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I'd planned on talking about something else this week. But that's not going to happen: partly because part of Thursday got spent at the local clinic. There's still an open sore on my left leg. Several, actually, in a little cluster. That hasn't , happily, been keeping me from Sunday Mass.... And that brings me to what I'll talk about this week: a few of the basic obligations that come with being a Catholic. It's pretty simple, actually.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Being, staying, or getting healthy matters. But it is not my top priority. I look at some of the basic obligations that come with being a Catholic.)

It's Holy Thursday of Holy Week, the day we celebrate and remember the Last Supper: when Jesus established the Eucharist and washed the feet of his disciples. It's a big deal, and I didn't get to Mass today. I'm not happy about that. What happened was a scheduling problem and — more basically — an exercise of balancing immediacy and priority.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Holy Thursday is a big deal, but I spent part of in in the local clinic. I talk about why I was there, and why Holy Thursday matters.)

My interest in the Olympics is mild at best. This year, I’m glad that I lack a deep emotional connection to what’s happening in Paris. Mainly because of the remarkable “Festivité” show. I don't think this year's performance art at the big sporting event's opening ceremony will affect its popularity. Too many folks get too excited about other folks showing what they can do for that. And a drag show — that we're told was not made to look like Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" — apparently doesn't clash with the Olympic Charter's high ideals. 1 Even so, I think this communiqué/bulletin from the Vatican makes sense.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (The Festivite part of the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony is still in the news. I look at why French bishops, the Vatican, and I, do not approve.)

Pope Benedict elevating the Body of Christ [Wikipedia;  photo ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 22:1-14   For the shorter form (22:1-10), omit the text in Brackets.]  ( English Standard Version Anglicised, India) And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying,   “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son,   and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.   Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’   But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business,   while the rest seized his se...

This week I'm sharing what Fr. Mark Botzet said during Mass on the last Sunday in June. I was going to just post his homily and let it go at that. But then I thought his focus on fear might make more sense if I put it in context of what's been happening in my part of the world. So I've put a short (for me) look at life in central Minnesota, and the big picture, after Fr. Botzet's homily. Fr. Mark Botzet's Homily — June 25, 2023 Four Decades, Two Millennia and the Long Haul (Brian H. Gill) Under the Circumstances... Promises and the Best News Ever More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Dealing with changes in Parishes on the Prairie ACC. Remembering priorities. Not letting fear distract us from what is important.)

My town's Eucharistic Adoration chapel isn't back to normal. But it's getting there.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

(Wednesday noon, December 23, 2020; my webcam's view of Sauk Centre's south side.) Tuesday afternoon's winter storm warning for my part of central Minnesota became a blizzard warning in the evening. We were promised a chance of freezing rain. But I didn't notice any Wednesday morning. On the other hand, wind was picking up and by noon snow wasn't coming down. It was coming across. I'd probably have got out to the Eucharistic Adoration chapel for my 2:00-3:00 Wednesday afternoon turn, if my wife hadn't said I should think about it. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

I was at the Eucharistic Adoration chapel yesterday, and the week before. Nothing unusual there. What was different about week before yesterday was that I left early. I'd arrived a half-hour early, again nothing unusual. It's not that I'm so pious that I can't wait to go. I'd reached a stopping point in what I was writing, and figured that showing up early was a good idea. Which it would have been, if we hadn't had new rules. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

I didn't feel all that sick Friday evening. That was August 21, 2020: 45 days ago. Online self-assessment guides from the Minnesota Department of Health and Mayo Clinic put me on the threshold of needing to call a doctor. My wife said calling the local hospital was a good idea. As it turns out, she was right.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . Living in Room 20 Staph, Strep and Cellulitis Conspicuous by Their Absence A Century of Antibiotics Mice and a Man More Than You Need, Or Maybe Want, to Know About Penicillin Pandemic Precautions, Piety — and Prudence The "Source and Summit of the Christian Life" The Common Good Uncertainty Weirdness and Worship San Francisco's Rules It Could have been Worse Seating Capacity North Carolina in Cahoots with China?! New Lyrics, Old Song Sound, Fury and Making Sense Fear Appeal: Communist Agents, Tiny Cows and More Per...

