Blogathon 2012: Recap

For the last 31 days, I have participated in the WordCount Blogathon 2012 challenge to write every day of May. I have tried to write insightful and informative posts, hoping that you might find them useful. I have tried not to water down anything or get too caught up in theology (hard to do as a new theology student). I have tried to add a bit of wit and humor when appropriate.

Joe Catholic hit some high marks during this 31 day run. We had our highest page viewership for one month. By the time this is posted, we will have broken the 30,000 page views threshold. This may not seem like much, but considering it took nearly 3 years to rack up the first 10,000, I think it is. I believe having the faith to cast the nets into deeper waters is paying off. Viewership has continued to grow exponentially each month. I attribute this to the Holy Spirit and not to anything I have done in particular.

I will be falling back into a more regular routine of posting 3-5 times a week. In the coming weeks we hope to relaunch a new comprehensive Joe Catholic web site with all the social media bells and whistles.  I will keep you posted. We plan on integrating this blog into the new site.

The Joe Catholic leadership team is also in the planning stages of organizing its first Men's Conference at St. Catherine. We hope to have more news soon. We are targeting the beginning of the school year.

Here's a list of the Top 5 Viewed Posts from May:

1. Breaking the Chains of Pornography
2. God Answers Prayers
3. Five Films that Influenced My Faith
4. Advice for Graduating High School Seniors and Their Parents
5. Why Do We Call Mary, Mother?

Summer Vacation, No Vacation from God

My brother Tony and I fishing with Dad circa 1972

Tomorrow marks the end of school for many Dallas area schools. This is the time of the year when most of us begin planning a summer vacation. This planning may involve booking flights and hotels or simply mapping out the most scenic route to take on the road trip. In all the planning done for summer vacation, do we take time to plan our "God time" into the mix?

One of the responsiblities we have as the spiritual leaders of our families is to raise our children properly in the faith. This also means we need to insure that our summer plans include our spiritual lives. Taking a vacation does not mean taking a vacation from God or Church.

It's easy to fall into the mindset of self-indulgent comfort, kicking back, doing "nothing." We should heed the advice of St. Josemaria who wrote in The Furrow #514 that rest was not intended by God to mean simple idleness, but instead to be a time to recharge so that we could return to our work with a renewed vigor.

So what do we do? For starters we need to make sure that our vacation is family oriented, that it adds to the family, not take away. This means choosing wholesome destinations that will not place your family in near occasion of sin. For example, this would mean being prudent about taking your family to certain European beaches or to Las Vegas.

This does not mean that every family vacation has to be a pilgrimage to a holy place, but it does mean building in prayer and worship into the vacation. You could start the trip with a prayer for travelers. While you are in route, you could pray the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet. It certainly means building in time for Sunday mass. I recommend using Mass Times to find the nearest Catholic Church and their mass times. They also have an app for that. This can be an opportunity to visit some fabulous churches. Using this site, Stacey and I have stumbled across some wonderful churches both old and new.

The greatest combat against this culture of death and decay, which we live in, is to have a vibrant healthy Christian family. We are all called to be holy in our ordinary lives, not just Sundays. We can set a long lasting example for our children by how we live our lives, including how we spend our vacation.

Tuesday Tech Talk:Marriage, Annulments and Divorce

I don't profess to be an expert on the Church's annulment procedures, but I can speak from first-hand experience about how difficult the annulment process can be. Yesterday, Stacey and I celebrated the seventh anniversary of the day our marriage was officially convalidated by the Church. It is a special day for us, because it also marks the anniversary of Stacey's full admission into the Catholic Church; she received the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confirmation at our ceremony.

As I was reflecting on the years since we both came into full communion with the Church, it occurred to me that one of the biggest hurdles for people returning or staying in the Church are issues surrounding current and past marriages. All you have to do is listen to a session on Catholic Answers open lines to hear a majority of calls on marriage, annulments and divorce. I feel for these people because I know how much they want to conform to the teachings of the Church and how challenging it can be.

Some have criticized U.S. Catholics as using annulments as a form of Catholic sanctioned divorce. This may be the case with some, but I don't think the majority of people fall into this category. Instead, I believe many are the victims of years of poor catechises and inadequate marriage prep. I myself am a cradle Catholic. I didn't know until a deacon told me, although Stacey wasn't Catholic, that her previous marriage was an impediment to us getting married. Unfortunately, no one told me (and I didn't ask) that before we got married by the county. This of course complicated matters.

The Church leadership is taking strides to remedy some of this. The USCCB has recently developed For Your Marriage, dedicated to promoting marriage formation. This is important because marriage is not only a sacrament, but it is also a vocation for which one is called. The site is a comprehensive resource for those getting married, already married or getting married for the second time. It also includes resources on parenting, natural family planning and provides helpful tips for strengthening the marriage bond.

