We're in Good Company With Jesus

Those of us who have a few so-called black sheep in the family should be comforted by today's Gospel from St. Matthew. Among those in the lineage of Jesus are counted, among other things, a prostitute and a philanderer. Even the Good Lord had His share of family skeletons in the closet. When one of the crowned heads of England decides to wed, all sorts of inquiries are made about the intended commoner's background. I remember hearing it said about the late Princess Diana that she had a "history but not a past." Not so with those who preceded Our Lord.

We have had quite a few sordid relatives in our family, some still with us, some not any longer. I could write a book about one person in particular that would make for a very amusing read. Then there is my friend Tom who loved to talk about his crazy uncle who set the attic on fire right before dinner, and then kept excusing himself with a glass of water to run upstairs to put it out. You can't make stuff like that up. Well, you could, but you'd be hard-pressed to find something as outlandish as the reality of some of our lives.

In all seriousness, why is the genealogy included in the Gospels? Perhaps as one more proof of how Jesus humbled Himself to take on our humanity, so that we might share in His Divinity. And as we prepare for Christmas and family get-togethers with some of our less-than-desirable relatives, let's remember that where we came from isn't nearly as important as where we're going. And the more humble we are about where we are, the more we will resemble the Savior and help the people we encounter to see Him in us.

Kids These Days

The youngest progeny asked me to accompany her to her high school's annual holiday concert. I remember being very impressed with the concert put on at my own high school (Philadelphia High School for Girls, Class of 1978), so much so that I begged my parents to see it that evening. Getting my father to drive to Broad and Olney at night with my mother and sister in the car was no small feat, but everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. So, it was with a certain sense of nostalgia that I eagerly went with Rebecca this evening.

The orchestra was wonderful. Not quite the caliber of Central's orchestra, but very good. They played Beethoven's Ode to Joy and I had to chuckle when Becca asked me if it was supposed to sound like that. The wind section definitely carried the piece but still, a lot of the kids had only started playing their instruments in September and deserved praise just for getting on that stage. The choir sang Vivaldi's Gloria. I heard some voices I thought would be suitable for the schola at church. They even had a couple of wannabe rockers do a few songs and the guitarist did his best Eddie Van Halen solo. Not sure it was quite in the holiday spirit, but it was entertaining. It was all very pleasant except for one thing: at no time was the auditorium ever quiet. Sadly, I cannot blame the bad behavior solely on the students. Glancing over at one particular chatty parent, I could see why the kids didn't zip it. Their parents never taught them any better.

The other thing I'll probably never get used to is the constant text messaging. I was so happy to be sitting next to a child who was enjoying the music and exhibiting appropriate behavior. I know that the principal was not pleased with the disrespect shown toward the performers because she said so. Problem is, she said it to the students. Had she addressed the rude parents, we might have had silence and rapt attention paid to the student performers.

Pro-Life March Bus Trip to D.C. from Philadelphia on January 24, 2011

Once again, St.Rita's Church at 1166 S. Broad Street in South Philadelphia will sponsor a bus trip to Washington, D.C. for the annual March for Life on Monday, January 24th. The price is $45 and includes continental breakfast at 6:30am at St. Rita's prior to departure,the cost of the bus including tip for the driver, round-trip Metro pass to the Walk and Rally on the Mall, Pro-Life sign to carry (which also helps the group to stay together)and snacks on the bus. Pro-life Rosary and other prayers will be said on the bus preceding arrival at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where Cardinal Justin Rigali will celebrate Mass.

The bus will depart from St. Rita's promptly at 6:55 a.m.

A short rest stop will be made on the return trip home and the group should arrive back at St. Rita's around 8 p.m. If you cannot walk, consider coming anyway as you can remain behind at the Shrine and offer prayers in the Adoration Chapel in the crypt.

Free parking is available if you drive to St. Rita's to meet the bus. For the third year in a row, Father Bill Recchuiti, OSA, will be traveling to D.C. with the group.

If interested, or if you need further information, call Deborah at St. Rita Friary at 215-546-8333 Ext. 12

My Lady's Knight

If you have a moment, please visit this website dedicated to a young man named Charles Untz, a remarkably pious Catholic who was killed in front of his home some years ago. He planned to enter the seminary after graduation from high school. I first learned of Charles from Father David Engo when Father was at St. John the Evangelist in Center City. I am praying to Charles to intercede for the healing of a seminarian who suffered a setback in his battle against an inoperable brain tumor. Charles was a remarkable person and worth reading about, if you have the time.

Just a little while longer....

