidebar for some time. Now Stevie's discovery of the bloggers who are from our parish made me remember to do it.

These folks are Dallas bloggers who I know personally. Somehow I'm thinking that I'm missing at least one person. Let me know if that's the case.

• ...and if not...
• Practicing Catholic, The
• Rafting the Tiber
• Summa Mamas
• Veronica on the Verge
• Wheelbarrow Manor

Also, I have not kept up with the general sidebar too well for some time. If I should have a link to you in there, let me know.

Worth a Thousand Words

The Reader, 1856, by Ferdinand Heilbuth (1826-1889)

Quick Looks at 5 Books and 1 Movie

In my continuing efforts to mention a bit of something about everything I read or watch this year ...

• Seven Archangels: Annihilation by Jane Lebak**** - see my review here.


• Faith, Reason, and the War Against Jihadism by George Weigel**** - it is as good as everybody has said. This review by The Curt Jester says it all, and far better than I would.


• Quarter Share by Nathan Lowell**** - Audiobook - Coming of age story set in the future where trading ships wend their way from planet to planet. Ishmael Wong has become an orphan and joins a ship's crew as cook's assistant. He makes friends, works his way through tests that will increase his job potential, and comes up with trading ideas that not only make money but serve to bond a group of friends. The first of a trilogy, this was enjoyable and you can see that the story will grow in complexity as it goes.


• In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan *** - Pollan's first words in his introduction set up what he will be talking about for the rest of the book, "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants." He then goes on to prove his premise. A personably written but workmanlike book. Not anything we haven't seen somewhere else. This review at Tigers & Strawberries is indepth from a reader who has read Pollan's previous, immensly popular book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma."


• Playing for Keeps by Mur Lafferty**** - Audiobook - enjoyable story set in a city where superheroes and villains are common occurrances. Keepsie runs a bar for people whose "superpowers" don't quite measure up enough to make them real superheroes. Until, of course, an unthinkable emergency arises and they must rise to the task. Light, humorous, and a lot of fun.
  


• Avenue Montaigne**** ... subtitled in French ... light comedy about a young waitress, Jessica, seeking her fortune in Paris. This is an area where the elite work and play. She comes into contact with a concert pianist, an actress, and a widower who is selling his art collection in a nearby gallery. Each character has a primary motivation behind their story which we see developed as the waitress carries trays across the street to where they live and work. Although this movie is handled quite differently from Amelie, the main message is quite similar; one must take a risk to gain what one needs from life. My favorite moments, and those which communicate the movie's sweet heart best, is watching Jessica's love for her grandmother shown through her patience. When her grandmother inevitably asks, "Did I ever tell you how I worked at the Ritz?" Jessica always says no and settles back to listen to the story again. Highly enjoyed by the whole family.

While We're Rediscovering the "Old Ways" ...

... (as in the need for some good "old fashioned parenting") ... let's include "old fashioned play."

When we were trying to sell our home, we decluttered all the kids' toys. We stored everything except blocks, books, cars and barbies. They did not miss any thing else. They didn't ask where the fisher price little people and all their farms, castles, houses, zoos and trains went off to. They reinvented the blocks each time they sat down with them.

Veronica (whose presence at the Beyond Cana retreat is one of the things that made it a joy for me to work on) has some words of wisdom while reflecting on a recent NPR story about the far reaching benefits of old fashioned play. Do go read it all.

The Millennial Generation ... When Employers Must Be the Parents

... "Their orientation is so different from Gen Xers, who were the latchkey kids and are self-starters. These kids are fabulous at building teams, but they're challenged by responsibility and accountability."

All true, says Ms. Looney, a certified reality therapist and retired director of children and family ministry at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. And many employers are backing away from hiring them because they're so high maintenance.

"They've been overparented, overindulged and overprotected," she says. "They haven't experienced that much failure, frustration, pain. We were so obsessed with protecting and promoting their self-esteem that they crumble like cookies when they discover the world doesn't revolve around them. They get into the real world and they're shocked.

"You have to be very careful in how you talk to them because they take everything as criticism."

Read the whole story here in The Dallas Morning News. Twenty-seven year olds are the oldest of this generation that has had their self esteem coddled to the point where they feel they deserve a pat on the head simply for showing up for work. I thought it was bad hearing about parents who were calling their children's college teachers to complain about grades. This article talks about parents who call their children's employers to complain about reviews. Heavens to Betsy! I have more to do with my time than follow my kids around and make sure they are "treated right."

