Yay for after-Christmas Presents

Yesterday Betsy and I finally met up with our Hudson friends, after about two weeks of hand-wringing about the details - what day, what time, where. It was really fun. There was a little trouble about finding where everyone had parked, so we trundled around the "new downtown" for a while. The "new downtown Hudson" is quite nice; they tore down this old warehouse district and built a whole bunch of new stores. They all seem like boutiques, so there is no way I will be able to afford to shop there. Also lots of restaurants. Also, lots of stop signs. Which I run. Frequently. ;)

Anyway, after we collected everybody, we went to the Caribou Cafe and had hot chocolate and talked and talked and talked and talked in the manner that drives the male sex up the wall. I found out all about their lives and what everyone's plans were. Shannon took last semester off, and she is taking the rest of the year off, too; she's thinking about transferring to Hillsdale (whoo hooooo! Take me with you!). Carli is going to Africa for a service project (Take me with you!) and Katie is going to England to study next year (Take me with you!). Sigh. Me and Kat are the only two people pursuing normal schedules, I think! My sister is going to do - if she is accepted - AmeriCorps.

We got into religion a little bit - the other subject (besides politics) that you're not supposed to discuss if you want to keep your friends. But we break all the rules, he he he. Shannon has officially split from the Episcopal Church, and she and her family are with the Anglicans now. It's a shame, because Christ Church Episcopal is a such a pretty little church. But if there's going to be heresy taught there, the architecture doesn't really matter, does it? Of course, if she was really going to join the true Church, she should just take that extra step and become a Catholic (push, push, push). Anglo-Catholic is sooooo close, isn't it? LOL.

We talked for about four hours, and then Betsy and I had to leave because we thought we were going to go out for dinner with Mom and Dad (not so, as it turned out). But before we left, Kat handed out little presents. What a sweetheart! Everyone got these cute little magnets with clever sayings on them. Mine said, "I would stop eating chocolate, but I'm no quitter." How ... me. :)

Look at the stupids on the shoulder!

I forgot to mention a little adventure that occurred yesterday. My mother buttonholed me into going to the grocery store with her for some odds and ends; I was feeling melancholy about going back to school, as well as a little bit guilty about not spending very much time with her, so I agreed.

Unfortunately, my mother has this "thing" about letting the gas tank get down to, well, fumes before she bothers to fill it up again. I think she thinks she is saving money via this method. Sadly, she apparently misjudged the volume of fumes left in the tank, because we ran out of gas on Rt. 91, about three hundred feet from the gas station. Argh. We had to call Dad, and he went and brought us gas. He took his time about coming (or so it seemed) and all that time we were stuck out there on the road with our emergency lights flashing. Obviously, running out of gas is a really flaky thing to do, so the other drivers were amused, I am sure. Everyone was gawking at the stupids on the shoulder of the road! Except there really wasn't any shoulder at all - we were kinda right where the action was. Gulp.

However, we all survived, in spite of minor humiliations; and we got home safe and sound, too. But I am going to refuse to go anywhere in any car that does not have the little dial that indicates fuel level at least a smidgen above the "E."

Saint of the Week

ST. THOMAS BECKET



Patron Saint of the Clergy

1118 - 1170

FEAST DAY: DECEMBER 29

Saint Thomas Becket was born on the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas in AD 1118, in London, and went to school with the canons regular in Surrey. He lost both parents in his early twenties, and at twenty-four Thomas assumed a position in the house of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Theobald. Theobald thought highly of Thomas, and provided him with several benefices. He also consulted extensively with the saint and after Thomas was ordained to the diaconate made him Archdeacon of Canterbury, a position below only the Bishops and Abbots. Thomas was also sent to Rome for the archbishop when needed.

In AD 1155 Thomas was made chancellor by King Henry II, and their friendship grew both professionally and personally. Thomas was a proud and irascible man throughout his life, but regardless his extensive "worldly" business and attachments his confessor testifies to his blameless character. He was also known for times of personal discipline and devout prayer, so his life seems to have been of somewhat dichotomous natures.

Theobald died in AD 1161. King Henry had expected to promote Thomas, but he had objections to being consecrated. However, Cardinal Henry "persuaded" Thomas of his need to assume the Archbishopric. The election was made in AD 1162 in May, and on Saturday of Whit-week Thomas was ordained a priest by the bishop of Rodchester. On the octave of Pentecost he was consecrated Archbishop by Henry of Blois, the bishop of Winchester.

