Worth a Thousand Words

Found at Catholic Eye Candy

On the way out the door, I also met the director of the little choir that could ...

We are the little choir that COULD! From three members who stood up once a month at Mass, in vestments, singing in two parts, to traveling America with this great group of young adults, it's been a journey of hope and inspiration...Cantate Domino! ...

The St. Richard Youth Choir was founded in 2003 by three seventh-grade girls, and has since grown to fifteen members. While traveling to Pueri Cantores Festival Masses across the Unites States, the choir serves as ambassadors for Jackson, Miss. on the national stage. Known for hard work and raising their own operating budget every year, the members put in countless hours in the pursuit of excellence in service and music.

I heard an inspirational story of kids from Mississipi with no resources but enormous talent and dedication. They're fund raising to try to attend the International Congress of Pueri Cantores in Rome to sing with 6,000 children from all over the world at a special Papal Mass with Benedict XVI.

If you're in Chicago, they'll be there July 3-7 to sing at the invitation-only Pueri Cantores Evening Prayer Festival at the beginning of the National Pastoral Musicians Conference.

You can hear samples at their website here and also find out how to contribute to their effort if you are moved to do so.

Are You Catholic? There's an App for That.

This was shown at the convention. That Paul Camarata ... what a creative guy!

The Public Sinner

This is a repost from 2006, but the subject is timeless. It came up in conversation at the meet-and-greet on Friday night at the conference (that being the sort of crowd that we were). I remembered this post and thought y'all might appreciate it as well. (If there were any comments from the original post they will show up as well.)

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Women in the Bible For Dummies has a very interesting theory discussing the speculation about the identity of the mysterious female whose story begins in Luke 7:37. She washed Jesus' feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and then anointed them with costly perfume. The women is never named. Then why would tradition name her as Mary Magdalene?

Frankly, I always thought that Mary Magdalene got a raw deal when she was never named as a harlot but that label was put on her anyway. I was fascinated to see that when the various Gospel stories of this event are compared there actually was another Mary who fits the bill and is actually named in one of the stories.

This is a Mary I never would have thought it of but, you know, it kinda makes sense.

This is a lengthy excerpt but I was so interested that I thought maybe some of you might like it as well.

John's Gospel (12:3) relates another account of a woman anointing Jesus' feet with expensive aromatic ointment and drying them with her hair. John identifies this woman as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. (Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9, tell similar stories about a woman anointing the feet of Jesus from costly perfume in an alabaster jar, but again this woman remains nameless.) Only John identifies the woman as Mary, the sister of Martha, but only Luke classifies the woman as a public sinner. (In addition, Luke 7:37-50, which outlines the story of the public sinner and washing of feet, later mentions Mary Magdalene by name in the very chapter along with Joanna, Susanna, and Chuza.

Could more than one woman have anointed the feet of Christ? Possible, but somewhat improbable. The humble act of drying someone's feet with one's own hair and then anointing those same feet with costly oil isn't a common practice. In fact, it's so rare, uncommon, and unusual that all four Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) mention it. The mystery of why the woman is nameless in three Gospels and called Mary only in John remains. Washing feet was a humble act in itself, but having a woman touch a man, especially a rabbi, and having her dry his feet with her hair and then anoint them with expensive perfume is so extraordinary that it is improbably (but not impossible) that his happened more than once.

If all the stories involve one particular woman, the next question is, could this other Mary, the sister of Martha, also be the same unidentified public sinner that Luke mentions? If so, the latter Mary had been a very naughty girl, at least at one time. If she were the forgiven sinner, it would explain why she was so attentive and entranced when Jesus came to visit their home, even to the extent of annoying her sister, Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Ahh, yet another theory to ponder.

Because John's Gospel names the woman who washes the feet of Jesus as being Mary and this act takes place in the home of Martha and Lazarus, one could assume it was Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus and not another Mary who did it. the nameless woman in Luke's Gospel is identified as a "public sinner." So either there were two women who separately anointed the feet of Jesus in the same unusual and unique way, or the public sinner and Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus are one and the same.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

Back from the Catholic New Media Conference in San Antonio. It figures that summer really hit its stride this weekend. Temperatures were always hovering around 105 and then let's throw in some of that humidity that San Antonio does so well. Which meant that no matter where one went there was extreme heat or frigid cold as Texans set air conditioners low, low, low to offset outside conditions. However, that's pretty much the norm around here.

