And he is back in Town!!!

I am now in good ol' Ypsi-Arbor for a few days! Time for us all to catch up on some good food, good fun, good times and the best of all...good friends! Can't wait to see you all...you have been missed!

St. Stephen's Day

St. Stephen's Day is a traditional national holiday in Ireland. This day is also s national holiday in England and Canada where it is known as Boxing Day, a reference to "boxing up" all the Christmas stuff...a quintessentially protestant thing to do. The good ol' Catholics in Ireland, however, keep the traditional meaning of this day intact, honoring the feast of the first martyr for Christ...as well as being a handy day to get over that hang-over from the night before!

The killing of the wren is the big tradition on this day. It is a traditional legend that as St. Stephen was being pursued by his would be killers, he found sought refuge in a holly bush as a hiding place. His attakers discovered him, however, when a wren betrayed his hiding place by singing loudly in the bush. In punishment for this crime, all Irish boys would go wren hunting on St. Stephen's Day morning and would then hang the dead bird from a holly bush.

This is also another day of celebrating...since one day is never enough for the Irish. My family will be celebrating this tradition in a similar way as we are going to have Christmas dinner with the extended family (on my Irish-father's side) today. So Happy Feast Day to all my fellow Irish friends...and those who are not Irish as well.

Nollaig Shona Duit! (Merry Christmas to you)

I had a rather busy Christmas this year; liturgically speaking. that is. It was, however, one of the most beautiful of my life (no snow...but the masses I attended made up for that!). I began Christmas by serving Midnight Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew's in Grand Rapids with Bishop Hurley. The Cathedral was gorgeous and the music was heavenly. It was also very nice to be serving mass alongside my bishop with my fellow seminarians in the heart of the local church in Grand Rapids.

Christmas morning I again went to mass. This time I went to my parish where the Choir Director (new this year) had put together a polyphony ensemble for the 10:30 mass. It was truly heavenly and awesome because they sang all sorts of traditional Latin melodies...and on top of that we chanted the Gloria in Latin!!! This is a normal parish, English is the norm with Gather hymnals in all the pews...but the Springtime of the Church is coming and being able to chant the Gloria at my home parish for the first time was truly moving. What a gift!

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, and I cannot wait to see you when I come to Ann Arbor soon!

Tradition!

At home I have, for many years, made what we call the Christmas Cake. This is a traditional Irish cake, made several weeks before Christmas (usually around Thanksgiving here) and allowed to "ripen" before the feasting begins. I have included the recipe for your edification...even though I will not have the time to make one this year (more's the pity). The cake is known in Irish as ca'ca Nollaig.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 cup diced fruit
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon nuts
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup brown sugar
1 bottle of Irish whiskey
1 cup of sugar

Method:
Sample whiskey to check for quality. Set out a large bowl.Check the whiskey again to be sure it is of the highest Irish quality. Pour one level cupful and drink. Repeat. Turn on electric mixer, beat 1 cupful of butter in a large fluffy bowl, add one spoon tea of sugar and beat again. Make sure the whiskey is still O.K. Turn off the mixer. Break two legs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Mix on the turner. If the fruit gets stuck in the beaters, pry loose with a drewscriver. Next, sift 2 cups of salt-or something. Check the whiskey. Now sift the lemon juice and strain the nuts. Turn the cake pan to 350 degrees. Don't forget to burn off the turner. Throw the bowl out the window. Check the whiskey once again and then go to bed.

Hope your preparations are going well! This is to remind you to take a break...and have a laugh amidst all the bustle!

Need to post...unable to think...

Yea, so I guess that is the effect home has on me. In the academic environment of school it seems second nature to just type something up really quick that says something. Not to mention that there is often so little to do that I go out of my mind if I do not find some sort of perfunctory exercise for it to focus on...'tis difficult, but I have found that my mind can focus in the absence of anything that is a more interesting distraction.

So apparently Sweden has discovered a new renewable energy source. This energy source is imported from the United States and runs all of their cars and heats their homes. This renewable energy source is excess American fat that has been extracted in liposuction surgeries...GROSS!!! This was the special report of the morning out here in the country brought you by my sister I have not checked the report's veracity yet...not sure if I want to...

Something more interesting and not so random tomorrow I hope!

Et Cartago delenda est!

And...I am finished with Finals!!! WHOOOHOOOO!!!

Finals was not too hectic this year...nor as incredibly challenging...except for my Introduction to Spirituality oral final. It was pretty intense, and a very strange way of going about a final. I walk into Fr. Spezia's (the prof) office and this is how it goes...

Fr. Spezia: "So, what do you want to talk about?"

Brendan: (pause) "um...well how about virtue?" (since it was what I knew best)

Fr. Spezia: "Okay, tell me about virtue"

And I just spilled my guts basically...he asked a few clarifying questions...but other than that it was a full ten minutes of me talking...and him doing miscellaneous office work...seemingly not listening to me at all (and I was highly nervous and stressed I can tell you...so that was a little annoying...WHY ARE YOU NOT LISTENING TO ME...sort of thing...anyway). He did take in every word though, it was pretty amazing, but did not help the stress level...and not a word on how well I did...but here is hoping!

All the other finals were much better and I did pretty well on them all. God is good. So now I have a few more things to do here and then it is off to the west coast for break (hopefully there will be snow) and then I will be busy till Christmas, then after Christmas I will be coming to A2-Ypsi area and then back home and then back to the Seminary! Life is busy...no let me see is there anything else?...oh! almost forgot...Et Brittania delenda est!

La festa di Santa Lucia

Happy feast day of St. Lucy. Found this picture, thought it was pretty...so put it up for you to see. Nothing much to say...other than it is my sister Johanna's birthday who was baptized on this day in 1991 shortly after her birth because she was not breathing properly. My father says that the water from the baptism pooled in her eyes...she lived and has the loveliest faun brown eyes. We believe this is due to the intercession of St. Lucy (whom she chose as her confirmation patron) on her behalf. She is the patron saint of those with eye problems (those of us with glasses) because she had her eyes torn out of her head before her eventual martyrdom. They miraculously were replaced, however, by eyes of far greater beauty (this is why she is always pictured with a pair of eyes).

Well that was more than I meant to say...huh...got a little carried away I guess...anyway 3 finals down and two more to go...ugh...I hate these "academic orgies!"

Finals

Just an update: 1 final down, 1 final half-way down, and three more to vanquish!

As I don't have another final until wednesday morning (after finishing final #1 Metaphysics [which, in my estimation, went well] this morning) I have been taking a look at the blog world...and wow! Other than Sean you all seem to be taking things seriosly. No blog posts for a while now! I did, however, run into Thom this afternoon...and the poor boy has at last gone off his rocker...he resembled and emaciated monkey chucking virtual feces at everybody's facebook that he could come within reach of...all the while putting on a good show of attempted study with his books and papers all scattered around him.

It will all be over soon...for better or for worse. So hang in there everyone and don't go too crazy!

Prepare the way of the Lord

"The voice of one crying in the desert:

Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight."