Roses From Heaven

It is no secret that I have not been happy in my job. I feel that the environment is one which does its best to rob people of their joy and spirit, so I've been on the hunt for something else. There have been a few promising prospects, but it's been a slow process. However, one hospital in particular seemed anxious to close the deal with me, which I would be willing to do it except for one thing - they want me in too early in the morning to allow me to get to morning Mass. I was down in the dumps all day yesterday, even though I spent a pleasant afternoon in Lancaster with my mom and my youngest and had solid job offer. "What's your obstacle?", my mother asked me.

"That I may not be able to get to daily Mass. I don't know if I'm willing to give that up for a new job, but I know I can't stay in the one I'm in."

My mother is a life-long Catholic and a daily communicant, but I know she doesn't understand how much it means to me to be able to go to Mass nearly every day. All day yesterday, I asked God to show me what He wants of me and, if possible, to present me with another opportunity which might allow me to maintain my daily devotions. I asked St. Therese if she could help. She, who once said she did not count getting up from her sick bed every morning to go to chapel too much to win just one Holy Communion, would understand.

Wouldn't you know?

The phone rings this afternoon, and it's a woman I used to work for when she was a director. Would I like to come work for her? In her CATHOLIC hospital, which offers two Masses a day?

I nearly deafened her on the phone with my yelp of joy!

I also remembered something else that might have helped my cause. When I was dropping my friend off the other day from our trip to Fox Chase Cancer Center, she wanted to know what she could for me in return.

"Say a Rosary for me."

"For what intention?"

"Ask God to help me find a job I would like."

Just like that.

OK, I didn't formally interview or anything yet, but it's in the works and the decision ultimately belongs to the woman who called me this afternoon, so I have faith that what should happen, will happen.

Thank you, sweet Jesus, for looking upon your servant with such love that the little I do for You isn't even a drop in the bucket.

You Know I'm Not Too Swift When...

...I've been writing this blog for over a year and I just discovered the feature called stats. The blog has been seen by people as far away as Russia and even China. In fact, with the exception of the United States, Russia is nearly at the top of the list of countries where someone regularly views this blog. And today, I saw that someone as far away as Malaysia checked in.

As I have said before, the sole purpose of this blog is to offer some reflection that might help strengthen some one's faith or bring them back into the fold. OK, so there is an occasional glimpse of what happens in the kitchen. But hey, don't forget - the Lord walks among the pots and pans, too!

So, let other bloggers have their millions of viewers and donation buttons and condescending remarks that denigrate people. The minute this blog resembles those blogs, you have my permission to cut me down to size.

May God Bless you!

Maybe I've Done Something Right Because.....

...the only things on my youngest child's wish list are a missal for the Traditional Latin Mass and a Danny Briere jersey. She never asked for much anyway but, at an age when other girls are asking for clothes, make-up and hi-tech cell phones, her simple requests bring me real joy and peace of mind that she's on the right path.

My Kind of Wow

One of my Loyola professors sent this to our class as an example of the kind of influence one person can have over an entire group. I'm not sure I agree with the classification, but this moved me to tears. I had seen the Macy's flash mob of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah, but this touched me because of the sheer youth of most of the singers. And, that somewhere in the middle of a mall, accolades were paid to Our Savior from people of all walks of life.

Loaves and Fishes.... Sort Of

My one vanity is that I get my hair professionally colored. So, the stylist casually asked me what I was making for dinner and I gasped, remembering that I forgot to stop at the store. As fate would have it, I also forgot that I had a package of chicken thighs in the fridge, but unfortunately, not much else. The amazons I call my children went through the groceries at an alarming rate this week. But not to worry - I had some bacon on hand as well as some shallots, garlic (the last of the bounty from Bud, my CSA farmer) and some tomato sauce. So I threw together an abbreviated version of Hunter's Chicken, one of my favorite winter dishes. I'm sure it's not healthy, but I sure as heck don't care, either!

Lucky for me, I had all the key ingredients on hand. I omitted the bay leaves and lemon.

Anyway, fry 4 strips of bacon in a deep pan that can withstand the oven. When the bacon is crisp, set it aside on a plate and brown the chicken in the bacon fat. The recipe I have, from the cookbook Best Lost Suppers (American Test Kitchen) calls for 4 split breasts, but thighs are all I have. Once the chicken is slightly browned on either side, set aside and then add 5 shallots, sliced thin, and 12 cloves of chopped garlic to the bacon fat. Let the shallots wilt and then add 3 chopped tomatoes and a tablespoon of tomato paste until fragrant. Next add 2 1/2 cups of chicken broth and 1 1/2 cups of long grain rice. Mix, and then nestle the chicken, skin side up, into the mixture and bring to a simmer. Sprinkle with paprika. Crumble the bacon and top off the chicken/rice mixture with it. Transfer the glorious mixture to the oven and bake at 375 until the chicken is cooked, about 45 minutes.

