Have any great news to report?
For my part, I am doing tech updates today. This will inevitably bring problems, because when you touch any part of the carefully balanced techy house of cards, everything falls apart and it takes hours to reassemble the parts. And they never work the same way ever after.
So, as I think about it, this isn’t good news.
However, I am grateful to readers who sent some things from my wishlist lately and all those who have been kind enough to use the donation button. Tomorrow I will say Mass for the intention of benefactors. It will be, in the traditional Roman calender, the feast of St. Monnica, the mother of St. Augustine. I have a first class relic of this great saint.
UPDATE: The updates of one component went well… so far as I can tell… maybe. I may light a cigar, though Preserved Killick is now reaching to touch wood.
UPDATE: I have all the webcams of Fr Z TV working again and created a new playlist for the stream. That’s done. Preserved Killick says “Yowl! Yowl! Scrape! Scrape! Never a tune you can dance to.” On to the next gizmo.
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My stepsister and her husband have adopted a beautiful baby boy, and my sister and her husband are the proud parents of a brand-new baby girl. My own baby seems to be growing well judging by the amount of nausea I’m having; we’ll get a sneak peek of him/her on May 10.
” I have a first class relic of this great saint.”
Any chance of a picture, Father?
A Conservative majority Government has been elected in Canada!
But truly, after the Winnipeg Statement (not the Manitoba Manifesto), we don’t really deserve it.
My sore throat seems to be on the mend! The weather is gorgeous outside.
Oh Father, yesterday was grand!
First, my brain MRI came back negative! [WHAT?!? No brain at all?]
Second, I finally received a long-awaited job offer, which I promptly accepted!
Third, I was able to get my computer monitor from back home! Now I can be productive on the computer!
Praise be to God! :)
[Seriously, I am sure the readers are happy for you. That was a great day indeed.]
Ah, Preserved Killick! Here’s some good news: I’m just about to finish (listening to) the third (audio)book of the Aubrey-Maturin Series, H.M.S. Surprise. A few months ago my dear wife checked out Master and Commander from the local library for me to listen in the car during my daily hour-long commute. I was skeptical at first, but now I’m hooked! After M & C, I thoroughly enjoyed Post Captain and the good Doctor’s 60,000 bees (once referenced with affection on this blog)!
Now, Fr. Z, I better understand many of your references to this “Dr. Maturin” you frequently mention! [I hope you have the Simon Vance recordings. They are the best.]
On Thursday my wife and I will celebrate our first 10 years of marriage! We have been blessed with three wonderful children (one boy and two girls), many friends and many unexpected gifts. We are very happy and look forward to continue to grow in holiness together.
I am one project, one final, and one oral exam away from being done with finals for the semester, and am looking forward to teaching myself how to read/write plainchant this summer, and am leading a group study session in Latin this summer as well, focusing on the common hymns and parts everyone should know, as well as maybe touching a bit on the corrected translation, and why exactly it is a cause for celebration.
Oh, yeah, and my baby girl turns a year old at the end of this month :)
We celebrated our last Dominican Rite Mass last evening as we begin the transition to the Roman EF starting in June. Our Dominican priest has been a Blessing for our group but he is nearing a major transfer. Our local pastor went on a search for a priest willing to come in once a month, on a Sunday afternoon, to celebrate the EF and he found not one but two. We now begin the retraining of our Altar boys and getting extra missalettes.
Perhaps, Father, if you are ever out west you could come by and celebrate Mass with us.
Beginning the month of May, Blessed Mother’s special month, and yet still rejoicing that, the good guy, has won, wins and forever wins. It’s all true and it’s the only reality that matters for us.
“The strife is o’er, the battle done,
The victory of life is won;
The song of triumph hath begun. Alleluia!
The powers of death have done their worst,
But Christ their legions hath dispersed:
Let shout of holy joy outburst. Alleluia!”
The sun is still shining in London, awaiting the arrival of Dom Yves-Marie Lelievre OSB from Solesmes. He will be giving classes in plainchant at St James’s Spanish Place. Folks are coming from all over including Canada amd the US.
I’m going, as are several parishioners from OLR Blackfen. We hope to be in a position to sing Mass I a bit better at the 10.30 Mass on Sunday. Nothing like putting what you have learnt into immediate action.
Routine day, worried by friends in worse financial difficulties than us, then s’aftertoon into class breezes a student late, just back from Rome and positively glowing -only able to go by God’s grace , apparently, a relative’s boyfriend had months ago found self catering accomodation inRome at 32 Euros a night , the same day they’d booked a charter flight the prices had gone up about 200 euros after they’d booked, the crush, the crowds,the Poles, the atmosphere, some torchlit liturgy in ¿the coloseum?
Anyhow seldom see a young person glowing like this these days.
Fr
Apropo : “throwaway” line about just happening to have a relic of St Monica.Cor !
my good news:
Christ is risen!
and
Father Abbot Nicholas was able to join us at Divine Liturgy last Sunday and preach- it was wonderful and very edifying
and
the (micro) backyard is ready to be planted
I finally got around to learning the Regina Caeli in Latin and I enjoy praying it very much.
