Cleveland Rocks (part 2)

Sunday morning, Fr. V's parishioners had the distinct displeasure of having me preach to them. Strangely enough, I actually knew someone who was in the crowd, as she was returning to Cincinnati and decided to stop in at Mass. (She is a student in the Athenaeum's Lay Pastoral Ministry Program: "He looks really familiar..... OH MY GOSH!)

Actually, they were all very nice in allowing an outsider to steal their pulpit for a Mass, and I enjoyed preaching there.

Sunday afternoon was spent at an Art Show, I go to Cleveland and buy a small wooden model of Great American Smallpark (Reds' Ballpark), how's that?

Returning, we had a few more beverages before playing Bocci (who won again?)


Fortified by liquid courage, Fr. V enters the Hobbit Door at the base of the Bell Tower:

Cyber bro and sis no longer, faces put with names (actual names at that, too!) were the best part of the weekend:

Catch Phrase was the order for the evening, thanks to CK (in the foreground, MJ and Fr. V behind). I had to get the team to answer 'bullfrog' so I started (in a bad singing voice): 'Jeremiah was a ___________" PROPHET! one of my team yelled in strong voice! Huh? Alas, the Bocci victory was short lived. (one can tell Fr. V's had some acting background, as he is animated. Plus with his wingspan, LOOKOUT! But, no one went to the hospital.)

Word was, there should be a 'Called to Gather' conference soon, but when is yet to be determined. Great times had by all!

My review of 'Exotic Cleveland'

Since others have already written about the events that concern this past weekend, I submit to you, dear Reader, my attempt to write them out anew that others may come to know and beleive that goodness is still present in the world!

Fr. V, Adoro, and Uncle Jim have all written about the Fourth Adam's Ale Convocation, this will be my take from a unique perspective.

Unfortunately, I didn't get many shots (make that any shots) of St. Sebastians. Since the architecture was very similar to my home here in the Nati, I heartily disagreed with the claim that the church is Modern Romanesque, as there's nary an arch or dome in sight, neo Classical seems much more apropo. The stain glass windows, at first, were modern to me. Yet, as I looked at them more, I saw more and more symbols coming through. Maybe Fr. V. will post more of them soon?

Thursday night was two Akron institutions: Luigi's Pizzaria, the inspiration for Funky Winkerbean, and some fantastic ice cream parlor, almost as good as Graeters! In between was a viewing of Bella, the movie. I tell you, the producers of that film are ingenious, as they have rigged it some way that it releases some sort of irritant that makes my eyes water like crazy at the end. What can I say, I have the same allergies as my father.

Friday brought the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, on this 150th anniversary of the Apparitions there. A truly gorgeous place, you'd never know it was near the heart of the major city. Here is a picture from the station pathway:

And a stained glass window from the chapel, which tells the story of Lourdes. Saying Midday Prayer together and recitation of the Rosary (which someone needs to review the order of the mysteries, too!) was quite nice. A bit of a dimension of an actual pilgramige to Lourdes! (now if only we would've said Mass there.....)

I stopped over at the CK's place while Fr. V. went back to hear confessions (ahh, the duties of a pastor), before heading to Lillian Marie's place for dinner. Look at all those brats! LM's dad was a master chef and fed us quite well. The selection of Great Lakes was also quite nice, especially after the blessing! (in Latin of course!)

Saturday morning, Fr. V. ended up having the early Mass at the parish, which was unexpected. I would've joined him, but instead said Mass at the Cure of Ars altar (he has side altars!) instead. V. noticed that John Vianney was smiling extra big that day!

After the visit to the 'Vatican Splendors' exhibit, we returned for the afternoon Mass at St. Sebastians and the obligatory repast. Fr. V's homily was quite excellent (keep preaching like that, I told him, and the Church will be full every week!) The parishioners were treated to an extra treat: Sanctus Bells! (except we didn't ring them at the Sanctus....?)

From left to right MJ, Bob and Jane (LM's parents) in Fr. V's dining room:

Here Aunt Roz and Uncle Jim, with LM

to be continued.....

What's in your sandbox?

Looking to the right as you enter Interstate 71 north from downtown Cincinnati, you see the following:
Is this a case of 'he who dies with the biggest toys wins'?

Look just before the Humana building in the pic below to see the job trailer.

For the uninitiated, dad's company (with mom, a sister and a brother) are putting up a hotel near downtown. When I first posted, I wondered if Dad would ever stop by for lunch. He actually called about last Thursday, alas I was on my way to Akron/Cleveland. BUT, he did call and prove me wrong. I am humbled.

