Catholic Underground [dot] Com

This priest is so cool!! Check out the awesome high def videos he's doing.  I gotta get a program like that! And the exciting news of the Vatican going high def is cool too, but I'll believe it when I see it.

The Mirror of Man Reflecting a God

We are visited by God in a very special way at the Nativity. The 'Horn of Salvation' Lk1:69 and the 'Bringer of the Rising Sun' Lk1:78 is declared by Zechariah at the Presentation of the Lord, where a small child rests in the arms of a wondrous mother in the face of these words.

This visit by God, manifested in human form impacts creations' perception of philosophy, psychology and methodology.  When before there was complexity in gaining favor of the various gods or kings, Jesus is the simplicity of a child and exemplifies the love and innocence that a child is.  Jesus' thoughts, though divine, are mirrored to our own in life as shown by his thoughtfulness before beginning his public mission and thereafter in encounters with all others.  The approach he then takes to share the work of Salvation is methodical yet simple in procedure.  The actions he takes are the same that we try to mirror even through our weakness in setback and suffering.

What are we here for?  To practice a ritual worshiping a child born? The philosophies of man have developed over time, growing from a child-like questioning to a complexity of reason that borders beyond what is rational reason.  Christ verifies that we are here to live.  He comes into a 1st century world to exist, and here we are with essentially the same trivialities in the 21st century. Life and breathe happen in the dirty, poor manger where an infant Messiah makes his first pleading cry for the world.
In the years that follow and the decisions that are made, the 'Horn of Salvation' is  'filled with wisdom'. Lk2:40  Christ lives out the struggle of right and wrong, knowing of both, but always choosing the right.  The psychology of his actions are made in the heart of Jewish teaching and exhibit a tenacity to live past the deficit of the human form in his thoughts, words and deeds.

He broke that barrier of weakness of the flesh by the study of sacred scripture and the confirmed habit of prayer.  This method locked in place a simple but narrow path to follow for those who attempt it.  The very action of silent contemplation of God is the way to know and connect with one who made himself weakest of all in the hands of a sinless handmaiden.

Notations are from the 1966 Jerusalem Bible

Galactic Catholic Photo of the Day: Florida Natural Surrounds

On my way home to Louisiana from Florida.

The Solo Traveler

Gaudete Sunday is a day of hope in the Lord.  During this season many people experience depression and anxiety.  Whatever the reason, the way out is to recognize it is happening and to focus on the future joy that is promised.  Choose to rejoice and what you desire, will be.

"Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you." Isaiah 35:4

The Mother of us All

Mary was conceived without sin.



A little tune I wrote to honor Our Lady. I used to sing my favorite Christmas carols over and over again when I was a child. My favorites were of the Nativity. In a way, they both gave me peace and taught me the story of Christ. It's a shame we don't hear Christmas carols more often than not anymore.

The Music of the Season

The Father at my parish mentioned Handel in his homily Sunday. I was looking for my Handel's Messiah cd and found a gift from a friend a few years back. 'The Seven Signs' is from the Notre Dame Folk Choir. Thanks Meghan!

Galactic Catholic Photo of the Day: Florida Natural Surrounds

Happy Holidays from Lake Mirror, Florida

Galactic Catholic Photo of the Day: Florida Natural Surrounds

The First Sunday of Advent

First Sunday of Advent

Yesterday, a man enthusiastically told a clerk about his ‘Christian’ band. He said it was so great to be able to praise God in this way unlike his childhood upbringing in the Catholic Church. To which the clerk replied, “I know, the way they shove it down your throat!”

I sensed that hearts so closed off, will never know the full light of the Church Jesus Christ created, but they see a small part of what God has intended for their joy. The advantage of a childhood religion does not guarantee that a follower of Christ will ‘see’ the whole truth. We can say the words, ‘Lord, help me to see’, but this will not always open a darkened heart immediately to the light.

Saint Paul strikes at the heart of the matter in the Advent readings Sunday. The vision of the eye is that of the soul in his dialogue with the Roman faithful. He says “Let us give up all the things we prefer to do under cover of the dark.” Romans 13:12 He refers to physical actions but his intention is clearly for the spiritual matter caught in darkness. Scripture points to light as our beginning and our lamp. The simple concept of light is then used repeatedly as a concrete reflection of Christ in our life. God, in his perfect complexity creates light and darkness on the first day and Christ in his perfect divinity and humanity identifies himself as the Light of the World.

The Comparison of Light and Dark

“God said, ‘Let there be light’, and there was light. Go saw that light was good, and God divided light from darkness. God called light ‘day’, and darkness he called ‘night’. Evening came and morning came: the first day.” Genesis 1:3-5

There is no mention of the foulness of the dark in the very beginning. We can say that dark in the beginning was unfouled by twisted deeds. But God clearly feels that the light is good. We also have the words of Christ calling himself the light. “Anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark; he will have the light of life.” John 8:12 Walking in the dark is clearly meant as a path that leads away from the love of God. In the progression of the world from scripture, Christ’s time evidences that darkness has been abused. In this scripture passage Christ speaks of dark and light as what the eye can see. If we focus on the first light that God sees, and the light of Christ that we see, the value of good in light becomes exponential with the power it has over darkness. God and his Son have confirmed this power by the infallibility that light comes from them. Light thus becomes in God’s divine sight and our weak sight an illumination that can draw one from walking in the dark, now corrupted in our time, to a light that is good, the Light of Christ the Savior.

Salvation in Light

Saint Paul says in Sunday’s reading, “the time has come: you must wake up now, our salvation is even nearer than it was when we were converted. The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon” Romans 13:11 Saint Paul is alluding to the fruition of the story of salvation that he believes is coming very soon. His words refer to a physical state of waking, but his meaning is deeper and found in his mention of salvation and conversion. The time of Advent is the beginning of the calendar year for the Church and a time to ‘wake-up’ again and be prepared for the coming of the Light of the World. Saint Paul wants the newly converted followers of Christ to recognize Him in their being and avoid the darkness of night. He goes on to describe charity toward others in the next paragraph giving examples of what light is to others that may show that the Light of the World is upon Christ’s followers. The fruition of salvation for our souls is not the only duty that Saint Paul exhorts us too. It is that we are to shine as Christ did for others in our charity and actions in the light. In the physical and spiritual sense the light has a power greater than just illumination, it has the power to draw other souls, not just our own.

Choosing the Light

A darkened heart is only dark as long as the heart does not seek the light. The deepest areas of our souls cannot avoid the full light of Christ no matter if we choose to avoid him or not. That power that God has gifted light by His creation of it, is limited though, by our free will and the adherence to charity that Saint Paul describes as the plan of Christ for us. The two people I mentioned have chosen to seek Christ, but areas of darkness have closed parts of their hearts so that they may never fully be illuminated until they meet Christ. Sometimes the darkness that we in our weakness, have allowed to take over, cannot be banished so quickly as light moves in time and space. The spiritual elements of dark and light are fiercely battling for all areas of our hearts and souls. The preparing for Christ is the only true way to allow darkness within us to be annihilated because we will have exhibited by our will that we have sought the path of light.

Galactic Catholic Minute

A Minute of Thanksgiving

The Universe

 

A map of dark matter showing galaxies as small pink/purple squares. The center is supposed to be the cluster of galaxies. I don't exactly understand this, so I must read up. But in the mean time, on a smaller scale is the Apatite mineral.

This mineral was also found on the moon during one of the moon walks. Just recently in 2010, the specimens were tested and found to include more water than originally thought.  The estimate of encased water on the moon, if released, would cover the moon's surface in 1 meter of water.

God the Creator is Good in All Things, both great and small.  He is the Great Designer of the Universe.  While scientists do not understand dark energy, they seek to divine its mysteries.  Unfortunately, the same scientists may assume there is no Divine correlation between the specifics of a mineral to the immenseness of a universe of galaxies.

"Concepts can only acquire content when they are connected, however indirectly, with sensible experience. But no logical investigation can reveal this connection; it can only be experienced.  And yet it is this connection that determines the cognitive value of systems of concepts."

Albert Eistein in "The Problem of Space, Ether, and the Field in Physics"

The Art of Letter Writing

I have always enjoyed writing letters. They call it z-mail these days.  Sometimes I write to to people who will never really see the letters.  I find it comforting in a way that journal writing doesn't always hit.

 It helps to even put it in an envelope, seal it up and address it. Does the post office have the address for God these days?  You can always ask your guardian angel to deliver a message too.

My new writing buddy is John Paul II.  I have no idea how to properly address him in my salutations so I either refer to him as Fr. or his full name, Roman numerals included.  And I must say he has turned out to be a quite wonderful writing partner.  In fact, I realized from his responses(theoretical of course) that people didn't always understand him because he was so deep. I get that.

Pope John Paul II is the one saint I would really love to meet when I die.  I would ask him what kind of trees there are in the hills of Poland and what birds did he like the most to hear in the early morning while camping.  The naturalist in me relates to him in this way as well.

I know it may sound a little kooky, but I highly suggest a written letter to anyone you want, Saint or not. It's up to you if you send it via snail mail or angel mail!

And if you want to write the current Holy Father,

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI
Apostolic Palace
00120 Vatican City


Taken from The US Embassy to the Holy See

The Act of Adoration

The monstrance a few blocks away from where I live.  Christ had a plan when He chose this place for me to live.  I had no idea where I could find a closer daily adoration spot.  I had researched it, but the only one was an hour away.  God has a good and perfect plan in all things.

The Blog to Read: Glory to God for All Things

This blog is not for the faint of heart.  The depth of the Holy Church is within this Father's writings.
The Holy Angels

The Deep Wide River

A thirteen year old was telling me today how she watches ‘Jersey Shore’ and ‘Bad Girls’. I said there’s only crap on television and that’s why I don’t watch it. She said, “But it’s fun to see other people’s lives!”

Maybe I am a little different, but I remember growing up, and I instinctively steered away from real-life girls that acted poorly like in the shows mentioned.  It seems kids are watching more garbage coming out of a surrealist world than Bart Simpson ever regurgitated.

I am a glass that can be all full if we add more to it, kind of girl, so I see the things that I surround myself with as an inspirational change in these times.

1. Pope Benedict XVI wrote a wonderful letter to seminarians saying, “God is Alive!”

2. The Holy Catholic Church is being purified from sinful and deceptive priests and religious.

3. More young people are instantly reaching out to Christ in praise and worship and finding that HE FILLS them up more than anything.

4. Those same young people are discerning vocations to the religious life and life in the Spirit in family life.

5. Our long ago brothers of the Anglican Church are seeking the TRUTH and finding it whole-heartedly in the Holy Catholic Church.

6. More masses are being celebrated in the traditional Latin manner and many have felt and experienced reverence for the first time in the celebration of the Calvary in those masses.

7. More Catholics in high places are speaking out and joining forces against calumny that threatens the spark of Love for the Sacred Heart in the Catholic Church.

8. Those that do not adhere to the full faith and guidance of the Catholic Church in all moral and ethical matters are outing themselves as non-believers in their determination to be tolerant.

9. Roman Catholic schools are still praying with students in primary, elementary, middle, secondary, and in university level schools.

10. The Roman Catholic Church is still deep and rich and wide enough for all who seek the full Truth of the Love of God the Father.