In a time when traditionally marriage is under attack, we need to begin by taking care of our own household. What I mean by that is how can anyone take us seriously when Catholics are divorcing at similar rates as non-Catholics? This is not any different than any other form of evangelization. Other people have got to see a difference in us. We need to stand out for our caring, loving and fortified marriages.

If you found this post helpful, you might also be interested in:

World Marriage Day

Joe Catholic Wordle

Pentecost & the Role of the Holy Spirit

Pentecost, El Greco

Today we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, in which Holy Spirit was poured out over the Church. Today also marks the birth of the Church. Sometimes I think the Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood and often forgotten person of the Holy Trinity.

The Catechism (688) gives a great summary of how we encounter (whether we know it or not) the Holy Spirit:

The Church, a communion living in the faith of the apostles which she transmits, is the place where we know the Holy Spirit:
- in the Scriptures he inspired;
- in the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses;
- in the Church's Magisterium, which he assists;
- in the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ;
- in prayer, wherein he intercedes for us;
- in the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up;
- in the signs of apostolic and missionary life;
- in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation.

We need to get in the habit of praying to the Holy Spirit because he is the one that sanctifies us. As we learn to trust him and ask for his help, we will be drawn closer to him. In this way we grow in our love for God and neighbor.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit by Josemaria Escriva (1934):

Come, O Holy Spirit!
Enlighten my mind to know your commands;
strengthen my heart against the snares of the enemy;
inflame my will…
I have heard your voice, and I don’t want to harden myself and resist, saying “Later…, tomorrow.”
Nunc coepi! Now I begin! In case there is no tomorrow for me.

O Spirit of truth and wisdom, Spirit of understanding and counsel, Spirit of joy and peace! I want whatever you want. I want because you want, I want however you want, I want whenever you want.

Here are a few videos to help with understanding the Third Person of the Holy Trinity better.

Father Robert Barron speaks about the Holy Spirit:

Jimmy Akin answers What is the Holy Spirit?

Jimmy Akin answers Who is the Holy Spirit?

Advice for Graduating High School Seniors and Their Parents

2012 Townview Graduation 

This morning I attended and read the names at the JBS Law Magnet 2012 graduation. This time of year is always a joyful one as parents, friends and family congratulate the students on successfully completing high school. One of the frequent themes during "Senior Week" leading up to graduation is that this is not the end, but merely the beginning of the next chapter in their lives. Some of us get an opportunity to impart some advice.

I will share my generic advice and include some Catholic advice I am not allowed to publicly share at school.

The 15 Hour Rule
Most college and universities require that undergraduate students register for 12 hours of course work to be classified as full-time students. Additionally, this has implications for financial aid as most scholarships and grants require that the student maintain a full-time status. I recommend to all my students that they take at least 15 hours so they build in wiggle room, in case they get into a bind in a class. I share my story about only taking 13 hours my first semester at SMU. I had a visiting professor for my Economics class who I could not understand. I sought help from my advisor and learned I couldn't drop the class because of my scholarship. As it turned out, I still failed the class and I was placed on academic probation for a year and nearly lost my scholarship. It's not worth the stress. Take the 15 hours.

8AM Classes
Many students will need to make some adjustments to their study and organizational habits. If possible, I recommend that first college students NOT take any 8AM classes. Interestingly, when students get to college, sleep outweighs most other needs, including eating.

Test Banks
Many professors file their old tests with a department Help Study Desk. Some of this may even be available online now. Professors tend to use information (sometimes repackaged) from old tests on current ones.

Short-Term Loans
It is often not advertised on university websites, but most schools provide short-term (normally 30 days), no interest loans, to help cover the expenses of books or fill gaps when all of your aid does not arrive in time. There were a few times I needed to do this while I was at SMU and it made it possible for me to purchase books while aid was coming in.

Free Meals
Whenever an adult invites you out to a meal or over to their house that is an opportunity for a free meal. Take advantage of that. I often invite my former students to visit me and I will take them out for lunch. This is also a form of bribery to make sure they come back and visit during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Breaks.

Get Plugged In
I believe one of the important aspects of college life is the social life. There is value in making new friends in school and fraternal organizations. Some of these friendships will last a lifetime. Practically speaking, involvement in organizations can open doors to other opportunities and even some financial aid.

Get Plugged In Spiritually
Find out where and when Mass is celebrated on or nearby campus. You can use the Mass Times app to find out. Many major universities now have two major organizations to help Catholic students. The first is FOCUS, Fellowship of Catholic University Students. It's kind of a Campus Crusade, for Catholics that ministers to all types of campus with teams of speakers. The founder of the organization is Ralph Martin and I have had the opportunity to hear him speak. He is top notch.

