The Shepherd Who Is Led

Who would have thought it? After the glamor and punched-up charisma of John Paul II, many in America had set low expectations for this man who was known mostly by his media caricature, that of “hard-line enforcer.” For six days we watched and listened; we came to know Benedict as a cerebral and soft-spoken man whose body language was endearingly awkward and whose pen seemingly never rested. He is warmer than we expected, and he is braver than we knew. Overwhelmingly, though, Benedict is gentle and exceedingly, edifyingly humble. He is a “Supreme Shepherd” but one who allows himself to be led, and ever led, by the Divine one.

Read all of The Anchoress' wonderful article at Pajamas Media.

The Silver Key

A blog I recently discovered with some great posts. Such as this about Bernard Cornwell:

The cover blurbs on Bernard Cornwell’s books read “Perhaps the greatest writer of historical adventure novels today,” and frankly, you’ll get no arguments from me. I've come to love Cornwell, who is in every sense a Man's writer. There's no romance in these books and no literary pretension, so if you're looking for those elements, try something else. On the other hand, if you like bloody battles, cowardice and heroism, grim suffering and cruel murder, oath-making and breaking, hard drinking and mirth, and, most importantly, darned good storytelling, Cornwell's your man. His greatest strength is probably his ability to spin a compelling, fun tale, and he does it with a keen eye for historic accuracy.

Or this about audio books (boy, oh boy, do I agree with this):

To hell with radio. Give me a good audio book any day. While the sap in his gas-guzzling SUV next to me had NPR droning away on the dial, I was listening in on the conversation of Uhtred Ragnarson, true Lord of Bebbanburg, and Danish warlord Ragnar Ragnarsson, as they shouted the joys of "Women and War!" while riding on horseback through Northern England circa 881. While the 20-something chick to my front in her Honda was rotting her brain listening to the vapid Destiny's Child, I was "seeing" the clash of shield walls, bloodied axes and swords, and screaming men. In my mind's eye I was watching viking longships under sail in the open sea, the bright light of morning gleaming off shield bosses and helmets, and smelling and hearing great feasting halls flowing with ale and bursting with loud song and the poems of skalds.

And best of all this experience is "free" of charge....

Or this about Cormac McCarthey's The Road (which I've been afraid of but interested in):

So why read on? Well, as a father with two young children I can sympathize very strongly with the man's plight. His simple love for his boy keeps him going when suicide seems a better option. He carries a gun with two bullets left, and if found by scavenging cannibals, his plan is to use one bullet for his son and the last for himself. He wonders whether he'll have the courage to do so. The boy and his father sustain themselves with each other, and constantly tell each other that they're the good guys, and that they "carry the fire," a small, flickering flame in a world of cruel darkness.

That's not even counting his review of Tolkein and the Great War or his cogent analysis of why Zemeckis' modern adaptation of Beowulf misses the mark. Go enjoy. Just make sure you have plenty of time to dig around all that good reading.

Welcome to National Catholic Register Readers

Alerted by a pal, I see that Eric Scheske wrote an article about Literature in the Blogosphere and Happy Catholic was featured which was very gratifying as you can imagine.

You can find a listing of my book reviews here, though there are often other literary conversations that spring up ... such as the comments here with fantastic reading ideas for 13-year-old boys.

Following the Kid and Dog ... Comes the Mouse and Frog

Just because I like the photo ... although it is from 2006 after an Indian monsoon.

Another one from Hannah, who is addicted to cute animal photos as is befitting a Wildlife and Fisheries Management major.

The Boxer Who Adopted the Kid

A paternal dog has adopted an abandoned baby goat as his surrogate child.

Billy the boxer has become the constant companion of the 12-day old kid called Lilly. He sleeps with the goat, licks her clean, and protects her from any dangers at Pennywell Farm wildlife centre at Buckfastleigh, near Totnes, Devon.

[...]

Read the whole story here. I'm not surprised as our boxers have always been quite maternal about our kids (even though ours are human). I do have to say though that when they say Billy cleans up the goat's mouth after she eats ... there's a bit of self-interest there. I never knew a boxer to pass up a free meal.

Thanks to Hannah for this one!