The change in Thomas after his consecration was all-encompassing. He established a rule for himself, doubled the alms given to the poor, examined the candidates to the priesthood personally, reorganized the Archepiscopal household in a monastic fashion, visited regularly the monks in their cloister, and became moderate and tempered. The relationship between Thomas and Henry remained for the most part the same during the next year ...

... On December first he returned at Sandwich to much acclaim, but peace was there. The archbishop of York assisted in the coronation of Henry's son, in defiance of both Thomas and the Pope. Thomas had deposed three bishops along with Roger, the archbishop of York. When at London, the "boy King" refused to meet Thomas. At Bayeux the bishops were arguing their case, and in a time of untamed rage that plagued Henry, he uttered those fateful words that he wished Becket not in place as Archbishop anymore. The knights Reginald Fitzurse, William de Tracy, Hugh de Morville, and Richard le Breton took this remark as a wish for the Archbishop Thomas to die.

On St. John's day Thomas received a letter warning of the threat. The knights initially came to him demanding a release of the censures against the bishops, but he refused and they left angrily. They soon returned and Thomas was ushered off by attendants to the Church. Doors were shut, then reopened by Thomas when monks were shut out. At last only three men were with Thomas; then one, Edward Grim. The knights approached, with a subdeacon, and asked where the traitor Thomas was. He answered that no traitor was there, only an archbishop and priest of God. There he stood between the altars of St. Benedict and the altar of our Lady.

The knights demanded the release of censure once again, but Thomas refused. Edward Grim blocked the first blow, but it still lacerated the head of Thomas. They struggled, and St. Thomas called upon the Lord and His saints. He went to his knees and uttered that for Christ and His Church he was willing to die. The skull of the saint was struck by Richard le Breton. Laying upon the trancept, the subdeacon Hugh displaced the brain of St. Thomas with his swordpoint. Hugh de Morville alone struck no blow. They then fled the cloister. The martyr's body lay in the trancept with no one daring even to touch it.

Many doubt the intention of Henry to have Becket killed, but eighteen months after Thomas' canonization, Henry submitted to a public scourging as an act of humiliation. On the seventh of July, AD 1220, the relics of St. Thomas Becket were translated from the crypt to a tomb behind the high altar in an enormous gathering. In attendance were Stephen Cardinal Langton, archbishop of Canterbury; King Henry III; and Cardinal Pandulf, papal legate and archbishop of Rheims.

Read the entire biography from CIN.

R.I.P.

Jerry Orbach, who played the sarcastic, immortal Lennie Briscoe on NBC's long-running Law and Order has died, apparently of cancer. Read this great tribute to "Lennie" written when his character left L & O.

Here is an interesting post from Free Republic on the "culpability of God" in the massive number of casualties in the tsunami disaster. It is a pretty angry missive, but the ensuing comments are very good. The point is: God is not the cause of suffering. The mystery of why He permits it is mixed up with the consequences of sin, free will, and at some point the recognition that it is beyond our ability to understand.

Devastating

Tsunami Death Toll Likely to Rise Above 100,000

This is terrible. Apparently they had no warning at all. Please, pray for all of these poor people. This is one of those times when you feel so helpless in the face of such massive human suffering.

But I don't wanna

It's almost time for me to go back to Ohio University. And start studying again. And probably get a job in the DINING HALL. And also get going on Confirmation ...

All in all I am a ball of nerves, particularly with regard to the Packing Escapade which awaits me. I have no idea where all my clothes have got to - I brought home all of them, and I am determined to do all my laundry one last time before I leave. Finding all my sweaters and skirts and pairs of jeans and blouses will take some doing, though. I have this nasty habit of just undressing and getting in my jammies and leaving my clothes at the foot of my bed. Sigh. When will I learn? Neeeeever, apparently.

The dog keeps eating food off of the table. Someone leaves their Arby's burger unattended on the kitchen table, and then whip! Quick as a flash, Lucy gets a hold of the wrapper with her teeth and pulls it down to the floor. By then it is too late to try to stop her, since she always seems to want to kill anyone who she thinks is going to try to take food (especially meat) away from her. Grr! Bad dog!

Quiet Holiday

Well, we had a very quiet Christmas morning, since we opened presents, had Christmas dinner, and went to Mass the night before (I guess Midnight Mass was technically Christmas morning).