All Glory Be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the Beginning, is Now, and ever Shall Be. Amen

The Case for Cue Cards

I noticed the Ducks are using some fancy cue cards. Relates well to the Church I think, and some people think not all ideas are good ones!!



PLAY: No firing the Coach when yardage gets lost.

PLAY: Up the middle, down the aisle, TOUCHDOWN!!

PLAY: Need a turnover after the fumble.



Darkness and Light

Materialism today is the sign of a greater struggle of heart toward the heart of Christ. The struggle has manifested itself in every time of the existence of man.  G.K. Chesterton, of the early 20th century, speaks from a longing heart when in his younger years he wrote:

“What were heaven if ought we cherished, shall be wholly left behind?
Is it God’s bright house we dwell in, or a vault of dark confusion…?”

A 21st century Catholic speaker I heard once described her epiphany from sin as a literal transition from the dark places she was keeping herself in, to the light of the sun in the bright noon day. Life in the past or the present often leaves us groping in the dark through all of our Earthly possessions seeking something more.

Fear not. Materialism is only a cancer. Once found in an early state, it can be removed with careful operation, but we must always look for its return.

What forms does materialism take?

Remember first, that the flesh has a taste for pride, vanity and sensuality. Materialism is a small part of all of these main root sins.

If Christ calls man to “renounce all that [they have] for his sake and that of the Gospel.” Luke 14:33, then first we must look at how we are able to do all that God obliges us to do in the Spirit of the Scripture. If material possessions hinder the spread of the Gospel and of the charity that is our duty to express owing from the scripture, then there is a problem.

Second, Christ longs for your heart as much as your heart longs for him even though your mind is elsewhere trapped. The heart and soul are always longing for Christ because he is the key to the Father of love. When you find your mind is not in tune with what is truly best for your soul, then there is a problem. People want to adore something, but so often it becomes themselves, showing up in disordered tendencies such as tattooing, piercing and flesh modifications. Their sight has become sullied by the desire to own fame or entitlement. This love of sensuality rots the link to the true desire to adore the Creator of the Universe.

“Jesus celebrates the joy of the poor, to who the Kingdom already belongs.” CCC2546

Third, materialism is the opposite of the intention of Christ’s teachings for his true disciples. He teaches of the poor widow who exemplifies the standard of giving which he holds us too.CCC2544 This ‘poverty of spirit’ is the way of the cross and a way of detachment.

But I have so much! You say. Look at the life of Elizabeth of Hungary. She lived as a servant of God surrounded by riches and luxuries compared to her fellow man in the 13th century. She gave to the poor, even to the point of annoying her household. One day her husband came upon her in the castle road and asked what was in her apron. It was filled with bread from the keep, but roses appeared when she opened her apron.

The spirit of poverty is within, and it is built up with a treasure chest of piety and Earthly searching for the treasures of God the Father. Materialism is only a physical sign we create ourselves that pulls us away from spiritual treasure. Recognize it and combat it with full intentioned prayer.

“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

The Fast of the Starving

Imagine you are very busy during the week. It's Tuesday already and you have forgotten to eat breakfast again as you rushed out of the house in the early dark hours of the morning.  You don't stop for coffee because you know there will be some made at work.

You get to work early to take a moment, but find that your boss or coworker has come too and wants to have an impromptu meeting. When you finally step out into the hallway again, you almost run into another person coming from the break room holding a steaming mug of coffee about to sip.  It is daylight outside now. You go to the break room and find the coffee has all been taken.  You think you'll make some more, but there is none left but the crumpled bag on top of the new plastic trash bag in the bin.

With a large sigh, you move to your office desk with the weight of your work brought home still hanging on your shoulder because you never got to put it down.  You remember you have a small bag of cereal in your bottom drawer for just such an occasion to perk you up when morning sustenence was forgotten.  When you open the drawer, you find a crushed ziploc bag that somehow has come open and has small ants making a beeline for the back of the drawer and up to the window near the bushes. Gross. Your stomach rumbles and you feel queasy because now your body really is waking up and wants energy.  Breath.

You tell yourself, breath. A loud sigh comes out as you check your calendar and you have that long morning meeting today.  Hopefully there will be danishes.

You walk in to a crowded room with two seats left. Searching for the pasteries, you crane your neck back and forth for a moment as if at a tennis match.  A chipper higher up comes in and says, "Happy Nutrition Month! We are skipping the goodies today, so I hope you all had breakfast!"  Several coworkers smile and lift their tall coffee thermos's in unison.

Actual pain creeps up your spine because not only did you not eat breakfast, you had a large lunch yesterday and went to workout after work, causing you to go to bed early without any dinner.  It feels as though you are in a dry, barren desert and are almost starving.

Starving.

This is the way of prayer. 

We are starved for it. 

God the Father longs to listen.

 Everything around is empty without prayer. 

Prayer is the intimate relationship that we nuture with our loved one, God the Father.  We are part of His whole family. He sent His Son to be with us and expected us to know Him.  He wants us as part of His family.  He wants to hear your joys and sufferings so that He may work in you and show His glory. 

When you have a doubt about yourself, It means you are starving for prayer.

When you feel disliked or even hated, It means you are starving for prayer.

When you realize you are in despair, It means you are starving for prayer.

When you feel no one will understand, It means you are starving for prayer.

No one can fill the void in man but God. Pray.

The Lottery Post from the Curt Jester

This is a great article.  I disagree that public schools can't engender right and wrong though. Many of them are filled with gun toters themselves, so the concept is easy for kids to grasp when faced with someone who tries to live in the right.

The Lottery

The Courtyard of Good and Evil

I miss New Orleans.  I live in Florida now and I love it. It is a much, much better place for me to be, but I miss New Orleans and Louisiana. 

