St. Andrew the Approachable

I have often wondered why, when Jesus chose a small group to accompany him for certain extraordinary moments, it was always Peter and then the two brothers, James and John--but not Peter's brother, Andrew.
I think I have a clue now.
Andrew was probably always networking. He just wasn't in the immediate area to be able to be called apart at the spur of the moment.
We get a glimpse of this character of Andrew in the Gospel of John, above all. There, Andrew is a disciple of John the Baptizer who takes the hint from John and follows Jesus. Once he recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, he goes off and calls his brother: "We have found the Messiah!" That was probably the hallmark of Andrew: not being able to keep good news to himself, he had to go find someone to share it with. That would have made Andrew extremely approachable. And again in John's Gospel we see it was Andrew who brought the boy with the loaves and fishes to Jesus' attention. And later still, it was to Andrew that the "Greeks" went when they wanted to get to know Jesus. In the words of "The Tipping Point" author, Gladwell, Andrew was a "connector."
That makes it all the more appropriate that a traditional prayer would be said from the Feast of St. Andrew up to Christmas (kind of the original Advent calendar). I would post the prayer here, but the poor old New York community computer is acting up and I'm afraid it's going to metaphysically explode on me any minute. So I leave it to you to Google! Blessings for St. Andrew's day! In his honor, bring someone to Jesus!

Getting ready

Our first concert is tomorrow night--and as of this writing, we have had about five hours of practice a day. Things are starting to come together. I just hope the pitch holds up!
Meanwhile, here in NY, our Sister Mary Joan is carefully following every step Pope Benedict makes in Turkey. She goes to the computer before she goes to chapel (that way she knows the pitiful dial-up connection will be available) and checks the Vatican Information Service for the Pope's latest talks. Then at breakfast she shares salient points with us. God love her! She is also taking care of much of the cooking, which is good, because she learned some great culinary skills growing up in Italy!
If you are the NYC area, we will be singing at St. Malachy's Church in Manhattan on Saturday (early afternoon). Take a break from Christmas shopping for some spiritual uplift! Or just help spread the word!

Advent Retreat

Chicagolanders, don't forget our upcoming Advent Women's Retreat with Amy Welborn! Call the Pauline bookstore for info: 312 346 4228, because I don't remember the details offhand.

Nativity Movie: Miracle on 42nd St

When I was stationed in New York 25 years ago, 42nd Street was not a place one would admit to going--much less at night (and even more so, if that "one" was a consecrated virgin!). In fact, I don't think I ever saw much of Manhattan at night, so our venture into the city, the "downtown" of every song and story, made quite an impression. The pre-release screening of "The Nativity Story" was held on 42nd Street, at the 6-story AMC theater (with 25 screening rooms). Across the street, at the Loews, there was another screening--in the line waiting to show their free passes were Missionaries of Charity and Franciscan brothers. From what I gathered, yesterday's screenings were all aimed at Catholic leaders. We saw our own SSP brothers in line at the AMC, and then moved to the end of the line, hoping we were in time to get seats at this first come, first serve event. (We were an hour early, and already there were close to 150 people in line.) Well, we made it.
I give the movie 4 stars (Christmas stars, mind you). (It would have been 5 but for some hokey parts where the dialogue or acting just seemed too scripted.) The music gets 10 stars.
For maximum effect, I suggest you see this movie for the first time as Advent begins. (That would be Saturday evening.) Then see it again, every week of Advent. It is like making a biblical meditation. You could even bring a rosary and pray the first three joyful mysteries by the third or fourth week of Advent, when you will be familiar enough with the dialogue not to be distracted by the little sub-plots.
I had several favorite scenes, but my favorite character by far was Joseph. I think he was the most rounded-out of the characters, too. Mary was cute and sweet, but she didn't have much to do except ride a donkey through most of the movie. Although the scene with Joseph's bloody feet.... well, I won't spoil that for you, but it is redolant of the humbly loving gesture of Jesus himself thirty years later.
So, it's good news, in more ways than one! It's a genuine Gospel story set in film, and it's a fine piece of Hollywood cinematic art as well! Go early and often (as they say about voting in Chicago), and really send a message to the studios: this is what we want to see, and are willing to pay to see. Maybe there will be more good news in the future. After all, there are twenty mysteries of the Rosary, and this movie only covered three of them.