It was with some sadness that I used up the garlic and shallots as they are my last remnants from Bud's farm (although I do have another turkey from him in the freezer downstairs). This is one of those dishes that never draws a complaint from anyone, except maybe that I didn't make enough.

How I Spent My Feast Day

When a novice complained to St. Therese about some aches and pains she was having, she told her: "It's because no one knows about these pains that you feel them so acutely." It's human nature, I think, to want to share our misery with others, whether out of a desire for sympathy or empathy, I'm not entirely sure. At the risk of negating whatever spiritual profit I may derive from the way I spent my day, I wanted to talk about it a little anyway because of the many people I encountered.

A woman I know from church was crying last week because she had gotten a terrible prognosis from her doctor. She had an appointment at another cancer center, but no means of getting there as the hospital is a considerable distance from where we live. I don't know what came over me, but I volunteered to take her, knowing I had to work. I managed to be able to get the day off and all I'll say is that it was a very long day that involved a lot of waiting, very little food, and a considerable bit of hope.

As I sat in the waiting room for my friend, I didn't know where to look. Everywhere were signs of human misery and suffering. The worst part was seeing young people having to be pushed in wheelchairs because the cancer or treatment or maybe both had severely debilitated them. I was struck in particular by one young woman. Clearly, she had lost all her hair, and despite the fact that she was bald and very sick, she was very beautiful. She was walking the halls and had a visitor holding either arm to support her as they walked. I could tell that she had a Port-a-cath by the dressing that peeked out of her shirt. She was listening intently as one of the visitors recounted to her the activities of a young child, who, after eavesdropping on this conversation for awhile, I surmised was the patient's young daughter. The visitor was trying to fill her in on all that she was missing, down to the last detail, and the patient would just smile as she listened. I thought she looked at peace and as a nurse, I couldn't help but wonder what type of cancer she had and how I hoped she'd be home with her child for Christmas. I like to pray for people by name, but the Lord and His holy Mother will know who I mean when I pray for the young mother from Fox Chase Cancer Center.

There were a lot of married couples, some older, some not so old. Some people appeared to be "regulars" and exchanged stories about their treatments with others who waited with them. Some people seemed to be taking their trials in stride while others were clearly upset, bewildered and maybe even a little angry. I thought of something Fulton Sheen once said as he passed a hospital. "There is so much wasted suffering in there." Not today at least, as I offered the inconvenience of spending 6 hours in a waiting room for the intention of all those who waited with me and their families, that God may give them His unsurpassed peace to accept whatever He had willed for them.

I have been praying for this woman and another man with cancer who I know from daily Mass. Every time I see the man, he tells me the cancer has spread to a new place in his body. Yet every morning at 6am, there he is. "They tell me it's everywhere, but I don't feel a thing. In fact, I feel pretty good." I couldn't help but think that perhaps this is how God has chosen to answer prayers for this man. He may not be cured, but he certainly doesn't appear to be suffering. Riddled with cancer as he is, he still manages to get to Mass every morning, in all kinds of weather. I ask God to accept his effort on behalf of all those who can't manage an hour a week on Sundays, that they may come to realize the precious treasure they are squandering.

O Mary Conceived Without Sin, Pray For Us Who Have Recourse To Thee

Clerical Reform

You may notice an addition to the blogs to which I link. Visit Clerical Reform when you have a chance and please remember to pray for the priest who authors it, Father S. Pray, also, that we may have more priests like him, "the salt of the earth for the salvation of souls." The blog is written for priests, but much of what Father S writes about is applicable and useful to laity as well. I don't post many comments on his blog because I'd rather that the priests for whom the blog is intended would do so. I never have the feeling that Father minds questions or comments from laity, but I wish more priests would read his counsels and take them to heart.