D'Or Patisserie on Ursulines

When I was young, we took spontaneous trips to the French Quarter early in the morning (which meant only me and my dad). Joggers were still running down Ursulines and the parrots in the palm trees were just starting to have their morning conversations.  When I was older I went and celebrated Mardi Gras, juggled for kids at Zoo to Do, and attended a college I never thought I would get to attend.  There are so many rituals and traditions thriving in New Orleans that imbibe your spirit with zeal for living.




Saint Peter and Paul Church in Marigny

 




I have learned though, that sometimes it is better to bring these things to the world, rather than wait for them to come to you.  There are no large cathedrals from the 1700 hundreds here. There are no latin masses to go to on Sunday within an hours drive.  There are no Grandmothers and their friends who talk about people in Cajun French in front of you and laugh during afternoon coffee.  There are no T-boo's or Parrain's or Awn-tee's being talked about cause they almost won da' scratch off. 



Grandma descended
from the Acadians
who moved from Canada



There are no sad looking young people on the street with hopes for nothing written on their worn faces.  There are no Black men standing on the street corner surrounded by Black people who are prejudiced against their own race.  There are no poor families living in a dynasty of poverty and existing like it is a reparation to get welfare.  At least I haven't seen these sights that were burned in my retina from a young age and having walked the streets of New Orleans and other places in the deep South of Louisiana.

I miss New Orleans. I breath the air here, but my heart thumps, and stomps and beats to the rythym of a parade down Decatur and the laughter and joy of the souls in Nola.



The Master's Return

Being tardy never seemed so important to me as a teacher.  Many times, it cannot be helped.  This year I have a couple of students who are often tardy, either by their own fault or by their siblings or parents fault.  It is a habit that is hindering their learning.

It never mattered to me before, because I didn't have repeat offenders in the past seven years I have taught.  My first thought the other day as I reviewed my attendence summary was of the maids and the bridegrooms who wait for the bridegroom Christ.  I never really understood that passage until I heard a talk by Brant Pitre. He lays out the foundation for the Bridegroom Messiah. You can find his works for sale at http://www.catholic-productions.com/  But it makes sense if you think about the connection of habit.

I don't always 'get' scripture. I have to read the explanation and learn.  I have had some visions from Christ while meditating on scripture, and scripture reads as a living thing to me, but I am not that bright in scriptural study.

In my mind, I was trying to figure more understanding from those passages when I read the tardies across my attendence summary.  The passages are Luke 12:37 are Matthew 25:1-13.  The oil that the young ladies forget is also the reverence for God the Father that the Church forgets.  It makes me wonder how my habits are affecting my spiritual goals and obedience and servitude toward Our Heavenly Father. 

Am I habitually tardy?
Am I staying awake?

The Feast of St Therese of Lisieux

I love The Little Flower.  When I think of humility, I most want to emulate her little way and love of Our Lady in Heaven.

The Even Playing Field

On Monday our soccer teams lost big time to another local middle school team that had kids who had been playing together on year round recreation teams. We had a couple of boys who really took it personal and thought they were the ‘one and onlys’ on the team.


A good thing came out of this poor sportsmanship. The boys apologized at practice today and brought a committed attitude to the team.

Teamwork within our group had been a little lacking because this is the first year our school has had a soccer team. These young guys recommitted themselves in a positive way so much  as to say, “Don’t follow our example from during and after the last game.”

Practice went well as it could, but there was also a new spirit of comradery that wasn’t there in our first practices. The formation into a team was almost more important than the skills necessary to play and win.

C.S.Lewis writes in The Four Loves that Friendship is an often bypassed love that is one that brings about a furthering of self-knowledge. He states, “By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all [my] facets.”

The soccer field is very much like the dependency of different friends. The players must acknowledge and pass on their talent to those who are talented in different areas, all complementing each other for the winning goal. We don’t need the others, but things get pretty hard to impossible without that concept working as a dynamic force pushing us to be better in different ways.

The boys apology was sincere, but the teams rejoicing and accepting of their youthful folly was heartwarming also. Now if we could only get them to keep working together as a team and win some goals!

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

The Personal Handbook to You

I just read some good advice, "If we only had a personal handbook to ourselves to hand over."

Wouldn't that be interesting if we really did. It got me thinking about what I might put in mine.

Start-up Section
1. Add 1 pot of Community Coffee with a sprinkle of Splenda.
2. Say one Fatima Rosary with intermittened Marian hymns and petitions.

Running Your Program
1. Keep the area bug free.
2. Add cups of hot tea when sluggish.
3. Set on 'nap' speed frequently. (Especially when temperatures outside exceed 98 degrees farenheit)

Problem-Solving
1. 1-800-CHOCOLATE
2. Internet service: http://www.calldad.com/
3. Leave alone for 3 days and then your forgiven.
4. Call your local Apparition of Mary the Mother of God

This C.P.U. (Catholic Person Universal) needs frequent trips to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament of Jesus Christ.

The Power of a Name

The scripture in Sunday mass today spoke of humility and expressing it in a very specific action.  Jesus directed all those who exhibit a desire to sit at the front, to rethink their choice as imprudent.

I struggle with the virtue of humility. I cannot seem to aquire it, but instead I long for it and admire those who have it.  I have prayed for it before and a combination of calamities befell me so that I started to despair almost, rather than seek a false humilty at my circumstances.

Humility is not a learned skill, it is only a grace from God which holds His essence and at the core is Love.

It has been easy for me to act with love in my life and profession as a teacher.  I pray for it continuously, that is what makes it easy to act on.  But a new student has struck a humble chord in me this past first week of school.  He asks many questions in his Hispanic accent, and each time he starts with a questioning intonation of the word "Teacher."

