This poll was a shocker…

NOT! (I know, a cheap throw back to the 90's. Sorry.)

You scored as a Roman Catholic

You are Roman Catholic. Church tradition and ecclesial authority are hugely important, and the most important part of worship for you is mass. As the Mother of God, Mary is important in your theology, and as the communion of saints includes the living and the dead, you can also ask the saints to intercede for you.

Roman Catholic		100%
Neo orthodox		79%
Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan		71%
Emergent/Postmodern		57%
Classical Liberal		43%
Fundamentalist		39%
Charismatic/Pentecostal		29%
Modern Liberal		25%
Reformed Evangelical		25%

Take the quiz, and see if you're still crazy too.

What's your theological worldview?
created with QuizFarm.com

A grandmothers passing…

And Now My Lifesong Sings

On my way back from Phoenix I was listening to my ipod and thinking about the passing of my wife's grandmother and this song by Casting Crowns came on. I thought grandma would have appreciated it. I'll post the lyrics in the form of a poem and include a video below, of the song. We love you grandma… you will be missed.

I once was lost, but now I'm found
So far away, but I'm home now
I once was lost, but now I'm found
And my lifesong sings

I once was blind, but now I see
I don't know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see

And now my lifesong sings

I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You

And Now My Lifesong Sings by Casting Crowns. Video by Charlesc28

I know, I know, I know…

Please forgive me.

I haven't forgotten about my blog. I've just had a hard couple of weeks. On top of more freelance work "which I'm not complaining about", my parents were in a bad automobile accident on their way down to visit us for Memorial Day. They live in Arizona and crashed their vehicle going 65 mph outside of Tuba City on the Navajo, Hopi reservation. Anyway my dad broke his wrist so he was pretty lucky. My mother on the other hand, took most of the impact on her side. Her head went into the dashboard and that left her with multiple facial fractures, the worst of which was a broken jaw. Needless to say I flew to Phoenix on Friday morning to try to help out. While I was in Phoenix my wife's grandmother got very sick and ended up passing away on Monday, and I just got back into town today. Anyway I have some thoughts and experiences to share. So please check back soon. I will be busy the next few days with the funeral, then I will be back on. Thank you for your understanding and please include my family in your prayers, especially for my mothers quick recovery. God Bless.

Memorial Day Post 2…

What an American homecoming should be!

As emotional as this reunion is, please pay special attention to the other people in the terminal, and their reaction.

As a side note. I think this is Salt Lake International Airport.

Memorial Day Post 1…

A Hero's welcome!

If you haven't seen this video yet, what are you waiting for? God Bless the Brave men and women who serve our military, and their families here at home, that create the backbone of this country.

NEWS FLASH, UPDATE!

Ya I probably waited to long to say this, but it's my blog so oh well.
Just a little thought on the whole Rosie "Oh, Donald" (a lame reference to her issues with Mr. Trump) and Alec Bald"whine" (more tears please, make me feel the hurt inside) blogs I did last month. Don't you find it ironic that I would post two blogs next to each other, completely unrelated in content and really, two stories completely unrelated to each other, and this happens.

1. "O'Donnell has announced she will leave "The View" as soon as her contract is up." There is a God and he has an Angel named (Finally).
2. Bald"whine" is reported as saying "...I Don't Care If I Do Anything Else in TV Ever Again." Please Mr. Bald"whine" please don't go, well at least before I get the chance to kick you out the door.

Good luck and good riddance.

Truly inspiring…

Their love for God.

This clip is amazing. Their love for God amidst their challenges and heartbreak. And the joy and thankfulness they experienced through it all. They are true Christians through and through. Please say 2 prayers tonight. One for the family in this video and One for yourself, that you may experience Gods love, compassion and healing power. And continue to look towards Him, in your times of greatest distress.

Grandmas Hands…

Our parrish RCIA Director sent this story to me, enjoy.

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear strong voice.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.

"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:
"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life."

"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war."

"They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse."

"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand."

"They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer."

"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

Our Church at work…

This is our Church in action, stand-up, be proud and
do something!