For me the weekend was more about community and putting faces with names than anything else. That was definitely the most satisfying aspect as it turned out. So many email or blogging voices turned into real people ... imagine that! One of the most delightful was a person who I had filled out a survey for in preparation for her presentation ... Lisa Hendey who blogs at Catholic Mom and also podcasts at Catholic Moments. Such a gracious, charming person who is so warm and welcoming. Also a complete surprise to meet, but a delight, was Heidi Saxton whose books I have seen but never expected to meet in person. We clicked right away.

Naturally, there were too many people for me to properly acknowledge but who were so enjoyable to speak with: Sister Anne from nunblog, Danielle Bean, Pat Gohn from Among Women podcast, Catholic Matriarch (fresh from her time at A&M so we had that to talk about for sure!), Chris from The Catholic Company, Ian from Aquinas and More ... as well as those from my favorite Catholic podcasts: Jeff from Catholic Foodie, Father Seraphim from Catholic Under the Hood, Paul Camatara from Saintcast.

Then there is Patrick Madrid who thought he was simply taking the elevator to his car and found himself in the elevator with Tom and me. It was my chance to thank him for three books that I have found extremely helpful over the years, Why is That in Tradition, Where is That in the Bible, and Search and Rescue. His talk was excellent and I especially appreciated the fact that he took it to heart enough to not simply do a regular talk but to specifically warn us as Catholics and techies about the danger of letting technological toys becoming a false god. A surprise to hear him speaking about it but definitely something that I think it is good to keep in mind during a conference that is chock full of technology lovers. This reminded me also of his three-day conference coming up, Answering Atheism. Three days, name speakers and a very reasonable price. My schedule doesn't allow it or I would definitely go. Maybe next year ... and I can get the audio tapes of this year's conference (so he assured me).

Naturally there were many others ... for one thing, I was surprised to meet so many people who were just thinking about getting into blogging or podcasting. Although I would say this to those who said they had a blog or wanted to podcast, "but I don't know about what." Those things are simply tools. If you don't have a passion to share some writing or spoken subject with people then your ministry might follow a different path. It is better to passionately blog about the soccer team you play on than to be casting around for something to say about your faith. Your faith will shine through in your passion, no matter what it is that you are talking about, as those who listen to my Forgotten Classics podcast have found, possibly to their dismay.

I also enjoyed Father Dave Dwyer's talk which opened the conference. As the Pauline year was ending, he did a good comparison of St. Paul to today's Catholic podcasters and bloggers. As well, to anyone who has ever heard the Busted Halo podcast, which I also enjoy a lot, you know he mixed in a good deal of entertainment with the serious conversation.

I would say that the most problematic area for me was the seminars. Although I enjoyed Father Roderick's audio talk and Lisa Hendey's blogging talk, there seemed to be too little time alloted for people to properly cover their topics. As well, since there was a time problem the socialization times were cut short. I completely understand this dilemma since we run into it routinely ourselves in the Beyond Cana Marriage Retreats we do semi-annually. However, as many of the talks were somewhat unfocussed, not seeming sure whether to address complete newbies or go for the more advanced listener or, indeed, to go off topic altogether (Catholic Cloud guy, I'm lookin' at you ... I actually wanted to hear Twitter discussed not dropped to talk about the next big thing), this was a problem for speakers who were having to trim time. Perhaps next time they'll have fewer talks but let them be covered more thoroughly. As well, although I realize that SQPN is a mostly audio group, there was only one talk given about blogging. Though we are all looking forward, it is a mistake to not give blogs more attention as that is what a lot of the public is just beginning to become aware of. It doesn't seem like it from our vantagepoint of being at the cutting edge of technology, but it is all too true if you talk to your friends or fellow parishioners. Believe me, I know. If one was only a blogger and not a podcaster, this left many possibly floundering in a technology that didn't apply.