At first I corrected him, so that he would know my name, but I don't think I will again.  Because this small voice and a request afterwards is so beautiful to me.  It makes me think of the way Christ's disciples would have requested his teachings.  I am not comparing myself to Christ in any way, but this small request and following question led by the word "Teacher," humbles me enough to see how it is my duty to act as Christ did.  We all know that part ofcourse, but to have an added dimension of someone using the name of the vocation that God has given you is both gratifying and humbling.

Imagine if someone were to call on you instead in this manner:
"Hello, Friend?  I need your help today."

Maybe it has only struct me, in that I have never been addressed directly in this way, but I am glad it has.  This young man has humbled me and trusted in me to help him, in the same way I call upon Christ to grant my salvation.

The Florida Catholic: Link to Article

Here is a link to an interesting article about the Maronite Catholic Church.  I didn't realize when I last wrote about it in The Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church in America that it is the anniversary of St. Maron this year.  Please keep praying for the building of the church in Baton Rouge by Father Charbel.

A pilgrimage site has been set up in Miami at Our Lady of Lebanon.  A beautiful prayer posted on their site reads:

1600th Jubilee of the passing of Saint Maron


Lord God,

you called your chosen one, Saint Maron,

to the monastic life,

perfected him in divine virtues,

and guided him along the difficult road

to the heavenly kingdom.

During this jubilee year, commemorating 1600 years

since the death of your chosen one, Saint Maron,

when he was called to the house of your heavenly Father;

We ask you, through his intercession,

to immerseus in your love that we may

walk in your path, heed your commandments,

and follow in his footsteps.

May his holy example resonate throughout our lives.

With your love, may we achieve that final destination

reached by our father, Saint Maron,

and carry your Gospel throughout the world.

Through his intercession, may we attain

the glory of the resurrection and everlasting life in you.

Glory and thanks are due to you, to your blessed Father, and to your living Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

The Queen of the Universe

I visited the basilica in Orlando today. At first I was slightly unnerved by the opening speech that lasted for a while. I thought it took away from the purpose. But then I reminded myself to shutup because I was in a church built for tourists to be welcomed.

I tend to judge a mass by the same reverence that is present in a latin rite mass. I knew I was wrong to judge in this instance.

The entire experience at this church turned out to be quite a personal one. The architecture was modern, the head priest was chatty and people still came in at the end of the homily. But the presiders took this in stride and made all feel so welcome.

Even though I probably won't be attending this church again soon because I live elsewhere, the personal touch was heartwarming. Imagine if churches felt that way all the time. My local parish doesn't seem welcoming at all. You know when you sit next to people who smirk at you during the sign of peace and refuse to touch you or be pleasant in the least?

Unfortunately it happens. But what if we could combine the joy of smiling greetings and the reverence of the Catholic liturgy? It would be awesome! That's the church I want to live in the parish of. Instead, there are old poops like me who have gotten so used to avoiding the 'grumpies' , I just don't talk to anyone but my friends.

So let's go to our universal church like we really love to be there from now on! And that goes for me too!

The Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church in America

I’ve been trying to research the Eastern Orthodox tradition to write a convincing article about a small movement to build a Maronite place of worship in Baton Rouge, La. I have not found much information other than what has recently been encouraged and said by Pope Benedict XVI.

He said in his June visit to the Maronite Church of Cyprus, “Together with Christians throughout the world, we are part of that great temple which is the Mystical Body of Christ. Our spiritual worship, offered in many tongues, in many places and in a beautiful variety of liturgies, is an expression of the one voice of the People of God, united in praise and thanksgiving to him and in enduring communion with each other.”

The Eastern Orthodox Church has a varied history with popular saints such as John Chrysostom out of Antioch and Saint Maron, an ascetic monk who led his followers toward Lebanon establishing the Maronite Church. The area of Syria extends north of Israel and Iraq today and surrounds most of Lebanon. According to history many people were converted to Christianity throughout Syria up until the 7th century when Muslim Turks forced conversion.

Today in Lebanon, where the Maronite Church was founded, all Christians are threatened by a pressing culture that surrounds them. In an interview from 2000, of a Syrian Catholic Bishop, the Bishop speaks of the diaspora of Christians from Lebanon and how they often choose to move to the United States to enjoy a free Christian lifestyle rather than struggle in an overpowering Muslim culture that tries to dominate in a secular state.
This is the main reason why it is important for Roman Catholics to pray for our Eastern Orthodox brethren that remain in unity with the Holy See. As long as there are zealous Christians that teach Truth in the Middle East, then there is the chance for peace.

Father Charbel Jamhoury has come from Beirut to Baton Rouge to help establish an Eastern Orthodox Maronite Catholic Church. His mission is the greater mission of the Church. Pope John Paul II spoke frequently of the brotherhood of Churches and the of the successors of Peter “joined together in a multiplicity of organically united groups.” As Roman Catholics we are called to pray in solidarity with the mission of the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church and the mission of establishing communities to strengthen Catholics in our American cities too.

Please pray a novena with me for the success of Father Charbel’s goals in Baton Rouge. I found a prayer for church building, funny enough, at an Eastern Christian blog by Father Stephen. Please let it start your prayer each of these nine days.

O Lord our God, whose might upholdeth all creation: Stablish the work of our helpless hands; And make this lowly church a place for the showing of Thy glory; and for all peoples a house of prayer pleasing in Thy sight. We pray Thee: Hear us and have mercy.

Baton Rouge Catholic Radio on the Net

The Lifelong Journey of How to Live

This is a pivotal year for me. I'll be turning 33, the age that Christ fulfilled his role as the 'Son of Man'. Also, it comes at an interesting time, because my birthday will be 10/10/10 this year. That must mean something good.