Greetings from Staten Island

Now I am in New York. We're here early to get in some solid practice time before our concerts begin in earnest, but I'm hoping I'll be able to see the Nativity movie tomorrow (Sr. Nancy has free tickets)...
Blogging will be a challenge: the convent computers only have dial-up, there are only two of them, and there are 30 sisters here right now! I guess that will force me to focus on my music!

Sister Julia's Best Catholic Books: Advent edition

While I was in New Orleans, I pressured Sr. Julia into coming to Mom's house to talk about her favorite books for Advent and Christmas. Last night I took the video footage and made my first book review video of "Best Catholic Books" for Christmas. Don't just view and enjoy this: please add the link to your own blogs and e-mails to help get the word out!

Where am I?

The land of the bean and the cod! Of Patriots and Red Sox! Yes, in Boston. I just got in a couple of hours ago. My day started early, just like those shoppers who were waiting outside of Macy's when I was walking to Mass. (I was singing, "Let there be Mass today, and let it be 6:15" because I wasn't sure of St. Peter's post-Thanksgiving schedule.) When I came home, Sr. M. Thecla was packing me a turkey sandwich for lunch. (I love Thanksgiving leftovers.) And Sr. Susan helped me transport my luggage to the Clark/Lake el stop, because neither one of us could carry them up the two and a half flights of stairs at the stop right behind the convent.

I was the only person in the Orange line car for most of the ride to Midway, and though the airport was bustling, security was pretty much a breeze. If only I had remembered to take the keys out of my pocket! (They're still in there, and they don't open anything in Boston.)

Sunday we drive to New York to begin our concert season. I will be counting on your prayers, since I didn't have much time to practice the music, as you can well imagine.

Today is Mom's birthday. She'd appreciate your prayers, too.

Blessings

It will be a different kind of Thanksgiving this year for my family. We'll need to give thanks for different kinds of blessings than the ones that ordinarily come to mind. That, too, is a grace.

 

 

Maureen in Chicago: Sorry I missed your visit!

One thing about Chicago

Make that two things.

One, it's cold. Very cold.

Two, it's warm. Very warm.

Cold: I mean the weather.

Warm: I mean the people.

update

I'm heading back to Chicago early (early) tomorrow morning, knowing that Mom is on her way to adopting a large (large) dog for protection and company. My niece Erin works for an animal hospital, and yesterday she brought the blood-donor dog over for a visit. This poor, majestic creature has been suffering regular needle sticks for two years, and so is due for adoption. He came over while most of the family was gathered for brunch, and we were duly impressed with his gentleness. My nephews (15 and 17) really enjoyed roughhousing with him. And so we decided to try a sleepover. Well... let's just say it didn't get that far.

Although the dog was fine wandering through the house while everyone was around, when it was just Mom and me, he decided to sniff his way through the living room while we were in the kitchen. I began to notice loud "snuffling" sounds...

"Mom, I think you better look in the living room."

"OMG!!!"

"NO! Bad boy!"

The bad boy went skulking off... and we had an enormous, $200 coffee table book of Vatican artwork with a big chunk of the hardcover gnawed away and little specks of book cover littering the carpet.

Tomorrow, a family friend who works at a downtown animal shelter will bring another foundling over. "Foundling" is a two-year-old hound-lab mix with a brindle coat and a sad story. We visited with him at the shelter on Friday, and the dear thing was so sweet. And so ugly. Mom's having a hard time with the ugly part.

But soon we hope she'll find the dog of her dreams... We're praying over that!

beating the system

I LOVE to take advantage of those pharmacy wars! When I first arrived in New Orleans, I transferred a prescription to a CVS in order to get a $25 gift card for doing so. Then today I went to the local Rite-Aid and transferred the same prescription for a $20 gift card. Too bad we don't have Rite-Aid in Chicago. I have a Target pharmacy coupon for a $10 gift card, but I am all out of Rx's to play with.

Today Nell came over and we picked satsumas in the back yard. We had a remarkable harvest, and there are still dozens of satsumas ripening on the tree. Tomorrow the family is gathering here for brunch and satsuma mimosas.Then maybe we can recruit the siblings with nice handwriting to help with the "thank you for your expression of sympathy" notes. Dad is benefitting from a score of Mass enrollments. God be praised! Hope he doesn't need them!

Friday thought

On the passion and death of the Lord:

"...the exterior act of being crucified is accompanied by an interior act of self-giving (the Body is 'given for you'). 'No one takes [my life] from me,' says the Lord... This act of giving is in no way just a spiritual occurrence. It is a spiritual act that takes up the bodily into itself, that embraces the whole man; indeed, it is at the same time an act of the Son."

(Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy)

Good Stem Cell News

Today's Wall Street Journal reports on two stem cell success stories, neither of which involves destruction of an embryo. In one, muscular dystrophy symptoms in dogs were relieved by means of stem cells taken from the dogs themselves, or from other dogs. No embryonic puppies were destroyed in the process. (But then, you don't want those animal rights terrorists on your case...)

In human-related research, Swiss scientists were able to grow human heart valves from the stem cells in amniotic fluid. While there is a definite risk in removing any amniotic fluid, this kind of procedure has the potential of crafting heart valves for unborn babies with heart defects, so that upon birth, they can have heart surgery with a valve made from their own cells. Again, no embryonic death.

I don't know if these two AP articles made it to other publications, but it would be good to trumpet the stories far and wide.

Stranger than Fiction

I took Mom to the movies today. We saw the Will Ferrell movie "Stranger than Fiction." I didn't know it would talk so much about death, but... I guess that's providential. It was a nice movie, except for the usual things that contribute to a PG-13 rating.

 

More Wedding PIcs

Can't resist!
A word of explanation: the Blessed Virgin is Our Lady of Prompt Succor (the wedding was at the National Shrine); the groom's cake was designed like a trailer, since Jane was living in a trailer after Katrina flooded her house, and Jim was the trailer repairman who had to make so many house calls! (And the rest is history...)

duh!

Praying over the Scriptures for today ("the salvation of the just comes from the Lord"), I finally realized: "I'm supposed to be giving God thanks and praise for the powerful way his grace acted in Dad's life!"

Join me, please.

Oh, and if you'd like to read my brother's eloquent eulogy, click for it.

Eulogy

Click to read my eloquent brother's words about Dad. Prepare to be inspired. It's all true.

Word Alive

I am noticing the way a significant life event can really turn on certain Scripture passages that never really spoke much to me before.

Ever since Dad's death, I have found "messages" and assurances in the liturgical readings and especially in the daily psalms. For instance: Wednesday (the day he died), the responsorial psalm response was "The Lord is my light and my salvation" (we used that for his funeral Mass, too). Thursday was the feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran, and the entrance antiphon was "I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven"; the opening prayer was "God our Father, from living stones, your chosen people, you built an eternal temple to your glory" and the Communion antiphon was "Like living stones let yourselves be built on Christ as a spiritual house, a holy priesthood." Friday's Psalm was "Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord" (but we had the funeral Mass that day and did not go to the parish Mass). On Saturday the parish used the "proper" readings for St. Martin of Tours, and the first reading was from Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me...to comfort those who mourn" and the Gospel was "Come, Blessed of my Father: Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world!" Sunday's second reading was from Hebrews:"Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself..." (and the parish sang as an opening hymn "They who do justice shall live in the presence of God," which is going through my head right now). Yesterday, the Psalm was "Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face." Today, the latter part of the first reading is from Titus, and is the same as the second reading for Christmas: "The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to...live termperately, justly and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope" and the response is "The salvation of the just comes from the Lord."

I don't want to give this exaggerated significance, but it really does seem to be mysteriously appropriate for Dad: encouragement, consolation and a call all wrapped together in this scriptural package.

mpm

You've heard of mpg, psq, rpm and so on. Now in southeast Louisiana, there is another abbreviated ratio: mpm, meaning "mosquitoes per minute." It seems that three weeks ago, when a new batch of salt marsh mosquitoes hatched, a person on the Kenner levee could expect 20-25 "mosquito landings per minute" on his  or her skin. After three weeks of aggressive spraying, by land and by air, the rate is down to just 5 or 6 mpm.

 

 

Jane and Jim

Okay, there were no wedding bells, but there was a lot of joy to offset some of the sorrow we have been immersed in. Jane wore Dad's wedding ring on her necklace. (He said he would be there "one way or another.")
Many people said it was the most beautiful wedding they have ever been to. Please pray for Jane and Jim, who never would have dreamed what Katrina would bring to their lives.

Friday thought

It's not too late to post my Friday quote on the Passion and Death of the Lord. It's another selection from Von Balthasar (Mysterium Paschale, page 265), and boy does it match our family's need right now!
"Since we stand under the law of the Risen One, he places us on the way of the Cross, and we travel our way of the Cross only in his power, and his hope who, as the Risen One, has already won the victory."

