This Sounds Good to Me

What do we need in a new pope? I was thinking yesterday about what name a new pope could take. I don't think an unending succession of John Pauls would be a good idea. The new pope should return to a traditional name. But the choice of a name indicates the orientation of the new reign. I think we need another Gregory--this would be Gregory XVII. The spirit of St. Gregory the Great is what the Church needs now. To be sure, John Paul II had it. Paul McLachlan associates Gregory with music and liturgy--think Gregorian chant--but there is more that the Church needs in his heritage. St. Gregory was a pope of renewal--he was involved with the early spread of the Benedictine Order. He was a pastoral pope--his Regula Pastoralis was the standard of pastoral theology for a thousand years; at the same time he was a pope of great learning. Most of all, he was a missionary pope. In his day, Italy was mostly occupied by the Lombards, who were partly pagan, partly Arian, whom Gregory worked to evangelize. He was inspired to begin the evangelization of England, where he sent St. Augustine, who became the first archbishop of Canterbury. We need all of these qualities now--a new pope Gregory, whoever he is. May the Lord send us one.

Henry Dieterich at A Plumbline in the Wind has a wishlist of papal qualities. I concur. Via Roz at Exultet.

The Heart of the Young

Although I have lived through much darkness ... I have seen enough evidence to be unshakably convinced that no difficulty, no fear is so great that it can completely suffocate the hope that springs eternal in the heart of the young ...

Do not let that hope die! Stake your lives on it! We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His son.

Pope John Paul II
World Youth Day, Toronto 2002

When Inspiration Strikes

Rose's theology class was given an assignment to do a presentation about how God sees us versus how society sees us. From the moment she heard it she was really lit up because she could "see" the perfect song and fashion montage to start off with. By the time we got home, she had a variety of skits thought up. Add in the influence of her partner, Mary, and a video camera ... and they were off and running.

Her teacher liked the project. So much so that she showed it to every single theology class. It is on our webserver, smaller than I'd like but it will run fairly well on the web. I'd like to link to it here but considering the times we live in, don't want to spread Rose's and Mary's pictures all over the internet. However, if you are interested in seeing the video (it's about 8 minutes long), just email me (julie at glyphnet dot com) and I'll send you the link.

Two things if you watch it ... turn up the sound and be sure to watch after the credits have run (sadly, they are unreadable because of size restrictions but they were a hoot), for the bloopers finish.

Ahhh, Our Diocean Spokesman Still Making Us Proud

On Saturday, a ink-stained FrontBurnervian tells me, the News decided it might be nice to overprint "John Paul II In His Own Words," a beautifully produced special section for the Sunday paper, and distribute it gratis to local Catholic churches. When they called the diocese to enlist its help, spokesman Bronson Havard went ballistic and told them that any News employee who stepped on the Church's property would be arrested. Presumably this edict did not apply to those Catholic employees who went to Mass yesterday--at least we haven't heard yet of any who were led away in handcuffs.

Front Burner (D Magazine's blog)

Now you can see why around Dallas all you have to do is start a sentence with, "Bronson Havard..." and people's heads start shaking.

How Does the Pope Pray?

How -- and for whom -- does the Pope pray?

You would have to ask the Holy Spirit! The Pope prays as the Holy Spirit permits him to pray. I think he has to pray in a way in which, deepening the mystery revealed in Christ, he can better fulfill his ministry. The Holy Spirit certainly guides him in this. But man must not put up obstacles. "The Spirit too comes to help us in our weakness." ...

Because the Pope is a witness of Christ and a minister of the Good News, he is a man of joy and a man of hope, a man of the fundamental affirmation of the value of existance, the value of creation and of hope in the future life. Naturally, this is neither a naive joy, nor a vain hope. The joy of the victory over evil does not obfuscate -- it actually intensifies -- the realistic awareness of the existence of evil in the world and in every man. The Gospel teaches us to call good and evil by name, but it also teaches: "Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good" (Rom. 12:21). ...

The Pope, like every Christian, must be keenly aware of the dangers to which man is subject in the world, in his temporal future, and in his final, eternal, eschatological future. The awareness of these dangers does not generate pessimism, but rather encourages the struggle for the victory of good in every realm. And it is precisely from this struggle for the victory of good in man and in the world that the need for prayer arises.