Mother had to work at the nursing home, starting at 7 A.M.; you can bet she was tuckered out after getting up so early after such a late Mass. Betsy and I went to visit her and brought her some leftover ham, bread, beans, and pie from last night's dinner. We hung around for a little while in her office - she's the head nurse - and then skipped on home.

We went to Mass again today - it is a Sunday, after all! - and we went to St. Mary's instead of Immaculate Conception. The roads were just too bad. I was nervous about what we were going to see at St. Mary's, or, as we call it, The Land of Liturgical Dance and People Who Like to Flop Their Arms Around During the Our Father. The "young priest" - the thirty-year old - was the celebrant, and I was pleasantly surprised. He had a lengthy homily about the Holy Father's Theology of the Body, and the necessity of combating the Culture of Death and the "Gotta get get get get what I want want want" society. He mentioned birth control, divorce and abortion by name as evils to be fought - "As a result of the sexual revolution, one third of my generation has been aborted and half of us come from broken homes" - I was impressed. If this is the kind of priest our seminaries are producing nowadays, then things might be looking up a lot more than I suspected.

MERRY CHRISTMAS


Merry Christmas! A holy night, a silent night with Mother and child, all is calm, all is bright. This inspiring hymn came to us because an organ in Germany broke down about one hundred years ago.

Without an organ the parish priest in this small country church said it would be a "Silent Night". The organist would compose a melody. The priest would write the lyrics and the choir would just sing the soft praises of this hymn for midnight Mass.

That is all it was meant to be, just a simple hymn sung once and forgotten. Then a snowstorm prevented the man who fixed the organ from coming until the snow melted in the spring. After he finished he noticed the music left on the organ since Christmas night and took it back to Munich. The rest is history. "Silent Night" has reverberated throughout the ages. With its quiet sounds of love and peace it has inspired millions and millions, touching the lives of countless people.

It is the same with a holy hour. We leave it in the chapel like the music to "Silent Night," and God turns our hour of prayer into a never-ending stream of graces for His people. A single holy hour of prayer touches more hearts through God’s grace, than all the people who have ever been touched by "Silent Night". From a single holy hour of prayer God’s graces reverberate throughout the world until the end of time and will continue for all eternity.

This is because of the divine appreciation God has for those who love His Son in the Blessed Sacrament. The Father will spend all eternity thanking you and loving you in heaven because you have honored His Son on earth in the Blessed Sacrament. The Blessed Sacrament is the continuation of Christ’s Incarnation on earth.

Coming to the Blessed Sacrament we find the same humility and gentleness that the shepherds found in "the babe lying in a manger". (LUKE 2:15). The hunger in the heart of God for the love of man is expressed in the profound humility of these two words, Baby Jesus.

How great is God’s desire for intimacy with man! Jesus came as a Babe, because no one is ever afraid to come close to a baby. A baby is lovable in its vulnerability. A baby reaching our for love with open arms is irresistible.

The Sacred Host embodies the Divine Tenderness of the Incarnation. So gentle and humble, so loving and small and vulnerable, the Blessed Sacrament is Jesus saying "Come to Me...for I am gentle and humble of Heart". (Mt. 11:30).

Only the humble hear His voice. Only those with a childlike heart seek His Heart in the Blessed Sacrament. This is why Jesus says: "Let the children come to Me; do not prevent them for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mk 10:13).

- Excerpts from Letters To A Brother Priest

Snapped up from Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.

Hurray for Presents

My family opened Christmas presents earlier today (Christmas Eve). It all went quite well. I got a very lovely scarf-and=mitten set, a sweater, a pretty rose pin, and another purse (grrrr). It is a very nice purse, although I have no clue what I am going to do with it. I am the Girl of Ten Thousand Purses. And I only need one, you know. It was sweet of Mother to get me the four presents, and the boys came out even better - they got lots of video game stuff. Ugh. I can not understand the allure. It must be a guy thing.

My dad went out TODAY and got Mother some pretty earings. Ah, the stereotypical Last Minute Male Shopper. I suspect that they are cubic zarconia, but he wouldn't say. How cheap ;) but they sparkle well enough!

My mother gave him a photo thing-a-ma-bob and ... drum roll ... ties. Yes, ties, the one gift no man wants - and yet he seemed really excited about the ties in particular! I guess he really needed some new ones.