Tom and I read this article and both suddenly felt we had a better handle on understanding some of our last hires which never worked out. We needed someone to do the work and learn the subtleties of how graphics and web design worked as our clients needed. We got people who would rather sip coffee and debate the philosophy of one kind of code over another.

Naturally, this is a generalization and not applicable to many people ... I know many people in this age group who are hard workers and don't expect recognition for their mere existence. In some cases, I also know their parents who laughed every time there was a school awards ceremony giving a certificate to kids who hadn't missed a day of school or never got a detention. (Back in the day, we used to call that the bare minimum of what was expected ...)

Why So Defensive?

Many years ago, I attended a teacher in-service day. It was in another city, I had to go, and I had to go through incredible hassle to get child care for my kids. I got to the in-service day, and this was the schedule: 1)Welcome 2)Mass 3)Sharing on some reflection questions or other 4) lunch 5) go home.

So yes, we got evaluation forms, and yes, I wrote a negative evaluation, in which I voiced what I thought was probably a common opinion, which culminated in the point: ”You want to give me an inservice day? Let me stay at school and grade papers. “

A few days later, I was called into the principal’s office. Yes! Called into the principal’s office!

He had a fax of my evaluation on his desk and said that the Superintendent had been very displeased with what I had said.

“How,” he asked, “Would you feel if someone criticized something you worked hard to plan?”

I thought…I’m a teacher. Welcome to my life!

I also thought about my years as a DRE, getting criticized from all sides on every score: Too much content, not enough. Too much parental involvement required, not enough. Etc., etc.

I thought, in conclusion…isn’t that just …life?

Amy Welborn at Charlotte was Both has a very good post about all out defensiveness which doesn't allow for any dissension. Do go read it all. She is speaking specifically about Catholic things but I think we see this everywhere. It is interesting to me that as "political correctness" has grown, so too has this intolerance for any disagreement from one's own viewpoint.

Of course, we can disagree, but we have forgotten how to allow others the "right to be wrong," as it were. (Incidentally, here is a review of a good book about that very subject.) Wouldn't it be nice if we all had a mature, adult model more like that of G.K. Chesterton's? He could have a vigorous debate with George Bernard Shaw, laugh heartily at Shaw's sallies against him, and then refute Shaw's point. Later both would go to dinner together.

Looking around I found this little tidbit which I thought that y'all might enjoy as well.

Chesterton used to do a stand-up routine, called for purposes of advertisement a "debate," with his good friend George Bernard Shaw. They disagreed about practically everything. Shaw was a socialist, Chesterton a distributist, which Shaw thought amounted to being a socialist, but Chesterton didn't. From a 1928 debate:

Shaw: Now I have a very limited legal right to the use of [my] umbrella. I cannot do as I like with it. For instance, certain passages in Mr. Chesterton's speech tempted me to get up and smite him over the head with my umbrella.... But should I abuse my right to do what I like with my property--with my umbrella--in this way I should soon be made aware...that I cannot treat my umbrella as my own property in the way in which a landlord can treat his land. I want to destroy ownership in order that possession and enjoyment may be raised to the highest point in every section of the community. That, I think, is perfectly simple....

Chesterton: Among the bewildering welter of fallacies which Mr. Shaw has just given us, I prefer to deal first with the simplest. When Mr. Shaw refrains from hitting me over the head with his umbrella, the real reason--apart from his real kindness of heart, which makes him tolerant of the humblest of the creatures of God--is not because he does not own his umbrella, but because he does not own my head.

Protecting Us from Every Threat ... Even Zombies

Clearly this reporter has never read World War Z or seen Shaun of the Dead for an idea of how "slow moving" zombies can be a threat. And what about those super-fast zombies in 28 Days Later (yes, I know we're not supposed to use "the z word").



Much thanks to Buster, who clued in The Anchoress to this funny start to my day.

Worth a Thousand Words

A Vatican Blessing via Deacon Greg, where you can also find the link to the news story.

Worth a Thousand Words

Sliced Bread No. 2 by Neil Hollingsworth

Watching the Hip Slide into Cluelessness

When you have children you are provided with a whole new way to see the world. Young children allow you to relive those days of your own long gone youth when the world was new. Having teenagers shows you the freshness of "trying on" adult behavior, the excitement of seeing a whole future ahead of your, and ... is a vivid reminder of what it was to always be on the cusp of knowing the hippest music, movies, and trends. Thanks to Rose and Hannah, we have seen Daywatch (twice), a Russian vampire movie that very few of our regular acquaintances have ever heard of, unless they are movie geeks.