The other is group is the Cardinal Newman Society which is exclusively on Catholic university campuses. They too strive to promote the New Evangelization. Additionally, their aim is to restore the authenticity of Catholic higher education.

What is the Role of the Laity?

The role of the laity, outlined primarily in Apostolicam Actuositatem, may seem ordinary to Catholics today, but it was a radical concept when introduced by the Second Vatican Council in 1965. Christ commissioned the Church to spread the Gospel to all the nations (Matt 28:19-20) and the Council defined the role of the laity within the context of this apostolic mission. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (863) directly explains that “all members of the Church share in this mission.” Hence the Council defined “all activity of the Mystical Body directed to the attainment of this goal” of evangelization and sanctification as the apostolate (AA, 2).

Sacrosanctum Concilium

According to Sacrosanctum Concilium (SC), the Church prepares the laity for the apostolate by instructing them to follow the teachings of Christ. The Church invites the faithful to participate in “the works of charity, piety, and the apostolate.” These acts demonstrate that Christ’s followers “though not of this world, are to be the light of the world and to glorify the Father before men” (SC, 9).

Lumen Gentium

Lumen Gentium (LG) lays the foundational understanding of the role of the faithful in works of the apostolate. The laity, as members of the Body of Christ, is called to use their entire well being for the growth and continued sanctification of the Church (LG, 33). The lay apostolate “is a participation in the salvific mission of the Church itself.” Through the sacraments of initiation, the faithful are called directly by God to answer this vocation. The “soul of the apostolate is communicated and nourished” through the Eucharist. Fortified by the sacraments, the laity are called “to make the Church present and operative” in all walks of life (LG, 35). 

Apostolicam Actuositatem

Apostolicam Actuositatem (AA), viewed in conjunction with Lumen Gentium (LM, 4 & 5), can be called a practical handbook to the universal call to holiness. The Council explains that the lay apostolate stems from the general Christian vocation and is vital to the Church (AA, 1). The lay faithful “share in the priestly, prophetic, and royal office of Christ” and therefore share in the mission to evangelize all the nations (AA, 2). They are essential precisely because they possess the ability to enter into all aspects of life and address the needs of a changing world. 

Each member participates in the apostolate through “the faith, hope, and charity which the Holy Spirit diffuses in the hearts of all members of the Church.” This participation is forged through the gifts of the Holy Spirit in each (AA, 3). Furthermore, it is formed and influenced by one’s particular state of life (LG, V, 42). Moreover, “the success of the lay apostolate depends upon the laity’s living union with Christ” (AA, 4). This means by sanctifying their ordinary lives they witness to the Gospel truth, announcing it to non-believers and fortifying the faith of believers (AA, 5). The sacred synod spurs the laity to use their particular gifts “to explain, defend, and properly apply Christian principles to the problems of our era in accordance with the mind of the Church” (AA, 6). The function of the apostolate is to influence the temporal order and cultural milieu into conformity with Christian ideals (AA, 7).

Catholic Media & New Evangelization

From New Evangelizers

I got the idea to write this post from reading CatholicMom's charge to go to silent yesterday. While I did not officially go silent yesterday, I did devote a brief post to the topic. Today, Lisa Hendey challenged her readers to answer the following question:

“What in Catholic Media has had an impact on me during the past year?” 


The Short Answer
I became serious about becoming a new evangelizer by utilizing social media to spread the Gospel of Christ. My first major step was relaunching Joe Catholic in a serious attempt to blog on a regular basis.

The Blogathon

This time last year I was completing my participating in the 2011 WordCount Blogathon. While I successfully wrote 31 posts during the challenge, I didn't have a true sense of what I was doing with the blog. In fact, I was all over the map. Michelle Rafter, the organizer of the contest and author of WordCount, recommended I focus my writing on a particular interest. I decided on devoting my time to developing the Joe Catholic blog that had only been a place to post notes from the gatherings.

The Book

I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I was posting sporadically and hadn't learned any of the tools of the trade. In late July, Brandon Vogt's book The Church and New Media was published. I read the book in two sittings and it opened my eyes to the possiblities. I recognized that social media was a means to cast the nets into deeper waters. It was an opportunity to evangelize within and outside of the Church.

The Result

Now, one year later, Joe Catholic has seen a dramatic increase in its readership. We went from barely getting 200 page views a month to nearly averaging that number per day now. We certainly aren't one of the most viewed Catholic sites, but we have become a resource for the men in our parish and hopefully a few others. We know we have a lot of work to do. In fact, we are planning a meeting to story board some upgrades to this blog and incorporating our Twitter and YouTube presence into one comprehensive site.