Well, I am going to go get ready for Midnight Mass. EVERYONE in this family is going to Immaculate Conception, although I think I am going to have to strangle Andy in order to get him to put on a blazer. Aye ... difficult teenagers ... I can not remember ever being so "difficult." My mother reassures me I was.

That was good

We saw Therese today, and it was quite good. I have a feeling that a non-Catholic might think it was sappy - and the first parts of it were a bit sugary - but at the end, I actually wanted to cry! Yes, me, the cold-hearted "art can't touch me!" girl. I also identified a lot with how Therese felt about becoming a nun, although she was sure and I am not, at all.

My family is going to exchange Christmas presents on Christmas Eve this year because my Mother has to work on Christmas Day. Isn't that terrible! She has to work the day afterward, too. We are going to Midnight Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, though. It's a Solemn High Mass. Mother is just going to sleep a lot during the day on Friday, and then head in early Saturday morning ... sigh. She works so hard.

We're going to see this tomorrow

Pope explains symbolism of Christmas tree

The Christmas tree, John Paul said, is "an ancient custom that exalts the value of life," because the evergreen tree remains unchanged through the harshness of winter. When gifts are arranged under the tree, the Pope continue, it because a symbol of "the tree of life, a figure of Christ, God's greatest gift to all men."

The Holy Father made a point of saying that the gifts exchanged at Christmas should not be purely material and commercial. The "tree of life," he said, points the way toward an exchange of spiritual goods: of brotherhood and love.


Read the whole article from CWNews.com

Saint of the Week

You must, MUST check out the cyber tour of St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago, Illinois. They have the Latin Mass, the Novus Ordo in Latin, gorgeous choirs, classes in Latin and Greek ... if I lived in Chicago, I would be in Heaven. Check out this photo from the cyber tour:





ST. JOHN CANTIUS
Patron of Poland, Lithuania
1412 - 1473

Polish country lad. Brilliant student at the University of Cracow, Poland. Priest. Professor of theology at University of Cracow.

Falsely accused and ousted by university rivals, at age 41 he was assigned as parish priest at Olkusz, Bohemia. He took his position seriously, and was terrified of the responsibility, but did his best. For a long time that wasn’t enough for his parishioners, but in the end he won their hearts. After several years in his parish, he returned to Cracow and taught Scripture the rest of his life.

John was a serious, humble man, generous to a fault with the poor, sleeping little, eating no meat and little of anything else. Pilgrim to Jerusalem, hoping to be martyred by Turks. He made four pilgrimages to Rome, carrying his luggage on his back. When warned to look after his health, he pointed out that the early desert fathers lived long lives in conditions that had nothing to recommend them but the presence of God.

At the time of his death, John was so well loved that his veneration began immediately. For years his doctoral gown was worn by graduates receiving advanced degrees at the University of Cracow. He was declared patron of Poland and Lithuania in 1737 by Pope Clement XII, thirty years before his final canonization.

From Catholic Forum.

Skiiiiiid

That was how I spent my morning. Last week's snow began to thaw somewhat this week; however, last night, winter weather returned with a vengeance, lest I grow too comfortable in my existence as a non-icicle. Mother and I left for Mass in Cleveland a half an hour early, but even so, all the cars on the highway were obliged to travel like a row of gas-powered tortoises, crawling along at half the normal speed, so we would probably not have been on time anyway. I say "probably not" because we never made it to Cleveland.

We started out all right, but then Magic Maggie Luck kicked in, and my latent driving "skills" manifested themselves, as I went sliding all over Rt. 91. I have never gone into a skid before today (not big on winter driving, natch) and I did not enjoy the feeling. We stopped at (or more accurately, skidded into) the Fuel Mart to get gas, and I rather rapidly lost feeling in my extremities while pumping gas. I paid the attendant - the same lady as before (I think she is getting to know me) - and I discovered, to my mild surprise, that I still had functioning hands!

The highways were somehow worse than the suburban arterial roads. I went into a super scary skid getting onto I-271, and Mother told me to call it quits.

So, we inched our way back to Hudson. Mother thought there was a noon Mass at St. Mary's, but alas, it started at 11:30 and we were too late. So, we are going to the 7:30 AM Mass tomorrow. Ayeeeee. Early, but oh well. I have to be up anyway - my father and I are going to Washington, DC to pick up my sister for Christmas. I bet she is excited to be escaping back home. MY vacation is almost over :(

They are forecasting more snow for tomorrow. The house refuses to warm up. The Browns lost, horribly, again. My brothers spent the afternoon beating each other with empty wrapping paper rolls. All is normal, and therefore, well. In a manner of speaking, he he he.

