Priest Shortage

I saw a consequence to the current shortage of priests in the Catholic Church. We went to Mass last night, and for some unknown reason, there was no priest. I still don't know if it was an oversight or if there was an accident. Parishioners were looking all over the priests' residence. Calls were made to neighboring parishes. The cantor went over and above the call of duty to lead the people in song. After about 25 minutes, Mass had to be canceled. There were other options that were available, but there were not enough consecrated hosts for a communion service. And no one wanted to lead a prayer service. So everyone just got up and left. This may have been a peek into the future if there is not an increase in vocations. It is also a wake up call for the laity (especially me) to get more involved in the workings of our parishes to help ease the pressures of our over-worked priests.

This Old Cub - Ron Santo

I just watched the documentary film This Old Cub. It is the story of legendary Chicago Cubs third baseman Ron Santo. It is a very inspiring story about his career, his battle with diabetes, and the loss of his legs because of the disease. I really did not know that much about him or his struggles with diabetes. My favorite Cub during his era was his infield mate Don Kessinger, who makes an appearance in the film.

Part of the movie documents his hopeful induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. It features many guest appearances by a broad spectrum of baseball personalities, all saying why Ron should be there.

The movie brought back all kinds of memories for me from the 1969 Cubs. This was the year of the 'Miracle Mets'. Another one of those heartbreaks that we have gone through. Part of the soundtrack included songs from an album that was produced that year that featured the vocals of many of the Cubs on the team. I had that album at one point. I need to see if my parents still have it around somewhere.

Whether you are a Cubs fan or one of the 20 million people in America with diabetes, this is a very good movie to see. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this movie benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The film will be shown again on Superstation WGN, August 20th @ 8:30pm PT.

Operation Air Conditioner

This seems like a great organization. It goes to show that in most cases, private enterprise is a lot better and more efficient than the government. Please continue to pray for the safe and speedy return home of our troops.

Here is text from the Operation AC website on what they do. Do what you can in support of those who are sacrificing for us overseas:

What we do is send 240V 50hz air conditioners to our troops in Iraq from our supplier in Kuwait. You might think this is a stupid thing to send, but I can assure you when you are wearing 20 pounds of gear and body armor and the temperatures get up to the middle 100s - air conditioners are a lifesaver. A donation of $203.00 buys a 9,000 BTU AC Unit and it is $30 to have it delivered to Iraq. Our supplier is a Sears authorized distributor and we have gotten the support of this company from Sears. We have been at this since June 2003 and we have adapted to the needs of our troops. We send them items they are low on in supply and just are a help to them. Please adopt a soldier or marine serving and help us with our effort.

We send troops anything they email us and ask for. Our soldiers are humble people and they only ask for what they need like the boots we send, the socks and glove kits, morale raising items and mostly matching them up with an American who cares about what they are doing. Our troops are volunteers and they are still serving in the same place - do not forget them. Many of the ones going back now are from OIF 1 and remember me from when we started. I'm still here and I promised I would not quit till the last one comes home. It is my hope that we make their existence in Iraq during their deployment as safe and as easy on them as possible given the job they are there to do.

July Poker Winnings

As per the updated resolution that I made on my June 27th post, I have withdrawn my goal of $300 from my poker winnings this month. I have also taken out an extra $200 for July. YTD=+$2,100. My next withdrawal of $300 is due on August 31st. Please continue to keep me accountable.

Cardinal Arinze - No Communion for Pro-Abort Politicians

(from LifeSiteNews.Com) - Speaking at a dinner in Pittsburgh over the weekend, Francis Cardinal Arinze responded with his usual wit to the question, "Should Catholic legislators who support legal abortion 'be refused' Communion?"

The Cardinal elicited laughter when he rejoined, "I ask you, do you really need a cardinal from the Vatican to find the answer? Are there no children from First Communion to whom you can pose the question and receive the answer? You do not need a cardinal to answer that. Because it is a straightforward matter."

The Cardinal, moreover, is speaking not from his personal opinion but from the Church's Code of Canon Law which states, "Those who…obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion."

Apparently, however, the bishops do need a Vatican Cardinal to tell them. The US and Canadian bishops, with only a handful of exceptions, far from endorsing this requirement of the Church law, have evaded the issue or remained silent.

In book-length interview with journalist Peter Seewald, the future Pope Benedict XVI said of bishops whose first instinct is to avoid conflicts, "Peace is not the first civic duty, and a bishop whose only concern is not to have any problems and to gloss over as many conflicts as possible is an image I find repulsive."