We hear at least some of the music (a few songs of which have found their way onto my play list), watch the movies together, and get asked if the latest Facebook rumor could be true (sorry, I don't see any confirmation that Firefly is going to film a second season for television ... it's a lovely dream though). It is a small window and one that will close as they grow older but interesting while it's open. We ourselves aren't hip, but we know how to recognize the real thing right now.

What was brought vividly to me recently, however, is that my teenagers also are like a window on those slightly older people who are just getting the scoop that they are no longer on that cusp.

I remember a while back when a friend in her late twenties was talking to Rose at some event we had dragged her to. My friend was trying to talk about music to Rose and asked if Rose liked to listen to Justin Timberlake, who was just then making his "comeback." The look on Rose's face was truly laughable. She was struggling to keep a straight face and be respectful, while simultaneously trying to think of how to gracefully communicate that no one with musical savvy of her age would listen to Timberlake. My friend saw that look and, confused, said, "Isn't he popular? Who do you listen to?" Rose then reeled off a list of bands that my friend had never heard of. To her credit, my friend started laughing and said, "Well, I guess I'm not as cool as I thought I was."

More recently, Tom and I were at a birthday party for a younger friend, probably in her late twenties or early thirties (yes, I should remember as it was a birthday party, but ... I don't). A friend of hers gave her a CD and then sparkled at me that, "We have to help her stay cool you know!" I don't remember who the singer was, but I do remember that it was someone who was only cool if you were of a certain age. I smiled and asked if she liked a similar sort of artist who Hannah and Rose listened to. She had never heard of them.

I didn't put these incidents together until much more recently.

Again, I was at a gathering and found myself among several couples who are parents of young children. One of them asked, "What is Facebook?" A small silence and then another said, "It's like MySpace." Another small silence and I said, "It's a social networking thing. You know so that it's easy to get people together for parties and things like that." My friend said, "What? I just made little cards and drew beer mugs on them." This struck me as sweetly quaint ... and certainly slow. I was trying to explain that things would move too fast sometimes, "You know, sometimes Hannah's friends will ask 17 people in the afternoon to go to the movies that night ..." There was an incredulous, "17 people to the movies!"

Bantering began about the fact that no one is going to do that and "movies is code for kegger..." I was still trying to explain and heard someone say, amid howls of laughter, "Julie thinks they are really going to the movies!" "Right! And popcorn is code for ... " At that point I gave up. There was no point in giving examples of the many times I had fed up to 20 kids who hung out at our house until time to go on a scavenger hunt (code for ... scavenger hunt) or to the midnight movies. It was completely good natured on their part and these are some of my favorite people so I didn't want to be ... uncool. Which didn't stop it from making me mad because no one likes to be laughed at for being clueless.

Now, if I had had one or two more drinks, I probably would have laughed along and reminded them that I am just a tad more clued-in than they thought. Thanks to the hounding of others, for example, I actually have a space on Facebook, for example. Sadly I was not that cool. I probably showed my feelings a bit too much before turning to other subjects with other people. Oh well, none of us is perfect. (Interestingly when I told Hannah and Rose about this, each was indignant at the aspersions cast on their characters ... and those of their friends. But they've never been under any illusions that they and their friends aren't geeks ... which, in it's own way, is a cool thing in itself.)

However, Tom had heard most of it. Later on, he said, "You know, the really funny part of all that? They think they are still in touch with what is hip. But they have slid out of it just like everyone does. They just don't know it yet."

That made me remember those other examples ... and see it as one more little window on the world, an interesting cultural observation point, that we have through our kids. For the moment. Until they too, slide from knowing what is hip into cluelessness. Which is completely fine. As long as you know it.

Andy Timmons where have you been all my life?

Much thanks to Onthepodcast for playing Resolution in Episode 4 (yes, that's a hint y'all ... go listen to the last half if nothing else to hear the song).

You can find Andy Timmons' website here and listen to samples if you like.

Book Review: Annihilation

Although this book has strong religious elements which makes it appropriate to suggest for Easter reading, it most assuredly has excellent writing first and foremost, telling a compelling story that engaged my interest the entire time. I read it in three days.

Seven Archangels: Annihilation by Jane Lebak

Without wanting to, for the hundred-and-eighth time, Mephistopheles relived the scene. Their Guard, unbreeched. The way the Cherub had screamed for God. Camael's energy drilling into Gabriel. The Cherub unable to move, unable even to cry out by the end as they disconnected one piece from the next from the next from the next. That flash of raw light as Lucifer finished.

Mephistopheles sat on the floor and closed his eyes.

I made that possible.

