What is strange about this was that I was looking at an Orthodox calendar that I have hanging in my office and I noticed that the period we are now in is purple (symbolizing fast). I wondered what it might mean. Then I was viewing my blog and noticed a comment by Nathan, so I decided to check out his blog and lo and behold a direct answer to my unspoken question. Plus a great suggestion, in fact it is a suggestion that I would suggest you pass on to your diocesan bishop.
What we need right now is not "statements" but action. A declaration of a fast for Advent--for peace in the world and renewal within the Church is just what we need.
Fasting During Advent: Waiting in Joyful Hope
Nathan also has a response to Andrew Sullivan which is well worth a read. He shares Andrew's plight but has a different view of what being Catholic (and he just became a Catholic this past Easter) means. Scroll down to his November 10th entry.
I would add the following. Everyone is a sinner. In the our modern experience of the Church we often hear of the term of "cafeteria Catholicism" that might be better termed "cafeteria sinfulness". We all tend to pass by those parts of Catholicism that convict us of sin. But it is exactly in our weakness, our sinfulness where Christ can save us. We all need to fast not only from food, but from judgment of others, and from our sins...so that Christ may truly come into our lives.
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Mr. Sharon Tear Down This Wall!
Pope John Paul has asked Israel to rethink its building a wall between itself and the Palestinians. The creation of a "Berlin" type wall in this modern age seems unthinkable, but shows how conflict between peoples seems to never leave us.
From News 24:
"At the same time, I must note that unfortunately in those places, the dynamism of peace seems to have stopped. The construction of a wall between the Israeli and Palestinian people is seen by many as a new obstacle on the road toward peaceful cohabitation," he said. "In reality, the Holy Land doesn't need walls, but bridges."
Elie Wiesel takes issue with the Pope:
"From the spiritual leader of one of the largest and most important religions in the world, I expected something very different, namely a statement condemning terror and the killing of innocents, without mixing in political considerations and above all without comparing these things to a work of pure self-defence," Wiesel told the Corriere della Sera newspaper in an interview.
From News 24:
"At the same time, I must note that unfortunately in those places, the dynamism of peace seems to have stopped. The construction of a wall between the Israeli and Palestinian people is seen by many as a new obstacle on the road toward peaceful cohabitation," he said. "In reality, the Holy Land doesn't need walls, but bridges."
Elie Wiesel takes issue with the Pope:
"From the spiritual leader of one of the largest and most important religions in the world, I expected something very different, namely a statement condemning terror and the killing of innocents, without mixing in political considerations and above all without comparing these things to a work of pure self-defence," Wiesel told the Corriere della Sera newspaper in an interview.
Monday, November 17, 2003
Varia
Spirit Daily has an interesting prophecy by Pere Lamy...
I had read this years ago, but it does seem even more relevant today and I do think that we are on the verge of what the Pope has termed the period of "new evangelization"...all at a time when it seems that all is lost.
Drudge has a sneak at the latest outrage to come out of Disney...a movie that has a Santa swearing and doing just about everything else under the sun. I saw a preview yesterday and even the preview was pretty daring.
He also reports that Alaska has been hit with a 7.5 earthquake and now there is fear of a giant tusami hitting the west coast.
Amy has a link to the latest Report from Rome that includes some interesting takes on the Liturgical situation in the Church.
I had read this years ago, but it does seem even more relevant today and I do think that we are on the verge of what the Pope has termed the period of "new evangelization"...all at a time when it seems that all is lost.
Drudge has a sneak at the latest outrage to come out of Disney...a movie that has a Santa swearing and doing just about everything else under the sun. I saw a preview yesterday and even the preview was pretty daring.
He also reports that Alaska has been hit with a 7.5 earthquake and now there is fear of a giant tusami hitting the west coast.
Amy has a link to the latest Report from Rome that includes some interesting takes on the Liturgical situation in the Church.
Sunday, November 16, 2003
Happy Birthday to the Oldest Living Human Being
A few weeks ago she was the third oldest, but today she is the oldest! She lives in nearby Lima, OH. She moved there when she was 110 so that she could be close to family. She also has two sisters still living, both of whom are 99.
My grandmother lived into her hundreds (as well as her sisters).
Today is also my birthday, but I'm a long, long way from 100.
From The Vindicator:
"Charlotte Benkner, who will celebrate her 114th birthday Sunday, said Friday she doesn't understand what all the fuss is about.
'It's just another birthday,' the world's oldest person said after making her way through the crowded room with the help of a walker to a chair facing rows of reporters and schoolchildren.
'I'm overwhelmed that so many people came out for my birthday.' Smiling, she added, 'It would be so nice if it were sweet 16. I'd have a lovely time.'
Her favorite food:
"What's your favorite food?" a boy asked.
