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!