What in Catholic Media has had an impact on you during the past year?” 

Comment below and at the New Evangelizers.

Finding God in the Silence

The Holy Father, suggested in his World Communications Day address on Sunday that we all need to incorporate silence into our daily lives. In recognition of this, many Catholic bloggers went silent on their websites today. I have decided to share a brief quotation from the address, share my favorite scripture passage on silence and to share a prayer to assist in recognizing the presence of God in the silence of our lives.

Pope Benedict XVI:

If God speaks to us even in silence, we in turn discover in silence the possibility of speaking with God and about God. 'We need that silence which becomes contemplation, which introduces us into God’s silence and brings us to the point where the Word, the redeeming Word, is born' (Homily, Eucharistic Celebration with Members of the International Theological Commission, 6 October 2006).

Often, the Lord speaks to us in a whisper as He did to Elijah:

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lordwas not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (2 Kings 19:11-13)

Loving and merciful Father, fill me with your grace, that my ears may hear your whisper.  Lord, fill my heart with the love for you, that I may do your will. Lord, help me to decrease so that you can increase. In the holy name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Tuesday Tech Talk: Using Technology to Enhance Your Faith

This Sunday I gave a talk to the RCIA group at parish on the topic of Technology and faith. I thought I'd share some of the key points today. The overview of the talk is pretty much contained in the video below.

I gave an example of how I use the Joe Catholic site to help me with my morning prayers. While I am having my morning espresso, I begin with reading the daily reflection from Opus Dei located near the top of the right column of Joe Catholic. I follow that up by reading the Daily Readings right above the OD widget. I conclude my scripture readings, by viewing the USCCB video reflections for the Daily Readings. If I have time, I may read a few posts from some of the Catholic Blogs listed on this page or or I may check my Google Reader to see if their are any other reflections on the readings. On my way to work, I usually pray the rosary using the my iPhone linked to the car radio, using the Catholicity Rosary CD I put on my playlist. I conclude my day with a reminder on my iPhone that alerts me to pray my Evening Examen.

My recommendation for those looking for a way to organize your prayer life using technology is to use a comprehensive Catholic website as your homepage. One my friends uses Catholic Exchange that way. Or you could use MyCatholic as your homepage as I used to before creating the Joe Catholic blog. Women of Grace is another great website to do that with.

Here are some site to help get you started. This is by no means an exhaustive list.

Websites 

Staples

• USCCB – US Bishops’ official website; includes Daily Readings, Catechism and more. 
• Vatican - Official website of the Vatican & Pope. Contains all the papal encyclicals and other important documents. 
• Ft. Worth Diocese - Official website of the Diocese of Ft. Worth or your local diocese web site. 

Meta-Resources

• Catholic Answers - One stop shop for apologetics and formation materials. 
• Catholic Exchange - Catholic portal for everything from art to technology. It even has a page devoted to “Holy Cuisine.”
• EWTN - Official website for the Eternal Word Television Network founded by Mother Angelica. Contains significant document and media libraries as well archived audio and video files of shows. 

Men

• Crossing the Goal - The men of this Sports Center like TV show have collected some of their shows, blogs, books and other merchandise onto this site. 
• Knights of Columbus - You don’t have to be a Knight to take advantage of the great resources on this site. It includes searchable Catechism and online classes on the faith. 
• Joe Catholic - This blog companion to the Joe Catholic men’s apostolate. It is designed to help people answer the call to universal holiness. In a direct and “everyday Joe” approach it seeks to help people learn, live and share their faith. 

Women

• Catholic Mom - Primarily written by Catholic moms with a focus on family, faith and fun. The site also includes several articles by guest writers. It also has great resources for homeschooling. 
• Happy Catholic - The author of the book by the same name manages the site. She takes a humorous approach in most of her posts and often writes about everyday things.
• Women of Grace - This is the premier Catholic women’s website. Johnnette Benkovic, who hosts a radio and TV show for EWTN, directs the site. 

How do you use technology to enhance your spiritual walk? Please share in the comments.

Catholic Haiku

Today, participants in the 2012 WordCount Blogathon were asked to write a haiku. This simple looking Japanese poem is not easy to write. Without sounding too much like Yoda, this is what I came up with that would still fit the theme of this blog.

Why Joe Catholic?

To help answer saintly call

To learn, live share faith

46th World Communications Day

Today was the 46th World Communications Day celebrated by the Catholic Church. The Church has embraced the use of media technology as an evangelization tool for quite some time. The Church may not have anticipated the creation of the Internet (thanks Al Gore), but she did have the foresight to know that media would play a key role in evangelization in the 20th and beyond. 