Good living is relative to the person living it. It seems to me that it has taken too long for me to know so little already. I know little of the All of Christ, I know little of how I could improve more without major prodding. The thing I think of knowing the littlest about, is my sinfulness. But that is just the worrier in me, there is not much I can do for any of these things without God's gift of grace for the journey.

I can say with confidence that I am so happy to be older, but I realize I still must learn many lessons that Christ taught while on Earth. Lessons such as how to just be with people and still stand for morals and values in the face of utter disaster of the soul. Christ was with others most of the time, listening and hearing the call of the heart within them. He also was alone with God much of the time too. That private sojourn centered Him in the heart of love so that He could be illumination for others.

While many of us are far, far from illuminating lives, I believe it can be done in this life. You and I can reach for the grace we can only receive from Christ and his angels and share that kindness and goodness to others. I find it very hard to defeat myself with my stubborness and rationality that leads me away from kindness. But for all of us, contention with the nature of flesh is the true pathway of learning the right way of living.

Paul says we must "Take up the whole armor of God, that we may withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; with taking up the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." Ephesians 6

It sounds so truthful in the way he terms it, but it is the same vigilance he speaks of that Christ compels us to in each of the parables. Thank goodness too for those parables, that we would all have something to go by, even if it takes some of us all our lives to understand.

The Historical Modern Auto Enthusiast

It's almost over!  Summer that is, and my late, late, late night watching of Top Gear and what-have-you British television. I don't have time for tv during the school year, and this year I am moving away from free satellite television with 800 something channels to the wilds of central Florida. Minimalist living is calling my name. In the hopes of being Christ like, must I limit my dream of owning a pimped out black Jaguar XKR?

The Bible makesa strong case for definitely not!  The love of transport runs from beginning to end in the scripture and here are a few.

Example 1: Noah

If you really want a huge, massive, gas guzzler, look to Noah!  The Arc would have been a beast of a transport vehicle. Decked out in chocolate, timber brown with a completary green roof and real peacock hood ornaments.

Example 2: Jonah

None of us can say we never owned a whale of a car that really wanted to eat us alive. (Mine was a 1988 Jeep Wagoneer that stopped at midnight in the middle of the highway on a busy W. Esplanade Ave.)  I loved that car, but driving it meant I was taking my life into my own hands.  This proves there are always some lemons before a little repentance.

Example 3: Elijiah
I can only imagine the most pimped ride of them all in the glorious chariot that took this guy for his dream ride. 

Example 4: Peter

Really, all Peter ever talked about was his boat.  You'd think it was a 1967 convertible mustang or something.  He always wanted to be in and he was always picking up somebody.

Example 5: Jesus

Invision a ride so fly, the people you pass by lay down a carpeted pathway to Jerusalem.  Granted, he did say goodbye to the modest and loved donkey, but he was trading in for something close to Salvation. 

If anything, this short article proves I should A. not dream of ever having to take a donkey to work B. Study up on my deck building skills or C. Don't write anything at 2 o'clock in the morning after watching Top Gear.  Also, that before the modern vehicle, transportation was biblical.

The Talk About Women in the Church

I'd like to do a little repost of an article I wrote back in college.  Be forgiving! But really, if I had to rework this, I would definitely speak of the beauty of the Spirit which Ignatius was working with to deny these ladies a prominent place among the Jesuits.  Because of their charism and mission, the Jesuits needed a one-sided determined force that would consistently meet martyrdom around the world.

The Authentic Approach to Happiness

The authentic approach to happiness has more than one aspect to it.  The first is to know where all happiness comes from and at least a second is to bring happiness where you go.  Thankfulness being a fruit of happiness, is a good way to start, in my opinion.  But I am very opinionated and somewhat temperamental, which keeps me from showing Christ to others most of the time.  Christ decided to work on that for me this year by using, not a small flame licking my heals, but one of those huge blow torches that people use to fire up metals that only heat at thousands of degrees. Unfortunately, it worked only a little and I anticipate more burning off of scales sometime in the future.  In the mean time though I learned a few things.

Recently, I approached the procession for the Eucharist with a different mantra than I usually would think.  "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

I made my way back to my pew and realizing I had thought this, and that it was probably one of the best ways to approach Christ.  Usually I just approach him berating myself with a thought of 'let me die into you' or 'please have mercy', which are just as well.  But somehow, I think, a true sense of thankfulness came over me as I received that day.

I have been thanking Him profusely  for having survived this past year.  I am sure there will be tougher years, but it was one of those that God really makes you better for it.  Because of this past year I have decided to seek my own happiness and not cater to others in a co-dependent, people-pleasing manner.

"But how do I seek my own happiness without being selfish?", I thought.  Psalms answers this today in 119 where it states, "And I will delight myself in thy commandments, Which I have loved." v.47

I love Our Lord and music, art and nature.  All make me happy and all help me to know Christ and the Father more deeply.  That is the key of course.  To seek the image of God in all He has created is the truest form of enjoyment.  There is more than one part to the seeking though, and that is the 'remnant of God shown within us.' That is my duty as I pursue my happiness.  I must show the compassion and kindness of Christ to all whom I meet.  This is what was glaringly lacking in my person this year.  I raised my voice at times and got so frustrated I promised to quit!  I am pretty sure that I was angry every day of the school year and I am surprised I have any teeth left from gritting them in a fake smile.

Okay, fake smile. But I tried and everyday seemed a lie as I patiently tried to teach children who deserved love, but just had never cared for learning. This was the burning, burning, burning away at my usual disregard of others opinions.  Because my own silhouette was showing me the anger in my heart that I was suppressing, and my own voice was speaking the tone that did not represent compassion.

The psalm guides us to delight in God's commandments and love them.  'Thou shalt love thy neighbor.'  I was doing a pretty sketchy job of this with so much stress.  But when it was done, God showed me that I can be in a place where I am seeking my own happiness, because it is a place where God is reflected from me. The influences from what keeps me happy and stress less are the very things that illuminate Christ's love in me.