Don't think that I didn't get a great deal out of the conference. These are intended as constructive criticisms only. I think that a great many people may have gotten more from the talks than Tom and I did. As well, I valued a great deal the community gathering.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the weekend, was the relatively impromptu add-on of stopping in Austin on the way home to join the Darwins and the Fulwilers (Jen/Conversion Diary) for Mass and lunch afterward. For one thing, St. William is a really gorgeous church. I wouldn't have believed a new church would have been built with such care, beauty and attention. The photo on their main page simply does not do it justice. Built in Spanish style on the outside, the inside is graced with beautiful old German stained glass rescued from an orphanage, German or Czech style ornamental stenciled designs, a painting behind the crucifix that invites reflection and prayer, and many other features that you really should stop to see if you are ever near Round Rock (just north of Austin). Best of all though was getting to see the Darwins again after spending time with them several years ago. I'd forgotten just how much fun they are in person. As well, it was a pure pleasure meeting Jen and her family. I am a big admirer of Jen's blog. She's a writer that I simply can't equal and that reflects her thoughtful spiritual life and sparkling personality (its not all spiritual, after all ... just think of her scorpion stories!). Two hours was just not long enough to even begin to enjoy all the conversation. We had to literally tear ourselves away from the Darwin homestead (nice garden in back, too) and face the drive home.

It was an extra pleasant homecoming, as Hannah had thought about how to make it welcoming by vacuuming, sweeping, and having pizza ready for us eat. What a kid!

"One had always read. Only these days one is reading more."

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

Queen Elizabeth II chases after her runaway corgis and happens upon the library book-mobile that comes to the palace every Wednesday. Originally selecting a book merely to be polite, she soon finds herself drawn into fascination with books. It is a fascination that causes no end of problems for Her Majesty's staff as they have trouble keeping her on time for appointments and no longer know exactly how to prep members of the public for likely questions when they meet the queen. And what to do when she runs into a Dickens' lover and goes over the scheduled time because of their animated conversation?

On another level, this book looks at the joys of reading and allowing one's mind to expand. Soon the way that the world is viewed becomes colored with the literature one has read and that can lead to its own kind of trouble. The kind of trouble that comes with becoming a writer as well as a reader.

I found Bennett to be kind to both those expanding their minds and the queen. He acknowledges that much of her personality has had to express itself within the perimeters of her job which leaves no time for hobbies such as reading.

This is a short novella, easy to read, and highly recommended.

Miyazaki ... Ponyo ... August 14 ...

... our family will be there. Here's the trailer. Though admittedly it's usually difficult to get a feel for a Miyazaki film from a trailer.

A Movie With a Great Priest

In this, the year of the priest, we have seen several lists being passed around that feature priests we can admire. Check B Movie Catechism for lists and links and other suggestions.

I can heartily recommend On the Waterfront for one of the most vigorous, hold-the-line presentations of a priest ever given or written.

Also I am extremely pleased to see that The American Catholic didn't forget one of my favorites with Spencer Tracy playing a no-holds-barred priest, San Francisco. (Also starring Clark Gable being a very bad boy, ladies, so don't miss this one.)

I am going to add The Quiet Man to the list. Although the priest isn't a main character, he is instrumental in several places. His reaction to Maureen O'Hara's whispered confession in Gaelic is both hilarious and telling that he knows plenty about married life. Also I love his ecumenism in supporting his Anglican counterpart when the bishop comes to town.

Thanks to Our Heroine for bringing to mind that I hadn't yet mentioned these movie lists.

Seductions of Rice

Clearly I'm on a food books review craze. Here's the last of the bunch for now ... a review of Seductions of Rice by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid. Though really you can't go wrong with anything they write.

I always wondered what liquid smoke was ...

... and now, whether we want to know or not, here is the answer.

What is liquid smoke?
Liquid smoke is very simply smoke in water. Smoke usually comes as a vapor, but there are ways to condense it and turn it into liquid and that liquid can then be carried in water.

How is it different from regular smoke?
Regular smoke is a vapor, and it is difficult to store.

SlashFood has all the scoop on liquid smoke.

A Taste of Heaven ... While Still on Earth

A fantastic book that is part travel guide, part spiritual inspiration, part cookbook, and ... wait for it ... part guide to a delightful assortment of foods made by religious orders that you can purchase.

Read all about A Taste of Heaven at Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen.

I never thought about it until now ... but I also have no goals.

... the truth is that I have no goals and I’m annoyed by conversations about them. Does this shock you?