The Pope's prayer, however, has an added dimension. In his concern for all the churches every day the pontiff must open his prayer, his thought, his heart to the entire world. Thus a kind of geography of the Pope's prayer is sketched out. It is a geography of communities, churches, societies, and also of the problems that trouble the world today. In this sense the Pope is called to a universal prayer ... [which] permits him to set forth before God all the joys and hopes as well as the griefs and anxieties that the Church shares with humanity today.

Pope John Paul II
Crossing the Threshold of Hope

Yesterday is a Day I Always Will Remember

It sounds odd if I say that yesterday was a "golden day," one that will stay in my memory for a long, long time, if not forever ... but that's just what it was.

It started off with two "chance" meetings that made me very happy.

Then I went on for a bloggers' lunch with Mama T, Smockmama, and Steven Riddle. What a great bunch of people! Steven Riddle, Southern gentleman that he is, was so charming and nice and funny and real. As for the Summa Mamas, I was ready to hop in their car and go home with them. (Which, by the way, is not so far off ... after hearing about their church, we're gonna have to drop by there some Sunday morning. It sounds amazing ... just about as good as my church. Ha!) We all dove in talking as if we'd known each other for many years. What an absolute pleasure it was. I can't say it better than Steven Riddle (as if anyone could!), "Y'all ROCK!!!"

And, what a perfect group of people for me to be with when Mama T got the sad call that the pope had died. We were in a restaurant but it was as if we were in a soundproof bubble. Nothing else existed except the four of us and our shared, mingled sadness and joy. Tears flowed and we clasped hands and shared prayer together for our pope and our church. What an odd "coincidence" for us to be together to share that moment ... as if I believed in coincidence. In fact, my husband has said three times that he still can't believe how odd it was that I was with those St. Blog's parishioners at that time (and he doesn't repeat himself like that).

That actually was the second time that I heard the pope was dead as I had the misfortune to check The Drudge Report on Friday at the exact time that the false report of John Paul II's death was posted. I stunned myself by bursting into sobs and not being able to stop. When I went to tell my husband, he wasn't surprised that I was so upset. "You love him," he said. Well, I knew that! But I didn't expect it to be such a real, physical feeling of sorrow. Brother, was I ticked off at the media after that! However, I got to experience both an intense private moment of mourning for the pope as well as sharing it with community, so in a way I feel doubly blessed by that mistake.

Of course, I was floating on air after coming back from that lunch. But the day wasn't done with me yet. Then I got a phone call from a dear friend who offered a wonderful opportunity to both expand my horizons and to be of service. I'm excited every time it crosses my mind so this is definitely the right time for this to come along. More details later as things develop about that but ... gee whiz, what a day!

UPDATE: Steven's and Mama T's accounts are here.

It Is Jesus That You Seek

It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness;
He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you;
He is the beauty to which you are so attracted;
it is He who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise;
it is He who urges you to shed the masks of a false life;
it is He who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle.

It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives,
the will to follow an ideal,
the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity,
the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society,
making the world more human and more fraternal.

Pope John Paul II
World Youth Day, Rome 2000

Until We Meet Again

I am so sad for us but I am so very happy for our dear pope ... don't you know there is a colossal whooping and hollering and clapping going on to greet him right now as he enters Heaven's gates? He was truly our good shepherd who watched over us to the limits of his strength and to the very end. With all my heart I thank you, Papa.

Nothing Else Need Be Said

This evening or this night, Christ opens the door to the Pope.

Angelo Comastri
Vicar General of Vatican City

Lolek

2:15 PM Here’s a nice little bit of trivia: When JPII dies, according to tradition, the carmelengo will take a small silver hammer and lightly tap his head and say, “Karol Wotyja are you there?”

Then he will tap him again and say, “Lolek, are you there?”

“Lolek” is the nickname his mother had given him. When a man is named pope, one of the first things he is asked is by what nickname his mother called him. He is asked this because in old days, when it was not always possible to tell if one was dead or deeply comatose, it was believed that if one was called by the sweet name of one’s babyhood, one might respond to it.