Superhero Highlight: Hoborella

Continuing the stories of superheroes devised by Hannah and Jenny (more about that can be found here as well as the first description)

Hoborella

Power: Controls aluminum cans with her mind

Back-story: Once a promising young microbiology student at the local university, Hoborella was drawn to the glow of a nearby trash can fire like moths to the very same trash can fire. She quickly abandoned her plans for microbiological glory and decided to ride the rails across the country and live the glamorous hobo life. Unfortunately, jumping onto a moving train proved to be more difficult for Hoborella than it was on the silver screen. She seemed doomed to a life of bummery, however Bumerella sounds ridiculous, so she kept the name. Hoborella was no quitter though, she decided to give the rails another go. Climbing onto the top of a nearby rail-guard, she waited for the next passing train. As it approached, she leapt from her post and flew through the air, smacking directly into the side of the fourth car from the caboose, which as we all know is where the plutonium is kept. Hoborella ricocheted off the car and into a pile of aluminum cans that some littering fiends had left behind. Since then, Hoborella has been able to control the movement of aluminum cans with her mind. At first she used her newfound power to collect cans she could sell for food money, but after seeing some of her hobo brethren being pelted with cans by a group of young rascals, she realized her powers were put to better use as a guardian of the town.

Cover: Mild-mannered hobo (and a gorgeous hobo at that)

Cover name: Hilda Henderson

Partner: Detective Lemon

Introduction to partner: Hoborella, having found at last, a cozy dumpster for the night, laid her head down to rest on a soft pile of garbage, only to be awoken by the crashing sounds of a stranger falling into her bed. Hoborella quickly recognized her new bedmate as Penelope Pennyworth, the local private. What Hoborella did not know, was that Penelope Pennyworth was secretly Detective Lemon, famed protector of the town (and a gorgeous protector at that). When Penelope Pennyworth enlisted Hoborella in her search for clues by treating to her a delicious brunch (with a slice of cantaloupe at the end), Hoborella did more than simply give clues, but brought Penelope Pennyworth directly to the young ruffians that had been plaguing her city. Together they forever put an end to the can-throwing schemes of the deviants, thus protecting town and hobos alike. Henceforth, they were known as Detective Lemon and Hoborella, the most ass-kicking pair of dames around.

Archnemesis: The Drossinator -- because he continues to take her fireplace.
==========
Next superhero feature coming: The Scrabbler.

Internet? I Don't Need No Stinkin' Internet!*

2008 Catholic Almanac

How many priests are there in Libya?
16.

Thomas J. Olmsted's birthday?
Jan. 21, 1947.
(Who the heck is he? The bishop of Phoenix.)

What does the word "apologetics" really mean?
The science and art of developing and presenting the case for the reasonableness of the Christian faith, by a wide variety of means including facts of experience, history, science, philosophy. The constant objective of apologetics, as well as of the total process of pre-evangelization, is preparation for response to God in faith; its ways and mean,s however, are subject to change in accordance with the various needs of people and different sets of circumstances.

Which decisions by the Supreme Court have had an effect on religion in the United States?

The answer to that one is too lengthy to report here but if you, too, had your copy of the 2008 Catholic Almanac from Our Sunday Visitor then it would be a snap to answer. It makes deeply interesting reading as well.

I have to admit that when I pulled this out of a box of books that Our Sunday Visitor sent me, I had to laugh. The idea of a Catholic almanac seemed ludicrous. However, leafing through it soon shut my mouth. Intending to spend a few minutes looking it over, I looked up to find I had spent more than an hour going through from beginning to end, marveling at the wealth of information at my fingertips. I recognized the simple truth of the review printed on the back cover:

Our Sunday Visitor claims this work is the one and only Catholic resource, and simply the best annual guide to the Catholic Church anywhere. These are bold statements, but accurate--- This excellent work is especially useful for those interested in either the Roman Catholic Church or the Holy See--- It is informative, easy to use, and well written. --American Reference Books Manual

Probably of the most interest to those who have previous years' editions will be the first section which covers news and events from the past year including papal trips, papal documents and announcements, and special reports from international and national news. However, for the rest of us who might need an overall resource other sections contain not only the statistics one might expect but key information about the teachings and doctrine of the Church, summaries of Church history, details about saints canonized during the previous year, a chronology of U.S. Catholic history, descriptions of Eastern churches (both Catholic and Orthodox) and much more.

Truly this is one place that you don't need an internet connection to have the basics about the Catholic Church ready to hand at a moment's notice. Highly recommended.

*With apologies to The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.
(Cross--posted at Catholic Media Review.)