“Goal,” in my experience, is a favorite word of people who talk and dream and dream and talk. And then they get together to “network” with other talkers. There’s always a lot of noise in these meetings but it’s unlikely than anything of consequence is going to happen. People who chatter about goals are rarely willing to die on that mountain.

I have no goals. But I do have plans. ...

Read it all in Roy H. Williams' Monday Morning Memo.

The Food of a Younger Land: Food, History and the Great Depression

Reviewed over at Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen.

Celebrate Dr. Boli's Anniversary With Him

In honor of the forthcoming second anniversary of Dr. Boli's Celebrated Magazine on the World-Wide Web, Dr. Boli will be reprinting a number of his own favorite articles from the past two years. Such as the above advertisement, which is not an article but nonetheless is a favorite.

If you have not yet been lured over to Dr. Boli's by my sharing of numerous features*, please do swing by. Dr. Boli is absolutely hilarious and I make sure I read his celebrated magazine every day.

*In fact, a different fact from Dr. Boli's Encyclopedia of Misinformation is featured in our sidebar every weekday for your entertainment and education.

Top 10 list of books Catholics should read

I was asked a while back by someone beginning a book review site to give this list. They never used the list but I am going to give it to y'all here since I found it an interesting exercise. Need I mention that I was howling with frustration at what I could not cover? Of course not. You knew that already!

Keep in mind that this list may fluctuate but essentially I see that it reflects my belief that you can see echoes of Truth in many places, including fiction. Here you go, in no particular order, always assuming that the Bible and the Catechism are givens (links are to my previous reviews, excerpts, or commentary):

1. In This House of Brede - Rumer Godden. One of the finest authors of our time, largely forgotten, but who always wrote from a deep background of faith.
   
   
2. The Interior Castle - St. Teresa of Avila. A spiritual classic for good reason. Written for her sisters in the convent and much easier to read and understand than you may have been led to believe.
   
   
3. Catholic Christianity - Peter Kreeft. Puts the muscle on the "skeleton" of the Catechism, so to speak. This is the book that I read after converting and which brought my understanding fully into line with the teachings of the Church. Eminently logical.
   
   
4. Pardon and Peace - Father Francis Randolph. Fantastic book about the sacrament of reconciliation (or confession as I still like to call it). He takes interesting side trips in the discussion but they are always to the point and add depth.
   
   
5. Inferno - Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Science fiction authors update Dante's Inferno. This is somewhat like Dante "Lite" and is a wonderful introduction to the concepts Dante wrote about. It is the book that made me take a new look at self examination and then go on to read John Ciardi's translation of Dante's Divine Comedy. Not intended as such by the authors, it is a "gateway" book to Dante.
   
   
6. A Still Small Voice - Father Benedict Groeschel. Common sense, psychology, and faith as applied to discernment when it comes to apparitions. Highly recommended.
   
   
7. Angels of God - Mike Aquilina. Wonderful primer about angels and their relationship to us.
   
   
8. Captain from Castile - Samuel Shellabarger. The classic story of a young Spanish nobleman, Pedro de Vargas, who goes with Cortes to conquer Mexico. Rereading it, Washington Post critic and Pulitzer Prize-winner Jonathan Yardley says in his introduction he "was astonished at how well it has survived. . . . It is accurate, meticulously researched history, and it is a sympathetic, nuanced account of a young man's moral education..." Precisely. Such is also the same of Shellabarger's other books. A prime example of how an excellent piece of fiction can communicate "Truth." (Excerpts are here and here.) Also a favorite, more than this book to be truthful, is Prince of Foxes by this author.
   
   
9. Fr. McBride's Guide to the Bible - Alfred McBride. There are several excellent guides to the Bible, among them "You Can Understand the Bible" by Peter Kreeft and "A Catholic Guide to the Bible" by Father Oscar Lukefahr. I chose this above those because it looks at all the books of the Bible in light of salvation history. An excellent guide to looking at scripture on several levels and keeping the big picture in mind.
   
   
10. Through a Screen Darkly - Jeffrey Overstreet. A masterful work by a noted film critic about bringing a spirit of discernment to the world of film. Overstreet invites us to consider how film as an art form affects one's soul and ultimately can be a work of God, even when it may go against what many define as "Christian." An excellent work that helps us learn discernment in our daily lives toward any sort of story telling.