My Own Personal Purgatory

If you want to know what torture is, try writing a 10-page paper on a not particularly interesting subject and, to top it off, make sure it's in APA format. For the uninitiated (and fortunate) APA format refers to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. It's de rigueuer for writing papers for nursing courses, some of which are about as exciting as watching grass grow. Once I get started, the writing comes somewhat easily. But when it comes to formatting, you may as well ask me to explain calculus. The particular course I'm taking now requires that before a paper can be submitted, it has to be reviewed by an academic resource committee. I find it nothing short of amazing that the reviewers never have a comment about my content but instead hone in on the ample number of violations in APA format. This struggle dates way back to my college days when I chose to write a paper on Emily Dickinson for a prof who earned his doctoral dissertation on her poetry. I got an A for writing and an F for mechanics. Things aren't quite that bad, but pretty close! A few weeks ago, I accidentally deleted three days' worth of writing and couldn't retrieve it. I've since learned to hit the save button after every paragraph.

A friend recommended a program called Scholar Word, which is supposed to format for you, but I think I wasted my money. Anyway, I am in the process of writing and ordering the references so I will only have to type them once. And, in between, running to the kitchen for a pizzelle. I'm hoping to have this all wrapped up tonight so I can submit the accursed thing before Friday's deadline. It's difficult to think of dragging the Christmas decorations down from the attic or getting the tree when I have this obstacle in front of me, not to mention preparing for a second interview in a few days.

In the meantime, I was reading "Progress of a Soul" last night before retiring and I thought the passage I opened to was fitting, given how unpleasant I am finding this course. St. Teresa of Jesus was staying in yet another miserable inn and had the misfortune to be assigned the worst possible bed. The lopsidedness of the mattress made it impossible to roll over, and she commented that it gave her an inkling of what it must be like in hell, where one cannot change position and where there is no escape from the torments.

This isn't that bad. In a few days, it will be all over. And then I get to start all over again in January.

NOTE
I usually don't decorate until after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. I don't know why, but I've always had the innate sense that it was appropriate to wait until Dec. 8th. Now that it's the eve before, the lilac bush in the backyard is illuminated by miniature globes of blue. A little bit of the white stuff is all that's missing. It's my simple little gesture of love for Mary.

Advent Meditations and St. Joseph, Continued

The following prayer is taken from the St. Joseph Daily Missal printed in 1957 and is a prayer meant to be prayed before Mass. An indulgence of 3 years was attached to it. Regardless, I think it is a beautiful prayer and reminds me of what I have overlooked about St. Joseph.

O Blessed Joseph, happy man, to whom it was given not only to see and to hear that God Whom many kings longed to see, and saw not, to hear, and heard not; but also to carry Him in your arms, to embrace Him, to clothe Him, and to guard and defend Him.

V:Pray for us, O Blessed Joseph
R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray: O God, Who have given us a royal priesthood, we beseech You, that as Blessed Joseph was found worthy to touch with his hands, and to bear in his arms, Your Only-begotten Son, born of the Virgin Mary, so may we be made fit, by cleanness of heart and blamelessness of life, to minister at Your holy altar; may we, this day, with reverent devotion partake of the Sacred Body and Blood of Your Only-begotten Son, and may we in the world to come be accounted worthy of receiving an everlasting reward. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen

Meditation for First Saturday, Through the Eyes of St. Joseph

I confess that sometimes, it is a challenge for me to meditate on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary as I should. Fortunately, there are many more inspired people than I who have put the "the thoughts of their hearts by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit" to paper. For a long time, I have been meaning to spend more time in devotion to St. Joseph, who was the patron of every foundation started by St. Teresa of Jesus in Avila. I picked up a little booklet today written by Brother Daniel Korn of the Redemptorist Fathers that offered, among other things to contemplate, the Joyful Mysteries through the eyes of the foster father of Jesus. Here is a little excerpt from his book, "Prayers and Devotions to St. Joseph", from Liguori Press.

THE SORROW OF LOSING THE CHILD JESUS AND THE JOY OF FINDING HIM IN THE TEMPLE

St. Joseph, what sorrow and anxiety filled your soul when you realized the child Jesus was not among your relatives and friends. Many were the discouraging thoughts that filled your mind and heart as you spent three days searching for him. Great was your joy when you found him in the temple among the teachers and doctors of the law. Pray for me, St. Joseph, and obtain for me the desire to know more about my faith. Lead me to seek the presence of Jesus in the many people and events of each day. Amen.

First Friday of December

Tonight at St. Albert the Great Church in Huntingdon Valley, First Friday Mass will be offered in the Extraordinary Form at 7pm in the rectory chapel. The celebrant is our own Father Gerald Carey of St. Paul's in Philadelphia. Father will hear confessions at 6:30 pm. St. Albert the Great is located at 212 Welsh Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA.