It is an old idea, of course, and it might be “silly” today - clearly, we will KNOW when the pope dies…and yet, I think it is sweet and lovely, that at the moment of the man’s death, he will be called by the name his loving mother gave him. This article says the pope will not be hammered according to the new, streamlined plans...but who knows...it's still kind of lovely.

The Anchoress is blogging her thoughts while watching news coverage on the Pope's condition. I love this story about calling someone the nickname his mother had for him when he dies.

Also, like The Anchoress, I am touched by the many well wishings and caring messages from my non-Catholic friends. Nothing says "body of Christ" more to me than that does.

I Didn't Expect Tears to Spring to My Eyes...

... when I read this at BettNet

Update on the Pope

The latest information coming out right now says the Holy Father’s blood pressure is dropping, his breathing is getting shallow, his “cardio-vascular system has worsened.” His blood is being “poisoned” by the failures causing organ problems. It won’t be long now.

Dom also has a link to an article that he wrote about what happens when a pope dies.

Our dear Pope is old and frail. He has rendered faithful service long past when most ever would. He has been our good shepherd. I guess that is why I am crying right now. I have prayed for him to have a good death, whenever it finally would come. It is not as if this is unexpected by any means. But that reality is hitting me in the face right now and I am sorrowful beyond expectations.

I'm Not an April Fooler ...

... but I know some folks who are.

Drop by Too Many Chefs and read all about their Newest Team Member and their Family Secret Pizza Recipe.

Roz gets a reminder of the date.

Just for Fun

A few of my favorite quotes that are not "churchy."

You and I are here to do good to others. What the others are here for, I don't know.

W.H. Auden

I know not how to abstain from reading.

Samuel Pepys
[obviously we are soul mates]

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.

Robert Benchley

Nothing shows a man's character more than what he laughs at.

Goethe
[another soul mate]

Outside of a dog, man's best friend is a book. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read.

Groucho Marx

For Our Pope

Father in Heaven,

Thy will be done. Your faithful servant has served the faithful long and well. Thank you for the gift of him. If it be your will, let us keep him with us a while longer. Nevertheless Father, I'm certain that he is longing for home. Thy will be done to thy greater glory.

Amen

Steven Riddle at Flos Carmeli

Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.

Patience

Today's meditation in "In Conversation with God: Lent and Eastertide" is reflecting on the incident when the disciples had been fishing all night and caught nothing ... until Jesus told them to go back out after which their nets were so full that the boats were foundering. It seems perfectly timed to me.

Why did the Lord include so many fishermen among His Apostles? ... What were the good points that He saw in them? I think there was one thing which He specially appreciated in those who were to be his Apostles: an unshakeable patience ... They had worked all night and had caught nothing; long hours of waiting after which the grey light of dawn was to bring them their reward, but there was none ...

What a lot of waiting the Church of Christ has had to endure throughout the centuries ... partiently extending her invitations and leaving grace to do its work! ... What does it matter if she has worked very hard in one place or another and reaped very little for her Master? On the basis of his word, in spite of everything, she will launch her nets again until such time as his grace, the limits of which are in no way proportioned to human efforts, brings her again a new catch of fish. (R.A. Knox) We don't know how or when, but all apostolic effort bears fruit, even though it often happens that we do not see it. Our Lord asks from us Christians the same capacity for patient waiting as he found in the fishermen. He asks us to be constant in our personal apostolate with our friends and acquaintances, never to abandon them or to give up anybody as being impossible. ...

If we persevere and carry on in the firm conviction that the Lord wills it, signs of a Christian revolution will appear around you, everywhere. Some will follow the call, others will take their interior life seriously, and others -- the weakest -- will at least be forewarned. (St. Escriva, Furrow)

Keeping Our Papa in My Prayers

The Pope's condition

Fox News is reporting that an Italian news agency has said that the Pope’s condition has taken a turn for the worse. I don’t have any more information than that and am waiting for our Rome correspondent to notify us if there’s any real information. Until you can verify such things from two or more sources in Rome, I suggest you treat it as the rumor that it is.

That said, a few prayers for the Holy Father would not be out of order.