Please take 10 minutes and watch this short documentary of the Christian faith and work of the Missionaries of the Poor, an international Catholic monastic order of religious brothers dedicated to "Joyful Service with Christ on the Cross" to serve the poorest of the poor. The order was founded in 1981 by Father Richard Ho Lung and is headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica.

The Missionaries of the Poor (MOP) community is a missionary institute of the Catholic Church. The men who join the MOP community make four solemn, lifetime vows -- of poverty, chastity, obedience, and free service to the poor -- after about six years of discernment while serving in the MOP missions spread throughout the world.

Please visit the Missionaries of the Poor web site
and help in anyway you can.
http://www.missionariesofthepoor.org

Shortie 3…

Les Rohsrettor's Host Barn.

I'm sure I'll get few thousand years in purgatory for this one. But I couldn't help it, it was late!

Taking responsibility for my actions?

But If I'm responsible, what am I paying my lawyers for?

As Alec Baldwin's angry words to his daughter were being broadcast around the world, the 49-year-old actor explained himself Friday on his Web site.

"Although I have been told by numerous people not to worry too much, as all parents lose their patience with their kids, I am most saddened that this was released to the media because of what it does to a child," he wrote. "I'm sorry, as everyone who knows me is aware, for losing my temper with my child. I have been driven to the edge by parental alienation for many years now. You have to go through this to understand. (Although I hope you never do.) I am sorry for what happened. But I am equally sorry that a court order was violated, which had deliberately been put under seal in this case."

Equally sorry? It's nice to see that Mr. Baldwin is so tuned in to what effects the media has on his daughter, when they release a tape of him yelling and saying things to his daughter any real man would never dream of saying. I guess I'm going to have to let Mr. Baldwin in on a little secret about fatherhood that he was never taught. When speaking to you kids or people that you love (assumed of course) don't say things like–your a thoughtless little pig and threaten to straighten their a** out. Especially if their 11 years old. Also why are you blaming the media or your x-wife or her lawyers for spilling the beans? If you hadn't said the things that you did, they wouldn't be all over the Internet right now. And I have this feeling that the message you left your daughter probably hurt her more because you, the man who see looks up to for strength, protection and courage, left it. Not that the media got a hold of it. I don't care how good looking you are or how much money and influence you have. You're NO MAN in my book, but then you probably don't care. After all I'm just another religious, proud to be an American shmo who doesn't recycle.

In case your reading this and you think I'm making mountains out of mole hills. Below is the recording of Mr. Baldwin's message to his daughters cell phone. Caution this message was not edited and contains some strong language.
(Click Here to Play)

and we thought Imas was a jackass…

April 19, 2007

DISNEY/ABC NEEDS TO REIN ROSIE IN

On today’s edition of the ABC show, “The View,” the discussion turned to the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday affirming the partial-birth abortion ban. In an angry tone, Rosie O’Donnell asked, “You know what concerns me? How many of the Supreme Court judges are Catholic, Barbara?” Walters responded, “Five.” O’Donnell: “Five. Five are Catholic. Separation of church and state, America.” Walters then said that when the Catholic justices were vetted, they said they would not vote in a particular way because of their religion. But she then said, “It is interesting they’re Catholic.” After others spoke, Walters said she thought the justices were able to separate their faith from everyday life. To which O’Donnell replied, “From your everyday life but not hopefully from the foundation of our government. Separation of church and state.”

Catholic League president Bill Donohue addressed this issue today:

“This is O’Donnell’s eighth attack on Catholics since September. She has said there is no difference between radical Christians and radical Muslims (9-12-06); she has ridiculed the Eucharist (9-28-06); she has falsely claimed that the pope was in charge of policing miscreant priests since the 1980s and did nothing about them (10-2-06); she repeated the lie about the pope again (10-27-06); she has mocked priestly celibacy (2-7-07); she ridiculed the Eucharist again (2-27-07); she mocked Catholic teaching on the Bible and the Virgin Birth (3-26-07); and now she is complaining about too many Catholics on the high court.