Pope Paul VI in his first World Communications Day (WCD) address said:

It is necessary, however, that the efforts of the workers in the field of social communications be seconded by the united cooperation of all, for it is the responsibility of all that is put to the test: that of parents who are the first, irreplaceable educators of their children; that of teachers whose task it is to instruct their pupils in the knowledge and understanding of the language of modern techniques, showing them how to appreciate what is put forward, how to use these means sensibly with moderation and self-discipline. The responsibility of young people is brought into play, for they are called upon in a high degree to exploit these instruments in their own personal education as well as in the promotion of brotherhood and peace among men. The public authorities too exercise their responsibility in the furtherance and the defence of the common good with due respect for true liberty. (Church and Social Communication, 1967)

Here's a quick overview of WCD:

Books to Read:
The Church and New Media, Brandon Vogt
Noise, Teresa Tomeo

What Books Would You Save?

Pictures of Old Books, Liam Quinn

Yesterday I was left alone to teach our freshmen class because all of the other Law Cluster teachers were attending the Senior Picnic as chaperones. I think it's telling that I'd rather stay and teach freshmen than go to the picnic. Anyway, I devoted the last 30 minutes of our 3 hour block talking about college readiness. According to College Board, one of the key components for college readiness (and improving SAT/ACT scores) is reading. I tell my students if they are not reading at least three books during the summer their brains will atrophy. When I mentioned to the class that the rising juniors and seniors already had a reading list for their English AP classes, one of the freshmen asked me if I would make them a suggested reading list. So I gathered a list of 10-15 fiction and non-fiction books I recommended they could choose from for their summer reading.

Later in the day, I was reading Brandon Vogt's interview with Carl E. Olson. One of the questions Vogt posed to Olson was, "Imagine the world has collapsed into an Orwellian dystopia replete with book burnings. You can only save five titles to pass on to your children—what do you select and why?" Reading the interview led to me stumbling across a number of other book lists.

It got me thinking, so I decided to compile my own list of books I'd save. I figured I wouldn't have my iPad in this dystopian world so these would be books I'd have to physically keep. Here's my list of ten, in no particular order:

The Way, St. Josemaria Escriva
Come on. You had to know that I wouldn't write a post like this and not include something from St. Josemaria. Seriously, this little book is a spiritual treasure. Every time I read one of the points, it's like I am getting a little bit of spiritual coaching like that Father McCloskey talks about.

The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway
I have to confess that I did not read this until a few years ago. What a "manly" book! The whole book is a metaphor for our struggle to fight time toll on our bodies - aging. It's also a testament to perseverance through hardship. Too bad Hemingway couldn't listen to his own message.

One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia-Marquez
This was the first "serious" piece of literature I can remember reading. I wrote my high school senior thesis comparing this work to the artwork of Salvador Dali. Talk about a stretch (pun intended).

Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri
I have only read excerpts from this book, but I have heard so many people recommend it, that I figured this is one I must read before TEOTWAWKI.

The Holy Bible (RSVCE)
Just because the world has gone to hell doesn't mean I have to as well. 'Nuf said.

The Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay
I toyed with including Plato's Republic, but decided on The Federalist Papers because of the unique success of this little democratic-republic, experiment called the US. I figured having it handy might be useful to help in rebuilding and to remember what the Founders really intended. It might do some in politics to read them.

Summa Theologica, St. Thomas Aquinas
Having read G.K. Chesterton's biography on Aquinas, I learned he was a genius. Reading excerpts from the Summa for my first year theology classes gave me glimpse into this great mind. While technically a collection of five volumes, I would still include it on my list.

The Call of the Wild, Jack London
This is the first novel I can remember reading as a boy. To this day, it still stands as one of my favorites because it demonstrated how books could take you to other times and places. This book was catalyst to me becoming a life long reader.

The Stand, Stephen King
King wrote in his semi-memoir, On Writing, that it disturbs him a bit that many fans (me included) count The Stand as best work since he wrote so early in his career. Nevertheless, I've included it on my list because King was the first authored whose work I consistently followed. I still remember reading my mother's copy of Carrie after she had received her  copy from the Literary Guild book club. King also does a great job of showing the struggle between good and evil in this book. Oh, and it takes place after a world-wide pandemic wipes out most of the population.

What books would make your list? Please share your list in the comments.