Also tonight, St. John the Evangelist Church at 13th and Market Sts. will commence "No Greater Love Weekend" in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Devotions begin in the lower church at 6:30 pm and continue into tomorrow with Mass, Adoration, Pro-Life witness and homeless outreach. See St. John's website for further details.

Another Rose Dropped From Heaven

As I may have shared a few weeks ago, I have been praying fervently, along with many other people, for the relative of someone I work with. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor a scant three weeks ago and underwent surgery to remove the growth, which produced a sudden onset of symptoms consistent with a glioma. The surgeon was so concerned by what he saw on the CT scan that he scheduled the patient for surgery immediately. The tumor was sent to pathology, but the surgeon gave the family the grim news that the tumor was malignant, and the only thing that would come from pathology was the type of cancer so that a course of treatment could be developed.

The man in question has a young son who is already suffering from issues of loss in his young life, so I prayed for the little boy as much as I prayed for his dad. The day before Thanksgiving, the family was overjoyed to learn that the pathology showed that the tumor was benign. The patient will require a few courses of radiation, and then he'll be on his way. I had not seen my co-worker since last week, so I was elated to hear the news, but not surprised.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch.... When my pastor came to dinner on Nov. 13th, I bought a beautiful bouquet of roses with green foliage and some other flowers for the vase on the Victrola. A week later, the flowers had all wilted, with the exception of one rose. I bought a Thanksgiving bouquet last week, and incorporated the rose into the new arrangement. I found it amazing that two weeks after its purchase, the rose was still pristine, without a hint of brown, and its petals were entirely intact. It also retained its scent. I think I know why. I offered my monthly novena , Joy in Suffering, to St. Therese on behalf of this young father. Whenever possible, I prayed it in front of the Blessed Sacrament. And I have offered every Eucharist for him since learning of his trials. I don't know if the surgeon is calling this a miracle, but I surely am. Never underestimate the power of prayer and the benevolence of God.

The Grinch Who Tried to Steal Christmas

From the illustrious city of Philadelphia comes word of an absurd objection to the word "Christmas" in a sign promoting a German-replica shopping village on the grounds of City Hall. Supposedly, a little Jewish girl asked her father why "they" didn't have a village. Rather than explain to his child that Jews don't celebrate Christmas but Christians do, he chose to protest to City Government. So, in the interest of "fairness and inclusion", the village is to be renamed "Holiday Village". Never mind the fact that Christmas ornaments feature prominently among the wares being sold, and that in Germany, where this village originated, it's a Christmas village, not a Hanukah-Kwanza-Saturnalia-Festivus-whathaveyou Village. One of the Muslim vendors thought the name should transcend religion. She should try selling her stuff around Ramadan and see how many customers she gets.

I have a real problem with people who want to declare war on Christmas at the same time they're lining their pockets off the generosity and goodwill of others.

UPDATE

Mayor Nutter came to his senses and the word "Christmas" is going to be re-inserted on the sign. Always good to see when an elected official can admit a mistake and take steps to correct it.

Pope Benedict's Prayer for the Unborn

As posted on Father Z's blog, the following prayer, translated into English by Vatican Radio, written by Pope Benedict XVI.

Lord Jesus,
You who faithfully visit and fulfill with your Presence
the Church and the history of men;
You who in the miraculous Sacrament of your Body and Blood
render us participants in divine Life
and allow us a foretaste of the joy of eternal Life;
We adore and bless you.

Prostrated before You, source and lover of Life,
truly present and alive among us, we beg you.

Reawaken in us respect for every unborn life,
make us capable of seeing in the fruit of the maternal womb
the miraculous work of the Creator,
open our hearts to generously welcoming every child
that comes into life.

Bless all families,
sanctify the union of spouses,
render fruitful their love.

Accompany the choices of legislative assemblies
with the light of your Spirit,
so that peoples and nations may recognize and respect
the sacred nature of life, of every human life.

Guide the work of scientists and doctors,
so that all progress contributes to the integral well-being of the person,
and no one endures suppression or injustice.

Give creative charity to administrators and economists,
so they may realize and promote sufficient conditions
so that young families can serenely embrace
the birth of new children.

Console the married couples who suffer
because they are unable to have children
and in Your goodness provide for them.

Teach us all to care for orphaned or abandoned children,
so they may experience the warmth of your Charity,
the consolation of your divine Heart.

Together with Mary, Your Mother, the great believer,
in whose womb you took on our human nature,
we wait to receive from You, our Only True Good and Savior,
the strength to love and serve life,
in anticipation of living forever in You,
in communion with the Blessed Trinity.