Remiel insane. Angels not singing. Raphael crippled.

I did that.

A great victory. Everyone said so. A crowd of revelers chanted so. Even the minions of Heaven seemed to think so. Victory.

Mephistopheles' eyes flew open.

Jane Lebak gives us a fantasy novel with an interesting premise. What would happen if Satan, in his unending battle to overcome Heaven, discovers how to kill an angel? This raises not only the question of whether God would allow such an action, but of how the Heavenly host would react, and what long-term ramifications would result.

Satan's angels kidnap Gabriel to test their newfound annihilation discovery. The Heavenly angels storm to the rescue but cannot break through Hell's defenses. It would seem that Gabriel has been destroyed. However, things are not what they seem, as one might expect. The story proceeds with strategizing, rescue efforts, battles, and, less typical of an action novel, personal encounters with God. Intertwined are the personal struggles of the angels to do the right thing. One Heavenly angel goes insane. Will she condemn herself to Hell? An angel from Hell is overcome with regret. Will he turn to God and repent?

This story operates on several levels beyond the action. We are reminded forcibly that Hell also is populated by an angelic host, albeit one that is creatively directed toward destruction fueled by their resentment against God's supremacy. Although visits to earth are sometimes included, most of the story takes place in Heaven and Hell, showing us the angels as they interact during this emergency. Naturally, this also includes the Heavenly host's interactions with the persons of the Trinity.

As with the human condition, God will not interfere directly but leaves the angels to their calling in resolving the situation. The Heavenly host can hear God's answer to their prayers clearly, yet this does not mean that His answer to prayer is any less cryptic than the answers we may feel we sometimes receive. A favorite interchange of the novel for me illustrating this point is when Gabriel is under attack.

A moment later, Raphael's urgent voice: God says "Remember your strength."

Gabriel shored up Israfel, slipped out of Satan's hold again, and then had to brace Israfel once more.

Quit being cryptic, he prayed. I've got a lot going on here.

This book is quite satisfying as a straight action novel, however a thoughtful reader will find much to ponder.

Lebak follows Catholic theology for how angelic classifications but then goes on to her own imaginings of the need for angels to be bonded with others in a match that is complementary to each one's nature. This opens the story to considerations of friendship, with all the benefits and abuses that can result therein. This becomes especially telling when one sees that the demonic angels necessarily also bond with each other. Satan cannot stand and it drives him to distraction as an inherent weakness of angelic nature. Even in Hell, he is set apart because he denies his nature in a way that the other angels do not or cannot. This plot point leads to the consideration of evil as the denial of one's true nature.

Heavenly angels are so close to God that they hear his voice clearly in their hearts. They see Jesus face to face and walk with him as he gives friendship, support, and guidance. The Holy Spirit is almost tangible for them. This leads us to consider our own relationships with the Trinity. On a personal note, I took some of these images into my own prayer life and it has been a very helpful reminder about God's nature.

The weakest point of the book is Lebak's handling of Mary, Mother of God, as a character. In a depiction as the perfect disciple, Mary is a quiet figure constantly in the background. Her suggestions are always followed up on by the angels without comment and those suggestions often are given with the comment "Jesus instructed." Mary shows her support for the Heavenly angels by baking and making hot beverages. The angels must incorporate real bodies to consume these treats which they protest but then do to humor her. A bit of this makes the point about discipleship but Lebak carries it on to the point that by the time Mary shows up somewhere with banana bread and hot chocolate it struck me as almost a running joke. It may not strike others this way, however, a little went a very long way.

I will not call this Christian fiction as it stands well as a fantasy novel. That said, anyone who does not subscribe in some form to basic concepts of God and Heaven, necessarily is going to find this heavy going because of the subject matter. Although Lebak is Catholic, those who are not Catholic will find that her writing, as one person asked me, "Is it not overwhelmingly Catholic but still sort of Catholic?" Lebak is informed by Catholic theology, as mentioned above with the angelic classifications, but it is not anything that should intrude on any Christian's enjoyment of this book. For example, although Peter very briefly appears twice in the book, I defy anyone not to thoroughly relish his last line.

Highly recommended.

For those who would like to sample the book, the first few chapters can be found online.

Cross posted at Catholic Media Review.

The Battle of New Orleans

I don't know why I find this amusing but I do. As well, it took some considerable care with the stop motion to get the drumming right (and I liked how the cannons rolled back when they shot). But then, I'm easily amused.

"You play the Moses card a lot."

I don't know if anyone else has been catching Eli Stone but it is pretty interesting so far.