Fr. McBrien strikes again

Fr. McBrien attacks pro-life bishops in syndicated column. (You can read Fr. McBrien's essay here.)

Well, I wouldn't say that he attacks "pro-life bishops" (which I assume would include all the bishops) but he certainly is harsh with those shepherds who believe that abortion ought to be the leading political and cultural issue addressed by the Church. Fr. McBrien feels that they are emphasizing abortion and "life issues" to the detriment of other important elements of the Church's social teaching.

Unfortunately for Fr. McBrien, this is exactly the teaching of the Church - economic justice, prevention of war, rights for immigrants etc. are all issues Catholics are obligated to pay attention to, but issues relating to the preservation and dignity of human life - abortion, cloning, and euthanasia, and so on - take precedence. Without the fundamental right to life, all the other rights and privileges are rendered pretty much meaningless. After all, if they can kill you, it probably doesn't matter much to you that they also can give you free healthcare and raise the minimum wage and fund education. "Great, free medication! Now if we could only come to an agreement about that gun you've got pointed at my head."

The "seamless garment" theory, an invention of the late, lamented, rather limp-wristed Joseph Cardinal Bernadin of Chicago (may he repose in glory), has become rather tattered these days. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I hear of its consignment to the rag heap.

I should also note that when discussing this issue, it usually comes down to politics. Fr. McBrien is a liberal and probably has taken umbrage at the idea that abortion and other "conservative" issues ought to carry more weight with Catholics than pet "liberal" issues such as social justice. I suspect that similar charges might be leveled against some conservative commentators, who avidly praise the "life first" stance when they would probably disavow it if political positions were reversed. However, I doubt you could charge the so-called "one issue" bishops, such as Archbishop Burke or Michael Sheridan. Never have they suggested that other issues, whether they pertain to justice or war or gay marriage, are unimportant.

This whole debate serves to underline the necessity of preaching the entire Gospel, and not merely those parts that confirm our political prejudices; of allowing our consciences to be formed by the teaching of the Church, and not trying to deform the teaching to suit ourselves; allowing it to transform us, without our trying to transform it.

Super-duper-doo

I just checked my Stat Counter, and apparently I just passed my 1000th hit since October. Hurray! Thank y'all. I have been having odd mood swings lately (heh, confirms your "she's mentally unbalanced" fears, doesn't it) and this sent me swinging to the happy-go-lucky side of the pendulum. Ehhh. I wonder when I will getten taken down again.

Happiness

The White House has just released its new Christmas video of Barney the Ultra-Cute Terrier Dog - you can see it here. Be warned, however, that Joe, Bob, and their second cousins are all trying to access the site right now, so the loading might be slow if not impossible.

Also super news: Some one from our Congressman's office called today and said she HAD TICKETS TO THE INAUGURATION FOR ME AND BETSY!!! I don't know if the rest of my family can get tickets, though. Anyway, it will be a nice excuse to miss school in January ... And I THINK that it's also the weekend of the March for Life. Don't quote me on that, but I think it is. Whoo, hoo! :)

I just wanted to post this pretty picture. It is the Madonna of the Roses, by William Bouguereau. You could buy it for me for Christmas at the Art Renewal Center. It is very expensive, but if you have enough money (Betsy, ahem) you might think of getting it for certain people for Christmas (hint, hint).

Please note: the "Madonna of the Roses" was painted in the 19th century, and has nothing to do with the Bayside apparitions of "Our Lady of the Roses" - I believe the authorities have declared the "apparitions" to be fraudulent.

Ah, Snow

We have had our first big snow of the season here in Northeastern Ohio. No snow day for the boys, however! I went out with mother to buy milk, go shopping, and pay her ticket (she got a ticket for not wearing her seatbelt). Ha, ha. She was muttering, "Good-bye, yearly donation to the Fraternal Order of Police." She drove home at about ten miles an hour - not because she was afraid of being pulled over, but because the roads were rather poorly salted. She is always getting agitated about that sort of thing, and I guess I can't blame her. No scarier feeling than going into a skid.