“On December 8, 2006, O’Donnell apologized for offending the Chinese after Chinese-American groups protested the way she ridiculed them the week before. On January 18, 2007, ABC said of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Isaiah Washington’s anti-gay slur, ‘We take this situation very seriously, and his actions are unacceptable and are being addressed.’

“Accordingly, we are asking Anne Sweeney, Co-Chair Disney Media Networks and President, Disney-ABC Television Group, to demand that O’Donnell apologize to Catholics and that O’Donnell be treated with as much seriousness as was shown Washington.”

It's time that we Papists stand up and be counted. Please phone your complaints into
818-569-7700

Shortie 2…

Holy food…

I ran across this video the other day. Enjoy.

I think I'll go make myself a sandwich, that looks good.

Abortion? What about the other issues…

I was watching a book review program the other night on "The Politics of Jesus by: Obery M. Hendricks Jr." Obery M. Hendricks Jr. happens to be a biblical scholar in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. When being asked to comment on some of the issues he raises in his book, I was stunned by his response to the question of abortion as a political issue, and what Jesus would think of the value our society places on the unborn child today. Basically his response was… there are a lot of injustices in the world and abortion is just one of many, no better or worse than say, death in war, poverty, the death penalty and so on. Well I'm not going to attempt to argue this point here, I don't have that much time, but I am going to post a few words from someone you might have herd of. Someone even non-Catholics generally recognise as a true servant of God.

"Your opinion stated that you did not need to “resolve the difficult question of when life begins.” That question is inescapable. If the right to life is an inherent and inalienable right, it must surely exist wherever life exists. No one can deny that the unborn child is a distinct being, that it is human, and that it is alive. It is unjust, therefore, to deprive the unborn child of its fundamental right to life on the basis of its age, size, or condition of dependency… But I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child—a direct killing of the innocent child—murder by the mother herself. And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?"
–Mother Teresa

The most important issue facing our world today is the issue of abortion, it trumps all others. The right to life is the foundation of human rights and freedom, from which all other issues arise. True freedom is not the ability to do anything you want, but instead the opportunity to do what is right.

Approx. number of abortions preformed since Roe v Wade:
46.5 million. Let's end the genocide.

Utah is one sick Place…STILL!

I'm re-posting this blog for the simple reason that I can't seem to get rid of a terrible cough I've somehow acquired. I need to move!

What in the heck (yes I said heck) is going around in Utah. My family has been sick so many time this season I'm considering investing in a CDC franchise. First, kid one gets sick then kid two then mom then me then the dog (to be fair he ate too much sausage) but I digress. Once we think we're over it ka-pow (not to be confused with Lighting McQueen's slogan ka-chow © 2006 Disney/Pixar) we're at it again. Kid two gets sick then mom then kid one then me, are you getting the picture. We're on our sixth round this season already and we're not alone. The people I work with are all going through the same process. Well at least the ones with kids. I'm trying to design a bubble suit that we could wear when we go out, but I'm afraid I might roll down the Isle at Church and up to the alter while attempting to genuflect, and I don't see receiving Communion being a successful experience either. ( Hand or mouth? I don't know Father it's a freaking bubble suit!) I wonder if Vatican ll has anything on the proper reception of Communion in a bubble suit. That would be an interesting find.

Anyway if you wouldn't mind throwing a few prayers our way it would be greatly appreciated. I think Teresa of Avila is still on vacation, I haven't herd back from her yet. I hope the weather is nice… It's cold then warm then cold then warm… geeeeez, I hate it here!

Christus resurrexit!

Christ is Risen!

This Easter vigil started as any other. As we wait outside of the Church the Easter Fire is kindled and blessed, the Easter Candle is blessed and we humbly sing "thanks be to God" as we enter into the Church. With candles in hand, one by one we share the flame with one another until all are lit. I have to admit that this is one of my most favorite parts of this Mass, the symbolism of Christs light spreading throughout the world. As we make it to our seat the readings begin, In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth… now I'm not going to give you a play by play account of all aspects of this wonderful Mass, and if you've never been witness to the Easter Vigil Mass you can watch one (HERE click.)