Dr. Curt Jester has the prescription I need...

Read all about it here ... and try not to roll on the floor laughing. I dare you!

Worth a Thousand Words

Blue Vase with Garlic by Duane Keiser

Quick Update

Or as quick as it can be from this dial-up connection on an older PC ... which is to say, not very quick at all.

My Dad is doing much better, relatively speaking. He came through most of his tests looking much healthier than any of us suspected. His problems are mostly lung related ... he isn't a smoker, this is just due to various other problems. However, he is now in a rehabilatative therapy facility so that he can get back to the point of going back home. He even has a garden outside his window where we can bring his beloved Corgi, Emma, for daily visits, weather permitting. So that is about as good as anyone could have expected, right down to a room opening up at the last minute at his doctor's preferred facility.

My mother is greatly relieved, needless to say, and we are going forward in a joyful mood.

Much, much thanks for all the prayers. It truly is wonderful to have such a community of friends to lean on.

NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
While waiting at a doctor's office for a form to be signed, I picked up the newspaper (having been cut off from the real world during this visit). I also was greatly joyful reading about Pope Benedict's speeches that said it how it is. And about his visit to Boston. Way to go, Papa! How I love this pope. What a good shepherd we have!

More later, I'm sure ...

Y'all Come Back Now, Y'Hear?

On the road to visit my parents ... with limited internet access.
Emails and comments will be answered, just not very quickly.

Superhero Highlight: The Drossinator

Continuing the stories of superheroes devised by Hannah and Jenny (more about that can be found here as well as the first description).

The Drossinator

Power: Has the power to transport the contents of ANY garbage can into ANY other garbage can

Back-story: The Drossinator, an avid stamp collector, had been perusing his stamp collection until the wee hours of the morning. He had become so enveloped in this hobby that he had completely forgotten to take the trash out that night. At next dawn, he realized his grievous error and tried to make amends as quickly as possible. Even with the sky darkened by clouds, then lit up by bolts of electricity, The Drossinator was determined to finish his chores; for otherwise, he would not be allowed to attend the cotillion. Dragging the garbage can, more than half way to the curb, disaster struck… in the form of LIGHTNING! The can was burnt to bits, and The Drossinator thrown to the ground. When he arose he discovered the most peculiar of talents. Somehow, the electricity surging through his body enabled him to teleport objects from a garbage can, to another garbage can. He used his newfound power to play pranks on his fourth-form chums: having them hold trashcans in front of their faces while he threw banana cream pies into other trashcans. His schoolmates, however, were a bit daft and never caught on; thus, this lark of his remained hilarious for many years, without ever getting old. Sadly, he spent his school days on tomfoolery, meaning that he was unprepared for university. Instead, he became a garbage man, realizing that he was the best man for the job.

Cover: Mild-mannered garbage man (and a handsome garbage man at that).

Cover name: Gomer Grasscutter

Partner: Hunky McDreamboat

Introduction to partner: The Drossinator began the morning like any other, collecting garbage from the local neighborhoods. It all seemed quite mundane, when suddenly The Drossinator spied a golden Adonis in his rearview mirror, running after his truck. Taken aback with this young man’s extraordinary good looks and charm, The Drossinator slowed his vehicle. Realizing that the princely young man had been chasing him with a garbage can, The Drossinator seized this opportunity to do good as well as impress this noble lad and used his powers to transport the garbage into his truck. Afterwards, the two went jogging and became firm friends. Realizing that their powers were basically complimentary (the transportation of garbage and extraordinary charm), they had no choice but to join forces and move into a flat together. The Drossinator and Hunky McDreamboat have been inseparable ever since.

Archnemesis: Hoborella, because she is always setting his trash cans on fire.
==========
Next superhero feature coming: Hoborella.

Prayer Request

My father has been quite ill and is now in the cardiac area of the hospital. When he is released in the next couple of days he will be moved to a specialized care facility. If he gets better there he can go back home. Prayers for his health would be much appreciated.

Our family is very indebted to my parents' good friend, Jeannie, who was able to bully my father into going to the emergency room when none of us could prevail. Where would we be without good friends?

In Their Own Words: Pope Benedict XVI and Padre Pio

Questions and Answers
by Pope Benedict XVI

The next question dedicated to the family was made by the parish priest of St. Sylvia. Here, I cannot but fully agree. Furthermore, during the ad limina visits I always speak to bishops about the family, threatened throughout the world in various ways.