These are the words of St. John the Baptist, exhorting us to prepare our minds and our hearts for the coming of the Lord. We are called in this season to make a resting place for the Christ Child in our lives by quieting ourselves and clearing away anything that might hinder the entry of Christ into our souls.

This is not what the world wants to hear at this time of the year. As Christians we are called to be a contradiction and example to the world, and Advent is the time when the Church's contradictive role is most keenly felt. Everywhere are the signs of Christmas; store's have had their decorations up for a long time now, many homes have had a Christmas tree as the focal point of their living rooms since Thanksgiving, everywhere I go I hear the sounds of Christmas in the air...but has He yet come? If not, then why are we celebrating as though He has?

Advent is a season of fasting, abstinance, and prayer. It is distinct from Lent (at least in the Latin Rite), however, in the severety of self-denial. This period, like Lent, is meant to prepare the soul for the coming Feast that we look forward to. Unlike the mentality of the world (fun now, pay later) the Church encourages us to abstain from the distractions of the world that clutter our lives and keep us from being in a proper state of spirit and mind to recieve the gift of the mystery that we are preparing to celebrate.

There are many ways that we as Christians can incorporate this spirit of preparation in our daily lives. First is to prepare our souls by attending mass as often as possible, renewed efforts in our prayer life, spiritual readings (the beggining of Luke and Matthew's Gospels for instance) and by quieting our minds and subduing our appetites enliminating as much as possible distractions such as the radio, television, too much food, and other things. A second is by not giving in to celebrating before the day of Christmas (I know I sound right-wing here) by fasting from the constant jangle of Christmas music, holding off decorating until at least the third week (Gaudete) of Advent, and busy ourselves instead with preparations for the day of Christmas (cooking, baking, preparing the decorations but not putting them up yet, practicing Christmas music, etc.) so that when Christmas does come we will not be tired of Christmas (like its the final blow-out to the celebrations) but will be Joyfull in the event that we can now celebrate what we have been looking forward to for so long (think of how a bride looks forward to her wedding day...to consumate prior to the wedding lessens the joy).

"Do not be afraid" to be a sign of contradiction to the secular materialist world around us! Save your feasting until the reason for our joy has come! Prepare the way of the Lord so that when he comes you may, like Mary, give yourself to God completely (totus tuus). Also...along with the spiritual benefits of preparing yourself for Christmas, there is the practical...your tree will be fresh for Jesus on His Birthday, you won't have gotten sick yet, and if you diet in advent...you will lose the pounds that you can then regain during Christmas...so you can feast without the guilt!

To my Precious God-daughter

Happy First Birthday Esther Lorraine Heffron!

Just so you all know...this is my precious God-daughter/niece (and her Godmother/Aunt Maura). She was born a year ago today...just love those eyes!!!

Momathon!

Yes, that is what one of our dear seminarians calls any conversation, homily, talk, address etc. that focuses on our dear Mother in Heaven. So today is the Momathon of mamathons...at least according to "Donny Suavé." And so I give you the Catechism...

"What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illumines in turn its faith in Christ."CCC (§ 487)

Happy Feast Day to the whole Church in America! I pray that you all have a blessed day.

Oh! This was the only picture I could find of St. Anne and the Virgin...just in case you were wondering who was who.

In Honor of an Awesome Saint

The Awesome Saint of the day is (drum role) Ambrose, bishop of Milan (c. 340 – 4 April 397), smacker of Arians, Composer of Hymns, Father of Chant, Spiritual Father of St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church, Bearded of Bees, Honeyed of Speech, Consular Prefect of Liguria and Emilia, Patron of a Russell, Denouncer of Heretics, Excomunicator of Emperors, Deposer of Rogue Bishops, Dissuader of Rebels, Punisher of Pagans, Silent Reader, and Awesome Defender of the Faith.

An Awsome Ambrose Quote:

"If you demand my person, I am ready to submit: carry me to prison or to death, I will not resist; but I will never betray the church of Christ. I will not call upon the people to succour me; I will die at the foot of the altar rather than desert it. The tumult of the people I will not encourage: but God alone can appease it."

Todo...I don't think we are at Ave anymore

This past friday was the annual Christmas Concert at the Seminary. The concert was a marvelous success, and included the Detroit Sinfonietta (a small string orchestra). The theme of the evening's concert was Christmas Throughout the Ages, encompassing the musical tradition of the Church over the past 2000 years.

The evening began with the SHMS Chant Schola chanting the ancient propers of Christmas. The SHMS Choir (of which I am part) then processed in singing the traditional advent hymn Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, and continued with selections of early polyphonic works from the High Middle Ages and into the Renaissance. The evening concluded with Baroque pieces from Handel, Mozart and Bach as well as some modern pieces including one written by one of our own seminarians.

While I enjoyed the evening immensly...I could not help by reminisce about what I missed about Ave Concerts.

• There was no wisecracking caterwalling Louise constantly demanding a solo...which she often would do whether or not the song called for one.


• The coke-addicted Mel was not there making faces at me throughout practice causing me to loose composure.


• While there were no Sopranos or Altos, there were plenty of Tenors (1st and 2nds), which was a pleasant change...since I did not have to stress my voice, and I could hide my loud voice among the better ones.


• I actually had a voice this year...God is good.


• Mrs. Fedoryka was not there poking and prodding me like some sort of unrully pillow in order to correct my posture...making me feel like a scarecrow on a stake.
  
• The concert took place two weeks before finals...so even though the pre-concert madness was there, it was not the pre-concert madness of Ave which was only increased by the pressure and madness of finals...as they always coincided.


• And last but not least...I was singing for strangers rather than my dear friends at Ave.

An Aidbhint

Vias tuas, Domine, demonstra mihi:

et semitas tuas edoce me.

Happy New Year everyone! Liturgical New Year that is...and a happy beginning it is too! Blogspot got the image thing fixed, the snow has been falling softly all day and is gathering in little drifts opon everything (as of yet Detroit is still ugly...but heres hoping that more snow will change that) and the semester is almost over! Deus caritas est!

The above Icon is called The Lady of Korshun and depicts the sorrowful mother and child. Mary has a sorrowful expression as she looks forward to the suffering that her new-born child will have to undergo for the salvation of mankind. The quiet emotion of this icon is quite lovely and embodies the peace, longing, hope, and restrained joy of the advent season.

As the snow flies outside my window the longing for home, family, and friends fills me...during this season of looking forward to the light as we head into this, the darkest period of the year, I myself prepare for the joy of Christmas by restrainning the celebration of Christ's birth until it actually happens. Remember it is the season of preparation...not yet of celebration.

Bah!

I am officially upset with this new gmail blogger thing that is going on. I don't know why I decided to switch to this new way of posting...but now I can't post pictures and everything is different and highly annoying. If you were considering switching to Betta or whatever the infernal thing is called...DON'T!!! You will regret it. The benefits are not worth losing the nice format that existed before. Not sure when I will get this fixed and back to normal...but until then...I can't post pictures.

I hate change!

St. Andrew

Happy Feast Day!!!