I hope to improve this year and I am happy to say I have not held on to any anger since the day school let out!  Goals this year: #1 Seek happiness and be happy about it.  #2 Make sure my happiness translates to showing a loving God I am thankful for.

The App Store

Just downloaded an awesome app for the Musee du Louvre.  I just searched and it was free! tons of art and tours.  I love this stuff so I suggest it to everybody.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/musee-du-louvre/id337339103?mt=8

The Galactic Catholic Photo of the Day: Comparison

I am moving to Florida with more of these.(Taken in Key West by my dad)

And much, much less of this. (Even though it was only a few days, I still did not like it!!)

The War we Wage

I don't want to pay for killing lives with my tax dollars.

The Celebration of Father God the Creator

All my life I have driven across the great Mississippi River.  The sunsets and sunrises are brilliant from these arched frames of cement and metal reaching across a vast flowing river.  My dad always has a way of asking a question before he says something moving and profound. One of these crossings, he said:

"Do you know who the greatest artist is, Betsy?" "Who?"  "God is the greatest artist."

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Gn 1:31)

"None can sense more deeply than you artists, ingenious creators of beauty that you are, something of the pathos with which God at the dawn of creation looked upon the work of his hands. A glimmer of that feeling has shone so often in your eyes when—like the artists of every age—captivated by the hidden power of sounds and words, colours and shapes, you have admired the work of your inspiration, sensing in it some echo of the mystery of creation with which God, the sole creator of all things, has wished in some way to associate you." Letter to artist's Pope John Paul II

And as the oil encroaches upon all that God has rendered in the Gulf of Mexico and it destroys entire ecosystems of salt marsh, fresh marsh and wetlands, it hurts my heart that man could treat the Father's creation so ignorantly.  All of the diversity of life within the areas affected will take many years to be replenished.  Let us pray for the Father Creator's guidance to fix the mess man has made.

The Galactic Catholic Universe Photo of the Day

My morning drive to Pointe Coupee Parish from this past school year.

The Face of Jesus

In honor of Corpus Christi, I will share a question I had about the body of Christ before I confirmed in the Catholic Church in 1997.

I had one main question before I confirmed, how is it that the host turns to the substance of the Body of Christ?

I could clearly see the accidents of bread made into a small round wafer, but it was hard for me to believe.
Our Lord had a way with me then, He would wait until the moment I wasn't looking, or even paying attention really, and then, WHAM!! Christological truth right in my face.

To keep it short and sweet, there I was on a beach retreat. We were in a visitor's church kneeling on a sandy hard floor in adoration of Christ in a gold monstrance. I was kind of toward the back and basically having a lot of trouble following all of the Fatima prayers added to the rosary that everyone was saying.  All I could think of was the kneeling on sand thing. All of a sudden, I look up at the monstrance and I see Christ's face, like the one on the Shroud of Turin. Only I hadn't seen the Shroud face at that time and this was like a shining defined outline of Christ's face only on the consecrated host part.

Starring at it, I thought, okayyyy, moved a little to one side to check for window glare, moved a little to the other side to check for window glare, the face didn't waver, then I promptly bowed my head to try to keep up with the rest of the 30 college kids praying the rosary.

This personal revelation was enough for me to believe.  God knows how visual I am and I remember clearly that image. I am always happy to receive the accidents of the host in the hopes that the substance will annihilate the wretched sin within. (Much like the scene in LOTRs when Sauron loses the ring and his evil is vanquished for the moment.)

Gotta love transubstantiation.

The Galactic Catholic Universe: Louisiana Wildlife & Natural Surrounds Photo of the Day

"The richness of the marshes in Louisiana provide a banquet for the state's largest group of tourists - the migratory birds who return annually to enjoy the hospitality of the marsh. The naturalists who count the birds in the spring and fall have identified more than 180 species, ranging from Canadian geese to tiny hummingbirds."  Louisiana: The History of an American State

The Galactic Catholic Universe: Louisiana Wildlife & Natural Surrounds Photo of the Day

"The Marsh region lies along Louisiana's Gulf Coast. The Marsh region is also the transition zone between the land and the ocean.  The part of the region closest tot he Gulf of Mexico is the salt marsh, whose waters are brackish.  The saltwater  vegetation includes such plants as salt grass, cord grass, black rush, and the mangle bush or mangrove." Louisiana: The History of an American State

The Galactic Catholic Universe: Louisiana Natural Surrounds & Wildlife Photo of the Day

"The story of Louisiana cannot be told without the Mississippi representing both the stage and a main character. The Mississippi River area covers more than 1,245,000 square miles, draining at least part of thirty-one states.  The Mississippi funnels 375 billion gallons of water through Louisiana each day to the Gulf of Mexico." Louisiana:The History of an American State

The Power to Transform with Love

New stamps for my collection: Love your Pets!

One of my favorite books is God Calling.

Today’s quote: “Remember that Love is the power which transforms the world. Love not only of Me, Love not only of the few dear to you, but Love of all – of the publicans, the sinners, the harlots – Love. It is the only weapon with which sin can be driven out. Drive sin out with Love.”

I am on a love kick, but it is fitting for the readings today as Jesus expresses : “you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is that you must love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:30

In the first quote the suggestion is that only Love can drive sin out. Love of whom? Love of what? Christ answers this in his message to the questioning Pharisees. In the past month I have been applying to teaching positions out of state. One of the things that is distracting is to get comfortable in your station in life and end up not serving the Lord in what He calls you too. The center of love becomes not God, but material desires.

