Joke Related to an Impending Snowstorm Here

As a trucker stops for a red light, a blonde catches up. She jumps out of her car, runs up to his truck, and knocks on the door. The trucker lowers the window, and she says "Hi, my name is Heather and you are losing some of your load." The trucker ignores her and proceeds down the street.

When the truck stops for another red light, the girl catches up again. She jumps out of her car, runs up and knocks on the door. Again, the trucker lowers the window. As if they've never spoken, the blonde says brightly,"Hi my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your load!"

Shaking his head, the trucker ignores her again and continues down the street.

At the third red light, the same thing happens again. All out of breath, the blonde gets out of her car, runs up, knocks on the truck door. The trucker lowers the window. Again she says "Hi, my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your load!"

When the light turns green the trucker revs up and races to the next light.

When he stops this time, he hurriedly gets out of the truck, and runs back to the blonde. He knocks on her window, and as she lowers it, he says...



"Hi, my name is Robert, it's winter in New Hampshire, and I'm driving the damn SALT TRUCK!



Thanks to my mother for forwarding this to me from Florida.

New Apostolic Letter on the Liturgy

There is a new on that I'm having a hard time finding online. But from other sources here is a snipet:



Pope John Paul said a lack of respect for the norms sometimes has led to "serious abuses" which cast a shadow over the mystery being celebrated and which cause concern and tensions among Catholics.



"Such abuses have nothing to do with the authentic spirit of the (Second Vatican) Council and must be corrected by pastors with an attitude of prudent firmness," he said, without specifying any particular abuse.



The pope said it is "more necessary than ever to increase the liturgical life within our communities," by educating Catholics about the meaning of the Mass and its various moments and their role as participants.



My How-To Book of the Mass would provide any religious educator out there with a great way to educate their parish communities.



This one was written in 1988, and giving how well it was followed there probably isn't much hope for the new one either. From the Apostolic Letter Vicesimus Quintus Annus on the twenty-fifth anniversary (today is the fourtieth anniversary.





Here is the link and a snipet, from

Apostolic Letter Vicesimus Quintus Annus:





"It cannot be tolerated that certain priests should take upon themselves the right to compose Eucharistic Prayers or to substitute profane readings for texts from Sacred Scripture. Initiatives of this sort, far from being linked with the liturgical reform as such, or with the books which have issued from it, are in direct contradiction to it, disfigure it and deprive the Christian people of the genuine treasures of the Liturgy of the Church.



It is for the bishops to root out such abuses, because the regulation of the Liturgy depends on the bishop within the limits of the law (61) and because “the life in Christ of his faithful people in some sense is derived from and depends on him”. (62)"



Further update: The new Apostolic Letter was circulated in Italian among participants at a conference held in Rome today commemorating the fortieth Anniversary of Document on the Sacred Liturgy. My guess it will be out in English in the next week or so.

Boston Archdiocese to Sell Bishop's Residence

Not surprising, and probably appropriate.



From Boston.com / News / Local / Mass. / Diocese to sell residence:



The Archdiocese of Boston will sell one of its most symbolic and coveted properties, the ornate cardinal's residence in Brighton, and 28 surrounding acres to help pay the $85 million settlement with 540 victims of clergy sexual abuse, a spokesman for Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley said last night.

In Wheaton, Illinois Today

At the public library right now. No young people on the computers here, in fact plenty of empty spots...one man in his seventies next to me just staring that the timer (60 minute limit), I don't think he knows what to do. See Amy's post about my experiences at another library yesterday.



On my way to check out the Billy Graham museum at Wheaton.



Last night of the mission tonight...snow expected too, hopefully I'll be home before that hits.

At St. Procopius Abbey Today...

Another Benedictine monastery from a different congregation. Latched on to a school tour and got taken through the whole complex. Very interesting! Here's a link.



There is "Tour" at the bottom of the page I've linked to above.

Crowds Flock to See Newborn in Bethlehem

No, it ain't Jesus...



From Reuters:



A baby born in Bethlehem is drawing crowds by the thousands.



Palestinians in the West Bank town revered by Christians as Jesus's birthplace have been thronging to the adjacent Aida refugee camp for a glimpse of the 11-day-old infant many are calling a "miracle baby".



The boy has gained attention for being born with a large birthmark across his cheek that roughly forms in Arabic letters the name of his uncle, Ala, a Hamas militant killed by Israeli troops after he was alleged to have planned a suicide bombing.



The family, devout Muslims, called it a divine message of support for the Palestinians against Israel, though some local Christians preparing for subdued Christmas observances have quietly dismissed it as lacking any religious significance.



The Israeli army declined comment but one security source said: "It sounds very freaky". The family denied any hoax.

At Marmion Abbey Right Now

Just visiting, catching up with office email and working on my mission talks. Beautiful monastery, founded by monks at St. Meinrad (my alma mater).



Here is their website.