My New Wal-Mart Store

We went to the brand new Wal-Mart in Torrance. Hooray! I Like Wal-Mart. I have to admit that there is not a better feeling in the world than to walk into a Wal-Mart, let alone a spanking new one. Okay, I am a little weird. Sorry Target and others, but you will be losing some business to my favorite store. It is time for you readers out there to buy some Wal-Mart stock.

Just Because

It seems that we give or receive gifts only for a special occasion. Like a birthday, anniversary, Christmas, or other celebration. We went out today and bought Marisa a skateboard and Alex a new bicycle. Just because. It was a pleasant surprise for them. They were really excited about their gifts. We went to the park to try them out. It was a fun time for all. Marisa even wants to sleep with her skateboard tonight. Just because.

Ten Most Common Liturgical Abuses

And Why They're Wrong.

As I have become more aware of the reason why we do things a certain way during the Mass, I sometimes wonder why some parishes do things differently from one another. I thought all things are supposed to be uniform. There are a few other abuses that I often see, but they are not listed here. I hope and pray that I am not letting these things affect me during the Celebration of the Eucharist.

1. Disregarding the prescribed text of the Order of Mass.
2. Interrupting the Mass.
3. Omitting the penitential rite.
4. Replacing or omitting the homily.
5. Dictating posture.
6. Dictating the manner of reception of the Eucharist.
7. Ignoring rules for reception of the Eucharist.
8. Holding hands during the Our Father.
9. Performing liturgical dance.
10. Closing the holy water fonts at some seasons.

The full text with references can be found in this article written by Kevin Orlin Johnson on the Catholic Answers website. I highly recommend all practicing Catholics to take the time to read the essay.

See also:
--General Instruction of the Roman Missal
--Changes in the Mass
--Appendix To The General Instruction of the Roman Missal For The Dioceses Of The United States

Derrek Lee Triple Crown Watch

Batting Average: .371 - 1st in MLB
Home Runs: 31 - 1st in MLB
Runs Batted In: 79 - 1st (tied) in NL

This may be the only thing Cubs fans have to root for this year unless they can get their act in gear. Management needs to pull the trigger on acquiring some help. Trade deadline is July 31st.

Harry Potter Controversy

I have seen all kinds of articles about the Harry Potter series that seems to put it into a bad light. See The Problem With Harry Potter for a good listing of these articles. Even Pope Benedict XXVI has supposedly said that he is not a fan of the books. See, Has the Pope Condemned Harry Potter? Since Alex has been engrossed in all of the books the past few months, I thought that I had better take a better look into it. I decided to reply (in red) to the following ten arguments against Harry Potter that were responded to positively in letters by Cardinal Ratzinger.

Ten Arguments Against Harry Potter - By Gabriele Kuby author of Harry Potter: Good or Evil

1. Harry Potter is a global long term project to change the culture. In the young generation inhibitions against magic and the occult are being destroyed. Thus, forces re-enter society which Christianity had overcome. This really sounds like a wacky conspiracy theory. You don't really believe this, do you?

2. Hogwarts, the school of magic and witchcraft, is a closed world of violence and horror, of cursing and bewitching, of racist ideology, of blood sacrifice, disgust and obsession. There is an atmosphere of continuous threat, which the young reader cannot escape. To escape this world, slowly...put...the...book...down.

3. While Harry Potter appears in the beginning to fight against evil, in fact the similarities between him and Voldemort, the arch-evil adversary in the tale, become more and more obvious. In volume five, Harry is being obsessed by Voldemort, which leads to symptoms of personality disintegration. We all must fight the evil that is within us. Hopefully in the end, we choose the good.

4. The human world becomes degraded, the world of witches and sorcerers becomes glorified. Not unlike the angels and saints.

5. There is no positive transcendent dimension. The supernatural is entirely demonic. Divine symbols are perverted. Have you even read the books?

6. Harry Potter is no modern fairy tale. In fairy tales sorcerers and witches are unambiguous figures of evil. The hero escapes their power through the exercise of virtue. In the Harry Potter universe there is no character that endeavours consistently to achieve good. For seemingly good ends evil means are being used. Huh?

7. A (young!) reader's power of discernment of good and evil is blocked out through emotional manipulation and intellectual confusion. Another leap. I have more faith in a young reader's ability to know the difference between good and evil. With the help and support of a caring adult, many great lessons can be learned from the books.

