IT'S ALL ABOUT MEME

Adoro tagged me for a meme based on holy cards. Here we go:

The initial premise: What picture do you think would be on your Holy Card if you were to be canonized, and of what would you be the Patron Saint?

Well the biggest problem is that most people will think my holy card is Saint Ignatius. It's the bald head and the beard that seems to make people mention this - not the aura of holiness around his head.

I love holy cards but think they sometimes lead us astray. Everyone always seems so serous in them. Catholics are called to be full of joy. The dower faces on many of our holy cards lead many people to think that truly holy people have overly serious, stern demeaners. Saints had senses of humor. remember that Saint Lawrence told his tormentors that who were roasting him alive on a grid iron, "You can turn me over. I'm done on this side now."

Then there is the famous holy card about guardian angels (on my mind since today is guardian angel day.) We always picure guardian angels watching over little German children walking across broken bridges. But guardian angels, a really very serious matter, are not sweet stories we tell children but beings that we would should respect and cooperate with in our lives.

Back to the meme. It is hard to say since we do not get to pick that for which we are remembered what would be on mine (not that I am counting on it either - but I'm trying.) We may not even know the most important ways we effect others lives. I can say a few things that I would like. I hope there to be a smile on my face and that people look at the card and think, "Not only is here a Christian and a priest, but he looks like he enjoyed both." And not knocking those who appear in flowing robes and what not, it would be nice to be in more modern clothing as with St. Maxamillion Kolbe as he appears in his striped prison garb.

And lastly it would be cool to start the next generation of symbols. Saints are usually depicted holding either a symbol of their faith or the instrument of their martyrdom. I don't see being martyred in Akron (but can you imagine what 21st century symbols of martyrdom might look like? Can you picture a saint carrying a gun as they do swords and knives or rocks?) Maybe saints of the future will hold a computer instead of a sheeth of papers and a quill, or a radio microphone, or a small car for those who travel much instead of a staff and shell. Who knows? Maybe I'd have a mug of Adam's Ale.

And as far as being a patron saint? Maybe patron of the bald.

I tag My Domestic Church

TUESDAY QUOTE OF THE WEEK XLV

FINDING TRUTH WHEREVER IT MAY BE FOUND: "Make no small plans. They have not the fire to stir men's blood." Daniel Burnam

QUOTE II - (Here's a good one as we try out our New Year's resolutions.) "We do well to keep in mind that human beings do not always live what they profess nor profess what they live." Dr. Armand M. Nichol, Jr,

IN OTHER NEWS:

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN 2008!

L.M. and her brother D. were kind enough to give my family a Christmas surprise by remaking the header for the USS PRIDE blog! It is really quite stunning. Take a look if you get a chance. Thank you guys!

Rob meme'd with an interesting meme. If you want to read more about it go to his original post.

The idea… it’s a game of tag with a difference, rather than looking inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for one blog friend. By participating in this endeavour we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Recipients of a bloggin’ blessing may upload the above image to their sidebar if they choose to. If you recieve a bloggin’ blessin’ please leave a comment on this thread here so that we can rejoice in just how many blessings have been sent around the world!

First is Adoro - (aka Cyber-sis) for her support, kindness, willingness to reach out and share her wisdom, and for the prayers I know she sends this way. (How's the snow out there?)

Uncle Jim is next - another great cyber-friend. I am still so thrilled you came all the way to Ohio for an Adam's Ale get together! We enjoyed your company so much and I have greatly appreciated your support and wise words from the very beginning of Adam's Ale.

And finally, Just Me (even though I feel guilty for not posting there for two weeks. I'll be back soon.) I don't know where you find your energy to be so positive and encouraging to so many people. Thank you.

My prayer for you guys (and Rob - and all those who have read this blog) is that you will know better the worth and dignity with which your Creator cherishes you and that He send His blessings upon you in this New Year so that you will be constantly surprise by His love.

Now, here is your mission should you decide to accept it:

a) Bless 3 blog buddies each
b) Include the ‘God Bless you’ image in their post
c) Explain briefly why they are blessing the people they are blessing
d) pray/include in the post the prayer for the recipients of the blessing.
e)The recipient/sender of a blessing should type in the com box of Deb’s original post that a blessing has been sent to them so we can keep track of how many blessings are being given. For easy reference a link to her post will make it into Deb’s sidebar.