Great article: Catholic lottery winner distributes funds to support culture of life. She gave some to Cardinal Keeler's Appeal - Cardinal Keeler? Oh well. I guess His Eminence is her bishop. I would hope that if I had that kind of luck, I would do something similar. But I don't know. I have a sinking feeling that something like jewelry, automobiles, cell phones, lap top computers, and Snickers factories would be more likely coming from an idjit like me :(

Bunnies!!!

From Angry Alien.com - "It's a Wonderful Life in 30 seconds, and Re-Enacted by Bunnies."

Scott Peterson gets the death penalty

Story from MSNBC.

Don't get me wrong. I think Peterson was guilty as sin. And his crimes were unbelievably heinous. His own wife! His own son! (Incidentally, that was quite a victory for the pro-life movement - a conviction for the murder of an unborn child.)

However, on principle, I am against the death penalty (in almost all cases), and that holds true in this case, too. I don't see how killing Scott helps anybody, least of all, his victims. I have read reports about how witnessing the execution of the perpetrator does very little in terms of "closure" for the victim's family. There is also the necessity of acknowledging the possibility for reform and repentance. Scott's a scumbag, all right, but that doesn't mean that God couldn't touch his heart.

Of course, I understand why people want him to pay the ultimate price. It is difficult, if not impossible, to wrap one's mind around the degree of cruelty and callousness required to kill your 8-months pregnant wife in cold blood. Anger is certainly a legitimate reaction, and I was angry, too. However, I felt a chill down my spine when I heard that people outside the courthouse cheered when the recommendation of death was read. I don't know. I think it would be quite appropriate for him to rot in prison. Other people seem to actively want him to rot in Hell. Which is a horrible position for any Christian to take (or should I say "so-called Christian"?) and a pretty disturbing stance for any normal person to hold.

I'm not saying I don't understand the desire for the death penalty. It's the I-won't-be-happy-unless-he's-damned-for-all-eternity point of view that I find chilling. It sounds like an attitude that, well, Scott would have!

Saint of the Week

St. Adelaide

931 - 999

Feastday: December 16

Adelaide was born in the year 931, the daughter of Rudolph II, King of Burgundy. At the time of his daughter’s birth, Rudolph was at war with Hugh of Provence for the crown of Italy. When Adelaide was only two years old, as part of a peace agreement between Rudolph and Hugh, her father promised her in marriage to Hugh’s son, Lothaire. At the tender age of 16, Adelaide was wed to Lothaire, and her mother, who was now widowed, married his father, Hugh.

The peace did not last long after this, however, as a man named Berengarius, the Marquis of Ivrea, tried to claim the Kingdom of Italy for himself. He forced Hugh to abdicate the throne to his son, Lothaire. He then supposedly poisoned Lothaire and tried to get Adelaide to marry his son, Adalbert. Adelaide refused, however, and was imprisoned for her refusal. Most of her time was spent in solitary confinement in a small room in the Castle of Garda, on the Lake of Garda.

It is said that a priest came and dug a tunnel to where she was being kept and helped her escape. She remained hidden in the woods until the Duke of Canossa, Alberto Uzzo, who had found out about her escape, came and carried her to his castle. During this time the Italians had turned against Berengarius and had compelled Otho to invade Italy. His invasion was successful and while in Canossa he met Adelaide and ended up marrying her on Christmas Day, 951 at Pavia.

Click to read the rest.

Icky Times Two

That's how I would describe my day yesterday. It was, of course, the day for my one-day-shot receptionist job at Graphic Communications. It started bright and early at 8 o'clock, so there me and mom were, waiting ... But the office was closed, and no one came. Tick tock, tick tock. Need I tell you that I got pretty tired of standing there in the cold rain? Eventually we drove home, and I called Kelly Services. It turns out that the lady had given me the address of their old office. Ugh.

So, we trundled back to Stow and eventually found the right building. Mother was pretty angry by this time, and I guess I can't really blame her. My dad was out of town with one of the cars, so she had to drive me there and pick me up. Still, I think it was worse for me, getting yelled at on top of having to walk into a strange office an hour late for a job I've never done before!

They were, however, very nice about my tardiness. It turns out that Graphic Communications is a corporation, head-quartered in California, that is involved in the paper business. Odd, although I guess SOMEONE has to be in the paper business in order for any of us to get any paper ...

The job itself consisted in answering the phone and transferring the call in the way you see on TV ... "Mr Keener, you have a call on line 3" etc. I was pretty bad at it. Luckily, the day went by fairly quickly and I got out of there with $72 (pre-taxes) made.