The family is threatened in Africa because it is difficult to find the way from "traditional marriage" to "religious marriage," because there is a fear of finality.

Whereas in the West the fear of the child is caused by the fear of losing some part of life, in Africa it is the opposite. Until it is certain that the wife will also bear children, no on dares to enter marriage definitively. Therefore, the number of religious marriages remains relatively small, and even many "good" Christians with an excellent desire to be Christians do not take that final step....

If you ever wanted to ask the pope a question about modern life and living your faith, the chances are that someone already has done it for you. In this book, edited by Michael Dubruiel, we have a collection of questions presented to the pope from 2005 to 2007 by such various groups ranging from children making their first communion and priests from around Italy. In addition to such interesting bits of information as unexpectedly surface in the excerpt above, we see Pope Benedict's considerable range of thinking and ability to link disparate topics into an informative whole.

We also are given food for thought should we care to consider it. For example, in the sample above it is likely that this African view of marriage is quite new to those of us who thought that we already knew all about how marriage was threatened around the world. We are reminded of the scope and range necessary for the universal Church to minister to all of us. We also may ponder the desire of people to control their lives and how it leads to limiting the lives of others, whether marriage partners in Africa or denying children life as happens in the Western world.

The answers are unglossed. When a very complicated question was posed which assumed that the answer was known to all, thereby essentially serving as a statement rather than a question, it filled me with glee to see Pope Benedict answer briefly that he didn't understand the question ... and then make a kindly general statement about the overall topic. Quite often he then goes on to answer the next question by someone else with a comprehensive answer that covers the previous question as well as the most recent one.

Highly recommended.

Words of Light
Inspiration from the letters of Padre Pio
Compiled and introduced by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa [preacher to the papal household]

22 Besides the trial of Spiritual fears and agitations, with just a whiff of desolation, Jesus adds that long and varied trial of physical malaise, using to this end those horrible Cossaks.

Listen to what I had to suffer a few evenings ago from those impure apostates. The night was already advanced; they began their assault with a dreadful noise, and although I saw nothing at the beginning, I understood who was producing this very strange noise; and rather than becoming frightened I prepared myself for the fight by placing a mocking smile on my lips for them. then they appeared under the most abominable forms, and to entice me to lose my resolve they began to treat me courteously. But, thanks be to Heaven, I told them off good and proper, treating them for what they were. When they saw that their efforts were coming to nothing, they hurled themselves at me, they threw me on the ground and struck me again and again, launching pillows, books, chairs into the air, at the same time emitting desperate shrieks and uttering extremely dirty words. Luckily the rooms on either side of where I am, and also those below, are not being used.

I complained to my Guardian Angel about this, who, after having preached a nice little homily to me, added, "Give thanks to Jesus, that he treats you as one chosen to follow him closely up the steep slope of Calvary. I see, soul entrusted to my care by Jesus, with joy and emotion inside me, Jesus' conduct towards you. Do you think that you would be so happy, if you weren't so worn out? I, who in holy charity greatly desire what is best for you, rejoice ever more deeply to see you in this state. Jesus permits the devil these assaults, so that your devotion might make you dear to him, and he wants you to become like him during the anguish in the desert, the garden and the cross. Defend yourself, always drive off these malign insinuations and scorn them; and where your strength is of no use, do not worry, delight of my heart, I am close to you!"

From the section "Satan is a powerful enemy"

I actually had imagined that this book would be a series of complete letters. Instead, we have excerpts from letters. The above sampling is one of the lengthier sections. They are grouped by subject such as "I pray continually" and "I do not wish to ever offend God again." The sections are preceded by a brief commentary from Fr. Cantalamessa which helps put them in context for our contemplation. These excerpts are good for insight into Padre Pio's inner life and also as food for meditation. It is not quite the sort of book that I am attracted to yet I still got a great deal of good from it. It would certainly be a useful book for lectio divina or other contemplative prayer. If you are seeking a book that has concentrated samples of this mystic's life and experiences in Christ then it is definitely recommended.

Worth a Thousand Words

Max Leibermann, Mein Haus in Wannsee, mit Garten, 1926
Fouund at artnet Magazine; click through on the link for more.

Superhero Highlight: H2WHOA!

Continuing the stories of superheroes devised by Hannah and Jenny (more about that can be found here as well as the first description).

H2WHOA!

