Since Julia and I are working on getting back into shape, I thought I would volunteer to take the Subaru over for it’s long overdue oil change so she could get to the gym at lunch. After weeks of struggling with my daughters clutch job (a mitsubishi eclipse, need I say more?), I had no desire to do this very simple chore on our vehicle. Besides, we paid for the maintenance package when we bought the thing 2 years ago.
Anyway, I decided to wait on it and while doings so, I brought along my books for my reading assignment for our class on the Old Testament. I managed to get the reading done while enjoying the beautiful day. I was rewarding with a clean and freshly maintained car.
While on a roll, I was able to reconcile 2 bank statements! Tomorrow’s my day at the hospital which I always look forward to. Afterward, I will have 2 more visits bringing the Eucharist to hospice patients. They are such wonderful people. I feel so blessed to have them in my life.
After 3 weight training and 2 cardio sessions last week, I feel momentum building again. My energy level is going up and my legs getting stronger. I hope to take my beloved hiking this Saturday. Maybe hit the trail and go to Sunrise.
This comes from the Wall Street Journal. This is just plain scary. Redefining the Physicians Oath, who gets care and who doesn’t, who lives and who dies…
Obama’s Health Rationer-in-Chief
White House health-care adviser Ezekiel Emanuel blames the Hippocratic Oath for the ‘overuse’ of medical care
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, health adviser to President Barack Obama, is under scrutiny. As a bioethicist, he has written extensively about who should get medical care, who should decide, and whose life is worth saving. [My Emphasis] Dr. Emanuel is part of a school of thought that redefines a physician’s duty, insisting that it includes working for the greater good of society instead of focusing only on a patient’s needs. Many physicians find that view dangerous, and most Americans are likely to agree.
The health bills being pushed through Congress put important decisions in the hands of presidential appointees like Dr. Emanuel. They will decide what insurance plans cover, how much leeway your doctor will have, and what seniors get under Medicare. Dr. Emanuel, brother of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, has already been appointed to two key positions: health-policy adviser at the Office of Management and Budget and a member of the Federal Council on Comparative Effectiveness Research. He clearly will play a role guiding the White House’s health initiative.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone outlines quite well the ways that Pope Benedict is putting into practice various aspects of Vatican II. However, he does not address the subject at hand — “undoing Vatican II’s documents regarding liturgy.” The proposed changes that I have seen are all regressive: all return us to pre-Vatican II liturgical practices.
Why is this being done? Why take the Church in a backward direction by making the celebration of the liturgy more foreign or arcane to the faithful once again?
The changes were made to make the liturgy more meaningful and accessible to the ordinary Catholic, not like it had been — the special realm of the elite of the Church.
Mary Jo Poole
Well could it be the fact that how we pray affects our worship? Could it also be that he is Holy Father to the whole Church? That all of Christ’s sheep must be fed?
We mustn’t feel change is bad. The Church constantly evolves to the need of the people, all people.
Not saying that a total return to the older form of the rite is the absolute direction we as a Church should go, but I think it should be available to those that find it extraordinarily beautiful. This is evident resulting from his recent “Motu Propio” and subsequent reinstatement as a viable and normal Mass celebrated in Latin.
I see nothing wrong with the Holy Father’s reviving of the liturgy to help us with our “Catholic” identity parts of the Novu Ordo. We now make all kinds of consideration for it now. The Misa de Mundo comes to mind, in that we sing certain parts in all different languages.
I have looked at the former prayers and there is a significance to the way they impress upon us a proper form of reverence and devotion. Call me weird, but they evoke a response that places a rightful order of who I am in relation to the Creator.
I think alot of the fabrications of conspiracy are nonsense. There are many instances of the universality of the Holy Father to the Church as a whole that is paternal, and caring for the opinions of all, because he is Shepherd to us all.
Kudos to Cardinal Bertone for bringing his accomplishments to light. Reform is an ongoing process….
Just finished my reading assignment for my class on “The Rights and Responsibilities for Deacon as Minister”. It was from a book titled, “Introduction to Canon Law” which I found interesting. The history of how this important part of the ordering of the Church in terms of right conduct and behavior was fascinating. How it evolved, how the Church evolved.
I am now embarking on another part of the required reading from the Commentary, which is far more in terms of the amount of material that needs to be read. This is to prepare us for our first intellectual formation weekend of the year. This topic is new for me as I have never had or was inclined to learn anything about the norms of our Church. I was surprised how much Church history was made available in this book.
One thing I noticed was the striking similarity in which the Canon was in fact the right ordering of the Church, and how that compares to an earlier reading assignment on the Pentateuch where it was described as the story of how God took a chaotic pre-existent world and so put order to it. The genealogy narratives were to show us the ordering of relationships and orderly forming of societies from a disordered existence as nomadic tribes. It demonstrates the necessity for us as human to have right order and structure, which require rules to which we must follow.
The day the Senator died, I felt many different things. Sadness, at his death which seems normal to me for any human being. Also, I was surprised and dismayed at many of the vehement comments made about him. Somehow, that doesn’t seem right to me. I mean, we should pray for him and are obliged to but I struggled to find a way to pray for a man with this kind of approval rating and record:
NARAL had awarded the Massachusetts senator a 100% approval rating.