If you thought the Carmen was bad

Check out Beaker's take on Ode to Joy!

Looking for something to do?

The Vocation Office has released the schedule of events for the upcoming year.

Apologetics

Seeking to learn more about the Faith, and how to defend it?

Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center is hosting Gary Michuta, author of Why Catholic Bibles are Bigger and The Gospel According to James McCarthy, in a series of talks entitled: Defending the Faith, Beyond the Basics. Topics covered include Authority, Sacraments, Mary and the Saints, The Catholic Church and the Bible, Salvation and more. The lectures run on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, once a month from September through February. There is a fee, but it looks well worth it. Call Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center at 513-351-9800 for more information or to register.

Registration is Open

for the Call of the King Conference.

Admit it, you've got nothing better going on September 21st!

The Importance of Prayer for our Priests

While I was away enjoying all the fine comforts Akron can offer (Luigi's anyone?); the Catholic Telegraph (paper for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati) ran my next column:

The Importance of Prayer for our Priests

One of the downfalls of being a full time teacher when I was a newly ordained priest was the fact that I was scheduled for the early morning Mass every day before heading off to the high school. While ‘morning people’ might rejoice in this prospect, it was admittedly a struggle for me to adjust my schedule to a 6:30 a.m. start time. Much to my surprise, a relationship quickly formed between me and the sixty to eighty attendees of that early Mass, and I started to look forward and enjoy these quiet Masses before heading off to the high school. I realized that just as I was sacrificing for my parishioners, they too were sacrificing for me; a family relationship grew and we all flourished.
It was an odd shift happening before my eyes: I, a celibate priest, was becoming a father. Even though most of the congregation was much older than me, I was giving them the strength and encouragement to start the day, just as my human father used to do when I was much younger. We had become a family, and I know now that just as I was praying for them, they were praying for me. We were sealed in Christ, united to become His Body, present to the world.
This reciprocal prayer becomes a vital and necessary aspect of life in the parish, for it is in prayer that the body is truly made one. However, it is not an easy thing to foster, especially as our lives grow more and more hectic, both in the families of the parish, but also on the part of the priest. Hence, we must make this union of prayer much more explicit than it ever has been before.
Into this need, the Vocation Office is proud to announce the formation of a new apostolate within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati: St. Michael Prayer Warriors. This movement is designed to bring the lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati together in prayer for our Archbishop, priests and seminarians, as well as an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
There are two reasons to bring this movement together. First, prayer is effective. I can tell in my life when my prayer life has grown weak or I have neglected my prayer responsibilities; things that usually come very easy become very difficult. Secondly, as St. Paul reminds us: love is the mark of the Christian community, and the expression of love is to sacrifice and pray for one another.
However, we have not been formed in prayer as we should, and the question arises: How do we pray for each other? It seems like such a simple question, yet the spiritual masters have been writing on this very topic for 2,000 years.
To help begin the apostolate of St. Michael Prayer Warriors, the Vocation Office is hosting the inaugural ‘Call of the King Conference’ on Sunday, September 21, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the evening at the Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, 5440 Moeller Avenue in Norwood, Ohio. The event features Fr. Anthony Brausch, speaking on the pursuit of individual holiness and renewal within the Church. Several priests and seminarians will also speak on how the prayers of the faithful have made a difference in the following of their vocation as a priest. The event is free of charge, so bring your friends and fellow parishioners as well.
Your priest has given up much to follow his call, this is a small sacrifice to make for him and his holiness. For more information, visit www.cincinnativocations.org/prayerwarriors.shtml

What we are dealing with.

Over at Creative Minority Report, Matthew speaks of the upcoming retelling on Waugh's great 'Brideshead Revisted.' I can't get into the details of the movie, but this jumped out at me:

In asking the screenwriter of the film which seems to bastardize the great Catholic novel what the story was about he said:
"In that tug between individual freedom and fundamentalist religion, there’s a story that’s apposite for our time. In the modern age that’s something we’re all dealing with.”
Fundamentalist religion? So, in that little phrase he is, I believe, referencing the Muslim terrorists who we are currently at war with but ascribing it to Catholic characters.

To be a serious, committed Catholic Christian = the demented notions of religion that brought us to September 11th. Nevermind that Catholicism is truly the religion of peace, and the fount of more charitable action than any other.

