Jump! Jump!

The Arizona Republic had an article on the conflict between Bishop Olmsted and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center.  St. Joseph's is the Catholic hospital that performed an abortion supposedly to save the life of the mother.  Perhaps you've heard of the controversy?  Yeah, ad naseum.  But in case you're cloistered and don't know what I'm referring to, go here for the story.  Thanks to http://themotleymonk.blogspot.com/.

I don't want to get into

• the pressure insurance companies put on doctors
• fear of litigation
• taking the easy way out
• the role of the media
• American mores
• whether of not the abortion was necessary

...and I really don't want to get into whether or not the Bishop is wrong, because he's not.  Either you're Catholic or not.  Fine.  Take the name Catholic off.  This is the Bishop's call.  Lump it.

What really bothers me are the people who are urging the Hospital Board to fight the Bishop.  The ACLU is attacking Bishop Olmsted for opposing abortion.  Commonweal urges the hospital administrators to stand up to the Bishop.  Some people question the Bishop's jurisdiction over a Catholic hospital.  I've even read that Rome needs to jettison "excommunications" from Canon Law because bishops have little credibility; the hospital needs to separate itself from the Catholic Church; the best thing the hospital could do is tell the Vatican to shove it; terminate all connection to the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix; fight the excommunication--the Bishop has no right to do this....

...yakty yak.  Reminds me of the type who stand on the street yelling at the man on the ledge, "Jump!  Jump!"

The heart wrenching exigencies that caused this predicament aren't even given consideration.

They just want blood.

Finding the Right Place

You know how some books are written for one age, yet have a deeper meaning for adults to enjoy?  Think of fantasy writers like Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.  Such is Red in the Flower Bed, by Andrea Nepa.

No where in Red in the Flower Bed is God mentioned.  But I picture the adult reading this book to an adoptive child, automatically seeing God's fingers in everything that happens to the little poppy seed that grows up to be a beautiful red poppy.

In fact, in the beginning, I can see why a child hearing:

                Good-bye little one,

          You will me missed you know

        but this is no place for you to grow.     

would wish he were living with another family.  !!!!!  Don't laugh.  That happened to me.  As a child, my friend told me that her mother had told her that she may not have grown in her belly like most babies, but she had grown in her heart.  I thought that was so beautiful.  So I went home and asked my mother if I had grown in her heart.  She, not knowing where I was coming from, told me not to be silly, that I was grown from her belly.  I really was bummed.

Red in the Flower Bed is a beautiful story. The story of a flower seed traveling to just the right place, is perfect for a child's understanding.  A pre-schooler will love the rhyme, pictures, and story.  A child in the primary grades would be able to understand their parent's explanation of God's Divine plan working in the life of this little poppy seed.

You can purchase Red in the Flower Bed, at Tribute Books.  I definitely recommend it for adopted children.  The author, Andrea Nepa, wrote the book for her daughter.  It's perfect for interracial families, like the author's, but everyone will enjoy it.  Even adults, like me.

Politics as Usual

Pray for China.  Having two churches claiming to be the One true Church must be very confusing.

Impossible to Proclaim

This 4th Sunday of Advent, I'm reading Rom 1:1-7.

How?  I dunno.

Look at it.  8 subordinate clauses in the first sentence.  And another 8 subordinate clauses in the next sentence.

That first sentence is just a salutation.  The second sentence is Paul's idea of the Kingdom.

But I'm still thinking "huh?" after reading the first sentence.

The reading is impossible to do any justice to.

The Lector's Notes tell me to:


The Lector's Proclamation: Proclaim this, then, with the gravity it deserves. The sentences are long, but you can break them sensibly into phrases. Don't rush. Be sure to announce it as "The beginning of the Letter of Paul to the Romans," rather than another "reading from ..."
You might try to imagine what the historically first reading of this letter was like. The Christian congregation in Rome was small, not yet persecuted, meeting in someone's home. These were first-generation converts; their heritage: some Jewish, some Gentile. The religion was still genuinely new to them. They did not celebrate Christmas. They had not divided into Catholics and Protestants. There was no church-sponsored sports program. They knew the reputation of Paul, former persecutor turned apostle, and the word has gone out that he has written them a letter. The church assembles one Sunday, and you have the letter. You stand to read it.
A bit melodramatic, yes. But every time a lector stands to read in a twenty-first century assembly, there's a chance that someone there will hear the words as if for the first time.