Honorable Mention

• Silence by Shusaku Endo
  
• One Door Away from Heaven by Dean Koontz
• Shapers by Robert R. Chase
• The Game of Fox and Lion by Robert R. Chase
• The Odd Thomas trilogy by Dean Koontz
• Eifelheim by Michael Flynn
  

Honor Your Favorite Servant of God by Giving Him a Trip to Rome

The Catholic Company is showing their appreciation for incredible priests in a very tangible way.

We are giving away over $6,000 in prizes, including a trip to Rome to one lucky priest. All you have to do is make a video about an incredible priest in your life, and you could win a $500 shopping spree....and he could be on his way for an 8 day get-a-way in Rome. There are also 20 $100 shopping sprees for the runners up, so there are lots of opportunities to win.

What better way to say thank you to your favorite servant of God?... please pass on the news through your blogs, twitter, and facebook pages. If you are not into doing video, then spread the word around your parish, Knights group, homeschool group, bible study, or any other group at your parish. You could even set up a camera and let everyone in your group record a video to nominate your priest. Only one video per person, but a priest can be nominated many times by different fans.

Just go to Incredible Priests for details or to upload your video.

The Year of the Priest

Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father on June 19, 2010.

With the announcement of this Year for Priests, the Pope has declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé d’Ars.

USCCB website where you will find many great resources
including prayer card pdfs with icon

From Pope Benedict XVI's letter to clergy, which I found both touching and inspirational:

I still treasure the memory of the first parish priest at whose side I exercised my ministry as a young priest: he left me an example of unreserved devotion to his pastoral duties, even to meeting death in the act of bringing viaticum to a gravely ill person. I also recall the countless confreres whom I have met and continue to meet, not least in my pastoral visits to different countries: men generously dedicated to the daily exercise of their priestly ministry. Yet the expression of Saint John Mary also makes us think of Christ’s pierced Heart and the crown of thorns which surrounds it. I am also led to think, therefore, of the countless situations of suffering endured by many priests, either because they themselves share in the manifold human experience of pain or because they encounter misunderstanding from the very persons to whom they minister. How can we not also think of all those priests who are offended in their dignity, obstructed in their mission and persecuted, even at times to offering the supreme testimony of their own blood?

There are also, sad to say, situations which can never be sufficiently deplored where the Church herself suffers as a consequence of infidelity on the part of some of her ministers. Then it is the world which finds grounds for scandal and rejection. What is most helpful to the Church in such cases is not only a frank and complete acknowledgment of the weaknesses of her ministers, but also a joyful and renewed realization of the greatness of God’s gift, embodied in the splendid example of generous pastors, religious afire with love for God and for souls, and insightful, patient spiritual guides. ...

It was, perhaps, timely, that this morning after Mass I wound up in conversation with our priest. We conversed upon many subjects but the one foremost in my mind was about a very sad situation and funeral in our parish. It makes one reflect deeply upon the Book of Job. When I think of how many times Fr. L. must help families through situations about which we know nothing, in our protected innocence, then I thank God that he has sent good men among us.

Fr. L. would remind us that he also gets to see many moments of joy and also of people being good to each other which we never witness. That makes me think of the young men who are discerning if this is the path God has for them ... to be shepherds for us, to be there for comfort in bad times, and to celebrate with us in good times.

These things are good to reflect upon and the Year of the Priest that is beginning is a wonderful way to keep them in mind. It will help me to remember to always pray for our priests and for vocations.

Come, Let Us Adore Him

The words to a Christmas song ... in July.

Yet, they speak to a reality that we would do well to consider all the year round. The Real Presence of Jesus is waiting in the church, at Mass, in the tabernacle, and if we are very fortunate Jesus is exposed in the Monstrance for us to come to Him.

All of this presupposes that one understands that Christ's Real Presence means Jesus' body and blood, soul and divinity, are contained completely in the Eucharist. Now, I don't know about you, but if Jesus appeared before me physically, I'd likely fall on my face in worship and adoration, blown away by His Presence. So if we would do it under those circumstances then why wouldn't we do it for his very real presence in the Eucharist?