Emotional Whiplash

We had Dad's wake this morning, and it was nonstop with hordes of relatives, friends, business contacts, neighbors... even guys that were on the basketball team at St. Matthias Grade School with Dad! There were surely over a hundred people at the Mass, and several hundred had come through the parlor. The funeral directors had to keep running back to print more holy cards, and in the end they ran out of the cards my brothers had selected (Blessed Virgin Mary with the Memorare prayer) and had to put Dad's info on Sacred Heart images (which is surely fine with Dad). The guest register only had one page left (but you can sign the on-line one).
My 15-year-old nephew offered the General Intercessions, and did heroically until the last petition, for the faithful departed. He struggled through it, and then went to the nearest pew to cry. Harold offered the Words of Remembrance, but to be perfectly honest, it was a eulogy in every sense of the word. Liturgical or not, it was fitting. More people than we could count were in tears, telling us that Dad was the finest person they had ever known. And it was no exaggeration. (Read the obit here.)
There were some funny moments, too. The pastor of my parents' parish called Dad "Joseph" in the first prayers, and at Mass called him "Mr. Sullivan" (at least he got the Irish part right!). Then he called my brother Harold "James." (When Mom and I went back after the interment to pick up the family pictures we had put on display, the funeral home also gave us our leftover Krispy Kremes. Only the name on the box was "Brennan.") (There must be a lot of Irish eyes smiling in Heaven today.)
After the service at the cemetery, we pulled all the prettiest flowers out of the arrangements to bring home. The house is filled with lilies and roses now. And food. Dad's law partner, the one Dad had mentored right out of law school, came over the evening of the death with a tray of sandwiches. The next day he sent over steaming trays of barbecue, and today he delivered a tray of mini-muffalettas (a New Orleans thing) while we were at the rehearsal.
Speaking of which, it was one of those rare things: a wedding rehearsal in which all the bridesmaids were in mourning attire. What a shift of gears! But it could hardly be more fitting: the wedding is at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, and my Dad was a lifelong devotee of Our Lady. From age five, he prayed three Hail Marys daily, and now Mom is continuing on his behalf.

Nativity Movie

Just got this bulletin from Sr. Rose. I'm sure the studio wouldn't mind the free publicity:

THE VATICAN TO HOST WORLD PREMIERE 

 The Nativity Story Is First Feature Film Ever To Premiere At The Vatican

 LOS ANGELES (Nov. 9, 2006) – On Sunday, November 26^th, New Line Cinema’s The Nativity Story will become the first feature film ever to premiere at the Vatican, it was jointly announced today by New Line’s President and COO of Worldwide Distribution and Marketing Rolf Mittweg, and Stefano Dammicco, CEO of Eagle Pictures, the film’s Italian distributor. The Nativity Story is scheduled for a Dec. 1, 2006 release in the U.S., and will open in territories worldwide throughout the month of December.

 The premiere, to be held at the Vatican’s Aulo Paolo VI (Pope Paul VI Hall), will be attended by The Nativity Story’s director Catherine Hardwicke, actors Shohreh Aghdashloo and Oscar Isaac, producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, screenwriter Mike Rich, and 7,000 invited guests of the Vatican. The event will serve as a benefit, with contributions going toward construction of a school in the village of Mughar, Israel – which has a diverse population of Christians, Muslims, and Druze and is located approximately 40 kilometers from Nazareth.

 “We are very proud of The Nativity Story and extremely grateful that the Vatican has embraced the film in this way,” says Mittweg. “We believe it is the perfect venue to present the film’s universal message of hope and faith, a message we are sure will resonate around the world.”

 “The Nativity Story is an extraordinary event, and this premiere is a fitting way to reach out to our community and share the experience,” says Dammicco. “It is a privilege for Eagle Pictures to be New Line’s Italian partner on the film.”

The event has been made possible due to the collaboration of the Pontifical Council for Culture, the Pontifical Council for Social Communication, the Vatican Film Library, the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” (for Human and Christian Development), the Vicariate of Vatican City State, and the Foundation for Sacred Art and Music.

The Nativity Story chronicles the arduous journey of two people, Mary and Joseph, a miraculous pregnancy, and the history-defining birth of Jesus. This dramatic and compelling story comes to life in a major motion picture starring Academy Award® nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) as Mary, Oscar Isaac (upcoming Guerrilla) as Joseph, and Academy Award® nominee Shoreh Aghdashloo (House of Sand and Fog) as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. The Nativity Story is directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown) from a screenplay by Mike Rich (The Rookie, Finding Forrester).