Drama I can do.  I'm all set.

Can You Spare $ 10

A local kid has been working out in California putting a documentary together for kids living on the streets. He's trying to get this movie going but needs some help -- $ 10.

If everyone who reads this post donates just $10, it can be done.  Be part of this movement to help our homeless youth. Below is a letter explaining more.

Right now there are almost 2 million kids living on the streets of America and every day, 13 of them will die.  Yes, this is the truth about what is happening in our country.


While the statistics are staggering, what's more shocking is the number of Americans that are unaware of this crisis.


Hi, my name is Michael Leoni and for the last year and a half, my team at An 11:11 Experiment, and I, have been making Spare Some Change, a documentary that exposes the truth about the lives of American's homeless youth.  We could not stand by and just allow this tragedy to continue.  Over the last 18 months, we have met hundreds of kids and heard thousands of stories that will hammer you to your core and make you wonder if this really can be happening on our streets.


Spare Some Change is almost at the finish line and with your help we can get all the way there.  There can be no change without awareness and together, we can make a difference.


As some of you may know, HBO Films recently approached us about Spare Some Change.  Initially, we were very excited as we felt that this could be an amazing opportunity for the film and the kids.  However, their intention was to purchase Spare Some Change and lock it in the vault while utilizing our resources to make their own film.  We politely declined, as the trust we built with the kids, their well-being, and the message of this film, are too important for us to compromise.  HBO is now filming on the streets where we shot, using the same kids as some of their subjects.  However, the kids believe that Spare Some Change is the movie that's going to change the world.


Now, more than ever, I'm asking everyone that I can reach, to contribute in any way possible.  If everyone who receives this letter donates at least $ 10, we will reach our goal.  Please join my team and me in a Worldwide Fund-raising Campaign to complete this powerful, eye-opening and inspirational film.


Our goal is to raise $ 40,000 to complete filming and post-production.  With your support, we will be able to share the message of Spare Some Change with the world.


All of the funds raised to date have been tax-deductible donations and have ranged from $5 - $ 10,000, proving that every single dollar counts.


Please watch the trailers and meet the kids.  If you would like to make a charitable (tax-deductible) contribution to help complete this film, go http://www.facebook.com/l/1b233umpGz1uX4CvpmHqPIN4BzA and click "Donate" now.


Help spread the word.  Send you friends and family to the website and Facebook page and pass this letter around to everyone you know.  The more people that know about this, the more change can be created.


Go to : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spare-Some-Change/88462783086 and become a fan and a friend of Spare Some Change.


Many thanks for taking the time to read this.


With tons of gratitude,
Michael Leoni & the Team at AN 11:11 Experiment
Michelle Kaufer
Erica Katzin

Aha Experience

Christmas has come.  I've had an epiphany!  I went to Spiritual  Direction tonight and it was a gift--a surprise gift.  Unbeknown to my Director, he let slip something I didn't know.  I'm sure he thought I knew because it was in casual conversation--not like he was letting me in on a secret.

We were talking about my "cloistered brothers," the way the Holy Spirit moves, mutual friends, relapses, etc.  Just shooting the breeze.  And in among the chit chat was a fact that I didn't know, but it definitely enlightened my understanding.   I didn't stop him and say, "What...what....what did you say?"  I just breathed it in and assimilated the implications.  Everything fell into place.

Of course, that's why.                 Now I get it.

                  What am I talking about?

Sorry, can't tell you.     Seal of Confession!            But God is good--all the time!

I Love My Parish

St. Mary's Franklin, MA

Let me count the ways I love you.
I love your depth and breadth and height
my soul can reach, with palpable feeling:
for the ends of Being and ideal Grace,
for your namesake Mary, Immaculate,
for the smell of incense ever there,
for the taste of the Most Precious Blood,
for the sun-light thru the stained glass,
for the golden Baptismal font,
for the kiss of peace from a friend,
for the same worship of my childhood's faith.
I love you freely, as men strive for right;
I love you purely, as our praises touch your arches.
I love your incarnational God and faith.
I love your people who worship there;
I love your transubstantiation, my God.
I love you with a love I feel in communion
with saints -- I love you with my breath,
smiles, tears, of all my life! --and, if God
wills-my funeral Mass, be my place in death.

h/t with apology to Elizabeth Barrett Browning