Here are some links to some other booklists:
Father John C. McCloskey, A Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan
Harvard Classic Bookshelf
Books that Make Us Human, Carl E. Olson


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A Review of The Way starring Martin Sheen

The first time I heard the title of this movie, I thought it might have something to do with St. Josemaria Escriva's famous book of points, The Way. It isn't. Instead, The Way is about a father trekking through the Pyrenees mountains following El Camino de Santiago (the way of St. James) in an effort to deal with the death of his adult son who was taking the way as a pilgrimage.

The movie has gotten a lot of coverage in the Catholic media. In fact, Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, Sheen's son and director of the film, have even appeared on EWTN. The film is not overtly Catholic even though it deals with what is essentially a Catholic pilgrimage. I would describe the film as being about relationships, especially those between fathers and sons. It's a movie about getting too caught up in the hustle and bustle of every day life and not stopping to live life. My favorite line in the movie (and included on some of the movie posters) occurs during a flashback,  Daniel, the son played by Estevez, says to Tom, Sheen's character, "You don't choose a life, Dad. You live it."

The film made me laugh and it made me tear up a few times. In this sense, it reminded me of Field of Dreams. If you get this then you know what I mean. If you don't, I won't be able to adequately put it into words. The cinematography is superb as Estevez captures the beauty of the French and Spanish region covered on the pilgrimage.

The acting is solid all around. There is some brief partial nudity when a French peregrino (pilgrim) is changing his clothes. There is also some subtle drug use by a few of the characters, but mainly to demonstrate the challenges facing one of the travelers who joins Tom on the way. Some might be put off by the spreading of the son's ashes along the way because this is contrary to the Catholic Church's teaching on the treatment of remains of one who has died. I don't think the film is attempting to make a statement about this. Instead, I think it's the use of literary license to add sentiment to the film. Additionally, we are reminded throughout that Tom is not a practicing Catholic; he doesn't know any better.

The Way is currently available to stream for free on Netflix and to rent on iTunes and Amazon. You can also rent the DVD at Walmart.

For a more detailed and professional review, I recommend Steven D. Greydanus' review at Decent Films.

The Ascension of the Lord

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Ascension of Christ. In the US, most dioceses have moved the Holy Day of Obligation to Sunday, as is the case with the Diocese of Fort Worth. We will be celebrating this most Holy Day Sunday, May 20th. Formally we call this the "Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord" There are some beautiful passages from Sacred Scripture to reflect upon the importance of this day in our Church, in our faith:

"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." [John 14:2-3]

When Jesus ascends into Heaven He takes His seat at the right hand of the Father in all the glory and splendor of His divinity. St. Mark describes the scene:

"So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into Heaven, and sat at the right hand of God" [Mark 16:19]

Then Prophet Daniel prophesied about the ascension:

"And to him was given dominioin and glory and Kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his Kingdom one that shall not be destroyed" [Daniel 7:14]

It wouldn't be a complete post without a quotation from St. Josemaria:

"Christ has gone to heaven, and at the same time he gives himself to us as our nourshment in the sacred host." (Christ is Passing By, #120)

A special thanks to my friend Sandy Leners for providing the bulk of the material for this post.

To learn more about the Ascension of our Lord:

Catechism of the Catholic Church #659-667

Homily by St. Josemaria on the Solemnity of the Ascension
The Image of Man Has Been Raised Up, Carl E. Olson

Second Act: Gaining by Losing

May 2011

May 2012

[NOTE: Part of Blogathon 2012  includes writing on themes. Today we were asked to write on a "second act" in our lives. I have revised and updated an old post on my recent weight loss for this piece.]
300+ Pounds
Late last April a couple of events converged to motivate me to get off my butt (literally) and do something about my morbid obesity.  I had long left behind the 300 pound mark and I well was on my way to 1/3 of ton. It was getting very expensive buying new clothes at the "big & tall" store. (By the way I've never seen a tall man in those stores.) My knees were killing me and I could barely walk. I was afraid to go to sleep for fear that I would succumb to my apnea and never wake up.

An Awakening
The first event to awaken my sense that it was time to make a change occurred during my attendance at our parish's lenten mission. During the course of one of the evening reflections, Father Thomas McDermott, OP asked us to prayerfully reflect on what the number one thing that was keeping us from growing closer to our Lord. Something stirred within me and immediately, I thought of my weight and how it was making it difficult for me to serve in the ministries I was involved with at the church. For example, I could no longer stand to teach at RCIA or the Joe Catholic gatherings and I couldn't comfortably descend from the altar after lectoring.

Patron Saint of Weight Loss
The second event involved our church deacon. We were having a conversation after Mass and some how we got on the subject of Pope Blessed John XXIII (we have a statue of him in our sanctuary). Deacon Walt explained that Pope John XXIII was a big man, probably as "big as you, Don" and then he patted my stomach. I was a bit shocked at his joke, but I wasn't offended. Instead, for some reason, it got me thinking that I should ask Blessed John XXIII to intercede for me as I contemplated doing something about my weight. I have since learned about a movement to have John XXIII recognized as the patron saint of weight loss.