Power: Ability to make water taste bad, like seriously

Back-story: H2Whoa! spent his days waiting tables at a local delicatessen, and thoroughly enjoyed his work, with ONE exception. There was a rather rowdy crowd of ne’er-do-wells who frequented said establishment and ordered naught but water and complimentary bread sticks. H2Whoa! constantly searched for a means of retribution, but his efforts proved fruitless. But it turns out H2Whoa!’s parents were both superheroes, although his own powers had not yet surfaced. On the eve of his seventeenth birthday, however, when it seemed his powers would NEVER come, he picked up a glass of water, saw it start to bubble, but decided to drink it anyway. It tasted HORRIBLE, and he knew that he had a responsibility to use powers well. So H2Whoa! headed straight to the restaurant to exact revenge upon the crowd of cheapskates. It was 3am when he arrived, so he had to wait for several hours, but the payoff was sweet, or more like HORRIBLE TASTING! The no-good group of troublemakers were all served terrible water along with their still-delicious bread sticks. They left with the atrocious aftertaste of justice in their mouths, never to return. However, they also spread word around town of the sub-par service they received and the restaurant went out of business within the year. But it was so worth it. Now H2Whoa! uses his powers to poorly serve only the lowest of the low, the most dreadful of criminals.

Cover: Mild-mannered waiter (and a handsome waiter at that)

Cover name: Wilbur Walterson

Partner: The Klutz

Introduction to partner: While waiting tables one evening, he noticed with despair that some of this more rowdy patrons had left their tables, with no sign that they would return. They had been one of the rudest and demanding tables that H2Whoa! had ever served, and to now see them shirking their responsibilities as restaurant goers by sticking their server with the cost of their food was simply disheartening. “What has happened to the world today, is there nothing good and moral anymore?” he thought to himself. At that moment, he saw his rambunctious patrons fly through the air and lie squarely on the ground. H2Whoa wondered what had caused this fortuitous turn of events to find that the work was none other than that of The Klutz, the clumsiest and most ass-kickin’ superhero in the world (and a gorgeous superhero at that).She had stopped the “dine and ditch” attempt presented before her, and in doing so, helped H2Whoa immensely. In his gratitude and amazement, he proposed that the two join forces and fight crime together. The Klutz agreed, and they became a very powerful duo, until, of course, they added another hero to their team, this hero of course being Ramen Girl.

Archnemesis: H2No, his evil twin who makes water disappear

===============

Next up: The Drossinator

Why Do We Need Apologetics?

This weekend I was listening to a podcast where the speaker said that she wasn't a fan of C.S. Lewis' nonfiction writing because she didn't think apologetics were necessary.

"I am against the idea of Christian apologetics anyway because if Christ is true then why do you have to explain him?"

For those who haven't come across this term before, apologetics quite simply is a systematic defense of something.

Now, some of this can be explained by the fact that this person is a young woman who perhaps has not come across some of the obstacles that the rest of us have encountered in our search for Truth. Perhaps, as happens with many of us, she has encountered apologetics as an excuse to bludgeon the other person with your own beliefs, although her comment doesn't indicate that.

However, I think this is a common enough objection that I thought I'd just post a couple of my thoughts on it. First of all, just because something is true doesn't mean that we don't need someone to explain it. Mathematics, physics, and foreign languages are all true, but they are much easier to understand and apply when we are helped along by a good instructor.

We have a sterling example given to us in the Acts of the Apostles.

Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, "Get up and head south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route."

So he got up and set out. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, that is, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was returning home. Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.

The Spirit said to Philip, "Go and join up with that chariot."

Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

He replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.

This was the scripture passage he was reading: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

In (his) humiliation justice was denied him. Who will tell of his posterity? For his life is taken from the earth."

Then the eunuch said to Philip in reply, "I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this? About himself, or about someone else?"

Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this scripture passage, he proclaimed Jesus to him.

As they traveled along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?"

Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and he baptized him.

When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but continued on his way rejoicing.

Acts 8:27-39, New American Bible

That is a case which might not strictly fit in with apologetics as a defense but is definitely consistent with explaining the faith, which would be the ultimate point of a defense. Certainly, that is more the way that I see C.S. Lewis' books about Christianity. I realize they probably were written more with a point than the one I see, but as Lewis himself was brought to believe in Jesus as Truth thanks to his friends' spirited defense of their faith, then one can see why he would want to pass on the favor. I tend to see his books as springing from much the same point as this blog ... being made so joyful by that Truth that one wishes to share it with as many people as possible.