What I want to talk about is the second Old Testament reading "God put Abraham to the test." There are a few things I remember as a child concerning the bible. The first is the story of King Solomon and the two women, I like this story because it shows the most basic instincts of motherhood, the unselfish sacrifice of giving up your most precious child so no harm would to him. The second thing I remember is the story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice is only son Isaac. Two things I remember about this story, one is the picture I had in my head of Isaac tied to the alter, and his father, knife in hand, inches away from slaughtering his own son. A frightening image I still remember to this day. The second thing I remember is how my father couldn't understand why such a horrible story would be in the Bible and how Abraham could have been manipulated into killing his own son, his only son at that, even at Gods command. Dad, I'm going to try to answer your question, why would God ask such a thing of Abraham?

There are a few answers but being Easter I'm only going to delve into one of them. What does this story have to do with Easter, and OUR perception of Christ's sacrifice? First let's parallel the stories of Abraham and Isaac to that of Christ's. I'm going to post the scripture text, my comments will be in red italics.
––––––––––––––––––
Gn 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

God put Abraham to the test.
He called to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am, “ he replied.
Then God said:
“Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah.
When Jesus is baptised His Father says "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" Matthew, 3:17 Jesus is Gods only Son.
There you shall offer him up as a holocaust
on a height that I will point out to you.”
Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey,
Jesus enters Jerusalem on the back of an ass. "Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written:"Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes, seated upon an ass's colt." John 12:14-15
took with him his son Isaac and two of his servants as well,
and with the wood that he had cut for the holocaust,
set out for the place of which God had told him.

On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar.
Then he said to his servants:
“Both of you stay here with the donkey,
while the boy and I go on over yonder.
We will worship and then come back to you.”
Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the holocaust
and laid it on his son Isaac’s shoulders,
Jesus takes up His Cross. "and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha." John 19:17
while he himself carried the fire and the knife.
As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham:
“Father!” Isaac said.
“Yes, son, “ he replied.
Isaac continued, “Here are the fire and the wood,
but where is the lamb for the holocaust?”
At this point Abraham's comment enters into prophesy.
“Son,” Abraham answered,
“God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust.”
Listen to John the baptists response when he sees Jesus approach the river Jordan. "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29
Then the two continued going forward.

When they came to the place of which God had told him,
Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.
Next he tied up his son Isaac,
and put him on top of the wood on the altar.
Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the LORD’s messenger called to him from heaven,
“Abraham, Abraham!”
“Here I am!” he answered.
“Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger.
“Do not do the least thing to him.
I know now how devoted you are to God,
since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.”
Again Jesus is referred to as Gods "beloved son…" Matthew, 3:17
I will bless you abundantly
and make your descendants as countless
as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore;
your descendants shall take possession
of the gates of their enemies,
and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing
all this because you obeyed my command.”
Finally, Isaac is saved by the Angel and at the third day he returned home; just like Jesus who at the third day was resurrected and returned to the house of the Father.
––––––––––––––––––
So how does that relate to us. It helps me to appreciate God offering his only Son on our behalf. Having children of my own I can't begin to imagine how difficult that would be. Imagine having Abraham's faith, and imagine how humble, merciful and powerful our God is to offer, for our salvation His only Son Jesus! At one time this story reminded me of everything wrong with the Bible. A story out of context that seemed barbaric and inhumane, yet a story that foreshadows the greatest gift we have ever been given, Eternal Salvation in Christ our Lord. Please hug your kids today and as you hold them in your arms remember God's sacrifice for you. "Jesus paid a debt He didn't owe, because we acquired a debt we couldn't pay."

Have a wonderful Easter, I love you Dad!