Mother was late in picking me up, and boy was she steamed. Apparently the traffic was pretty bad on the way over.

All in all, a rotten day for the ages. I'm going to try to forget it ever happened. And to help me do that, I am going to go drink 12 glasses of ... Milk. Yes, milk. What did you think a sweet little girl like me would say ;)

Bad Day

Today was a horrible day on so many levels that I am actually impressed by the thoroughness of its rottenness. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow, presently, I am exhausted and I am going to bed. (Lousy days make one sleepy, too). Sweet dreams! I'll probably have nightmares! ;)

Freaking out now

Why, why does it never get any easier? My job starts tomorrow - Friday - and it's a one day thing, and it's just phone work - but I'm very, very nervous about it. It begins at 8 and ends at 5. I assume I get a one hour break. Ack. So, it will be nine hours of puuuuure joy, I'm sure. I hope they're nice people. Sigh, sigh, sigh. Maybe there will be very little work to do, since it IS the holidays. Or there will be a lot more work to do. Whatever :) I don't know what my problem is, I NEED the money. Ark, ark ark.

FEAST OF
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION



The Immaculate Conception
is the Patron Saint of
the United States of America

“. . . At my third request her face took on a serious expression, and at the same time an expression of deep humility . . joining her palms as if for prayer, she raised them to the height of her breast . . . She looked up to heaven . . . then slowly opening her hands and bending down towards me, she said to me in a voice in which one could sense a slight trembling, ‘I am the Immaculate Conception’”

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC

The Immaculate Conception Appears at Lourdes, France

History of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception

Prayer of the Immaculate Conception

A Defense of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception

New StrongBad!

New StrongBad E-mail. Ha, ha!

I called Kelly Services yesterday, and I have a job to work as a receptionist on Friday. It's a one-day affair. Ack. I have never done anything like that before (switch-board operating, etc) so I wonder how wonderfully I will be able to mess things up ...

Saint of the Week

ST. JUAN DIEGO


Feastday: December 9
1474 - 1548
Juan Diego was born in 1474 in the calpulli or ward of Tlayacac in Cuauhtitlan, which was established in 1168 by Nahua tribesmen and conquered by the Aztec lord Axayacatl in 1467; and was located 20 kilometers (14 miles) north of Tenochtitlan (Mexico City).

On December 9, 1531, a native Mexican named Juan Diego rose before dawn to walk fifteen miles to daily Mass in what is now Mexico City. Juan lived a simple life as a weaver, farmer, and laborer. That morning, as Juan passed Tepeyac Hill, he heard music and saw a glowing cloud encircled by a rainbow. A woman's voice called him to the top of the hill. There he saw a beautiful young woman dressed like an Aztec princess. She said she was the Virgin Mary and asked Juan to tell the bishop to build a church on that site. She said, "I vividly desire that a church be built on this site, so that in it I can be present and give my love, compassion, help, and defense, for I am your most devoted mother . . . to hear your laments and to remedy all your miseries, pains, and sufferings."

The bishop was kind but skeptical. He asked Juan to bring proof of the Lady's identity. Before Juan could go back to the Lady, he found out his uncle was dying. Hurrying to get a priest, Juan missed his meeting with the Lady. The Lady, however, met him on his path and told him that his uncle had been cured.

She then told Juan to climb to the top of the hill where they first met. Juan was shocked to find flowers growing in the frozen soil. He gathered them in his cloak and took them at once to the bishop.

Juan told the bishop what had happened and opened his cloak. The flowers that fell to the ground were Castilian roses (which were not grown in Mexico). But the bishop's eyes were on the glowing image of the Lady imprinted inside Juan's cloak.

Soon after, a church was built on the site where our Lady appeared, and thousands converted to Christianity. Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared the patroness of the Americas.

He died on May 30, 1548, at the age of 74.

Juan Diego deeply loved the Holy Eucharist, and by special permission of the Bishop he received Holy Communion three times a week, a highly unusual occurrence in those times.

Pope John Paul II praised Juan Diego for his simple faith nourished by catechesis and pictured him (who said to the Blessed Virgin Mary: “I am a nobody, I am a small rope, a tiny ladder, the tail end, a leaf”) as a model of humility for all of us.

In His Footsteps:
Juan walked fifteen miles to attend Mass every day. Participate in Mass one day this week that is not a Sunday Mass. If this is impossible, take a long walk outside and notice the miracles of God's love during that walk. You may not see roses in the snow or hear music, but there is plenty to praise God for!