A very big reason is that poor teaching can leave even our priests not understanding this elemental foundation of our Catholic faith. This is witnessed to by the explanation given at a local church (handily typed up and ready to pass around) about why they do not have Adoration. Think of it. So many people ask about Adoration that they must have a handout ready as to why they deny it. The essence of the handout says these reasons that that particular church does not offer Adoration:

The basic reason is that it takes away from the true meaning of the Eucharist - the eating and drinking of the Lord as a Community during Mass. Adoration takes the Eucharist out of its true context - a dynamic action of the Community, and turns it into a thing, the Body of Christ. All other sacraments are actions; we anoint, we lay on hands, we pour water. The instructions of Jesus are clear - take and eat, take and drink. There is nothing in scriptures that supports adoration. Every mention is in terms of the eating and drinking. As the apostles remarked after encountering the risen Jesus on Easter Sunday .... "We knew him in the breaking of the bread".

Another important factor is that when we practice adoration, we are localizing Jesus. When we focus on the host in the monstrance as the real presence of Jesus, we tend to forget that Jesus is not confined to a host, but is really present in us when we leave the chapel and, most especially, he is present in other people as we encounter them in our daily life.

The historical roots of the practice of adoration are in the breakdown of the Eucharist as covenant meal. Very few were eating and drinking during an extended period of the Church's history. We had to do something with it, so we blessed people with it (benediction), carried it in processions, and prayed in front of it (adoration). But now that we have recovered the meaning of the Eucharist as covenant meal, we should not do anything to take our attention from it.

Now, this is so wrong it just plain hurts.

Before we mention anything else, it begs the question, why can't we do both Adoration and taking Christ into the world? Which would be the obvious and first answer to the overall objection raised above.

Let me toss out there a few things in refutation of the very wrong teachings contained above. I will go with my instinctive reactions, though there will be much more that could be said, I know.

First I must comment about the statement, "There is nothing in scriptures that supports adoration." This would only be true if one does not really believe it is Christ Himself present in the Eucharist. Which is heretical. The doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist has been the constant belief of the Church from the time of the Apostles.

We are presented with myriad forms of adoration of Christ throughout the Gospels. I will just mention the most obvious one which would spring to mind for most people. The news of Christ's birth saw angels and shepherds adoring him as he was laid in a manger (from which animals eat grain) in the town of Bethlehem (one translation of the word Bethlehem: city of bread).

If I didn't know better, I'd think Someone was making a point.

I can't resist pointing out here that Jesus is not "active." His presence is enough to inspire worship and adoration for all that He simply is. Period.

Several modern popes point us squarely toward Adoration and do not seem to think it is better left in the past or "takes our attention" away from the true meaning of the Eucharist. Pope John Paul II, who was a great believer in the power of Adoration of the Eucharist spoke about it on numerous occasions. A few excerpts:

"I hope that this form of perpetual adoration, with permanent exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, will continue into the future."

International Eucharistic Congress in Seville, Spain June 1993

"Public and private devotion to the Holy Eucharist outside Mass is highly recommended: for the presence of Christ, who is adored by the faithful in the Sacrament, derives from the sacrifice and is directed towards sacramental and spiritual communion."

Inaestimabile Donum, #20, 1980

"The Church and the world have great need of Eucharistic adoration. Jesus waits for us in this sacrament of love. Let us be generous with our time in going to meet Him in adoration and contemplation full of faith. And let us be ready to make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the world. May our adoration never cease."

Dominicae Cenae: Letter to Priests, Holy Thursday, 1980

"Closeness to the Eucharistic Christ in silence and contemplation does not distance us from our contemporaries but, on the contrary, makes us open to human joy and distress, broadening our hearts on a global scale. Through adoration the Christian mysteriously contributes to the radical transformation of the world and to the sowing of the gospel. Anyone who prays to the Eucharistic Savior draws the whole world with him and raises it to God."

Letter to the Bishop of Liege, Reported in L'Osserv. Romano, 1996

Finally, as a quick commentary, the 11th General Synod of Bishops called by Pope Benedict XVI was about the Eucharist. You can see the summary document of the meeting (issued by the Vatican) here.

Strikingly, this excerpt speaks directly to the handout's points:

It is widely held that Christ’s presence is a result of the community and not Christ himself, who is the font and centre of our communion and head of his Body, the Church.