Lawyer Eli Stone is on the fast track. He is a high powered attorney, with a gorgeous fiancee, and the head of the firm is his mentor. Then one day he begins hearing music that no one else hears. Soon he is seeing visions and fearing that he is crazy. Willing to try anything, he goes to Dr. Chen, an acupuncturist, who helps him to recall important memories from his youth.

Eli's brother, an equally high-powered doctor, finds that Eli has an inoperable brain aneurysm. Dr. Chen tells him that "aneurysm" is science's explanation. Chen points out that there could be a divine answer for the visions -- Eli may be a prophet. Of course, Eli goes on to follow the "clues" from his visions which send him to represent a case that his firm would never take on and thus help the little guy.

What I find interesting in the show, aside from the fact that each episode has featured a song and dance number thus far, is that each seems to be pointing out a characteristic of the traditional "prophet." It makes us look a little deeper past the comedic effects of Eli having jumped onto a grenade from a vision and come to himself face down in a cake. Eli has been living the good life as a shallow overachiever, but we see that such a life is coming to an end as his prophetic duties overcome him. As well, the quite shallow fiancee is being allowed to show that she can have unexpected depths, rather than remaining a cartoonish character for Eli's secretary to make the target of her barbs.

On the other hand, I suppose it is du rigeur in prime time television to have Eli and his fiancee continually leaping onto the couch to make love, but I could do without it.

Beyond Cana: the Retreat

Much thanks to everyone who stopped and said a prayer for the Beyond Cana retreat.

Eight couples came in various stages of apprehension, excitement, or nerves. Eight couples left looking relaxed, happy, and glowingly in love.

What a privilege to help in such an endeavor. I know that this retreat brought special blessings to Tom and me in several ways. I know of some blessings that flowed also over others of our team ... and am sure there were many more I simply do not know about.

When we got home, Rose was there with a big hug and many whispers about her days while we were gone (while Tom slumbered on the couch ... my several-hour-nap came shortly thereafter). My usual entourage of two dogs and a cat were more determined and close behind me than ever.

The fridge is bare. I have a flat tire being fixed which I will pick up this afternoon.

And I am smiling anyway.

God was at work and we were allowed to participate.

What Does It Mean to Be Human?

We humans have lost our identity. As a people, we no longer have the answers to these questions:

• Who am I?
• What is the purpose to life?
• Who is God?
• Why was I created?

These questions and the corresponding answers directly effect what we believe, how we view life, and how we live. The root of the issue is this - without an identity in Christ, we cannot see ourselves, others or the world in the proper context. We mistake a lie for the truth.

Marcel LeJeune, at Mary's Aggies, has been tackling this question lately.

First, read this, whence came the above excerpt. It is good and thoughtful.

Secondly, take a look at this review of a documentary about what it means to be human. Here is a bit of it but there is much more and it is well worth your time to read it. I also am putting the movie trailer below. If you watch, please view the trailer in its entirety as the beginning seems rather grim, but actually is setting up the reason the movie was made.

The story of the film revolves around a young man and his brother and their quest to find what it means to be human in light of their own experiences and struggles. They have three different life-transforming experiences in search of the answers to the questions about the meaning and purpose of life. What does it mean to be a human? Why do we have to suffer? Where is God? Where can we find hope?

The movie never gives an explicit answer to these questions and I believe that it achieves it's ends much more effectively because it doesn't provide the answer for us. It challenges us to do the same as the young men in the film - go and find what it means to be human. They never get preachy in the film, but rather witness to what makes us all human by experiencing those situations where hope seems distant. ...

"I teach Sunday school..."

I am positive that this Stephen Colbert clip has been making the rounds but haven't caught up with blog reading this morning. Possibly one of the greatest compliments I have received this year was the email I got this morning with the link that said, "I've been reading your blog for a year or more and I thought of you when I saw this the other night."

Warning, this contains an epithet, bleeped out.



This ties in nicely with the fact that I was at the retreat with Gino who is both more charitable and much more knowledgeable than I am about the faith. During a break time, when Brad (also very knowledgeable) asked the difference between plenary indulgences and plain indulgences, Gino reeled off the explanation without blinking. And without fanfare, which I probably could not have done.

The clip above also makes me think of last week's House, which we watched last night. It delved into matters of faith and whether a person can ever really change. As a person who has changed for the better (as House's patient had claimed to do), I was interested to see where the writers took this question. One of the main delights, as above, was in watching the patient's husband, a Hassidic Jew, point out logical fallacies and groundless assumptions in the statements of the doctors. Which for me, is connected with watching Colbert above.