Today, while making my rounds on the blogosphere, I ran across an entry that I think was the right measure with which to respond to Senator Kennedy’s passing.
TED KENNEDY, ABORTION ADVOCATE & LIBERAL DISSENTER DIES
August 26, 2009 by Father Joe
NARAL had awarded the Massachusetts senator a 100% approval rating.
He was the Catholic voice for the culture of death for a quarter of a century, supporting not only abortion but partial birth infanticide, the use of embryonic human beings for research, and same sex unions for sodomites and lesbians. He also championed repression against free speech and religious liberties (at least for conservative, orthodox or biblical churches) by expanding “hate crimes” legislation to include homosexuals.
He was also responsible for the increased politicization of the Supreme Court by his pro-abortion litmus test against the nomination of Judge Robert Bork, a strict-constructionist, in 1987.
At the time of his death he was advocating health care reform that would guarantee federal money for artificial contraception and abortions.
While many acclaimed him as a hero for women and the poor. Many pro-lifers regarded him as one of the nation’s chief enemies of motherhood and the poorest of the poor, innocent and voiceless children in the womb.
His was a life of many personal scandals and a general lack of discretion. However, I have no desire to enumerate upon those things in his personal life which are already public knowledge. Our reaction now should be one of prayer for a man who was baptized and raised as a Catholic. God will be his judge, even as we continue to repair the damage that he did to the witness of the Church and the moral standing of our nation. Indeed, for all we know, God’s grace might have brought him to repentance and conversion in the last moments of life.
Planned Parenthood, the National Abortion Rights Action League, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgendered groups are certainly weeping the loss of one of their great defenders and proponents. It is too bad that they neither weep for the murdered children nor about the decomposition of morals and marriage.
It is also said that Ted Kennedy was a pivotal figure in the transformation of the Democratic Party and its agenda, making possible the Obama presidency. He certainly made his impact felt upon history. Now, the final chapter is closed. He passed away from his brain cancer on Tuesday night in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. First Joseph, then John, next Robert and now Teddy— the last of the Kennedy boys has gone to God. Rest in peace.
I agree and think this summed up my thoughts enough to pray for him.
I hope Fr. Joe don’t mind the re-post.
Thank you and know you are in my prayers Fr. Joe.
I also took in Fr. Barron’s commentary on the life of Senator Kennedy. I will include it here as well and I found it very helpful. Especially his reading of a letter from the late Senator in 1971, which was about the most “pro-life” discourse as ever made.
As a new parish ministry, I joined or was appointed to the Stewardship Commission. In the past, I was involved with the Liturgy Commission, but it was time for a change. Being in the Deacon Formation program, they like for us to experience different consultative bodies in order to challenge ourselves and grow.
As part of this assignment, I was asked to take part in this, “Living Your Strengths” StrengthsFinder survey, in order to understand the gifts I’ve been given.
Well, as the game show exclaims… the survey says!
AL ARDON
SIGNATURE THEMES
Input
Learner
Connectedness
Consistency
Relator
I was amazed at the results. When I look back over my career, there were many moments where I really did love providing input. Especially when it helped someone refine their process or program. I also love learning new things, but not for the purpose of becoming or being an noted expert, but for the excitement of learning something new. Something that might help close a project, fulfill a need, or help someone out in a jam. I also like connecting with others and the experience of that connectedness. I’ve striven for consistency in everything I do, and am partial to people who are consistent in thought and behavior. Lastly, I find it fascinating relating to others. Celebrating both our commonality and uniqueness.
This will go much deeper, but from I gather, it’s designed to help you focus on your strengths, rather than the more common approach that tends to focus people on their weaknesses. You know, when you know your weakness, you can grow from them? By focusing on strengths, we are more productive and satisfied and generally–more happy about our lives. By knowing the top 5 of others, you build better synergy and odds that your efforts will succeed.
Interesting…
If you want to know more about your gifts (or strengths) you can find the Catholic version of the book, “Living Your Strengths” at any bookstore. At the back of the book, there’s an insert with a key-code that lets you access the website to take the survey. I recommend it to anyone that has ever asked themselves, “What are my gifts?”
Recently, I posted about a friend of mine, Deacon Pat and his posting concerning his brother’s recent diagnosis with throat cancer. The posting was titled “Prayer Request“‘.
I wanted to mention there is a new blog–his blog. This young man’s chronicle sharing with us, his fight to beat this cancer. Kevin can use all the prayers you can muster, and I’m sure he could use your encouragement too. So why don’t you stop on by and say, “hi”?
This last Saturday, I took advantage of some nice weather to ride my motorcycle. I started in my home town and rode 309 miles by first heading towards Mount Rainier to the little town of Elbe. From there, I crossed the little bridge and headed over the pass towards Morton. It’s a sleepy little timber town that left me wondering what it must have been like in it’s hey-day, when the mill was booming. Once through town, I took the option to head towards Packwood. My destination was the south end of the Mount Rainier National Park.