My heart was broken today…

It's Good Friday

I took the day off from work today for the observance of Good Friday. We had made plans weeks ago to visit the Cathedral for the Veneration of the Cross. Now at our Cathedral they actually have a relic of the Cross of St. Helena (for those who aren't familiar with the name, the Cross of St. Helena is a portion of the True Cross. The same Cross our Lord and Saviour was Crucified on!) brought to Rome from Jerusalem in the 4Th century. The relic was brought to the Cathedral by Bishop Glass in 1920 and is only viewable on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. To make a long story short I did alright up until the time the Deacon entered the Cathedral with the Cross. As he proceeded down the isle the weight and significance of what was happening and where I was, started to weigh me down. Then it happened. The Choir started in, singing "Improperia." It was all I could do to keep the tears from flowing down my face. By the time it was our turn to go and touch the Cross I truly felt as though I was somewhere else, somewhere so much more important than the world in which I live, somewhere significant in time and space.

I want to share with you from the bottom of my heart that I know Christ died for our sins yours and mine and I stand here without the slightest idea of how to internalize that reality. They were my sins that Christ bore, for me! How does one internalize that? I guess we will never fully understand Love and Truth in their truest forms until we stand face to face with God. As I ponder on my experience today I wonder how many of my sins were present in that Holy relic. How unworthy I am Lord to have received such a gift.

To all of the people I have sinned against, please I humbly beg for your forgiveness!

Our stained glass masquerade…

Okay so all last week I was working on a ton of freelance work that had to be turned around in a week, so I sincerely ask for you forgiveness in not having more to offer you in terms of decent blogging material, or really any new blogging material for that matter. With that said I promise to update my blog more often again.

Anyway It's Holy Week and in trying to prepare for Holy Week I thought it would be a good idea to visit the confessional. I tried to make it my Lenten discipline to go to confession at least every other week (if that sounds like a lot your probably right, but I herd somewhere once that John Paul the Great went every week! If that great man felt it important enough to go that frequently who am I to say differently. I need to hold myself up to a higher standard) besides the feeling of cleanliness and spiritual rebirth afterwords make it a wonderful experience. So while I'm on my way to confession I keep singing this song I was listening to while I was working, and with Holy Week starting the next day "Palm Sunday" I just felt a real connection to the message this song was conveying…

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feeling so small

When I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like every thing's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the heart again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay.

Now with that song playing over and over again in my mind and as I'm standing in line (amazing I know in this day and age to see more that one person waiting in line for confession, It makes me proud to stand next to people who actually take their faith seriously) what struck me most were the people that were there. People that I see as without blemish or fault. Then it strikes me that we're all here for the same purpose, to get right with God once again. I don't know what sins another man has in his heart and frankly I don't care, what is important to me though is that we realise that we're on the same mission, to love one another as God has loved us. So I ask you this today, with all of my past, present and future faults, sins and transgressions…

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay.
"I Pray that my arms would be open"

Please if you do any thing this Holy Week, examine your conscience, visit the confessional and get right with God. The Grace your receive will abound and the witness you give may change the life of someone who feels burdened and alone. We are the body of Christ not separated but one. Let us stand and work together, that is when we are at our greatest.

“Confession is a difficult Discipline for us because we all to often view the believing community as a fellowship of saints before we see it as a fellowship of sinners. We feel that everyone else has advanced so far into holiness that we are isolated and alone in our sin. We cannot bear to reveal our failures or shortcomings to others. We imagine that we are the only ones who have not stepped onto the high road to heaven. Therefore we hide ourselves from one another and live in veiled lies and hypocrisy. – Richard Foster”

A Deacon missed…

This was my response to this news article on the murder of Deacon Aniceto Armendariz.

" The Faithful Papist 3/31/2007 10:27:00 PM

"This is a really sad example of our prideful natures taking over our lives. Let us pray for the victim's, and also the accused. May the families of both find consolation in Christ's enduring love, compassion and forgiveness. Let this be an example for us to look inside ourselves to find our own spiritual weaknesses and ask God to help us overcome the chains that bind."

May Deacon Armendariz rest eternally in our Lord's bosom.