Weight Watchers
Providentially, Weight Watchers had just stared an online program geared towards men and they had also recently launched an iPhone app. I don't think I would have even considered WW if it weren't for those two things being in place. First, I viewed WW as being for women. Also, I wasn't about to mess with having to carry a booklet and chart with me every where I ate. So Stacey and I decided to join and TOGETHER we would take this journey to lose weight. That was nearly a year ago and I have lost 85 pounds in that time. I have dropped eight pant sizes and I can not only wear my wedding band again, but it is slipping off my finger.  I can buy clothes in regular stores again. Most importantly, I have greater energy and my knees are feeling better. I can now stand while I speak or teach and I don't have trouble going up and down the altar.

The Road Ahead
I still have a long road ahead before I reach my ideal weight. While I attribute my success so far to the simplicity (simple not easy) of WW,  I know a big part of my weight loss has been due to the loving support of Stacey. Additionally, including a spiritual component to my weight loss journey has given it a deeper meaning. I know losing weight will not come without difficulty, but those challenges will be opportunities to offer it up. I have a new patron in Blessed John XXIII to pray for me. One of the great things about being Catholic is learning that offering up something like losing weight can be included in our efforts to answer the call to holiness.

Tuesday Tech Talk: Creating Surveys with Google Docs

If you've wanted to incorporate online surveys or quizzes on your blog, website or Facebook, Google Docs (now called Google Drive) is an easy way to do that. I've used it to create an online Team Captain application for my debate students who wanted to be considered for the position. I've also used it to create quizzes for my class. I'm in the process of developing a survey for this blog. One of the cool aspects of using Google Docs to do this is that it has a built in method of embedding the survey into blogs, etc. You can even embed it in an email or send a URL link. Google Docs will also allow you to track responses easily in a spreadsheet or graphic format.

Here's a sample survey question:

Instead of taking you step-by-step, I thought this short video I used to learn how to create the surveys would be a better tool. One note, you may need to play with the height of the HTML code to remove "white space" when you embed your survey into a blog.

God Answers Prayers Part II:Mom & the Magnolia

A few years ago I was having lunch with my mom for mother's day when we started sharing book stories. Then, out of the blue, she told me a story that so floored me I just started crying. When I was sophomore or junior at Southern Methodist University, I had a semester when my financial aid fell short and I didn't have enough money to buy my books. I was about $500 short. I swallowed my pride and I called Mom and Dad asking for help. I didn't know at the time that money was tight and that they did not have the money to help me. 

Unbeknownst to me, my mother was upset because they couldn't help me. She never let on. Instead,  my mother started praying for a solution. Around this same time, we had a magnolia tree growing in the front yard that was destroying the sidewalk. Mom had been pestering Dad for months to do something about it. The first day of classes were a few days away and I had told my parents that was the deadline for buying my books. I didn't want to fall behind. At this point, my mother probably lit a Sacred Heart candle and invoked the intercession of St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes.

When it seemed like they weren't going to be able to get me the money, there was a knock on my parents' front door. It was a man who owned a landscaping company. He had driven by and saw the magnolia tree and he stopped to ask about it. At first, Mom thought he was asking for work to fix the sidewalk. Instead, he offered to buy the magnolia tree and remove it for $500! Her prayers had been answered and she now had the money to give me to buy my books. I never knew this story while I was attending school. Now, any time I see a magnolia tree, I think of my mother's love for me and it also reminds me that God answers prayers.
[NOTE: This is an updated, revised and shortened post from one I had previously written for my now dormant, personal blog, Gonzo's Gab.]

A Mother's Day Reflection: Planting the Seeds of Faith

My Mother's First Communion Picture with Nuns

I recently had a phone conversation with my mother in which she shared that she had written a piece for a project in Hondo, Texas to remember the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church that had been torn down years ago to make room for the new church. In listening to hear read it to me, I was moved by the recognition of the hidden influence she has had on my own writing. My mother has always been the biggest supporter of my writing, encouraging me to continue with my efforts to finish that novel I can't seem to find the time to finish. She has been my prayer warrior over the years and I am sure the many Rosaries she prayed for me is the reason I have returned to the Church. Today, I honor my mother, Adelaida Bedelia Gonzales by sharing her writing.