"My favorite time is dinner and I can eat chicken five days a week," Benkner responded.
The secret to a long life?
Reporters were more interested in learning the secret to Benkner's living so long.
"There is no secret," she said. "I just live each day the way the Lord gives it to me."
Something we can all apply to this and everyday!
My grandmother lived into her hundreds (as well as her sisters).
Today is also my birthday, but I'm a long, long way from 100.
From The Vindicator:
"Charlotte Benkner, who will celebrate her 114th birthday Sunday, said Friday she doesn't understand what all the fuss is about.
'It's just another birthday,' the world's oldest person said after making her way through the crowded room with the help of a walker to a chair facing rows of reporters and schoolchildren.
'I'm overwhelmed that so many people came out for my birthday.' Smiling, she added, 'It would be so nice if it were sweet 16. I'd have a lovely time.'
Her favorite food:
"What's your favorite food?" a boy asked.
"My favorite time is dinner and I can eat chicken five days a week," Benkner responded.
The secret to a long life?
Reporters were more interested in learning the secret to Benkner's living so long.
"There is no secret," she said. "I just live each day the way the Lord gives it to me."
Something we can all apply to this and everyday!
Saturday, November 15, 2003
Review from a Reader...of The How-To Book of the Mass
Amazon.com: Books: The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You:
"An Enlightened Cradle Catholic, November 14, 2003
Reviewer: Kimberly from Omaha, NE United States
As a 'cradle Catholic', I'm pleasantly surprised to find how much I learned from this book! At age 25, I obviously know the 'how' of mass, but this book also gives the 'why' - something I was (unfortunately) never taught in CCD growing up. It explains the rituals of the mass by telling of their uses in the early church and/or relevant passages in the bible. I know I will get at least twice as much out of attending mass from now on!
My mother always used to complain that my generation was not taught the 'parts of the mass' in CCD as hers was. I don't know if this is a result of changes made by Vatican II, or simply the archdiocese I grew up in. I hope CCD children today are again taught the parts of the mass; I personally purchased this book to learn more myself so I can teach my own children better. After reading it, I wish I could afford to pass out copies at my church to the other parishioners of my generation who are obviously also not getting as much from the mass as they could be!
I agree with another reviewer that it would have been nice if the text of the prayers explained were included in the book, even if just in the back. But don't let this keep you from purchasing it; if you are a cradle Catholic, you already KNOW the prayers. If you are new, they can be easily found in a missal at any Catholic church. "
And a note of explanation with regard to the last point. I would have liked to have included the actual prayers in the book too, for the most part I found ways to allude to them to the degree that I could without quoting them--although I did quote them if they were drawn from Scripture or other the early church. But as to the Mass parts they are copyrighted and you have to pay ICEL money to quote them in their entirity and because I know the translation of the prayers is changing (although it could be a few years before it happens) I didn't want to include them in this edition.
"An Enlightened Cradle Catholic, November 14, 2003
Reviewer: Kimberly from Omaha, NE United States
As a 'cradle Catholic', I'm pleasantly surprised to find how much I learned from this book! At age 25, I obviously know the 'how' of mass, but this book also gives the 'why' - something I was (unfortunately) never taught in CCD growing up. It explains the rituals of the mass by telling of their uses in the early church and/or relevant passages in the bible. I know I will get at least twice as much out of attending mass from now on!
My mother always used to complain that my generation was not taught the 'parts of the mass' in CCD as hers was. I don't know if this is a result of changes made by Vatican II, or simply the archdiocese I grew up in. I hope CCD children today are again taught the parts of the mass; I personally purchased this book to learn more myself so I can teach my own children better. After reading it, I wish I could afford to pass out copies at my church to the other parishioners of my generation who are obviously also not getting as much from the mass as they could be!
I agree with another reviewer that it would have been nice if the text of the prayers explained were included in the book, even if just in the back. But don't let this keep you from purchasing it; if you are a cradle Catholic, you already KNOW the prayers. If you are new, they can be easily found in a missal at any Catholic church. "
And a note of explanation with regard to the last point. I would have liked to have included the actual prayers in the book too, for the most part I found ways to allude to them to the degree that I could without quoting them--although I did quote them if they were drawn from Scripture or other the early church. But as to the Mass parts they are copyrighted and you have to pay ICEL money to quote them in their entirity and because I know the translation of the prayers is changing (although it could be a few years before it happens) I didn't want to include them in this edition.
Bishop's November Meeting
A few bishops (one liberal, one orthodox) and the usual lay groups. I'm left with wondering if the bishops in this country will ever recapture in the hearts of the faithful that they speak for Christ?
From Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly . NEWS FEATURE: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops . November 14, 2003 | PBS
From Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly . NEWS FEATURE: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops . November 14, 2003 | PBS
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