 

the mouth of babes

When my sister-in-law picked up two-year-old Kate from preschool, she sat her down for a snack. The little one had an abstracted look for a while and then asked, "Where's PeePaw?" April was a little taken aback, and answered, "He went to see God." Well, Kate is two, so on came the questions. "Did he go in a white car?" (In fact, the body was taken from the house in a white van.) "Did he open his eyes?" April asked, "Who opened his eyes?" "Jesus," the little one said matter of factly. April was doubly surprised, because they typically talk about God, rather than Jesus. (I hope Jesus gets more credit after this!)

In Paradisum, Dad

Dad had had a pretty bad night, and my brother stayed by him in case he needed help moving. Harold went to work, and Mary took his place. I was running late, and rather than walk to Mass, I took Mom's car. Good thing. I wouldn't have made it if I had walked home.
Once at the parish, I went to the sacristy to see about borrowing a pyx, in order to bring Communion to my parents, and after Mass, back in the car with Jesus, I prayed my way home. I was thinking it would be nice to have some time with Jesus before holding a little Communion service at home, but when I walked in the door, things were just too quiet. A hospital bed had been set up in the den on Monday, and Mom and Mary were there. Dad's breathing was very shallow, and he was only slightly responsive to Mom's attempts to put a few drops of water on his tongue, so I prepared a tiny bit of the Host in a spoon with some water.
"Here, Dad: it's Jesus. The Body of Christ. This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." He parted his lips slightly, and I tried to slip the Host into his mouth, but it stayed on his tongue. I put some water in a straw and told him to open his mouth wide, which he did. Very wide. When I released the water from the straw, I told him to swallow Communion. And he swallowed hard. Very shortly after that, his eyes set straight forward, and he began to move his right arm toward his chest, where I had the Pyx resting. We don't even know just when he stopped breathing, but it would have been within one or two minutes of receiving the Communion that turned out to be his Viaticum.
Mary was trying to contact Hospice and the other siblings, each of whom came within ten minutes of Dad's death, except for my sister in Texas, who is coming in tomorrow with her three children.

Last night, the priest who will be officiating at Jane's wedding came over, and most of the family gathered for the blessing of the wedding rings. This was preceded by Anointing of the Sick and Communion. Then, when the priest prepared to leave, he gave Dad a hug, and Dad, who was never the huggy type, reached his arm up and embraced him. I had my camera ready for the blessing of the rings, and got that last picture of my Dad.
Dad had assured us that he would be at the wedding "one way or another," so we are going ahead with all plans, even though the rehearsal will be affected by the Friday funeral.
We are grateful for your continued prayers through this extremely poignant time.

invitations

Yesterday before he was released, the nurse was trying to sweet-talk Dad into taking his medicine-laced aspirin: "Do it for me, won't you?" No dice. My sister Mary tried, "Dad, do it for Jane!" He kept facing the window. Then Mom said, "Do it for Jesus." And he set his face and slowly turned toward the nurse.

Last night, Mom said she heard Dad whispering from the Psalms, "Here I am, O God, I come to do your will."

Family circumstances offer me a new perspective on today's Gospel parable about people refusing to come to a fabulous banquet. The host sends servants out to "force" people in from the byways. What's the matter with the invitees? But then what about us? We almost have to be "pressured" into welcoming the invitation to the heavenly banquet--especially given that the immediate doorway is our death. I keep reminding myself of this: that Dad is moving toward something so much better than we can imagine. He won't need to be forced into that celebration.

Coming Home

We're arranging to have Dad released from the hospital today. He's glad to come home. Hospice will help with his particular needs. We don't know for how long. God willing, he'll see Jane in her bridal gown; the priest said he could bless the rings at home, so Dad would be present. We all  need a lot of prayers today.

hoping against hope

"Two steps forward, ten steps back" is how the doctor described the progression of liver disease once it reached a critical point. But Dad didn't even get two steps forward before the back-cycling began. And last night (actually, around 2 a.m.) he tried to "commend his spirit" into the hands of the Father, preferring that only Mom be with him (as she always has been). But God didn't reciprocate. Jane's wedding is a week from today, and she is ready to get married in the hospital, as long as Dad can be there.

We just don't know.

Dad is just desperately tired of pokes and sticks and proddings, and above all, of "hoverings." He can't stand being the object of anyone's ministrations, although he accepts Mom's. He has hardly eaten enough this week to keep an infant alive. He wants out.