Shortie 1…

Catholic Heaven

I ran across this Simpson's clip the other day. It gave me another reason to be glad I'm Catholic, besides Lenten Fish Fry's. (jk)

Shorties…

I'm going to post what I like to call shorties for the next week. Hopefully this will keep anyone who is interested in my blog not to get too discouraged, and will continue to stop by. Check them out, some will be funny others educational and others you'll probably hate. After this week I should be freed up enough to add more personalized entries.
Thank you for stopping by, and please leave a comment on an entry that was interesting to you. I love the feedback.

Where's Guy?

Unfortunately I'm working my butt off. I promise I will blog again soon I have some things I want to talk about, so check back!

(Click on the image, and find me at play. I'm an idiot I know!)

Applebee's and the worlds strongest man…

It's a tradition for my family to patronise one of the few fine eating establishments in our town every Sunday after Mass. We find it a good time to talk about what we've heard in the gospel readings, and It's a great time to build bonds of love and communication within our family. So a few weeks ago we decided to go to Applebee's. (Notice how I highlighted few in the first paragraph, let's just say that if you don't think that Applebee's is a fine eating establishment, don't move to my town – you haven't seen the other restaurants I'm comparing it too.) Anyway, as we walk through the door I had to do a double take. For a minute I thought I had accidentally walked into Costco. There were flat panel HD TVs everywhere. Each I might add, with it's own sports program on it. Now I'm not a big sports fan but I do enjoy watching the oddball sports competitions every once in a while. So as the shock wears off, and we're seated at our table I look up to see, the Met-Rx World's Strongest Man competition. Now while I'm being entertained I get to thinking, what defines the strength of a Man? The men on TV are good looking, powerful and by all worldly accounts strong. By now I wishing I could be like them… and then it hits me. Below is a video clip of the Worlds Strongest Man!



Now I'm wishing I could be more like him. If anyone needs a definition of what a real man is, look no further than TEAM HOYT.

I just can't take that chance…

So a man, his wife and his mother-in-law go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. While there the mother-in-law passes away unexpectedly. Trying to make arrangements for her burial the funeral director tells the man he has two options. Option 1 is to have his mother-in-law buried in the Holy land for about $600. Option 2 is to have his mother-in-law shipped back to the US, but that would cost him at least $6,000. Thinking for a moment the man decides it would be best to send her back to the US. The funeral director baffled by the mans decision, inquired as to the reason for sending her back to the US when she could have been buried in the Holy Land. After a small pause the man says I don't know if you've heard this before, but about 2,000 years ago there was this man who was put to death here, and after 3 days He rose from the dead… and quite frankly, I just can't take that chance!

…a brown what-ular?

So I'm going to press check a catalog at the printer (I'm a graphic artist by trade), and I get to thinking. - Last summer I took the family to the community pool. While we were there I saw a man wearing a Blue Scapular (quite a sight really considering I live in a community that is probably less than 1% Catholic.) Now what made this scapular so unique was it's size and quality. After having seen it I found myself frequently breaking the 10th commandment (Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods). Anyway, since then I had been thinking of getting a nice Scapular. The problem is , the closest Catholic store to where I live is pretty far away. (apparently there isn't a large demand for high quality or really, any Catholic products in Utah.) -

Back to the point, so the printer I'm going to is fairly close to that Catholic store. After the press check I decide to head over there, hopefully to find the Scapular of my dreams. Now I don't know about you but I have a love/hate relationship with Catholic stores. I love to go, but hate the fact that I don't have unlimited funds to purchase the entire store. After looking at everything except for the stocked items in the back and the glow in the dark Our Lady of Guadalupe statues, I finally find the section I'm looking for. There they hang, large Scapulars with Angles and Saints calling out to me, yearning to be purchased and put to good use, but now the worst part. Which one? They're all cool and I could see myself wearing any of them. So I pick up St. Michael the Archangel. Being a family man, I like that St. Michael helps us in battle against all that corrupts. But then out of nowhere something catches my eye. It's a Brown Scapular with the image of a Priest on it. Upon further inspection I see that the Priest is ST. MAXIMILLIAN KOLBE. (please read this link if you don't know who this remarkable Saint is.) So here is where it gets interesting. I'm quite the XBOX 360 gamer and I especially enjoy playing Call of Duty (a WW2 first person shooter, based on actual historic events that occurred during that war.) Anyway my gamer tag (name) is Maxx Kolbe. I guess I see myself as exacting revenge for St. Max on all those Nazis. (Sorry Max I know it was against your nature, but I'm not a quarter of the man you were.) Now I'm thinking that's perfect, well except for the fact that St. Max is the patron Saint of substance abuse. Now I have a lot of vices but substance abuse was never one of them. Even so I decide to get the Scapular anyway. I would like to think that if I had been in his position, I would have had the courage to do the same (his greatest gift, to give my life for another.) As I get back to work, I open up my new pride and joy, like a child on his birthday, and pull out all of the documentation that comes with an item such as this and I begin to read… "In addition, St. Maximilian is also the patron Saint of printers, and graphic artists"
Graphic Artists? That's just plain crazy. Now I swear on my Baptism that I didn't know that when I purchased it.
Anyway, I really don't know if that would be considered a small miracle, but I do see it as St. Max approving of a little revenge on those Nazis. This next games for you!