8. It is an assault upon the young generation, seducing it playfully into a world of witchcraft and sorcery, filling the imagination of the young with images of a world in which evil reigns, from which there is no escape, on the contrary, it is portrayed as highly desirable. Again, have you read the books? They are out on video too! How about books-on-tape?

9. Those who value plurality of opinion should resist the nearly overwhelming power of this peer pressure, which is being accomplished through a gigantic corporate and multimedia blitz--one which displays elements of totalitarian brainwashing. Oh, now I understand where you are coming from, you are an anti-capitalist (socialist?).

10. Since through the Potter books faith in a loving God is systematically undermined, even destroyed in many young people, through false "values" and mockery of Judeo-Christian truth, the introduction of these books in schools is intolerant. Parents should refuse permission for their children to take part in Potter indoctrination for reasons of faith and conscience. Don't you think that parents should help the child learn and grow through discussion and discernment instead of through unnecessary censorship?

This Seems Harsh, But...

Perhaps this is why I like and admire this priest so much. He says what is on his mind. There are many times when I want to say the same thing.

Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests For Life made the following statement responding to a recent press release from the misnamed group 'Catholics for a Free Choice' that claims "faithful practicing Catholics" are not obliged to "follow church positions on issues like abortion, contraception, access to reproductive health services, end of life decision-making, the death penalty, and gay rights."

"Our response is simple. Nobody is forced to be a Catholic, but if you don't subscribe to Catholic teaching, have the honesty and integrity to say that you are no longer Catholic. But don't try to have it both ways. That's a game children play, not adults."

Why John Roberts Is Right

Literally within minutes of the official statement by President Bush, I heard a representative from the National Organization for Women (NOW) say that they oppose the nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court because he is someone along the lines of Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. Wow! This is the only thing that I know about this nominee, but I will support and be an advocate for this man.

Lisa's Grades

Lisa received her grades from her final semester; the one where she took two classes instead of one. She had been resigned to the fact that she would not get better than a grade of B for each class. She received an A in Advanced Technology and Practice Aspects of Amplification (eh?) and a B+ in Disorders of Hearing. She was very excited with these grades that exceeded her expectations. Great job! Your hard work and sacrifice paid off. Thanks to everyone for their encouragement, support, and Prayers For Lisa. Only one more requirement needs to be completed before she can be called Dr. Lisa. Coming soon.

Happy Birthday, Lisa!

The first song that we had played at our wedding reception was (Everything I Do) I Do It For You performed by Bryan Adams. I heard the song today and the lyrics mean more today than they did in 1993. I am blessed to have met you, Lisa. Happy Birthday.

Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

Look into my heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

Importance of Chicken to the U.S. Soldier

Here is an entry from Chaplain Lewis' blog Training For Eternity. He talks about the importance of poultry to the American Soldier.

To Serve Chicken. It's a cookbook!

A Reminder

What happened on September 11, 2001 was a wake up call for the United States of America and the World. We are currently not at war with Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other nation. This is not a religious war. We are at war against Terrorism. We must never allow this (see photo where about 3000 innocent lives were taken) to happen again. Thanks to all of you who are serving to protect us from the evil that is out there. We will continue to pray for you. May the people and countries of the world who have taken the responsibility upon themselves to end this type of terror continue to make moral decisions for the good of us all. My children will thank you.

Happy Birthday, Alex!

Today is Alex's 7th birthday. He just finished reading the first five Harry Potter novels. He accomplished his goal to finish the series before July 16th. The only thing that he wants for his birthday is the new, sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Unfortunately, it is not released for sale to the public until tomorrow. I am thinking about taking him to one of the stores that will start selling the book at 12:01 AM. It could be a neat experience. We'll see if we decide to do that.

Alleluia

A strange development has recently occurred when Marisa does her business in the toilet. Only during 'number 2' she starts singing in a very loud voice the Alleluia Chorus. I honestly do not know if this is a coincidence or not. It is amusing nonetheless.

Derrek Lee Triple Crown Watch

Batting Average: .378 - 1st in MLB
Home Runs: 22 - 5th in NL
Runs Batted In: 72 - 2nd in NL

This is the All-Star Break update. This may be the last update I'll post, as Derrek's home run total has tapered off a bit. Winning the Triple Crown has got to be one of the hardest things in baseball to accomplish.

YMCA

We are thinking about joining the YMCA in Torrance. We checked it out and they have a lot to offer. I think that the price of $69 per month for the whole family is very reasonable. We need to get the kids into swimming lessons. That was the main reason for the inquiry. But they also have a top notch fitness room, two heated swimming pools, a brand new rock climbing wall, a chess club that will probably be of interest to Alex, fitness classes, wellness center, and a whole bunch of other things.

Why can't I get that dang song out of my head? WHY-EM-SEE-AY!

Vatican:Sinful to Support Pro-Abortion Politicians

(from LifeSiteNews.com) - The Vatican presented the "Instrumentum laboris" (working document) for the Eleventh Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, scheduled to be held in the Vatican from October 2 to 23, 2005 on the theme: "The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church." The document, drawn upon from Church leaders throughout the world to a draft called the "Lineamenta", lamented "the fact that too many faithful receive communion without having sufficiently reflected upon the morality of their lives."

The document says, "there exist Catholics who do not understand why they commit a sin when they support politically a candidate openly in favour of abortion or other grave acts against life, justice, and peace."

Commenting on the reception of communion, the same article says, "Certain (faithful) communicate even if they deny the teachings of the church or support publicly immoral choices, such as abortion, without thinking that they are committing a personal action which is profoundly dishonest or that they are a source of scandal."

The document calls the disturbing developments "a crisis on what it means to belong to the church as well as a lack of clarity in the distinction between venial sin and mortal sin."

Top Ten Favorite Movies

Based on a recent blog entry by Wandering Becky, I have decided to list my all-time top ten favorite movies. They are in alphabetical order, perhaps I'll edit this post later to put them in numerical order. Feel free to list yours in the comments section.

--Duck Soup (1933)
--Empire Strikes Back, The (1980)
--It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
--Life is Beautiful (1998)
--Passion of the Christ, The (2004)
--Return of the King, The (2003)
--Revenge of the Sith, The (2005)
--Seven Samurai, The (1954)
--Signs (2002)
--Sixth Sense, The (1999)

--Big Fish - obscure bonus pick (2003)

Ave Maria Radio

While on our visit to Sacramento during this past weekend, I was able to listen to a local catholic radio station that carried shows that were produced by Ave Maria Radio. Surprisingly, there isn't a catholic only radio station here in Los Angeles, the largest diocese in the country. But I am able to listen to their shows on the internet. For those who have an interest and can find the time, check it out.

Astrologer Sues NASA Over Comet Mission

NASA's mission that sent a space probe smashing into a comet raised more than cosmic dust - it also brought a lawsuit from a Russian astrologer. Marina Bai has sued the U.S. space agency, claiming the Deep Impact probe that punched a crater into the comet Tempel 1 late Sunday "ruins the natural balance of forces in the universe," the newspaper Izvestia reported Tuesday. Bai is seeking damages totaling $300 million - the approximate equivalent of the mission's cost - for her "moral sufferings," Izvestia said, citing her lawyer. She earlier told the paper that the experiment would "deform her horoscope."

NASA representatives in Russia could not be reached for comment.

Full story here.

America the Beautiful

This Independence Day, I am reminded about the great history of this country and the sacrifices that were made so that we may be free. I have a wish that our national anthem could be changed from the Star Spangled Banner to America the Beautiful. In my opinion a much more moving testament to our great country. I know that it will never happen because of the references to God in the lyrics. It's too bad that that would be the main reason against a change. Read the second verse and see how it relates to our troops serving and sacrificing for us overseas today.

O beautiful for heroes proved
in liberating strife,
who more than self their country loved,
and mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
till all success be nobleness,
and every gain divine.

Doyle Brunson Wins Tenth Bracelet

Doyle Brunson wins Event #29 ($5,000 Short-Handed No-Limit Hold'em), earning $367,800 and his tenth World Series of Poker bracelet. This is amazing to me for two reasons: 1) He is 72 years old. 2) He won with a starting hand of 10-3. Very similar to his famous 10-2 starting hand (now called a Doyle Brunson), that won him his two World Series of Poker Main Event Championships in 1976 & 1977.

Here is the last hand according to Card Player:
Minh Ly has the button, he limps, Brunson moves all in, and Ly immediately calls. Brunson shows 10c-3d, and Ly has Ks-Qd. The flop comes 9s-8d-3h, and Brunson takes the lead with a pair, and Ly needs a queen, a king, or something runner-runner to stay alive. The turn card is the 4h, and Ly is down to six outs. The river card is the 5c, and Minh Ly is eliminated in second place, earning $203,715.