Just a quick post in honor of St. Andrew; brother of St. Peter, Apostle and the Patron Saint of Scotland (among other things). St. Andrew is most famous for the manner of his death...crucified on a "X" shaped cross. This is why the national flag of the Scots depicts a white "X" shaped cross on a blue field. This flag is known as the "Cross of St. Andrew" and is one of the flags incorporated in the national flag of Great Britain.


So happy feast day to all you Scots out there, as well as all my friends in general.

St. Andrew, Pray for us!

An Ancient Muse

I just received the newest recording of my favorite Celtic musical artist, An Ancient Muse, by Loreena McKennitt. As soon as I saw it in my mailbox I rushed upstairs and popped into into Aiden (my notebook friend, desktop companion and personal musician, he can play all sorts of music, and does great voice impersonations), and was soon carried off by the rhythmic sounds of this ethereal and ancient sounding album. A particular favorite is the track entitled The English Ladye and The Knight, a sad poem by Sir Walter Scott that Loreena set to music. Another lovely ballad of longing and earning for the return of a loved one is the track entitled Penelope's Song. The song is about the steadfast loyalty and heartfelt sorrow of Odysseus' wife in Homer's Epic tale. Altogether I loved this new album. Loreena McKennitt introduces many unique musical sounds beginning with the first track Incantation that has an unmistakably eastern tone to it, and translates the mysterious harmony of that culture exceedingly well. I hope that you all will have a chance to hear some of the songs on this new CD...and I know that Joe will definitely want to get this album!

Change of Scenery

Coming home for Thanksgiving was a welcome change from the usual. Not only did I get plenty of rest, but I also had a great time with my sweet little niece, brothers, sisters, sister-in-law, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and the parental units. Reflecting on the pleasant differences of home and Detroit, I thought that I would list a few of the things that were most strikingly different about the weekend.

• First is that I heard more gunshots at home then in Detroit. I call it providence, but I have not heard one gunshot while I have been here (although I have been informed of there existence on many occasions). The big difference being, however, that the gunshots at home ended in dinner on the table rather than an empty seat at someone's table.
• Racial diversity at home is basically non-existent. The closest thing we have to racial diversity at home occurs within the burgeoning squirrel population. We have red, black, and grey squirrels...Dr. Izzo would be in paradise...or out of crustuli!
• Traffic was basically non-existent! I could travel 30 miles in 40 minutes, as opposed to 5 miles in 30 minutes as it often is in Detroit...ugh, thank God for the country, where ne'r a traffic light is seen!
• One final thing, which is always good for the ego...I actually impress the folks at home with my knowledge. I know what you all are thinking, and yes it is scary, but hey, I get my perks where I can!

Now starts the countdown to Christmas!!!

Go West Young Man!

I love it everytime I begin to leave the city behind me and the cornrows and pasturlands of Michigan begin to flash past my windows as I cruise down the I-96 corridor. It means that I am on my way home, and I will soon be able to breath the free air again and know that I can go anywhere I want without traffic jams, red lights, ambulance and police sirens, construction issues, or be afraid for my life everynow and then. I actually saw the stars last night...and not just the really bright ones on Orion's belt, but the ones that you would have to have a doctorate in Astronomy to name.

Thanksgiving was great! Family was crazy, loud, tiring, but wonderfully fun! Not to mention Grandma, Mom, Aunts and Uncles all in the kitchen working their culinary skills to perfection! I love food. So I have been having a great time this weekend...and just a few more weeks of School to go before Christmas! I am ready for it already.

Peace to you all!

Thanksgiving...

And the break is almost here folks! I have no more classes from now until break begins (after evening prayer, 5:30pm Tuesday) and will be more or less doing nothing in the meantime. All my papers are done for the semester! Done! I can't really beleive it...its crazy! And wireless internet is coming the seminary's way soon! Deus Bonus Est!

Stay tuned...will post something a little more interesting tomorrow...promise!

Paper Week

This week I am immersed in writing papers. Hence the obvious lack of posts for this week and the latter half of last week. Paper writing is much better here though. This week is paper crunch time, but unlike Ave paper crunch time (which always coincided with finals) I have only 10-11 pages of writing to do for all my papers due this week. After this week there will be no more papers due. What a breeze! I can hardly believe it...plus I am getting to the papers earlier than usual...I think I am sick or something, I am becoming far too disciplined in my schedule (as apposed to my former schedule...or wait...it did not exist). So don't go looking for posts this week...unless I am feeling ambitious (unlikely) or procrstination sets in (likely).

Peace Dudes!

Metaphysics: the Black Hole of Philosophy

I thought my brain was going to burst! The pain from trying to keep up with the strange abstract concepts that the professor was trying to crame into my brain seemed to fly right over my head. What I did end up getting into my head just confused me and seemed to bounce around inside until I was going crazy...so I doodled in the margins of the page (nothing new I confess).

A good priest once told me (in his unmistakably gruff British accent) that the student of metaphysics is like a "Blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that is not there." I couldn't agree more on that score, and today I think that the point was very apt. Metaphysics reminds me very much of a black whole; trying to cram everything that we know about into one all encompassing category and trying to figure out what we can say about it once it is in this mega category. Ugh...

...in better news though, and for some strange reason, I am doing quite well in the class, despite my ineptitude.

All Soul's Day

May the souls of the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

All Soul's Day puts me in mind of what we owe to our ancenstors. We are indebted to them for handing down the faith to us, and so it is right that we should honor the glorius patrimony that they have given us by doing the same for our descendants. Edmund Burke says that "People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors." In that spirit of thanksgiving, I dedicate this blog to my ancestors, in particular my paternal Irish forefathers, for I am nothing but the bones of my ancestors.

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

May the rain fall soft upon your fields,

and until we meet again,

May God hold you

in the palm of His hand.

Dedicated to the repose of the soul of my grandfather,
Clayton T. Heffron (1930-2005)

Of sealing wax...and other things...

Two weeks ago (how long ago that seems) I went home for an off-campus weekend. I get one of these a month and this month I went home to see the family (last OCW I visited Fr. Ed and the Awesome friends of A2 with Mark) out on the farm. Fall was past her prime, but I still took some pictures of the farm to share with you that still show the remnants of the fading glory of the woods on the country roads of Strotheide and Ashley. Hope you enjoy the photo post!
I always enjoy coming home in the fall. Nothing makes me long for home more than that changing of the leaves in Autumn...for I know that heralds the Harvest, Apple Pie, Cider, the musty smell of the decaying leaves and the cool, usually moist weather that is perfect for a long walk in the woods, followed by a hot shower, a steaming mug of spiced cherry wine, and a good book to curl up with by the fire.

Speaking of fires...Here is a new one by me (and all my family...and maybe you too!). When I went home, the house was cold and there was no fire. The reason, as my father explained to me, was that he had tried to make a fire in the stove earlier, but had to give up because the smoke refused to go up the chimney. Perplexed, my dad scaled the roof of the house to the top of the chimney and looked down the flue with a flashlight. There...plugging the flue, was a nest of bees, completely filling the flue. To make matters worse...they are honey bees and a probe of the nest (its too cold for them to be active now) revealed that the chimney was filled with their summer's labor...honey...four feet deep! So...no fires until we get that cleaned up...and that will happen when I go home for Thanksgiving break (a farmboy's work is never done it seems)!!!
Apples are coming in a plenty, and it is a bountiful harvest this year! In fact we have so many, we have been scrambling to find enough boxes in which to put them all! They are full of flavor this year too...as I found out when I took a walk with my sister, Maura (who strikes a glamour pose to the right), and picked one fresh off the tree...you have never tasted an apple until you eat it right off the tree (well, pick it then eat it).