It's official!

John C. Wester was installed today at The Cathedral of the Madeleine as Utah's ninth Catholic Bishop. Here are a few things people said about Bishop Wester…

"He's a man of real integrity, a priest that I think all of Utah — every Catholic, every Mormon, every anybody else will grow to just love and treasure."

— Sister Glenn Ann McPhee, Chancellor of Oakland

"He is faithful, thoughtful, supportive and prodigally generous, full of life, with a wonderful sense of humor. He is genuinely humble, unimpressed with himself."

— Sister Rosemary Everett, religious vocational minister

"People don't see him insulated at all. In fact, he's just the opposite. He extends himself to a myriad of different people, especially the disenfranchised."

— The Rev. John Hardin, executive director, St. Anthony Foundation for the homeless

Victims of clergy sexual abuse "absolutely adore him. He's a very down-to-earth human being, and they relate to his sensitivity, his genuineness, his groundedness, his listening."

— Barbara Elordi, pastoral outreach coordinator

"He works very hard on his Spanish. ... He's very active in any celebration that we have. Would always invite him and he would make the time to be present."

— Monsignor Jose Rodriguez, pastor in the Hispanic community

Welcome Home Bishop Wester! We're glad your here.

The power of touch…

I ran across this video the other day. I think it says a lot about our current society. Particularly our personal inability to reach out to others (physically), and our hunger for affection once we do. The power of touch… absolutely amazing.

A Mormon for President?

Why not? Look, as a faithful Roman Catholic, I don't understand this issue with Presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Here is a man who is running for President that is pro-life, pro-family and pro-faith (OK so I'm the only one who has ever used that term before, hey I'm no Samuel Clemens besides you get the point) and he's – drum roll please… a Mormon. Gasp!

Look I'm going to keep this short because I don't think this requires a lot of head space. Yes there are vast differences between traditional Christian and LDS (ie: Mormon) theology, but what in the heck does that have to do with being the President. Are people afraid that the LDS Church will be running the country if he is elected. It's as ridicules a statement as it was when Kennedy ran for president and it was speculated that the Pope would be in control. Are we eternally bound to perpetual stupidity? The LDS Church is a fine and beautiful religion. They contribute greatly to our culture, our country and the world, and many of my friends are devout Latter Day Saints. And they're good people, horns and all. (I'm only kidding it's an inside joke my LDS friends will appreciate.) Still what does any of that have to do with running for President? So to all of the anti Romney Christian nay- sayers out there, we have 5 core issues at stake.

(1) Abortion
(2) Euthanasia
(3) Embryonic Stem Cell Research
(4) Human Cloning
(5) Same-Sex Marriage

Mitt Romney stands AGAINST all 5 of these issues, and for a Christian the Five Issues That Matter Most. So would I vote a Mormon into the White House?

Damn right I would!

(Unless of coarse there was a Catholic that actually supported those same values that was running. But just like the dinosaurs of long ago they to I'm afraid are extinct.)