The Scripture reading from St. Paul today offers ground for some kind of hope. St. Paul acknowledged that "for me, life means Christ and death is gain," but that for the sake of the Philippians "it is more advantageous to remain alive," and he drew the conclusion that this is what would happen, despite the circumstances in which he found himself while writing (in prison).

We just don't know. But God's timing will be perfect timing. If only we have eyes to see the grace of God.

A First Friday thought

Here is something from de Lubac (Paradoxes):

"The mystery of Christ is also our own. What was achieved in the Head must be achieved in the members. Incarnation, death and resurrection: that is to say, enrooting, detachment and transfiguration. There is no Christian spirituality which does not comprise this threefold rhythm."

Jesus' weak spot

Today's Gospel features another Sabbath day healing, and clearly points to Jesus' Achilles heal. But first, a question. According to the eminent translators of the NAB, the person in front of Jesus (at the home of a leading Pharisee) suffered from "dropsy."

What on earth is dropsy? That question has been bothering me for years! Today, finally, I have an answer, and what a timely answer it is. Dropsy is "edema," which my Dad is suffering from at this moment. And that leads to my theme: Jesus' weak spot.

People who tried to trip Jesus up in any way through questions or challenges were bound to fail. He brought such an unusual, straight-to-the-heart-of-it perspective to any verbal test that those who posed the questions ended up as befuddled as they had hoped Jesus would be. So it was no good to try to trick Jesus intellectually. The one sure way to get him was to bring him face to face with suffering. And we find several places in the Gospel where sick or crippled people were used as decoys to lure Jesus into "inappropriate" or "illegal" healing on the Sabbath day. This Gospel story is one of those times. Jesus had been invited to dinner at a socially prominent, highly observant person's home on the Sabbath.

Sometimes Jesus used these occasions for some provocative behavior of his own, such as skipping the ritual hand-washing in order to make a point about purity of heart. But today, the host had evidently participated in a setup. Jesus went into the home, and "in front of him there was a man suffering with edema." (Like my Dad, whom I present again to Jesus in just as brazen a setup.) There was no way Jesus was going to smile and nod at the poor man and then go eat dinner, and everyone in the house knew it. You can only imagine how charged the atmosphere was. But before healing the man, Jesus turned the tables on them all with a setup of his own: "Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?"

No answer.

So Jesus healed the man, sent him off, and then added the piece de resistance: "Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath?"

Please, today, bring my Dad before Jesus and ask him to renew the wonders of his love as manifested in today's Gospel.

More mosquitoes

Mosquitoes in the news! I was right:  it was something like I had never experienced before! Just going to and from Church down the block, I got 15 nasty bites. And the venom these monsters carry is about 20 times worse than an "ordinary" mosquito bite. Thankfully, today it cooled off enough to quiet them a bit.

Guadalupe movie

There is a website in Spanish about the movie that is going to be released on December 1 about Our Lady of Guadalupe. They hope to get an English site up soon, but since the movie is Spanish with English subtitles... it's only right that the websites be, too!

Theology of the Body

For all of you out there in Radioland:

Dr. Waldstein's interview on "Proclaim the Good News" will be broadcast this Sunday, November 5, on WCTC-AM 1450 at 12:30 pm (always check local listings to be sure as this could change).
Other stations that will carry the program:
• WFJS-FM 89.3, Monmouth County, NJ
• WDEO-AM 990, Ann Arbor, MI
• WMAX-AM 1440, Saginaw, MI
• WEST-AM, 1400, Easton, PA

Dr. Waldstein is the translator of the complete compilation of John Paul II's talks on the Theology of the Body, "Man and Woman He Created Them."

Waiting is Purgatory!

I'm just like my Dad in finding it extremely difficult just to wait on something. I don't mean in the sense of impatience, exactly (there's that, too, but it's another issue!): it's more of an intolerance of uncertainty. I really admire those who, in the words of a former classmate of mine who was a physicist, "have learned to live in peace with incompleteness."

Dad has by far the harder part right now, not knowing whether or not this time of suffering represents the immediate preparation for the "completion" of his course on earth. And we are bearing that with him.

At least the souls in Purgatory have some sense of certainty about their situation! They know, and are delighted to know, that Heaven--God!--is truly and completely theirs. They just don't know when they will be truly and entirely God's,  free from all the self-centeredness that dominates us, thanks to sin.

If, as St. Catherine of Siena said, "all the way to Heaven is Heaven," then surely all the way to Purgatory is also Purgatory!