Prayer: Blessed Juan, you faced the skepticism and rejection of a bishop and the crowds to bring Mary's message to Mexico. Pray for us that when we are faced with obstacles to our faith we may show that same courage and commitment. Amen.

From Catholic Online.

Good Link!

Great website from Michael Rose, promoting the best in Church architecture: Dellachiesa.com. Happily, by "best" I mean that Mr. Rose is against modern messes made of concrete or cement, as well as what I like to call the Wal-Mart Warehouse Style, the Sterile Barn Style, and the It-Could-Double-As-A-Realty-Office Style. My home parish (I mean, when I'm home from school) is done in the Warehouse Style. It is wonderfully ... Soul-sucking.

I commented earlier on sacred architecture here. If nothing else, check out Dellachiesa for the gorgeous photo galleries of the world's most beautiful churches. Especially Old St. Mary's in Cincinnati. (Just think! An Ohio church in the company of the Cathedral of Milan, and Notre Dame!) Sigh.

Incidentally, "Notre Dame" means "Our Lady." I was surprised that some people apparrently do not realize this. I guess if you haven't been put through seven years of the wringing machine that is the French language ... But isn't it common knowledge, anyway? Oh well. That means, Cathedral de Notre Dame is "the Cathedral of Our Lady" and University of Notre Dame means "University of Our Lady." UND is run by the Congregation of the Holy Cross, not the Marians, though. Who'da thunk it.

Also, the Marian House of Studies is in Steubenville, Ohio! My diocese (when I'm at school!) Actually, I think in terms of mileage I'm closer to the city of Steubenville when I'm at home than when I'm in Athens. One of those odd things :) It's a big diocese.

Ra ra sis boom ba

Today we celebrated Andy's birthday, even though technically it's tomorrow. He is now seventeen years old. I can't believe it! He's my little brother, he's not allowed to be that old ... he and Arthur are also growing like weeds. Inconveniently rude and boorish-mannered weeds. Andy is already taller than me and Arthur is well on his way. How disturbing! I am much too used to towering over them. My reign of tyranny is drawing to an end. Nooooooooooooo.

I didn't go to Confession this week. Again. I am going Monday or Tuesday at the Cathedral, even if it kills me, simply because I am rapidly becoming frustrated with myself and my tremendously impressive ability to invent reasons not to go on Saturdays. It's Advent, for goodness sakes! I should be going even more often than usual, not trying my best to wriggle out of even my usual once-a-month schedule.

We've decided to go to the noon Tridentine Mass at Immaculate Conception tomorrow, instead of the 5:30 Mass which is in English but has a Bishop, Benediction, and a procession - the opening of the parish's 40 Hours Devotion. It would be dark by the time we left home and even darker by the time it was all through, and I am a bit too nervous about driving on the highways at night. We are going to the 6:30 Mass on Wednesday for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and I am sure that will be nice. Papa is going to drive us. So you won't be treated to any stories of me driving off the side of Rt. 271 at 80 miles an hour!

Another day from the twilight zone

Today was strange. I slept in waaay too late, and I felt rather mentally ill later in the day. Mood changes, crying jags. Massive swings between "Ahhhh, I am blissfully happy and content with the people around me" to "Rot in Hell, beasts." Not a very Christian sentiment, that! I think it has something to do with my not bothering with going anywhere. Staying in one's pajamas until one in the afternoon, day after day, can have an adverse effect on one's mental equilibrium, I find. I have to get out more. Or get a job. Yes, cave-existence = bad, interacting with society = good.

And I need the money. So, I have resolved that one of these days (before holidays are over and I go back to school) I am going to stop saying that I need a job and actually go and get one. Argh. Yes.

Grinch Strikes Again

Church Group Can't March In Holiday Parade
- Parade Organizers Say Christmas Carols May Be Offensive To Others
The Mayor is also changing the sign on city hall from "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays." And no one is allowed to carry signs saying "Merry Christmas." Because this would offend ... the Mayor, apparently.

... slow burn ...

Grades!

I got my Fall Quarter grades in the e-mail today - I got an A in French and Logic (Gasp!) and a B+ in Grammar (Bigger gasp) and a C+ in Stats (ouch). Ick. I now officially have a C on my record. However, mother was very sweet about it. (Biggest gasp of all!) I am going to go eat chocolate now ... ;)