The way that I have refocused my love is to listen to readings such as these and hear that call to build the Church. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:8 “One may have the gift of preaching with wisdom given to him by the Spirit; another may have the gift of preaching instruction given him by the same Spirit; and another the gift of faith given by the same Spirit” and he goes on to describe the very best in Spirit that all men are called too.

I questioned myself as to what my gifts were. Certainly I am called to instruct and to teach. Then how can I build the Church? Paul comes right back to it. “If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, I am simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing.” 1 Cor 13:1

It is very easy to get distracted in this world with the ability to earn a great living and be as blessed in life as you can be. I hate to say that I am extremely blessed to the point of ridiculousness. That said, I have always felt a call and a duty to serve God, but I still get distracted by shopping and the desire to buy a million books.

I hope I am doing okay as I try to find the best position for me, (hopefully in a Catholic school again) but maybe I am called to be a teacher to those who are most in need of love. Pray for me as I am trying to relocate to Florida. I pray that I am continually reminded of loving others even though it is hard and sometimes, they just don’t want to be loved, because they have never known love.

“You must want love more than anything else; but still hope for the spiritual gifts as well.” 1 Cor 14:1

The Galactic Catholic Universe: Louisiana Natural Surrounds & Wildlife Photo of the Day

"Louisiana has almost 5,000 miles of navigable rivers, bayous, creeks, and canals. The largest natural lake (625 square miles) in Louisiana is Lake Pontchartrain. Lake Pontchartrain is just 10 to 16 feet deep, a tidal lagoon connected to the Gulf of Mexico by a narrow passage, the Rigolets." Louisiana:The History of an American State

The Literacy of the Wetlands

This video was part of a class project for promoting literacy and service-learning.  The students were invited to participate with permission from their parents.  I am hoping they are thinking of what they learned with what is in the current news in Louisiana.  Don't mind the dull parts, the really exciting stuff depicts the wetlands. I drove down to Lake Verret and all over the area getting these video shots.

The Galactic Catholic Universe: Louisiana Natural Surrounds & Wildlife Photo of the Day

"The largest body of water affecting Louisiana is the Gulf of Mexico. Not only does the Gulf serve as the southern boundary of the state, but its wide continental shelf contributes many resources to the state." Louisiana: The History of an American State

The Noble Soldier

   

Thank you to all of the men and women who have served our country.  I am proud to say there are members of my family who served in World War II and in the Persian Gulf War.

Pictured to the left is my grandfather who was stationed on a Pacific island as a mechanic.  I am glad he was a only a mechanic or else I may not be here.  That was a different time culturally. This picture was taken in 1938 and sent to my grandmother who waited for him to come home. He is smiling at the bottom far right.

They met growing up and he apparently went dancing  a lot.  So did she, so a friendship was born and then they decided to marry when he had a little time left in the service.

My grandfather grew up in Baton Rouge and my grandmother grew up in the countryside.  She was raised learning the catechism in French, first from her father Oneziphor Guidry and then from a local priest.  Who, she just told me yesterday, told them as children that they were dumber than his cows.  This was in 1920s.  I am happy she is still Catholic and has been such an example to me. She always had a hard work ethic having had eight brothers.  She is the soda girl behind the counter in this promotional picture from the Walgreen's that was on third street in downtown.


My grandfather was able to attend Catholic High School in downtown Baton Rouge when it was still a school downtown run by religious.  He was raised by his aunt because after immigrating to Pennsylvania, his mother did not want to move South, where his father came to work. He died when I was ten or eleven. I remember his presence, much like my dad's and that he would make us fresh ice cream in a hand cranked churn.  He only ever said a few phrases to me, "Don't run in the house." and "If you run in the house, you get a whipping." Mostly this was to my younger brother and I happened to be there too.

When he finally came home from the military, my grandmother took a train to meet him in San Antonio.  She was standing on a picture of Louisiana in a large painted image of the United States to wait for him.  She had five sons, all living to this day, as she is too at 89 years old.   I am so thankful for the story of my family and the part it has played in keeping me safe to this day.

Thank you to all of the military who have served to make our country safe from tyranny.

The Act of Love

You ask me a method of attaining perfection. I know of love - and only love. Love can do all things.

-- St Therese of Lisieux

Love can be tricky sometimes in life.  It starts out as an instinct toward parents and then quickly becomes a raging inferno in adolescence.  If you are lucky you grow and learn to love your friends and your annoying family members for who they are.

I made the interesting choice to ask for the spiritual gift of 'understanding others' at my confirmation. "Let me understand others, so that I can love more," I said.  I am still trying to do that, but it has it's faults.  I find when I am trying to understand others, I naturally love them and feel concern for them.  I don't forget people or faces, I see them and I pray for them.  This can be a real pain because often if love is openly expressed to people who do not or have not regularly experienced it, they are really put off.

I take their hesitance in stride and learn from the way I decided to approach my dad as a teenager.  He did not grow up in a household where there was (I would say any at all) affection.  Knowing that, I decided that if I did not demand he let me hug him, then I wouldn't get initiation from him.  After about 20 years he started hugging back!  He is an extreme example, but if we were to inspect households more closely, we would find there is little affection and thus little communication of love.

Hugging is a very simple and physical means of affection, but I think it shows the lack of love in our world.  When I threaten my 8th grade students, I threaten to HUG them.  Most of them quell at the prospect and immediately pay attention, and as the year progresses, those that most need love get hugs as punishment from me.  I can tell they need that affection and attention because they then pay attention after I pay attention.

Love can be tricky, it's not always welcome but it always permeates every area of your life.  It is a necessity to express the love of God, to show love to others.  Sometimes I feel like I wish I could be colder and not care so damn much, but I try to remember that I must love here on Earth so that I may understand the immense love that Christ showed on the Cross.

Check out this article on the Holy Trinity:Gift and Call to the Communion of Love