So...from Detroit Michigan, this is Brendan...wishing you all a blessed Feast of All Saints! Over and out.

Samhain

Samhain was the old Irish term for the end of the summer and the beginning of the dark part of the year. This beginning of the dark time of the year was a time of fear, for the evil spirits of Ireland would roam about looking for unsuspecting souls to capture. So to help illumine the night, and to scare away the dead, bonfires and Jack-O-Lanterns (in turnips...pumpkins are the American vegetable of this tradition...they also are a lot roomier) were set ablaze in hopes that the dead would become scared and confused. People would also dress up differently than usual, using masks and other means of deception in the hope that the dead would not recognize them.

Not all customs were aimed at fooling the dead. Cakes made especially for the dead were often set out so that the dead would have something nice to eat, and would busy themselves with the tasty treats rather than bother stealing souls. Another Irish custom is to leave out a bowl of cool water on the feast of all souls, so that the wandering souls of purgatory would be able to quench their thirst for a brief spell.

Many of the old druidic rituals were baptized when the Irish converted to Christianity. These traditions are still very much alive in Ireland, as well as wherever the Irish ended up, as can be seen in the American tradition of Halloween. Albeit, the American rendition of Halloween is a far cry from its original pagan and devout Christian origins, it non-the-less maintains many of the key elements...in the highly commercialized way that everything in America is now.

So have fun! Carve a pumpkin to keep away the spirit, have a bonfire if you can, and don't forget to kind to the good souls that roam at this time of year...but remember your holy medal at all times, lest the headless horseman come to steal your soul or the Puca come and play a trick on you!

For Monica...

Terpsichore is the greek muse of Lyric Poetry and Dance. Her name translates to "delight of dancing" from the greek τερπέω ("delight") and χoρός ("dance"). She is one of the nine muses, daughters of Mnemosyne (memory) and Zeus according to the Theogony by Hesiod. She is often depicted in art with a lyre and people dancing (as can be seen in the lower right of this picture).

O Muses, o high genius, aid me now!
O memory that noted what I saw,
Now shall your true nobility be seen!

-Dante

Ugh...

It's midterms...and I am officially underslept (is that a word?...oh well, this is not a test). I don't have the time or the patience for a real post...but I hope to return to boring you all soon (thats what the pictures are for...to make the blog interesting). Anyway...I have to go sing on three hours of sleep...and I am so thrilled, can't you tell?

Mid-terms...proof that there is purgatory...

North American Martyrs

Today is the feast of the great Martyrs who gave their lives for the Natives of North America. These eight martyrs, six priests and two lay men, where all martyred in what is now modern day Ontario and Upper New York state. The names and dates of martyrdom of the Saints are as follows:

• St. Rene Goupil (September 29, 1642)
• St. Isaac Jogues (October 18, 1646)
• St. Jean de la Lande (October 19, 1646)
• St. Antoine Daniel (July 4, 1648)
• St. Charles Garnier (December 7, 1949)
• St. Neol Chabanel (December 8, 1649)
• St. Jean de Brebeuf (March 16, 1649)
• St. Gabriel Lalemant (March 16, 1649)

They ministered to the natives of North America (chiefly the Huron Tribes) and are responsible for the conversion of many of the peoples of New France (St. Jean de Brebeuf alone is responsible for around 7,000). They established many missions in the territories of New France in a reletively short period of time, showing their great zeal for their mission to the Indians
The base of operations for the Jesuit Missionaries to New France was built on the banks of the Little Wye River within sight of the Georgian Bay of Lake Huron. This sight lies at the foot of a large bluff on which now stands the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Midland, Ontario. The mission itself, Sainte Marie au pays des Hurons, has been reconstructed on the original foundations at the bottom of the bluff. While only lasting a short ten years (1639-1649), this mission was the home to the heroic saints who brought the gospel and salvation to hundreds of Indians in the region and are the spiritual foundation of Catholicism in many parts of Canada and the United States.

Of particular interest is their impact on the church in Michigan. Although most of the missions founded by martyrs themselves were detroyed, the successors of these early missionaries continued their task and established many other missions in the Great Lakes region. Some of these missions were the foundation of some of the modern day dioceses in the area, namely Chicago, Marquette (Sault Ste. Marie), and Grand Rapids.

Through the blood of the martyrs comes the life of the Church, and so it is too these men that we North Americans owe a great dept for the great treasure of the faith that they worked so hard to preserve and pass on so that we could reap the benefits of their labors today.

"I will take from your hand the cup of your sufferings and call on your name:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus"

-St. Jean de Brebeuf - from the Office of Readings

New American Saint

"The saint is that man, that woman who, responding with joy and generosity to the call of Christ, leaves everything to follow him,"

Pope Benedict XVI's above comment was part of his address at the canonization mass of four new saints on October 15 in St. Peter's Square. One of these new saints is Mother Theodore Guerin, a French nun who founded the Sisters of Providence in 1840. Moving to the wilderness of Indiana, Mother Guerin founded an academy for girls, which today is St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, the oldest Catholic liberal arts college for women in the United States. She died in 1856, after many years of poor health, rugged living conditions and lack of resources. Despite the hardships, however, she drew strength from her faith and her desire to serve God.

Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, and Cardinal Salvatore De Giorgi of Palermo, Italy, were the main concelebrants at the papal Mass. Joining them were five other U.S. bishops from Indiana and Illinois who concelebrated the Mass, which was attended by some 125 Sisters of Providence, dozens of students from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and 45 pilgrims from the newly renamed St. Theodore Guerin High School in Noblesville, Ind.

In his homily, the pope said, "With great trust in divine providence, Mother Theodore overcame many challenges and persevered in the work that the Lord had called her to do. By the time of her death in 1856, the sisters were running schools and orphanages throughout the state of Indiana." It was in the Eucharist, in prayer and in her "infinite trust in divine providence," the pope continued, that Mother Theodore found the "strength and audacity" to carry out her mission.

Her Feast is October 3.

The Four Seasons

Michigan expierienced some rather interesting weather today. In Detriot today we had a freak flurry's on the blizzerd scale, intermitent with patchy cloudyness, mild sunshine and the occasional rain. The whole day could pretty much be summed up thus...

A day passed..."Winter changed into Spring. Spring changed into Summer. Summer changed back into Winter. And Winter gave Spring and Summer a miss and went straight on into Autumn."

Wish I was home though...in Grand Rapids the lake effect had snow falling all day and there is already standing snow on the ground! Here in Detroit the snow just melted between the sporadic blizzerds...and the place remains as ugly as ever.