I love the feel of the wind in my face, and it was warm out. This stretch of Hwy 12 is nestled in a little valley of farms and RV parks. Once, I arrived in Packwood I noticed the site where a young Deputy Sheriff lost his life responding to a call requesting backup striking a full grown Elk over 2 weeks ago. Evidence of the encounter still vivid as the marks on the road and remains of the Elk are still visible. I said a prayer for that man and hoped his family would some day find peace from this tragedy.
When I finally reached the park entrance, I was ready to take a leisurely taking in the park’s beauty. The ride along Stevens Canyon reminded me when my wife, daughter and I hiked under full packs from Paradise to Reflections lake, to Louise Lake and down along Stevens Canyon camping at Maple creek. We had such a great time on the Wonderland Trail.
I decided to head up to Paradise for a look around. The old observatory has now been demolished, probably to make room for more parking (my guess). If you haven’t been up to the new observatory, you should take a trip. Rainier never disappoints.
While riding down, I encountered flocks of riders. Fellow motorcyclists like myself, out enjoying the day. There’s something spiritual about riding in the mountains. When I reached the Nisqually entrance, I was pretty tired so I stopped by and visited with my sisters, who were camping with their families at Mount Haven. Having a soda with my brothers-in-law, I rested a bit before making the next 100+ mile drive back to North Kitsap. The afternoon was fading so I decided to get going and soon was zipping along toward Tacoma. I don’t know why, but crossing the Narrows is always a breath-taking event. I just marvel at the human ingenuity that developed the and erected bridges.
Considering that I left at 10:30am and now arriving home at 7:30pm, it was a very long day for me, but one I won’t forget for some time to come. Considering the summer, especially the weather and the beautiful scenery, this man can only give glory and praise to our Creator, Almighty God and Father for this beautiful state and country we are blessed to live in.
Something about government controlled health care just scares the heck out of me. Until I seen this, it was my worst fear come true. Sure, the video is a year old, but if you listen to the interview, this comes down to nickles and cents and where it is most appropriate to spend health care dollars. Now the lady who this affected is no longer with us (RIP) but a casualty none-the-less. If you think It can’t affect you or someone you love, you’d better think again.
The gentleman stated that the letter the woman read was misinterpreted, but hearing his own confession on the ramifications of properly routing aid, sets a precedent unlike we’ve ever seen before. Where people on some sort of panel, decides who gets treated, who doesn’t. It places some doctors in the place judge, jury and executioner instead of the place of a healer.
Anyone feeling like that frog in the pot of water?
Little by little, our morality is being pushed to the outer fringes of society. Those of the me-give-me-mine culture are all for it, if it doesn’t affect them. It seems like, as our resources dwindle, we’re being slowly indoctrinated to disregard what we feel and know to be right as something private. We no longer believe the the poor, old and vulnerable have any worth.
If you disagree, why did the i1000 pass? This is just a step in our own state where one day when we are no longer healthy and productive, we’ll be counseled to end our life (with dignity) rather than consume resources from those that have a better chance. No longer will their be an equal chance, just one that has the best chance.
I feel for this woman, because she could have been anyone of 2 people I love.
All these people clamoring for health reform now and have no idea what’s in store except with the media is telling them. There is a reason for people being upset, perhaps it’s that little part of them deep inside that says, “what if that was me…”
What a wonderful summer we’ve had this year and today was no exception. I was looking forward to a ferry ride over to Edmonds as I had an appointment with my Spiritual Director. Riding the Harley today taking advantage of the beautiful morning. There was a somber moment as I passed by the site where a fellow rider lost his life just 2 short weeks ago at the intersection by the toll both. While I was looking forward to the ride, my nerves were a bit on the twitchy side thinking about him. Not to mention, summer is the prime time for construction and I had to navigate 2 detours before getting back on track which is always nerve-wracking. Finally, I arrived in Bothell with 10 minutes to spare.
The purpose of meeting with a spiritual director is less about direction, as it is having a friend for the journey, which is what this vocational call is all about. It’s all about having the right person in the right circumstances for a perfect friendship. This is a friend you really open up to, and you have to, in order for it work well. In my case, we compliment each other very well and I always leave with a greater sense of peace and well, a direction, with purpose and things to contemplate and discern.
I decided to ride around for the return trip home. Traffic was moving pretty good and soon the twitchy feeling was gone and I was alone with my thoughts (along with hundreds of others trekking along) and a faint tune from the radio playing. One thing about freeway riding, you must keep up with the flow or risk being run over or tailgated to no end. Soon I was through Tacoma and crossing the Narrows bridge. My next stop would be in Gig Harbor. I was hoping to catch up with a friend who’s the Chaplain at St. Anthony’s Hospital which is a brand new one. I was out of luck as he was in a conference, so I decided to have lunch there which consisted of BBQ Beef Brisket, coleslaw and a fruit drink. I nosed around for a bit then headed home again.
Traffic was light on 16 so I set the cruise control put my feet on the cruise pegs and listened to nothing but the rumble of 1450cc’s propelling me along. I couldn’t help but feeling blessed to live in an area like this. Diverse in scenery that never seems boring. I finally arrived home just before 3pm and was lucky to find an ice cold brew in the fridge. Not a bad day at all..
