Cat Got Your Tongue?

Has the cat got your tongue?  It's an expression that is asking someone why they're not answering.  Well, my cat didn't have my tongue, he had my iPad.

I've been looking for my iPad for four days.  The last time I saw it, one of my grandchildren was playing a game on it.  I've been looking for it, ever since.

I'd hear it gong for the Angelus.  So three times a day, I'd be alert to listen from what direction the gong sound of the Angelus was coming from. It was in the living room, somewhere.  I dusted.  I vacuumed, lifting furniture.  I searched the bookcase.  I tore the room apart.

NADA!

I prayed to Saint Anthony:

Tony, Tony, please come down.
Something's lost and must be found.

Today I went to my Lay Dominican Chapter.  During the Intercessions in Evening Prayer, I asked that my iPad be found.  Afterward, one of my "cloistered brothers," suggested I go to the APPLE website and have them find it.  I said, "How can they find it?"  He said they'd "ping it."

Not quite.  But he offered me hope.

I have an iPhone. The iPhone and iPad are compatible since they are both Apple products.  I asked Siri, on my iPhone to find my iPad.

Up popped a map of my location.  I saw my street and neighboring streets.  Near the end of my street was a house.  It was my house!  Near my house was a blinking target circle.

Ah, my iPad! At first, I thought it was in my car, outside.  But as I walked through my house, the blinking target moved closer.  Soon the house and target were one. I was in the living room.  But I had looked there...everywhere...but NOT the cat's blanket.

I had never touched that dirty blanket full of cat hair.  But when I picked it up, VOILA!

Deus Gratias!

And thanks to St. Anthony's intercession which prompted me to add the loss of my iPad to the Evening Prayer's intercessions.  And thanks to my "cloistered brother" who suggested that I go to  Apple.  And thanks again St. Anthony for having Siri find the location.  Finally, thanks, Saint Anthony for prompting me to pick up the cat's blanket.

I feel like throwing a party.  (Luke 15: 8-10)

Who lights the lamp?

My parish is participating in the Arise Together in Christ program sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston. For the past two sessions we've hung this banner up to encourage, remind and support the parish Arise program. Since the last session, to this week, this banner was missing. See, we've changed pastors and didn't know what was done with it.

The church custodian suggested some places that proved futile. The members of the Arise team tried to remember where we put it. The former pastor was contacted and his suggestion proved to be wrong. Regular church goers were asked if they knew...until we asked John.

Thank you, John.

The point is, who lights the lamp, sweeps the house and searches except God Himself?

Luke 15:8-10 The story of the woman who lost a coin and tears the (church), house apart looking for it, now has new meaning for me. It isn't the value of the lost coin, or the lost smelly sheep, or the banner, it's what it represents.

The banner was a visible sign of us trying to get closer to God. While the banner was displayed, the praying for the program continued. For six weeks, this sign reminds us that St. Mary's parish community is working for its salvation and the salvation of others. It is so much more than a piece of vinyl, a small coin, a smelly sheep.

Thank you St. Anthony for your intercessory prayers. Thank you, Jesus.