Irish Saint of the Day

St. Cainnech (also known as St. Canice in Ireland or St. Kenneth in Scotland) was one of the early monastic missionary saints of Ireland. Son of a Bard, Cainnech was born in Dungiven around the year 525. He raised sheep early in life and later studied in a monastery with fellow saints Columba and Ciarán and Comgall. He left Ireland for Scotland with St. Columba and helped found the missionary monastery of Iona.

Not much is known about him, but in true Irish fashion, every hamlet has their story about him. One story about his missionary work in Scotland relates how King Brude of the pagan Scots attempted to kill Cainnech and so end his mission. At the prayer of the saint, the Kings arm was paralyzed and would not move until he was baptized. He died in Scotland around the year 600, and is still highly regarded in that country as well as his native land.

The town of Kilkenny is named after the saint due to the monastery, founded by the saint, that gave rise to the modern town named after the saint (Cill=Church + Cainnech=Church of St. Cainnech). The cathedral that marks the spot today was built in 1285, and is still very lovely, despite being desecrated by Oliver Cromwell (of hated and damnable reputation) and used to house his horses. Unfortunatly, as is the case with many of the ancient Irish cathedrals, the infidels still maintain ownership of the cathedral...someday we will get it back!

Some Humour to Brighten the Day

The Irish are a strange folk...they treat a joke as a serious thing, and a serious thing as a joke.

• Irish whiskey was first developed for its medicinal benefits. It's just lucky for the rest of the world that the Irish are such a sickly bunch.

The question was asked of anIrishman: "What is the difference between a joist and a girder?" “Well, sure anyone would know that,” he replies. “Joist wrote Ulysses and Girder wrote Foust"

Irish Realities:

Notice on a Cork building site:The shovels haven't arrived, and until they do, you'll have to lean on each other.

Sign on an Irish gate:The farmer allows walkers across the field for free, but the bull charges.

Sign on a Kinsale shop: Out for lunch. If not back by five, out for dinner also.

Road sign to a village in Co. Kerry: "Inch, 1 mile."

The following is a list of actual notes from medical records, as dictated by physicians:

1. While in the ER, she was examined, X-rated and sent home.
2. By the time he was admitted, his rapid heart had stopped, and he was feeling better.
3. Discharge status: Alive but without permission.

Irish Fathers:

Murphy said to his daughter, "I want you home by eleven o'clock." She said, "But Father, I'm no longer a child!" He said, "I know, that's why I want you home by eleven."

A man said to the wittiest priest of his day, "I wish you were St. Peter." "Why?" asked the priest. "Because," said the man, "you would have the keys of heaven, and could let me in." "It would be better for you," said the priest, "that I had the keys of the other place, for then I could let you out."

Father O'Malley was going through the post one day. Drawing a single sheet of paper from an envelope, he found written on it just one word: "FOOL." The next Sunday at Mass, he announced, "I have known many people who have written letters and forgot to sign their names. But this week I received a letter from someone who signed his name and forgot to write a letter."

The Irish and the Hereafter

The Irish, being a people of an ancient Catholic tradition mixed with a native genius, have created a culture of unique spirituality. I recently came across a rather interesting medivel poem written by an Irish monk. The poem is as follows...
Cormacus scripsit

Cormacus scripsit hoc psalterium

Ora pro eo qui legis hec

Ora procese qualibet hora

Translation...

Cormacus wrote

Cormacus wrote this psalm

Pray for him you who read these [words]

Pray for yourself at any hour

I found it interesting how this monk, Cormacus, thought of an interesting way to ensure that he would be prayed for after his death. This hymn is included in an old medieval psalter (I am not sure if it was supposed to be in there...but maybe he was worried about his soul?) and displays a uniquely Irish way of thinking concerning eternity. They don't seem to care how they get there, as long as they get ther dag-nabbit! It's pure genious as well...I think that I will have a prayer with me in it put on my tomb stone...every little bit helps!

This Song is beautifully sung and arranged by the

Irish choral group Anúna (pictured at right in Glendalough). Mark Rutherford introduced it to
me on my recent trip to Ann Arbor. If you can find it, this piece is well worth the listening!

Spiritual Wars IV: A New Hope

I am very excited about the new campaign in my Diocese to promote and encourage young men to answer the call to priesthood. Since Fr. Ron Hutchinson, the new director of priestly vocations in Grand Rapids, took over his job in June, many things have changed in regard to vocations in my diocese. The most important of these is the appreciation and desire to encourage those who choose to follow the call or ordination. Before Fr. Ron took over his new office there was not much in the way of incentive to answer the call to priesthood in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. The old website (updated now by Bishop W. Hurley) for the Diocese was not much to boast about and a new applicant seeking to find information on answering the call in Grand Rapids had to dig through many pages before coming to the 'Vocations' page. The page was full of information on vocations to the Diaconate, Eucharistic Minstistry, Lay Apostolates, etc...and way at the bottom was a very small little insert for the Priesthood, with a broken link to an email account that was no longer used (at least as far as I found) by the Vocations Director then in office.

Since Bishop Walter Hurley has taken the reigns of the Diocese and installed the ambitious, orderly, and very reliable Fr. Ron Hutchinson as Director of Vocations in the Diocese, we have a new web-page on the Diocese website dedicated solely to priestly vocations! Not only is this webpage an awesome and much needed addition to the website, but on top of that, I think that the new site is beautifully laid out, and contains a lot of useful information.

Grand Rapids currently has 15 seminarians and I hope that many more will come. With this new website, I am sure that if they do have the call and want to give it a try, they will have the information that they need at their fingertips. The life of a Priest is not a popular choice in this modern world of ours, and as such, I think that it is the duty of every Bishop to ensure that they make every effort to make information about the priesthood as easily available as possible. You never know how many vocations may have been lost simply because they did not receive the helpful nudge in the right direction. Do not be silent! Encourage vocations!

A New Look!

This is the new face of my blog friends! I decided that the plain green was getting to me, and this template cought my eye as being fresh, countryish, and still maintained the green color that I wanted, but in more shades! I have also updated the links so check them out. I hope to update some more things soon...but that was enough change for the moment.

Enjoy the new look of the Bubble Friends!

My Life, Then and Now...

Being in a new and unfamiliar environment always makes me turn to thoughts of where I have been in the past at the same calendar time as present. So here is a quick review of my life as it has been during the month of September...