AndyKl, Would brain removal aid in employment searches generally I wonder?…Just kidding…Great three-fold news!
Fr. Z, just viewed grass being cut on your Zcam, [What is happening is that old dead stuff is being clawed up. It isn’t time to cut yet. And the grass isn’t actually on the Z-Cam. It is mainly on the ground.] along with the lovely shakuhachi accompaniment. [You might be referring to the beautiful Chinese language sung Salve Regina (yes, I know it is Paschaltide). Nice, huh?] It’s a strange and beautiful world…Anyway the Zcam seems to be working after your tech update.
I fell down at church on Sunday and got to do some redemptive suffering.
After praying the 30 days devotion to St. Joseph, I have a job. Not only do I have a job, but it’s a job I love. Thanks be to God and to St. Joseph of course
Home for two days with sciatica, muscle spasms in back and legs. People are just flying out of purgatory. Will try to go back to work tomorrow regardless of how I feel. It’s only pain. Though my groaning might disturb the neighbors at the office…
Got a computer for home. Haven’t had one for several years. I figured out pictures, the internet, and all the stuff I need. Now I can finish my account of my faith journey. Haven’t figured out the printer yet, it can wait.
I am learning patience and how much pain I can take without throwing a fit. It still makes me mean. Pray that it makes me nicer, please.
I just felt my baby kicking a few minutes ago (I had been getting worried because it was so still today.)
I recently got an invite to my friend’s transitional diaconate ordination in a little over two weeks. And our diocese recently purchased some snazzy new traditional embroidered dalmatics for such events, which I think is good. It gives an atmosphere of solemnity to these occasions.
@xgenerationcatholic
I fell down at church on Sunday and got to do some redemptive suffering.
That just reminded me of the time I lost my balance while genuflecting and grabbed on to the empty pew in front of me to catch my backwards fall…except the pew wasn’t bolted to the floor, and BANG! A little humility boost that Sunday.
I find out which seminary my diocese is going to send me to tomorrow!
I’m home from work on a weekday and it’s absolutely beautiful outside. Makes me want to get out and enjoy nature (and life). I’m also fortunate to be healthy and feeling good.
Banjo pickin girl, I’m sorry that you are in pain and will pray for you. Don’t beat yourself up for being grumpy because of pain – you’re probably not as mean as you think.
I have had two paintings accepted by the Art Society for the May exhibition (opening on Friday). It is the first time I have exhibited paintings. They are priced for sale – so, should they be sold, I will plough my earnings into what, perhaps, may become a retirement career.
On Sunday, in addition to it being Divine Mercy Sunday and the beatification of Pope John Paul II, 2 of my daughters (ages 7 and 8) received their First Holy Communion! God is so good!! :-)
EWTN, I am worse than I think. I said bad words. However, I did manage to keep the members of the Trinity out of it this time so it may not be a mortal sin. Our joke is that if I am ever canonized I will be named the patroness of drunken sailors and people who use that really bad word that comes fairly early in the alphabet. Wordless groaning is much more acceptable!
Good health, thankful for the blessings I do have and the built in the 1980’s parish where I attend daily mass just started using the Benedictine arrangement at the altar so the priests no longer have to stare at us sorry lot :) during mass.
First and most important, a friend was received into the Church this past Sunday. Contrary to her thoughts that that would alienate her from the people she knew back home, she has received nothing but encouragement and support from everyone, even her normally anti-catholic mother.
Second, I recently received an invitation from a friend to his priestly ordination in June. This is also the first ordination Mass I will have ever seen, and I’m super excited.
Third, While many dioceses are closing seminaries, we are opening one up. Blessed JPII seminary is so big it made worldwide news on Zenit. And I have a bunch of friends who will be going there in the Fall.
And speaking of vocations, the vocations office will be having a discernment dinner, of which I will most likely be attending.
Finally, school is almost over. Just a bit more work to do, and I’ll be free. Which means I must spend less time reading awesome blogs and get to it.
The birth of my son – Joseph Maximilian
Canada just elected a majority Conservative government…the closest thing we’ll ever get to a pro-life government. Moreover, the opposition is a socialist party that, while pretty anti-life, has great concern for the poor. Perhaps we’ll get a Catholic blend of the two. Oh, and the insufferable ‘natural governing party’ Liberals were trounced.
FrZ and Co:
Hardy har har. :D
I wasn’t sure how to say “MRI came back with no sign of sickness, destruction, or decay in the brain, and therefore I am happy!” so I just said “came back negative.” Whoops! Hahahaha. :) T’was a great day indeed. Now, to celebrate my great day on Saturday with a well-needed confession that’s a little overdue. :)
What’s good? I’m Catholic! (Yes, I’m still on about that.) Tomorrow is my birthday, and, as you mentioned, also the feast day of St. Monica, beloved mother of my patron saint. I have friends who love me, a wonderful parish, and mostly good health.