ROME, IT'S ABOUT TIME!!! Thank you…

Two more days and Utah will have it's ninth Catholic Bishop.
Bishop John Charles Wester. I'm extremely excited about this appointment. All that I have seen, read and heard about this man has been overwhelmingly positive. Utah is very fortunate to have someone like Bishop Wester as their spiritual leader. I can only hope that with all of the unique issues concerning Utah Catholics he will stand as a beacon of tolerance, truth and justice. Congratulations Bishop Wester, our prayers are with you.

Utah's one sick place!

What in the heck (yes I said heck) is going around in Utah. My family has been sick so many time this season I'm considering investing in a CDC franchise. First, kid one gets sick then kid two then mom then me then the dog (to be fair he ate too much sausage) but I digress. Once we think we're over it ka-pow (not to be confused with Lighting McQueen's slogan ka-chow © 2006 Disney/Pixar) we're at it again. Kid two gets sick then mom then kid one then me, are you getting the picture. We're on our fifth round this season already and we're not alone. The people I work with are all going through the same process. Well at least the ones with kids. I'm trying to design a bubble suit that we could wear when we go out, but I'm afraid I might roll down the Isle at Church and up to the alter while attempting to genuflect, and I don't see receiving Communion being a successful experience either. ( Hand or mouth? I don't know Father it's a freaking bubble suit!) I wonder if Vatican ll has anything on the proper reception of Communion in a bubble suit. That would be an interesting find.

Anyway if you wouldn't mind throwing a few prayers our way it would be greatly appreciated. I think Teresa of Avila is on vacation I haven't herd back from her yet. I hope the weather is nice… It's cold here.

Our continued conversion.

You know it's easy to get lost in your own self righteousness. "Look how good I am! I attend Mass every Sunday, sponsor in RCIA, go to confession regularly, say my Rosary, family prayer every night, bla, bla, bla…" Now don't misunderstand me all of those things are good and proper. I would argue essential for continued conversion in our own lives. But what does that mean, really?

Conversion and continued conversion. I think of todays readings http://www.usccb.org/nab/031107b.shtml when I think of these terms. (note: I'm assuming you've read this story at least once.)
The story of the Samaritan woman at the well, really is a remarkable story of Gods love and our conversion. To understand this story and how it relates to what I'm talking about, there are a couple things you have to take into account.

(1) Samaritans were considered less than human to the Jewish people of that time.

(2) The woman was at the well around noon. It's an important detail because these people lived in the desert. It indicates that she was probably an outcast even within the Samaritan community since she would have been at the well at a time when no other person would have been there. There are of course many other facets to this story but this isn't an exegesis so I'll just talk about what's relevant.

When the Samaritan woman approached the well Jesus requested something of her (a drink of water). Now just imagine that, Jesus a Jew not only talking to the woman but asking of her a favor. Imagine her surprise at a Jew speaking to her at all. Now let's jump ahead a little bit. Jesus reveals to her that he knows her sins and great sins they are, though interestingly enough, sins by today's standards considered to be the norm. How great is Christs love for all of us. The Samaritan woman's conversion is a testament to all of us who may see others under the lens of our own self righteousness. How do we see others when were not in church, really? Do we live by Christs example and see others through eyes of love and compassion, or do we sit back and thank God that we're not like them.

I think of Christs disciples when I talk about continued conversion. Christs example of unbridled love and compassion was so remarkable that when the disciples returned to the well they were struck dumb and didn't utter a word. Imagine Peter for once not putting his foot in his mouth and remaining silent. " A miracle in and of its self!" Which I might add is a good example for us. We should practice remaining silent more often.

The story of the Samaritan woman at the well tells us of the power of conversion, and our continued conversion. As Catholic Christians we need to wear the face of Christ at all times. Not for our own benefit but for the benefit of others. Maybe then we can appreciate our own continued conversion and become authentically better people for it.

This should be interesting!

Well what can I say. I've seen a thousand of these blogs and it's inspired me to start my own. I'm not sure what direction this will lead. I guess I'm just hoping I will have something interesting and worthwhile to share. So please stay tuned, I have a lot on my mind.