• 1983...one month old...and nothing much to report as I do not recall this time, but I am sure that I was doing my best to keep my parents awake at night and giving as much trouble as I could if things did not go my way...as they often did not.
• 1986...Doing my best to keep mom busy, after all if she was not watching me, what else was there to do? I would hide in the woods and let her scream my name until I had thought that she wanted me back sufficiently enough...and then would emerge all smiles! That stopped with my new wardrobe of bright oranges and neons, but the neighbors bringing me home still continued...
• 1988...Kindergarten was a blast, loved my teacher, loved my classmates, loved school! St. Patrick's School (pop. circa 80) was where I was at during the day, with the fun school bus ride to and from school in the morning!
• 1991...Homeschooled now, so I probably did not get up until around 9 and depending on how mom was feeling that morning I did or did not put my effort into my schoolwork. Especially when you have an annoying three year old sister who does her utmost to distract my brother and I...when she was not on one of her 100 Dalmatians marathons (watch, rewind, watch, rewind, watch, rewind...she killed the tape in two years) and me in the other room quoting the entire thing by memory..."How are you Cruella? -Miserable darling as usual; perfectly retched."
• 1995...Just came back from the Legionaries of Christ's summer camp in Center Harbor New Hampshire. Home never looked so good! I had a little fun showing off my new soccer skills to my always more athletic brother and actually was better than him! So all that unwanted soccer playing did some good...but that soon faded as I had come to detest the sport and all others!!! The habits of daily life at the legion followed suit!
• 1997...Freshman year...felt no different, other than the math had just become harder and more annoying...again!!! I was the perfect Catholic homeschooler...and by now you are all gagging...yes I know, but such I was! I served mass at a Latin Mass (Novus Ordo) every Sunday (about 10 families attending...all homeschooled). I dressed like I was from the 1950's with my hair slicked to the one side and my shirts always buttoned all the way up to the color...and heaven forbid that I should have my t-shirts untucked! Music was all Irish Folk, Chant, or Classical...since popular music was all from the devil, and if it caused plants to die, think what it would do to my impressionable mind!
• 2000...I was coming out of my shell and practicing for the upcoming performance in a community theater production of A Christmas Carol after having been in the Music Man earlier in the year. I went to a salon for the first time and got my hair cut short with bangs and actually started not to tuck my T-shirts in (I felt like such a rebel)! The cultural exodus had begun!
• 2002...Freshman year at Magdalen College. Woke up at 6:25 with the lights suddenly turning on and burning out my eyes, and by 7:15 I was showered, dressed (Jacket and Tie), chores done (the bathroom and rooms were sparkling), wardrobe and unmentionables drawer in order and checked (all hangers neatly spaced, socks in a row and bed as flat as an iron), and sitting in the chapel, just in time for 7:30 Mass. Then breakfast, three classes, lunch, chores or sports (i.e. "chores"), showered again, supper, mandatory studies and silence until night prayer at 9:15, and I would be in bed by 9:30 (no later than ten) with my books in descending order and pulled to the edge of the shelf lest I get called out of bed in the dark by the flashlight wielding proctors for a book a full millimeter out of line.
• 2004...Woke up for Morning Prayer (I actually did in those days) in the hobbit hole of room 307 in Rosa Mystica or the new SJV of Ave Maria after Nick Rottman knocked on my door with the usual "Morning Brendan!" Spent the rest of the day going to classes (if the mood struck me) and whiling the day away distracting Joe Gates from his homework and cooking something instead. Ended the day with a trip to the wonderful grazing grounds of EMU's DC-1 and evening prayer with Fr. Ed and the other Pre-Thee guys (unless it was Tuesday and I got a wonderful dose of Dr. Dietrich!). Went to bed around 10pm...or midnight....or 1...or Joe and I got the random urge for something at Meijers...
• 2006...Morning prayer and Mass at 7:15, classes, holy hours, breakfast, lunch, and dinner (very good food...I am in danger of becoming fat!) formation talks, and spiritual advice with evening prayer at 5:15 fills my day now. I spend my whole day inside the Seminary, not daring to go out much because it's Detroit and...need I say more? Needless to say, the farm boy in my is going crazy, I am not used to averting my eyes and not being friendly lest someone take it the wrong way and do something scary, and I need some fresh air!!! I get what I can in the interior courtyard with one solitary tree and very square confines...they really need a garden here...a natural all plants, no grass and no square lines or anything garden!
  

Such is my life, in the past...and at present in a nutshell! And look...its 2am and I have Morning Prayer...old habits die hard!

I miss you...every one!

From GR to D-town

Some of you may be wondering how I got to Sacred Heart. I know I had been telling you all that I was going to be sent to Mundelien, Illinois (Our Lady of the Lake Seminary), but, as things would have it, God seemed to have other plans. Shortly after returning home after Graduation I got a call from the new and very recently appointed Vocations director for the Diocese of Grand Rapids. He saw that I was in sort of a limbo status, being on the old (and inept) Vocation Director's directory of applicants, but nothing much other that that. Needless to say, I was thrilled to hear from him! For a while it had seemed that nobody wanted me in GR and so gave me little motivation to complete my application (after all, if they never even seem at the very least slightly interested that you are interested in being a priest in their Diocese...why not go elsewhere?). I was thrilled and before the conversation ended, I had a date set to meet with Father regarding my vocation...at last I felt wanted!

The meeting was interesting...I arrived on time, but for some reason all the doors were locked (not again...was what I was thinking) but I eventually stumbled on some people taking a tour of the place (random huh?) and they let me in and I was able to find Father's office. The conversation went well, and he was very apprieciative and supporting in my decision to study for the priesthood in Grand Rapids. He then asked me if I was thinking of going to Sacred Heart...that was interesting...and I told him that I had not as I was under the impression that all GR guys went to Mundelien, but that I was open to the idea (did not want to seem too eager...and I did have mixed emotions on the subject...still do...). The reason he said that the change came was, 1) New Bishop (from Detroit), 2) New Vocations Director, and 3) The other seminarian that I would be going with had requested to come here (the big reason I came to find out).

So that is how I ended up here. The first seminarians ever from Grand Rapids to attend this seminary. Nice sense of pride in that...but we are also the Gunea Pigs to test out the place and see if future GR seminarians will come here. I hope it goes well, I am getting used to the place, but it is still Detriot and a far cry from what I am used to back home on the farm. Please keep me in your prayers!

The Recluse Returns

Despite a rather extended period of dryness in regards to my blog, the arid weather has abated, and I am ready to begin posting again in earnest. I thought that since so much has happened in the past month (hence the arid lack of posts) that you all really do deserve an explaination and a real update on my current status.

The month of August was a flurry of commotion. I completed all the requirements for admission, and was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Grand Rapids in Michigan. I am currently in residence and studying at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit Michigan. I am in Second Philosophy (which means that my ordination year is roughly 2011...so mark that on your calanders to be in Grand Rapids for that!) and so far am enjoying getting to know the guys here at school. Seminary is interesting...mostly because I have never been at a place that is so predominatly male before...I am not sure if I still know what a woman looks like (yes I am exagerating, but the image is apt I beleive).

So keep me in your prayers, as I will keep you in mine. And stay tuned, the scheduled life of school should help me post more...as well as the fact that I have better internet here at SHMS!

God Bless!

Dragostea din Teï

No...I did not go and learn a new and interesting language over the weekend...despite how interesting and useful that would have been...but instead thought that I would share with you all something that I found très amusant (see...I do know a little bit of a foriegn language).

This weekend (after returning home from a wonderful week spent with my wonderful Ave friends) I did a lot of work organizing my iTunes music and folders on my computer. While engaged in this annoying, but rewarding, activity, I ran across some of the favorite tunes from SJV (Villa Rosa Mystica) #7. Taking a walk down memory lane...I ran across the insane and fun song Dragostea din Teï (popularly known in america by the name Numa Numa), by O-zone. Interestingly this song was not popular at all in the United States, although very popular in Europe, until after a, now famous, webcam music video was made by a guy named Gary Brolsma.