IT'S ALL ABOUT MEME

Adoro sent the challenge of a Meme that asks you to name your top ten posts. The question being is this what I consider my top ten or what received the most responses? It's much the same with homilies; those I think will "wow 'em" don't and those I think "We'll get by with this this week" people love. So here, for better or worse, is a mix of ten (in no particular order) maybe only slightly interesting for those who have not been long term readers.

1. Taste Is Debatable, But It Is Not Infinitely Debatable. With the help of Fr. O. we took a look at some liturgical art and what makes for uplifting works and that which should be used for fill dirt for a new Target parking lot. The pictures for this one still pop up on searches.

2. No one else seemed to like this one as much as I did. Actually most of the fun came in the making of how to receive communion. Here is, "I've Got to Hand It To You."

3. There was series in which I mentioned some of the places I ended up as a direct result of being a priest. This was one I could not believe. I still get the willies when I pass this place.

4. "And Now from Our Correspondent in Rome" was probably one of the most popular posts on this site and I had nothing to do with it. Incidentally Fr. O. is now in the Holy Land and has promised *ahem* a post on Christmas there during the octave.

5. There was a little brouhaha over my post about the pope banning bulletproof vests for Catholics. It needed to be explained in a later post. But I still like it.

6. Just last week somebody mentioned this post. "I would have clapped Father," he said, "but I remembered your post and decided not to give in to the impulse." Here is, "Let's Give It Up for the Choir."

7. This one came with a warning: WARNING: I am in an outrageously good mood today. "A Shower of Blessings."

8. Hands down the most popular post on Adam's Ale. "Ask Not for Whom the Cell Phone Rings."

9. "If You Exist, Presume God Loves You." The name says it all. And I believe it.

10. And lastly here is, "Now Sit Back, Turn Off Your Brain, and Relax" about the troubles of watching television.

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.

O SOLO MEMEO

Adoro tagged me for a meme. She said that you cannot consider yourself a real blogger until this has happened. So I will give it a shot. (Where does the word meme come from? And for that matter, whence cometh the word blog? My spell checker does not like it.)

1. What do you hope to do with your blog?

It is hoped that Adam’s Ale is a place where people who are at least relatively happy and grateful about being Catholic can come and find some insight and encouragement for living the life Christ calls us to in His Church (though from time to time some ranting goes on.)

2. Are you a spiritual person?

“Spirituality” is word that has been abused almost as horridly as the word “love.” Though you will find any number of dictionary entries and persons who have absconded with term that will say otherwise, the word was coined by the (Catholic) Church to denote life in the Spirit (that is, the Holy Sprit.) Being a spiritual person then means receiving the aid of the Consoler in following Christ and living in His Church so that we might share the Kingdom with Him forever. In the literal sense then there is no such thing as a “Buddhist Spirituality" or a "Spirituality of Golf" or what have you. It is equally a misnomer to say that “I am spiritual person but not religious” as to live a life in the Spirit is to be led closer to the heart of Christ and His Church. So in this sense I would say that yes, I am a spiritual person.

3. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to have with you?

First and foremost a large trunk filled with very good books. Equally in importance would be a fully stocked mass kit (which would also provide me with bread and wine!) Then coffee. If you are feeling generous after that I would like a tooth brush, a change of clothes, some tools, a flare gun, and food. Good food. Really good food.

4. What is you favorite childhood memory?

This is my favorite only because it still makes me laugh every time I think of it. When I was still very little and our family was vacationing somewhere out west we stopped and visited a zoo. Did you know that when an anteater (I’m almost positive it was an anteater, but it was a long time ago) relieves itself it does so in a projectile fashion? I do. I was standing at quite a distance as my sister read the warning plaque next to the cage. “Warning: When the animal lifts its hind leg . . .” Very kindly she called over to me. I turned and to this day can describe in detail what the very end of a stream of water looks like a moment before it hits you squarely in the face.

5. Are these your first (tagging) memes?

Yes, this one was the first though Rob got me what seemed like moments later. His was easier so his was answered first though I would like to change one answer from his under “Three Books Everyone Should Read." Add, “How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization” by Thomas E. Woods Jr., PhD. Everyone has been forced to read about the Church’s faults and in what ways she is lacking. Here is a look at what she did that was positive which far, far outweighs the negative. The book is easy to read and concise. I refuse to say which of the other books I would knock off the list.