******************************************************************************

The day I met Sister Mary Ann at Mt. St. Michael’s in Dallas, I remembered two other nuns that played an important part in my early childhood in Hondo. I was seven and my sister Celinda was six the day we started school at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School. We lived in Angleton, Texas at the time, but our mother wanted us to have our Catholic instruction in Hondo so we went to live with our grandparents. My grand-ma, Teresa Herrera enrolled us in Sister Micaela’s class that year. Sister Micaela was a short, petite woman who carried herself like an Army officer. She demanded respect and obedience at all times. In spite of my fear and awe of her, I respected her and wanted her approval. Her character and manner were unique. Her use of “the RULER” was legendary, but she was a good teacher. I wanted to be just like her (minus the ruler). Sister Clothilde was also an inspiration for me. She was quite different from Sister Micaela. She a listening ear and could dispel all my fears and cares. Through the years, Sister Clothilde wrote to me.

All the sisters loved my grandma and my aunts. Tia Mary would take us girls with her to visit the nuns. Celinda and I were “curious” to see how the Sisters lived. Not very exciting, we decided!!! But it gave me an insight into the sacrifices and devotions of these women who had given up their lives for God. As young as I was, I began to understand to respect that.

Our Lady of Guadalupe was the center of all our community events. We attended Masses, weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc. In the Hall, we had dances, bingos and school performances. I participated in those too. I remember my First Communion Day, made more special because my best friends shared it with me. I remember the Jamaicas and the delicious food. There was skating on Saturdays in the Hall. Afterward we went to Confession. Were in the CYO. I remember Record Hops and the friends. My “Sweet Sixteen” party was in the Hall. The girls were pretty in their party dresses, puffed up by petti-coats, the boys, cool in their khakis and Stacey Adams shoes. I remember the music, all the oldies and the dances. But mostly I remember the nuns because they played a big part in my life. They were the center of everything.

Years later when my husband and I enrolled our youngest son in a Catholic Montessori Preschool, I found myself involved with nuns again. History repeated itself when my 3 year old wanted to visit Sister Mary Ann and her “sisters.” Some of the nuns were very old and sick. My son’s visit made their day. We left with a can of cookies and a bag of pears from their orchard. That year, I trained under Sister Mary Ann and other instructors for my Montessori Certification and started my own Montessori Pre-School and Day Care in Lake Dallas. A year later, I got registered with the state and moved my school to my home. My dream of teaching and caring for children came true. Through the years I’ve had opportunities to teach adults also. I’ve trained others in Montessori teaching techniques and on Early Childhood Development.

I’m thankful for all the experiences I had at Our Lady of Guadalupe and for the nuns that gave of themselves for me. They planted seeds of faith, the need for knowledge and the desire to teach others. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church is no more, but I still remember and share my stories with my sons and grandchildren.

Why do we call Mary, Mother?

Tomorrow we celebrate Mother's Day in the United States. In the Catholic Church, Mary is often called the Mother of Church. In addition to all the titles she holds, why this one?

To understand why Catholics refer to Mary as the Mother of the Church we must first recall that the Church teaches that she is theotokos, The Mother of God. The logical answer is that since Mary is the Mother of Christ and the Church is the Body of Christ, therefore she is the Mother of the Church.

Blessed John Paul II, in a General Audience of Wednesday, answered the question this way:

The title "Mother of the Church" thus reflects the deep conviction of the Christian faithful, who see in Mary not only the mother of the person of Christ, but also of the faithful. She who is recognized as mother of salvation, life and grace, mother of the saved and mother of the living, is rightly proclaimed Mother of the Church.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (964) teaches:

Mary's role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it. "This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ's virginal conception up to his death"; it is made manifest above all at the hour of his Passion:

"Thus the Blessed Virgin advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross. There she stood, in keeping with the divine plan, enduring with her only begotten Son the intensity of his suffering, joining herself with his sacrifice in her mother's heart, and lovingly consenting to the immolation of this victim, born of her: to be given, by the same Christ Jesus dying on the cross, as a mother to his disciple, with these words: 'Woman, behold your son.'"

According to St. Augustine:

[Mary] is clearly Mother of the members of Christ...for she has cooperated with love in the birth of the faithful in the Church, who are members of its Head.

Mary's intercession on behalf of the wedding party at Cana (John 2) is viewed as a demonstration of her role as "advocate" for the Church (See Lumen Gentium, 62). Her relationship to the Church is further derived from Christ's declaration from the Cross: "Woman, behold your son" (John 19:26) Finally, we see in Acts 1:14 that Mary is present with the early Christian community.

As we prepare to celebrate Mother's Day, let's not forget to be thankful for our spiritual mother, Mary.

For further reading:
Mother of the Church, Blessed John Paul II
Mary, Mother of the Church, Father Matthew R. Mauriello