Since this pioneer Numa Numa dance video, a plethera of similar videos have proliferated all over the web...but in my opionion, having finally seen the original, none of them beat this one. This fame has been hard for poor Gary, however, as he is now something of a cultural icon and is famous, even apperaing on national television, and he is not proud of fame...born of a crazy idea. I must admit...if I made a movie where the camera bounced to the beat in time with me, I would be a little emberrased too...not to mention the interesting way in which he holds his mouth...Ribbit?

Summer Days

Summer is going by so fast! My work in applying to the Diocese has pretty much commandered all of my spare time of late. Cherries went well...did not make as much money as hoped, but God will provide I am sure.

For all of you who are curious...I am graduated now, although due to the peculiar circumstances of my alma mater at this present moment (and for all time future) has me waiting for my diploma, hood, and tassel (which I am very anxious to get...). The Registrar is very hard to get ahold of and although she does seem to still get email, and should have recieved my transcript...it has been a full month now with basically no response...and I need this for school in the fall...sigh...why is Ave always so full of drama???

I will be on vacation this weekend in Irons Michigan...I hope to have some pictures to show you all soon, as well as some more information as regards my future...something solid...but that may be dependant on a registrar in limbo at the moment...so...pray for me and wish me luck!!!

Pattern Day in Glendalough

"Pattern" is an old Irish term that denotes the feast day of the local patron. This day of June 3rd is the feast of Saint Kevin, still celebrated in Ireland, especially in the area surrounding the beautiful ruins of the monastery of Glendalough (Irish for "the valley of the two lakes") founded by the saint in the 6th century.

There are many interesting stories about St. Kevin, as is true of any Irish Saint (or sinner for that manner...). St. Kevin had a fondness for wild creatures and is often referred to as the "St. Francis of Ireland" (However as St. Kevin was first I think that St. Francis should be referred to as the St. Kevin of Italy...but that’s just me). One story goes that a blackbird laid an egg in the palm of his hand and the saint remained in that position of prayer until the bird hatched. This is why he is the patron of blackbirds...so now you know!

Another story goes that the ancient king of that region had a pet goose (why I do not know) who was getting on in years and could no longer fly. The King petitioned the Saint to make the bird young again (why...again I have no clue). Saint Kevin said that he would, on condition that the King grant him all the land that the bird could fly over. As the bird could not fly...the King granted the request. No sooner where the words out of his mouth when the goose took off in flight and flew over the land that Saint Kevin had his eye on for a monastery (any bets he and the goose where in cahoots?). Thus the monastic community of Glendalough was founded, through the generosity of an old bird that was too tough for dinner...I think that we need more old kings with pet geese, I like monasteries!

My favorite story is of how the saint overcame the amorous advances of a certain young lady who had taken a fancy to him. Kathleen, a young lass with "eyes of most unholy blue," fell in love with the handsome young hermit Kevin, and pursued him in his secluded hermitage. Before she reached him, the saint felt her presence approaching and immediately flung himself into a patch of stinging nettles to overcome temptation. He then took hold of a buddle of the nettles and brandished the young lady with them until the "fire without extinguished the fire within." This incident has many renditions...some ending with the lady being flung off a cliff into the lough (lake) below...but as St. Kevin is known as a gentle saint, and there are reports of the fair Kathleen becoming a devout nun after the incident...the tossing off the cliff story seems a little much. Nice story though...and it might not harm if I carried some nettles around with me to beat off all the young ladies desirous of my affections...particularly if it induces them to enter a convent (we need more nuns)!

St. Kevin's name is a rendition of the Irish Coemgen, meaning "beautiful shining birth." He died in the year 618 and was canonized in 1903. Images of him usually include Irish symbols, such as Celtic crosses, and the famous round tower (c.800) that still stands among the ruins of Glendalough. The saint himself usually has an outstretched hand with an egg in his palm and a blackbird on his shoulder or hovering near him.

The images, uploaded for your viewing pleasure, are of the ruins of Glendalough (which you can still visit if you are ever in County Wicklow) and artistic representations of the saint.

St. Kevin - pray for us.

Last of May and Aiden away from Ave

Well tis the last of the month of Our Lady, and non too soon for the crown of flowers on Mary's head is looking pretty sad. Sad though, as I do like May...and Mary too.

Well for all of you who may be wondering what I am up too I thought that I might take some time to let you know

I am of course still taking Zoology. So far, with two of the three tests behind me, I have a 79 in the class...which means a C+. All I need is a grade that will transfer and one fourth of the grade is coming to class and a notebook thing that I have nailed. Beleive it or not...but I have actually made each and every one of the classes. I guess if I was a commuter student at Ave I might have done better as far as attendance is concerned...weird...maybe I should have lived at home and drove to classes...hahahaha...no

I have been busy besides class with helping Dad on the farm and doing odd jobs for Grandmother. Not too much else to report on the home front...gosh we sound boring!

Aiden is still doing very well, although I think that he misses Aloysius and Felix the Cat. He does not seem to like the big desktops around here, too old and not as cool and hip as Aloysius, Felix and himself. He is very tired of dial-up, slows him down something dreadful...so I think that he might be getting depressed. Thinking that he may need a trip to cheer him up, I took him to the Grand Rapids Public Library with free wireless! I think that he likes this cute little laptop across the way...but I am trying to discourage him from thinking about her (she is a mac and I don't think that the relationship would work) and I think that it may be working. He is more interested in playing on Limewire once again...so I think that I have him sufficiently distracted.

I promise to get some pictures of home soon! I do not know if you want to see them...but pictures are pretty and I like them. I will also be sure and keep you posted regarding my upcoming Icon painting class! I am so exited...but Aiden is not sure about it...it means taking time away from him...poor Aiden

Happy Summers to you all from Aiden and Brendan!!!

Patron Saint of Farmers

St. Isidore the Farmer (1070-1130)

A lazy post today, but one that memorializes a special saint for all farmers. I also wish that angels would help out a bit around here too...we must be lacking in holiness or something.

Isidore was born to very poor yet very pious Catholic parents in Madrid, Spain. His parents were unable to support him when he was a youth and sent him to work for a wealthy landowner, John de Vergas (He ended up working for him for the rest of his life).

He married a very religious woman named Maria Torribia (also known as Maria de la Cabeza). She, like Isidore became a saint. They had one son who died unexpectedly as a child. Their grief inclined them to believe their son's death to be a sign from God and consequently vowed to live a life of perfect continence.

Isidore frequented Holy Mass every morning but often reported to work late. Late, though he was, his plowing was nevertheless accomplished by angels that resulted in three times more productivity. His coworkers and his boss witnessed such miraculous events and accorded Isidore with great respect.

St. Isidore loved the poor and loved the animals. The miracle of the multiplication of food occurred when Isidore fed a flock of starving birds and on another time when Isidore shared his food with a large group of beggars.