More than anything, I think, this is causing the so-called 'vocations crisis.' I have spoken with many young men who feel a call to the priesthood, yet they are so often maligned by friends and family that they cannot respond in the generous and open way that a vocation to the priesthood demands.

What are we to do? Simple: live out your faith in a joyfilled and exuberant manner, find the joy in the midst of suffering, offer your praises to God first and foremost, make it a point to be a committed, intentional disciple of Christ. The witness of the lay faithful who do these things will help to support those called to the priesthood and/or religious life.

Just in case you're bored

this was running through my head all weekend, so I had to share:

Back from Cleveland

HAd a great time 'up nort there, don'tcha know!'

While I get my thoughts together on the weekend, check out this video montage.

Save the Date!

The Call of the King Conference

Throughout history, the universal call to holiness has been the path to renewal and revival in the Church. From St. Benedict’s building of monasticism, through Sts. Dominic and Francis embracing poverty and St. Ignatius of Loyola’s challenge to teaching the faith up to today’s new orders embracing the wisdom of Tradition; all movements of renewal have been led by great saints who have called the faith to a new embrace of the Gospel. During the inaugural ‘Call of the King’ Conference, Fr. Anthony Brausch, faculty member of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, will apply the lessons of history to the modern day and priests and seminarians will share their testimony as to how the prayers of the laity have helped and encouraged them in their response to God’s call to be a priest.

If you are looking for something proactive to do in support of the priesthood and vocations, be at the Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center on Sunday, September 21, 7:00 in the evening for our inaugural Call of the King Conference. The conference is free and open to all; see you there!

Adoration is available before the event for those who wish to avail themselves of this most precious gift of Christ in the Sacrament.

I'm leaving, on a.... urm..... car?

The long planned trip to Exotic Cleveland, well, actully Akron and then Cleveland has finally arrived. The diocese in Northeast Ohio will never be the same!

I've got the camera packed, and will be sure to give a full report on Monday.

Have a safe weekend, all!

Stuck in neutral

I'm sure you've never been there: the last day before an extended weekend, got most of the immediate things done, waiting for one or two things to come back to you before you can hike out for the weekend, not wanting to start anything new, and just trying to kill time.

Yep, I'm there. My candle is down to a stub and I am greatly looking forward to a few days away. I really don't want to start anything new because I will not get it finished and will have to restart it all next week. Yet, I need to get a few updates out and the 'review team' has had a busy day and my things are pushed to the bottom of the list. So, here I am.

Oh, I finally got around to adding some pictures to the blog, since Adoro yelled at me. Also, you'll notice a new link on the sidebar to CMGBooking. Yep, I am now a part of the Catholic Media Group and available for speaking engagements. I have to admit that I do not feel worthy to be a part of some of the heavy hitters on that line up, but we'll give it a shot. You can find them at www.CMGBooking.com

He is a kind and gentle soul.

Michael Savage has made a tremendous mistake. If you haven't heard, he made quite disparaging remarks about children with autism.

Parents are understandable up in arms, but the best response comes from news anchor Jim Watkins:

But he is a kind and gentle soul, who loves his family and caretakers in whatever way he’s capable of loving. He always does his best, and when he smiles, it’s enough to make the sun come out from behind the clouds. Liam is definitely “somewhere” in life, Mr. Savage, but it’s a place I’m afraid you don’t have the capacity to understand or relate to.But he is a kind and gentle soul, who loves his family and caretakers in whatever way he’s capable of loving. He always does his best, and when he smiles, it’s enough to make the sun come out from behind the clouds. Liam is definitely “somewhere” in life, Mr. Savage, but it’s a place I’m afraid you don’t have the capacity to understand or relate to.But he is a kind and gentle soul, who loves his family and caretakers in whatever way he’s capable of loving. He always does his best, and when he smiles, it’s enough to make the sun come out from behind the clouds. Liam is definitely “somewhere” in life, Mr. Savage, but it’s a place I’m afraid you don’t have the capacity to understand or relate to.But he is a kind and gentle soul, who loves his family and caretakers in whatever way he’s capable of loving. He always does his best, and when he smiles, it’s enough to make the sun come out from behind the clouds. Liam is definitely “somewhere” in life, Mr. Savage, but it’s a place I’m afraid you don’t have the capacity to understand or relate to.

His whole response is here.

As this wonderfully insightful father points out, there is much more to being successful than getting a job, earning lots of money and having a big house. People like Savage will never figure that out.

Blessings to all those families who have children with special needs. May Our Lord richly reward you.