Neglect of prayer, contemplation and adoration of the Eucharistic mystery has weakened the sense of the sacred in relation to this great Sacrament.

This situation can lead to compromising the truth of Catholic teaching concerning the change of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, traditionally called transubstantiation. It can also threaten faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, a belief which suffers from ideas which intend to explain the Eucharistic mystery not so much in itself but rather from a subjective point of view, for example, in the use of terms like “trans-finalization” and “trans-signification.”

Specifically pointing out Adoration, the document says:

40. Furthermore, it must not to be forgotten that faith in the Real Presence of the dead and risen Lord in the Blessed Sacrament has a culminating point in Eucharistic adoration, a firmly grounded tradition in the Latin Church. Such a practice—rightly highlighted in many Lineamenta responses—should not be presented as something apart from the Eucharistic celebration but as its natural continuation. The responses also indicate that some particular Churches are experiencing a reawakening in Eucharistic adoration, which, in each case, is to be done in a dignified and solemn manner.

There are books that can be written and, of course, have been written on this subject. I am not clever enough to cover every point and, in any case, that would take more time than I have now. However, I did want to give a few basics on this very precious privilege that should be made available to Catholics whenever the possibility exists.

I know that this local church is far from being the only one perpetuating wrong teachings. I pray for the priests and I pray for the parishioners who are being thus denied.

Note: Heather has some very good thoughts about the Eucharist as center and all of our Catholic faith and as the True Presence of Jesus.

Life is an Adventure ... Even If You Have to Have a Real Adventure to Realize It

Russell: I remember the boring things better."

Reactions to Pixar's UP fall into two camps. They found it disappointing or boring on some level or really liked it.

Tom and I saw it last night and fell into the latter camp. I am not saying UP is equivalent to Wall-E or The Incredibles but it is an engaging and likable film with a lot of good messages for today.

For those who, like me, have been avoiding any plot points other than those revealed in the trailer, I will keep the synopsis brief. Carl Frederickson is a house-bound widower who wants to honor past dreams by traveling to the wilderness in South America. Russell is a small boy who ascribes to the high goals of being a Senior Wilderness Explorer but has one more badge to get to achieve his goal. Why Carl floats his house with balloons and just how Russell winds up on his porch, I will leave for you to discover. Those who enjoy 1930's style adventure such as that found in serial books or films of the time will readily recognize the impetus that launches Carl and the type of situation our two heroes find themselves immersed in once they land the house. The jungle setting, the heroine in peril, the good hearted native who helps with indepth knowledge of the environment, the mad scientist hidden away from civilization a la Dr. Moreau ... these are all beautifully realized and translated for us in UP.

Underlying the story is a deeper look at modern issues. Is it the small things in life that make it an adventure worth living or must one have a recognizable "Adventure?" Those who are "marginalized by society" are not always those that spring to mind when we hear the phrase. It can also be a very normal old man or little boy whose basic needs are being ignored. Likewise, we see that it is the very sense of community and subsequent responsibility, even when it seems forced upon us, that completes us most and makes us the most free. Some issues are given a shorter shrift but are still there for reflection. For your personal discovery, I merely point to Russell's comment about "wilderness" and the sorts of badges that are being won by the Wilderness Explorers.

Hannah found the movie very sad and, having heard this comment from others, I was braced for something quite tragic. I found no such thing. Not wanting spoilers I will say that what others found sad, I actually found to be inspirational.

For Rose, the movie was ruined by the talking dogs. Keeping in mind the mad scientist/Dr. Moreau-ish theme, this really didn't bother me until a sequence toward the end. Perhaps this is because I found what the dogs were saying to be so authentically the way that we would imagine them thinking. She also found the dog jokes to be repetitive. Perhaps they were. If so, I didn't feel it when watching the movie.

My advice with UP is to come at it with as few preconceptions as possible. If possible, watch it in an audience filled with children, for full impact. And enjoy.

A Wallet Giveaway ...

A contest to give away a wallet to the person with the best story and photo.

I have really enjoyed seeing the photos and reading the comments of all the entries. The bribery (#22) made me smile. A lot.

However, I will put in a plug for #23 who is a friend of mine and her daddy is a friend of mine too ... no photo but a really great explanation of why he should win the wallet.

The voting is today only in the comments box here. Be sure to put the number of the entry you are voting for.