Isidore died on May 15, 1120 at 60 years of age and was canonized in 1622 along with four very notable Spanish saints. The group, known as "the five saints", included St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis Xavier, St. Phillip Neri, and St. Isidore. His body has been found incorrupt. His memorial is celebrated on May 15th on the Roman Calendar.

St. Isidore is known as the patron of Madrid, Spain as well as Leon, Saragosa, and Seville. He is also considered the patron of farmers, peasants, day laborers, and rural communities.

Comparative Animal Biology...and all the perks

Home again...and out of the loop.

It's amazing how much living down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere with only dial up to connect to the outside world with no other form of higher technology isolates a person. I really do need to get into the habit of writing on this blog...otherwise you all would think that I had dropped off the planet completely (and you would be half right...but only metaphorically so).

As you all know I am taking a course back here at home. Its great...class starts at 8am and I live at least a 45 minute drive away...on a good day and Michigan cunstruction season is here... (grin and bear it).

So...Zoology at a public school, yep its all that and a biscuit for your tea! The Professor is apparently a Catholic (lapsed or not is hard to tell at this point...but fervent he is not) but a very liberal or progressive one. At this writing I have not figured out whether or not he thinks that there is a true religion. So far all religions are about the same, just a mess of trouble and that we should all be peacefull like the animals...nice!

On Wednesday he treated us to the full blown Evolution lecture, and to make it more understandable he broke it down into a nice analogy for us. He says that just as all organisms come from one organism, so to do all religions come from one common ancestor. In essence what he was basically saying is that just as random as it is that we look the way that we do and have all the faculties of Human beings (home sapiens sapiens) so it is that by the same chance that Catholocism or any other religion teaches what it does and looks the way that they do. Relativism, Gosh do I miss Ave classes! The worst thing that we had to deal with was whether or not evil had being!

...so did evil evolve into being???

God Bless you all!!!

Imperfect Glory...but Wonderful all the same.

Greetings to all on the Feast of the Institution of the Eucharist!

This morning I was priveledged to attend the Mass of Holy Chrism at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Lansing with Fr. Ed. I have never been to a Chrism Mass before and the expierence was awesome! It was such a wonderfull feeling seeing all the Priests, Seminarians (almost...JOE!!!...yea you know who you are!) and Deacons of the Diocese all gathered under one roof celebrating Mass with representatives of every parish in the Diocese and the Bishop shepherding his flock towards Christ. The feeling of the universality of the Church, as well as the particular nature of the Church overwhelmed me, and I was quite touched with a little inspiration...which oddly enough has endured the rest of the day so that I can relate it to you (whether that is a good thing or no...you be the judge!), rather than forgetting my inspiration as soon as something else, often trivial, blanks it out of my A.D.D. head!

We have often heard the phrase, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." Commen phrase, but filled with the wisdom that simple folk sayings have aquired because of the years of wisdom that had gone it to repetedly showing the truth of the statement. This morning, at mass I was compelled to reflect on those very words, which have been important for me in my discernment on many levels.

I have often been plagued by fellow Catholics, on hearing that I wish to be a Diocesan Priest in my home diocese ask "why would you want to stay here?" They often cannot understand why I would willingly choose a diocese that was less than perfect with a less then perfect shepherd. For me it has always been simple, if all the good men (ie those who wish to be priests) leave their home, then who will guide the good people where they were raised in the future? My answer has often been unsatisifying to theses critics, but it nevertheless comes from deep feeling, conviction, calling, sense of duty and most of all love of my people, our history, and traditions.

What these folks seem to not understand...is that if you are constantly looking for the "greener side of the fence" you will be chasing a dream, for the grass will always look greener someplace else, Utopia is just what it is..."noplace." The grass will always be greener, this diocese may look good, but then the bishop leaves and another diocese gets a better bishop and suddenly its less green. But if you stick with the less than perfect plot of Grass that you have been given, water it, till it, fertilize it...it will improve and become greener. It will not be instant results (and don't get me started on the "just add water" culture of our society) but over the long term, you will see the work of your hands, and it will improve, with God's help.

Yes, there are folks who God calls to diferent fields, but the important thing is to stick with it, and have a firm purpose for why, and what you are doing. Another thing, yes this is America, it is not Europe. Our culture is one built on Puritanism, and Catholicism does not pervade society. But if you work on building the Church in your individual society then slowly, the diocese of this Nation will become greener, but it takes time and patience...and it will never be perfect...so get over it!

God Bless you this Triduum

Lá Fhéile Pádraig

Ah March! Such a wonderful month of grey skies, intermittently cold winterish weather and warm spring days filled with the enticing scents of fresh fallen rain, warming earth and reawakening plants. March has, however, since my coming to college also become a maligned month. For it is in March that midterms take place and the weight of all the term papers that one has looming before oneself comes to full realization and panic and stress becomes the order of the day for the rest of the semester. Such has been my state of perturbation that my blog has suffered most grievously. I am, however, going to rectify that situation by taking a few moments of my valuable time to post a few words for your edification or misery, depending on how your mood at the moment.

St. Patrick’s day…’twas a grand day in my memory, one that I unfortunately did not have time to honor with a mention in my blog…so, many days late, I dedicate this blog to St. Patrick and the Irish with some of the wonderful tales of his feast day along with a few photographs for your edification.
I began the day by toasting with my favorite fellow Iro-American pal, Joe Gates, by toasting our beloved Patron in the wee hours of the feast and downing the most appropriate drink we could find…some St. Brendan’s Irish Cream Liquor. Slaite!

Then, in the morning, in preparation for the grand feast in the evening, Monica, Joe, and I went shopping…and for those of you who know the three of us…suffice it to say that it was a very interesting day.
The rest of the day was spent in frenzied but most enjoyable baking, decorating, and enjoying the music of the Irish (the most musical people with the most beautiful music in the world…after all, what other nation’s national emblem is a musical instrument?) with my favorite Irish friends (Sean, Joe, and Meghan) in the president’s house. I was immersed the whole day in flour up to my elbows, but it was great, I love baking and the Potato-Apple cake, Soda Bread, Scones, and all the other treats that make Irish eating so wonderful (plus lots…and LOTS of Butter!!!)
The Céilí (Dance/Social Event) came off wonderfully well, and I do not think that I have to tell you about it for there are memories, and where there are not memories, there are pictures. Thank you so much to all who helped make this wonderful day possible, to the AMC Student Government, Monica Williams (who I could not have done without), Joe Gates, Sean McNally, Meghan Barylak, Nick Rottman, Catherine Nolan, Emily Herbel (huge thanks to you!!!), Ronnie-Lynn Ward, Theodora Ferrant and Hiedi Fenton (for making it possible for us to use the President’s house kitchen) and all who helped clean up after the dance.
The rest of the evening was spent with Ryan Vershay, Natalie Zmuda, Monica Williams, Thom Peters and Joe Gates drinking Guinness and enjoying each others company with toasts and games and the ever Irish art of conversation.

I will now end this post with an Irish toast and two Irish sayings for your edification.

Here's to a temperance supper,
With water in glasses tall,
And coffee and tea to end with
And me not there at all!

God made time, but man made haste.

Get down on your knees and thank God you're still on your feet!