I'm writing this partly as a followup on Thursday's "Self-Isolation in the Family" post. And partly because I got frustrated with what I'd been trying to write today. My son is still sick, and it's a damply dismal Saturday afternoon. Outside temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit, 4 Celsius.... ...The family’s self-isolation went up a notch when Bishop Kettler said that churches should close their doors.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

(My desk: clutter/knickknacks/curios and all.) The COVID-19 pandemic didn't affect my weekly routine until last Tuesday. That's when Bishop Kettler announced that public Masses in the diocese are suspended until April 13. The St. Faustina Adoration chapel here in Sauk Centre closed the next day. The good news there is that our Perpetual Adoration schedule hasn't changed. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

(St. Paul’s Church and its new addition. The St. Faustina Adoration Chapel is to your left.) I thought this was going to be a short and simple look at my parish's polka Mass and the Adoration Chapel in St. Paul's parish. Then I wondered when and where the first polka Mass was. That reminded me of my salad days, ancient philosophers, a Chinese emperor and liturgical dance. Which brought me back to the Eucharist and adoration.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

By Laura Durant ....I ’ve seen blessings of great proportion due to regular visits to the Blessed Sacrament not just in my life, but in the lives of others around me. I’ve seen courage develop to follow the Lord’s Will, especially with great uncertainty in the outcome, in those whom otherwise would not have taken the leap of faith. I’ve seen, and experienced for myself, leaving behind dreams and plans which had sensible and seemingly certain outcomes, for roads less traveled and less in line with the way of the world which resulted in many blessings, in the development of devout faith and a fast track to great spiritual growth. I’ve seen hearts transform in a matter of months, sometimes weeks, being purified of deeply entrenched sins of the flesh, of mind and heart, such as pride and prejudice, and in their place, be filled with virtue and greater love for the Lord and all His children. All of this through regular visits to the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to Mary and Jesus’ Most...

(Adoration chapel windows in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.) I've spent an hour at the adoration chapel almost every week for a few years now. Signing up seemed like a good idea at the time. It still does. But this sort of spiritual practice doesn't come naturally to me. That's not a criticism of anything or anyone. We're "all one in Christ Jesus," as Galatians 3:28 says. And we're not all alike. This is a good thing, or should be.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

by   childlogiclabs I know the devils plan.  The devil has been working up to this moment for a very long time. You see the devil has a lot of time to think and he is constantly retracing his steps to see where he went wrong ... TO READ THE REST OF THE DEVIL'S PLAN: CLICK HERE!

'In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering.' - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (from The Cloistered Heart)

The Sin I Hate to Admit to is Envy A few years ago I was sitting in a conference hall awaiting the next speaker.  It was Jeff Cavins and he was coming up to speak about envy.  I actually contemplated going to do something else for that hour because although I knew I had an occasional issue with jealousy, I was all set in the envy arena. OH my, was I wrong!!  Probably why the Spirit sat me mid-row that day; and as I looked down the row and realized how many people I'd have to vault and navigate to leave, I decided to leave my bottom planted and listen.

 (from The Cloistered Heart)

Interviewer:   "Hello,  and welcome to Mystical Talk Radio, I'm John of Mystical Talk.  We have with us a woman who says that she is a warrior in the true mystical sense of the word.  Welcome Miss Anne.  Now I want our listeners to know that Anne is not her real name, our guest only agreed to the interview on the condition that we not reveal her identity, is that correct Miss Anne?  Miss Anne:   "Yes." Interviewer:   "And Anne is not your real name of course." Miss Anne:   "No, I'm afraid not." Interviewer:   "Well tell us Miss Anne, our show is Mystical Talk Radio and from your book,  Encounters with St. Michael the Archangel . you claim to have encountered the mystical realm, is that correct?" Miss Anne:   "Yes, many times in fact." Interviewer:  "So the mystical realm is real, is that what you are trying to tell us." TO READ MORE OF THIS INTERVIEW... CLICK HERE . 

The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy ends today. Some Catholics celebrated the year's start in Rome. I didn't. Like most of us, I've been participating in my own way, where I live. The biggest change in routine for me has been during Mass. We've been receiving the Eucharist under both forms: our Lord's body and blood. If you think that's sounds gory and repulsive, you're not alone.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .