This and That

It was nice to read the Repulsive yesterday and find this... the local section has the High Fives section in which this blurb was posted. Fr. Hoorman's anniversary Mass and reception was awesome; what the article didn't mention was that the goal was topped by at least 30,000 cans by the time the party was started. My question is, why is it an "A-OK" instead of a "High Five"? I certainly think that this celebratory work of charity outranks the 70th anniversary of the Bashas' stores and the influx of flights to Williams Gateway airport, both of whom got high fives. I just don't understand.

Here's a HIGH FIVE to Fr. Hoorman, Corpus Christi Catholic church, and everyone who supported that drive.

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My good friends from California called this week, and AJ asked what should they do to get the baby (due in May) baptized. Because of their unorthodox schedules, it's been impossible for them to be able to go to RCIA classes over the last several years. I advised them to talk to the pastor of the local parish, explain the situation, and see what he says. The other problem is that even AJ--the most lapsed of Catholics--laments the whacked way that the LA Diocese is run by Mahony, and he is worried about the lack of orthodox teaching. He and I had a long talk about that. I'm so glad we have Bishop Olmsted--he's quietly and patiently weeding the garden in this Diocese.

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Speaking of California people, I found Mike's obit earlier this week. After the usual information, the last sentence read: "Mike was employed by the U.S. Forest Service for 29 years." I found it incredibly sad: his 52 years on this earth was marked by a single sentence.

It makes you think: how will you be remembered?

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We had two days of rain this past week after the temps the week before soared to 95, as I had posted before. Thank God it cooled down. I have been doing long overdue yardwork all weekend.

You'd never guess that I'd mowed the lawn a week ago...
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I was nominated in absentia to chair preparations for the presentation by the Candidates at May's meeting. I don't mind such things, but it does get frustrating when I say 'hey, let's get together, get some ideas on the table,' and I get laconic responses. Finally, thanks to the pushing of one of the other Candidates, we did have a meeting--lots of fun!--but only a portion of us showed. Since we're going by the "majority principle," we made executive decisions there. First option selected was to have a Friar come and talk, and in this instance it was decided to approach Fr. Alonso de Blas, OFM. I have a meeting with him on Tuesday, and we will go from there. I'm praying very hard that his calendar is free on that date so that everyone can listen to his funny and enlightening talks. If you cruise my postings, you know that I am an Alonso Groupie, and this would be quite the coup. "Padrino, por favor..."

In the event that he is unable to attend, we picked the topic of "Franciscan Life: What Does It Mean?" and it was agreed to turn it into a small group/roundtable discussion--everyone's idea of what the Franciscan Life is unique, and it's a subject that we all can learn from, as well as fostering discussion and getting to know each other better. I hope to also incorporate the several good suggestions emailed from a couple of the other Candidates. And, even if we get Fr. Alonso, I am going to ask him to speak on the topic from his perspective.

I'm praying for Fr. Alonso to be able to come and speak. It will be a meeting session to remember.