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Marriage and Memorial Day
(A local artist painted this image from our reception napkins as a backdrop for our reception table. Many years later, my husband commissioned a smaller image of it to hang in our home. We still have it.) A thousand years ago (okay, almost 41), my husband and I got married. The first thing I knew we had to do was to find a church and a hall. We got engaged in the fall, so trying to plan a May wedding had its challenges. We decided to go with May 29th because both the church and hall were available. We hesitated a little because we knew a lot of people go out of town for Memorial weekend, but we figured, hey, we'd probably have a few people who cared enough for us who would celebrate with us. And that was true. It was a beautiful celebration, as weddings tend to be, and yes, people came. But now, looking back, I often wish we hadn't planned it on a holiday weekend. I am adamant that the one thing I will not ...
Three feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary this week
The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church Monday After Pentecost Sunday Pentecost El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] The disciples devoted themselves with one accord to prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus (Cf Acts 1:14; Entrance Antiphon). In 2018 the Church established the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church to be celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost Sunday . Please continue at Bangor to Bobbio .
Super-Duper Super Earths and the Search for Life
TThis week, I'll talk about Professor Ethan Siegel's view that "the myth of the super-habitable super-Earth planet" is "a scientific catastrophe", other non-catastrophes; and a problem with "super-Earths" as a label. Along the way I'll look at science, news, headlines and silliness. And finally, skip lightly over a 13th century academic debate that got out of hand. "...A Scientific Catastrophe"? Earth ISN'T the Best of All Possible Worlds??? Bigger Isn't (Always) Better: But Neither is Smaller Science News, Silliness, Headlines and "Catastrophe" Proxima Chorizo, the Great Moon Hoax and Headlines Exoplanets: New Categories for Strange New Worlds Sorting Exoplanets by — Radius? Mass, Period and Discovery Method of Known Exoplanets (March 2022) New Worlds Discovered by Kepler, TESS, and Everything Else Still Seeking the Legendary Earth 2.0 The Problem with "Super-Earths" HD 219134 b: Da...
'Because the Holy Ghost over the bent World broods with warm heart and with ah! Bright wings.' Sunday Reflections, Pentecost, Year A
Pentecost Sir Anthony van Dyck [ Web Gallery of Art ] Pentecost Sunday, Year A NB: The Vigil Mass has its own prayers and readings. It is a celebration proper to the evening before Pentecost Sunday and may be celebrated in an extended form. It also fulfils our Sunday obligation. Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel John 7:37-39 ( English Standard Version, Anglicised, India) On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, beca...
Are you getting squeezed in?
Everywhere I go lately, road crews are placing cones in front of fresh paint at intersections. That's good, I'm glad they are doing it. But the problem is, most drivers do not even notice their lane is blocked by the cones until they get right up to it. Then, everyone has to try to squeeze over into the next lane at the intersection. The placement of the cones by the road painters make sense, or at least it would, if you could assume drivers are always attentive, which we all know is not the case. One of the keys to the road cone problem is that we have to be looking down the road, ahead of us, to think about where we need to go, before we get squeezed in. As you move through life, do you look "down the road," or do you find yourself frequently squeezed into tight spots, looking for a way out? What behavior might you need to change to prevent yourself from continuing down the wrong lane in life, sometimes making quick, dangerous decisions that impact other...
A Prescription, Disorders, Conformity and Culture
First, the good news. I am not experiencing withdrawal (or, more politely, "discontinuation syndrome"). The not-so-good news is that I'm putting off what I was getting ready for today until next week. This 'journal' post is in part an explanation: Decisions — or — Ducks in a Row and Other Alternatives Smoke in the Air, Health Issues and a Needed Prescription Responsibility and Requirements, Reasonable or Otherwise Benefit/Risk and Labels Learning Experiences Diagnosis An Informed Decision, Unforeseen Results "Reefer Madness", "Frankenfish" and Me "...Odd or Eccentric"?.... I Can See That Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Two Lists Navel-Gazing — or — The Paranoids are After Me! 😉 Disorders, Cultural Expectations and Making Sense Living Up, or Down, to Expectations Being Out of Step A Few Good Ideas More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Disorders, controlled substances and me. I need a prescription which requires monthly aut...
What would you say?
This is Saint Peter. He opens the door (gate) of Heaven and asks you; "why do you want to come into Paradise?" What would your answer be? Honestly now ... what would you respond? CLICK HERE to learn more ... before it is too late!
Sunday Reflections, Ascension; 7th Sunday of Easter, Year A
Ascension Cupola Italian Mosaic Artist [ WebGallery of Art ] Ascension, Year A The Ascension is celebrated on Ascension Thursday, 18 May, in England & Wales, Scotland. In the USA it is celebrated on Ascension Thursday in the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Omaha, Philadelphia. In all of these places Ascension Thursday is a Holyday of Obligation. The Ascension is observed on Sunday, 21 May, in Aotearoa-New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Philippines, USA (apart from the jurisdictions mentioned above). Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel Matthew 28:16-20 ( English Standard Version, Anglicised) Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All ...