Update: CNN is reporting that he has received the last rites. Other sources say he’s had a urinary tract infection and is receiving antibiotics. Stay tuned.

Dom Bettinelli at BettNet

Thou Shalt Not Be Overcome

I know that many people are heartsick over Terri. Someone said that she saw George Felos on television trashing Fr. Frank Pavone who has a long history of fighting for life. We are not even allowed to lick our wounds and mourn our dead before the attack presses on.

GetReligion's story, "Sneer-quoting culture of life," tells about a new order of priests being founded by Pavone to fight against abortion and euthanasia ... and the sneering reactions of Planned Parenthood. This is the trend we can expect as this struggle between the cultures of life and death continue. Evil is not happy about this turn of events, that this very visible struggle has alerted us all to the dangers at hand ... and evil does not give up easily. It fights back.

We must not forget that this was a battle, not the war. If ever there was a time for "onward Christian soldiers" and "the Church militant" then this is that time. This quote has been running through my head all day. It applies to right here and right now.

He said not:
Thou shalt be troubled, thou shalt not be tempted, thou shalt not be distressed,
but He said:
thou shalt not be overcome.

Julian of Norwich

Keep the faith. Hold the line. Wipe your tears and straighten your shoulders and press on in the good fight. He has promised it and Our Father keeps His promises. We shall not be overcome.

Terri is Dead

Schiavo, 41, died quietly in a Pinellas Park hospice 13 days after her feeding tube was removed despite extraordinary intervention by Florida lawmakers, Congress and President Bush - efforts that were rebuffed at every turn by the courts.

Her death was confirmed to The Associated Press by Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, and announced to reporters outside her hospice by a family adviser.

My Way News via Drudge Report

May God give support and comfort to all those who loved her and will miss her ... and may He have mercy on those who killed her.

A Lot of Hot Air

STEAM BOY
This was a wonderfully animated and otherwise dreadfully dull movie that is not worth the time I am taking type this mini-review. I do so only in the hope of saving others from a similar terrible fate. Therefore, I will pass on the two nuggets of wisdom that comprised the movie's entire message which took them two hours to communicate sufficiently to make sure that we'd really get it.

1. War is bad.
2. Science should not be used to make weapons because ... (see message 1).
   

Taking My Hat Off to "A Rational LIberal"

My dear friend, Toby, is a liberal with whom anyone in St. Blogs would enjoy crossing swords. She is open minded to others' reasoning, truly tolerant, and can hold her own intelligently but without heat in any verbal debate. One of the many things I admire about Toby so much is that she thinks for herself and never stops examining issues until she has considered every side of an argument. She also is the friend who spurred my thinking about federal involvement in Terri Schiavo's case.

Toby was so outraged over the federal government trying to step in that we "agreed to disagree" and stepped away from the discussion. However, that was not enough for Toby who hadn't heard of some of the information I had heard ... y'all would have laughed to hear us talking because we were both being so careful about qualifying our lack of documentation for much of what we had "heard." She's been out of town and I've had other things on my mind so I had forgotten all about our conversation. I was really surprised to find this comment from her this morning ... but I shouldn't have been. She's been busy thinking and investigating and isn't afraid to admit a change in position based on new information.

I have been surprised at the level of my ambivalence over this tragedy. I would call myself a "rational liberal" (stop laughing!) ...and am seriously conflicted over how much I want the government in my life. We always want it to be consistent with our selfish desires, don't we?

I freely admit that I formed an opinion before learning the details. Some of the "details" are fraught with hyperbole and difficult to believe. Motives are questionable, emotions are high. But the primary issue that has moved me from "let her go" to "examine more" is the absence of CURRENT testing.

We have a friend that has recovered from a devastating lack of oxygen to her brain ...she was diagnosed as having only "brain stem" activity, and would be unable to regain any kind of awareness. Today she is verbal, functional and taking vocational rehabilitation. She even remembers her friends and family from before the incident. She will never be "her old self", but she has become a welcomed and cherished member of her assisted living home. She is a loving, supporting and truly caring friend to her fellow residents.

It can happen ...everything should be done to give Terri a chance.

How's that for a 180, Julie!

I'm just sorry that y'all don't have a chance to get to know Toby. She's one in a million!