My own personal experience, as any regular readers will know, is that my siblings and I knew about Christianity and Jesus only as it was presented through secular culture, as we were raised by atheists. Our main exposure to faith came through Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, and such movies shown at Easter on television. Had not we been exposed to more indepth explanations of Christianity on some level then we would have been left believing the misconceptions and outright lies that secular culture tells as truth.

As I am discovering, my father is probably not actually an atheist as much as he is a hater of Christians and disbeliever in Jesus Christ. That was made abundantly clear during a conversation I had with him recently. I had to practice apologetics in defending the idea of a personal God of love, especially as made manifest to us in the person of Jesus Christ, when he told me that it was supremely arrogant of people to think that the God who created the universe thought of us as anything more than ants. (I have to say that taking on Happy Catholic using The History Channel as your defense is not very wise ... though I was as loving about it as I could be, it still came down to having to talk about a "personal relationship with God." If you think that wasn't hard, well, think again.) This is simply one of many possible scenarios where one can see that a reasoned, and non-hostile, defense of one's faith can be quite necessary simply to give the Truth a chance to shine upon others.

My own policy is to wait until someone comes to me with a question unless I find that there is a misconception being passed along, usually innocently as was the case when a mention of Catholics "worshiping" saints came up during CraftLit's coverage of Frankenstein. (You find chances to enlighten in the oddest places sometimes!) Much of the time, as with Heather, the person is happy to receive the explanations.

The other use I can make of Lewis' books and one of which I hope this young woman will avail herself later in life when needed, is that his writing turns the mirror upon us when we read it. Every time I read one of his books I see another truth about something I should be considering in my own life of faith. He is supremely insightful in a very simple way that is not condescending.

Something that we all should remember when defending the faith is to do so in a spirit of charity and not to try to win. We personally can do nothing to move men's hearts if they will not let us and, ultimately, it is not us at all anyway. The increase is God's alone though we may be his instruments.

A book that I would highly recommend about apologetics is How Not to Share Your Faith: The Seven Deadly Sins of Catholic Apologetics and Evangelization. I thought I had posted a review, but actually see that I had a series of excerpts. You may read those here:

• Make Disciples of All Nations: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Finis
  


• Faith and Contentiousness: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV


• Defending the Faith: Ecumenism


• Defending the Faith: Instructing the Ignorant


• Defending the Faith: Friendly Fire


• Defending the Faith: Trying to Win


• Defending the Faith: Dialogue, More Dialogue

Pope's Message to America - Updated

I like that the Pope is talking to all of us, not just the Catholics. Here is the Vatican site with the complete text of his message to us.

Check out this story from John Allen which looks at the pope's previous comments about America in different books and talks. Very interesting.

I am beginning to get emails with links to places keeping up with the Holy Father on his visit ... I'll list them below and update as info comes in:

• Pope 2008, being run by Tim Drake.
• Papal Visit 2008 News and Views, from Our Sunday Visitor, being run by John Norton, Russell Shaw, and Mary Deturris Poust
• Pope Benedict in the US, being run by BeliefNet.
• Benedictions, David Gibson's blog covering the Papal visit.
• Pope Benedict - USA - 2008, Marcel LeJeune's clearinghouse of links to info about the Papal visit. This is one big list!
• Papal Visit Coverage, a list from The Curt Jester
  

Of course, I am sure that all the usual suspects will be covering this as well such as American Papist, Whispering in the Loggia, Amy Welborn at Charlotte was Both and more.

Reading Suggestions Requested

Now this is something that I know y'all can help with. A reader asks:

I’m needing some suggestions for books for my 13-year-old son. He’s gone through Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, and now all of Tolkien. He really needs to get out of the fantasy genre and I’m not exactly willing to trust his English teacher on choices. I’ve found some of her suggestions contain language and situations that I don’t approve. I’m sure there must be other parents out there with the same problem.

My son is an advanced reader, but not an enthusiastic one. I did have him read “Night” by Elie Wiesel and he was quite moved by it. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

I am going to think about this question and have suggested that she check Semicolon's place for ideas as she is a dedicated reader and reviewer for younger readers.

Ideas and suggestions?

Worth a Thousand Words

McGregor Public Library Doors from Flickr's Door Pool.