Amén, a communication lesson from Pope Francis (Spanish) Amén, el documental que nos enseña a los católicos
Por: Líderes Católicos El documental organizado por Disney+ con el Papa Francisco que sale a escuchar a un grupo de jóvenes escogido por el productor y que incluía a jóvenes de varias partes del mundo y de caminos de vida muy diversos. Mucho que aprender de Su Santidad por el simple hecho de "salir a las periferias" a escuchar y tratar de compartir sus realidades complejas y hacerlos sentir cercano y humano. Al mismo tiempo, tratando de contestar algunas de sus preguntas. Muchas veces , los católicos no abrimos primero los corazones con la caridad, para luego compartir la luz que la fe católica da a nuestras vidas. Lo hacemos al revés: Prmiero señalamos lo que está mal en la vida de aquellos que llevan vidas lejanas a Dios, y luego queremos que abran el corazón. El Papa se arriesgó, esperemos que este evento que lo mostró vulnerable, humano y cercano haya sembrado en muchos corazones un deseo de acercarse a la fe...
'Even the Spirit of Truth.' Sunday Reflections, 6th Sunday of Easter, Year A
The Holy Family with the Father and the Holy Spirit Carlo Dolci [ Web Gallery of Art ] I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth (John 14:16-17; Gospel). Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel : John 14:15-21 (English Standard Version, Anglicised) Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me....
May 13, 2023: It’s Been an Interesting Week
I'd been planning on having something else ready for posting. By Friday afternoon, that obviously wasn't going to happen. So I'll talk about what has been happening. I should have my ducks in a row by the end of next week. This week's highlight was an unexpected visit from number-two daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. They'd been vacationing in Kentucky, and had planned on driving straight through to their home in North Dakota. Then our granddaughter had a learning experience involving a swing and gravity. She'll be okay, but right now she's dealing with a broken arm. And that's why they stopped off in Sauk Centre. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (A visit this week, a broken arm and illness in the house have distracted me. So I this week I talked life, health, faith and making sense.)
Playing around on the piano
I learned to play (around) on the piano when I was young. I was taught beginner classical pieces. I have always loved playing the piano, mostly for myself, because my timing is not so good, and honestly, I don't really have an ear for it. So like I said, I have always played for my own enjoyment. My mom hired a lady who taught piano in her home, in our neighborhood. I think she taught professionally in a local school or institute. I don't remember, but we figured she was good. I found out as an adult that she was not actually a good piano teacher at all, so I am choosing to blame her for my poor timing and lack of skill. Seems reasonable, doesn't it? I wonder if there is any hope for me now. The problem is, when you learn something wrong, and stick to it for so many years, it is pretty hard to undo it and re-learn it correctly. There are a lot of people out there who have learned things wrong. I'm think...
Need some direction in life?
"Remember the olden days, when you would stop at a gas station and ask for directions? 'Follow me' was the easiest way to give directions." I came across this comment in a reflection from Regnum Christi.org on the Laudate App the other day. It is based on the Gospel of John, Chapter 14, verses 1-6. Jesus, in responding to a question by Thomas, says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Thomas had just asked him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" As the reflection pointed out, the clear answer for us, when we are trying to figure out which way to go in life, is to do what Jesus said. Just follow him. Jesus is the way. He is the truth. And he is the life. As you go through your day today, be careful who you are getting directions from. If you are not following Jesus, you might just be going the wrong way! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com F...
'I have always trusted in Jesus.' Sunday Reflections, 5th Sunday of Easter, Year A
Apostle St Thomas El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:5-6; Gospel). Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel : John 14:1-12 (English Standard Version, Anglicised) Jesus said to his disciples: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not k...
International Space Station: Seven More Years
Nations and organizations running the International Space Station agreed to keep supporting it until 2030. That's what I'll be talking about this week. Along with why the ISS won't last forever, plans for either ditching it in the South Pacific or starting an orbiting salvage yard, commercial space stations and something my oldest daughter and I thought of. The (Comparatively) International Space Station Cooperation, Complications, and Doing Science Anyway ISS Support Promised Through 2030 Best Structural Engineering of the 20th century Slow and Careful Docking at the ISS Looking Ahead: Commercial Space Stations Point Nemo, the Spaceship Cemetery and “The Call of Cthulhu” Concerns, Reasonable and Otherwise More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Complications and doing science anyway: ISS support promised through 2030. Commercial space stations, dealing with defunct spacecraft, and a Cthulhu connection.)