ITS ALL ABOUT MEME

Tag. You’re it. Take this 2X4 meme and run with it. It is actually a good exercise. It allows you to stop and contemplate life just a little bit. Thanks Adoro for tagging me.

Name four things that are new to you in the last four years that you either learned, experienced, or explored.

1. As far as learning things, it would be a toss up between taking more seriously and studying Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and gaining new insights on hope. Perhaps learning about hope surprised me more. I never thought about it too much. How much can you say about hope? A lot as it turns out. A priest retreat with Fr. Benedict Groeschell CFR and Fr. Gene Fulton a couple of years ago focused on this theological virtue. I was not thrilled about the topic but went just the same knowing them to be great retreat masters and was glad that I did. I never realized what a rich field this area of our faith provides and it has in turn greatly benefited my ability to minister to others.
2. Last summer I went to the TX Ranch and took 500 head of cattle across the Montana/Wyoming boarder to their winter-feeding grounds. I have never worked so hard or lived so rustically in my life. It was a great learning experience. “Old West” history came alive for me that summer. I also now hate cows.
3. Perhaps taking Theology of the Body a bit more seriously I am trying to eat better and exercise better which meant finding a coach to help. I am sleeping better, I feel better, I have more energy, which in turn all benefits my ministry. Take care of yourselves! You are worth it! And it will make life so much more enjoyable both for you and those around you!
4. Blogging is a completely new concept to me. I accidentally discovered it coming across a sight that commented on an article of mine that was published. On the same sight was “Chastity Rome-Chick Blues.” That is how I met Dawn Eden and she introduced me to blogging and prompted me to start writing Adam’s Ale. The two greatest benefits of it has been finding out about so many of you out there striving to live the faith as best you can (which has in turn been an inspiration for me) and secondly – I watch even LESS T.V. now! Woohoo!

Name four things that you would like to do in the next four years.

1. I want to travel overseas again. Hopefully next year will find me in Australia for World Youth Day (*ahem* Habemus Papem).
2. I will be moving on from Saint Clare (if things go according to plan) in about two years, most probably (but not definitely) to be a pastor. It will be interesting to see if I will be a good father to a parish in fact as in theory.
3. I want to canoe the Colorado.

4. There are several projects resting on the back burners of my mind and I would like to complete at least one of them over the next four years.

SUNDAY VIDEO ON TAP XIV

Roaming around Chicago a church was stumbled upon whose mission statement talked about direct contact with God without the use of church leaders. (It was apparently a wealthy parish and I wondered why anyone would give money to a church that declares itself un-useful.) Another line read, “We tolerate everything except intolerance.” Translation, “You may belong here as long as you don’t take a stand on anything except believing in not taking a stand on anything.”

This bit of news was reported in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Saturday. Kent State University, in an effort to make transgender students feel more included on campus, has established a intolerance free (my words) gender nuetral restroom. The unisex lavatory will sport four signs on the door, "a man, a woman, a person in a wheel chair, and a man and a woman sperated by a slash." Now, is it me or does it seem like after you say that the the single stall restroom may be used by either men or women, further clarification is not really necessary unless, of course, you either are trying to make a politcally correct statment or you are implying that wheelchair bound eunuchs are not welcome.

Here is a video (probably the last that I will show from these guys, if you want to see more of them check this site) that gives an example of what happens when we invest in what Pope Benedict has dubbed the Dictatorship of Tolerance:

(Yes, this is a real group.)

IN OTHER NEWS:

Eyehacker shows an example of the slippery slope to depravity in human engineering. Does this scare anybody?

The Diocese of Cleveland in their weekly E-newsletter sends out this link for Catholic Healthcare Partners, a mission driven, not for profit healthcare system in Ohio and surrounding states.

When polled what books they would recommend to priests, the clergy of the Diocese of Cleveland made these suggestions: (top three) “The Holy Longing” (Rolheiser), “Joy of the Priesthood”, (Rosetti), and “The Lost Art of Walking in Water” (Heher). When polled as to which authors should be read they said (top three) John Paul II, Henri Nouwen, and Fulton Sheen.

It’s time to start thinking about World Youth Day in Australia. Here is the official link.

QUIZ

Here are the answers to yesterday’s quiz. Some of your answers may vary slightly depending on translation and local custom.

1. (Pray of us . . .) That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
2. (Eternal rest . . .) And let perpetual light shine upon H/H.
3. (Let us bless . . .) And give Him thanks.
4. (We adore You . . .) Because by thy holy cross thou hath redeemed the world.
5. (Lord, open . . .) And my mouth shall declare your praise.
6. (This is the wood . . .) Come let us worship.
7. (You have given them . . .) Containing in itself all (sweetness/delight)
8. (Give thanks to the Lord . . .) for His mercy endures forever.
9. (The Lord is risen!) Indeed He is risen!
10. (Lord, send forth . . .) And renew the face of the earth.
11. (Praised be Jesus . . .) Now and forever.
12. (Dominus . . .) Et cum spiritu tuo.
13. (Ite . . .) Deo gratias.