My Homeschool Children’s Choir Concert was a wonderful success over the weekend. Our family attended the lovely wedding of a good friend on Saturday. Sunday was Divine Mercy Sunday with Benediction after Mass and the Divine Mercy Chaplet prayed as a congregation, plus several youngsters of our Latin Mass Community received their First Communion. That’s my good news!
As for good news, would a little miracle count? For the past month or so I had been bothered by a particular problem, so much so that I couldn’t go to Mass or pray without it dominating my thoughts; about a week ago I thought I was nearing nervous breakdown territory. While I was at adoration, the idea came to me to pray to Saint Martha. Before I even had the time to do so, I realized that all my anxiety about the matter had gone.
I was so relieved that it took a day or two to realize that that wasn’t quite all. You see, for a very long time I’ve had some sort of anxiety disorder which makes it difficult to interact with people (especially priests, for some strange reason I don’t quite know). Apparently, I’ve been relieved of that as well. I went to confession to my EF parish priest this weekend, which I would normally never do because he frightens me more than most, and I wasn’t nervous at all. I suppose this sort of thing isn’t objectively verifiable like the cure of a physical disease, but I can definitely tell the difference.
As you can imagine, I haven’t developed a lot of social skills over my lifetime; just today I have discovered that perfect strangers will say good morning if you smile and look them in the eye (ok, so that does sound overly pathetic, but I had fun trying that out for a little while today).
I had an opportunity to talk with my roommate last night about the differences between the two forms of the Mass, how the changes came about, and why, yesterday evening. This is big because he has seemed rather nervous about my piqued interest into the EF and and increasing attendance to it, as well as what for brevity’s sake might be termed “more traditional catholicism,” etc. (We both are parishoners at an OF parish with somewhat decently celebrated liturgy but rather wishy-washy on a good day to heretical on a bad day theological views of the priests).
It is all the more significant because he is a revert whom I and others suspect may have, deep down and despite his varied attempts to run from it, a priestly and perhaps monastic vocation.
Welcome home, fieldsparrow! And happy birthday!
I too just came into the Church, and my patron saint is also Saint Augustine!!!
Turbaris erga plurima,
Wow, I wouldn’t categorize a miracle as good news – that’s fantastic news! It’s good to be reminded that miracles do happen. BTW I also pray to St. Martha when I’m worried and feeling anxious.
I got the mail tonight and I got a letter from Student loans thinking it was a “we want your money” letter, but it turned out to be a $4500 bursary. Eee!
Turbaris erga plurima,
I’m so happy for you!
Turbaris erga plurima, hooray! (is that oorah inside out?) That is a very big miracle. I have inherited parts of my mom’s Asperger’s syndrome so I spend a lot of time decoding things people do and say. May our lives be somewhat less “interesting.”
Fieldssparrow, hooray!
Everybody, Hooray!
I am back at work today, ignoring discomfort and being cheerful. Hooray!
Two things, then a prayer request that will hopefully lead to a REALLY big piece of good news this week.
One, I’ve been approved for first profession of vows, which will take place this August 13 at Villanova (PA). Two, this Saturday we are headed to Milwaukee for chant camp with Susan Hellauer of Anonymous 4. It might seem like a baby step, but under circumstances the fact that the novitiate is paying for this is a pretty big deal.
As for the prayer request, I would ask if you and your readers would please pray for me over these next few days as a major decision regarding my theology studies beginning next year will be made. I’m doing my best to surrender to God’s will in this decision, and I’ve entrusted it entirely to the heart of Mary. But please pray, because the difference between the two options being considered is huge. Thank you!
Modern medicine – access, affordability, insurance. With this intense food poisoning, modern medicine (and sermons by Abp. Fulton Sheen on redemptive suffering) should get me through this. :)
And it came to pass that, indeed, on May 1, Divine Mercy Sunday, St. Joseph the Worker Mission became St. Joseph the Worker Parish in the diocese of Tyler, Texas. Bishop Corrada celebrated the sung EF Mass himself, with Fr. Allen, now named first pastor, assisting. The newly refurbished sanctuary was re-dedicated as well. Although the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker has been transferred to May 2, May 1 is the actual feast day and therefore most appropriate. Deo Gratias.
We’re going to Mass altogether again. We used to split up so that someone can stay home with my 3 month old infant. Now that the Winter’s over and she’s bigger, then we go for Reconciliation and Eucharist as a family of 7. And eldest daughter’s first Holy Communion this weekend.
Well, I had a sonogram last week, and our latest baby girl looks healthy! This, God willing, shall be our tenth baby, due this September. She will bring our totals to eight girls and two boys, and all in time for our 20th wedding anniversary in October.
My husband and I joined the Church at Easter Vigil, thanks be to God. St. Monica is my patron saint. I’m interviewing for a teaching position tomorrow after a mid-life call to this vocation and two years of college coursework to prepare for it. The rain in our flood-threatened area has abated for the past two days. So much good news I scarce can take it in.
My godson has his first Holy Communion this Saturday.