From Ignatius Insight:
"The chief administrative officer of San Francisco’s Catholic Charities is an openly gay man who has a daughter he adopted four years ago with his homosexual partner.
That fact summarizes the challenge confronting the new archbishop of San Francisco, George Niederauer, in the face of the burgeoning controversy over Catholic Charities’ adoption placements with homosexual couples.
The controversy was brought to the boiling point by a March 9th directive from Archbishop William Levada, former archbishop of San Francisco and now prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine for the Faith. Levada acknowledged that children had been placed with homosexual parents under his watch, and said it could no longer occur...."
Here's the problem...because gay marriage is such a political football and because homsoexuality is often not studied to the extent it should be no studies with regard to children who are raised in "gay families" have been explored in depth. Most are merely anecdotal.
The harshness of debate is possibly (note the word possibly, please) doing much harm to children who could benefit from having a loving family caring for their needs. Living in an orphanage simply sucks--no matter how good an orphanage is. Neglect is always occuring depite best intentions.
Now we should also note that other studies on adoptees state that they simply do better with a mother AND father...although some single parent homes do exceptionally well. By and large though, the former is cited as being true. As adoption has come more into vogue, I suspect that the numbers of how well children actually do come crashing down--naturally all adoptive parents can't be good ones.
As usual, nobody's listening to one another; nobody's exploring these issues deeply; and therefore we're not looking at the big picture.
Mar 21, 2006
Mar 15, 2006
Does Magister have the goods on the Pope or not?
Over at Amy Welborn's Blog, Open Book, which I enjoy from time to time.
Kevin Miller (who you can find at Heart, Mind and Strength) and Rich Leonardi are going at it in the comment page here:
The long and the short of it stems from the whole Pro-choice politician fiasco where the US Bishops were at odds with one another about refusing or not refusing communion to Catholic politicians who favor abortion. At the time, Cardinal McCarrick sent a memo of the impending policy that they drafted to the then Cardinal Ratzinger to see if it was in line with the directives from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. Short answer from Ratzy was that they were in compliance.
So here's the skinny on the argument:
A blogger named Magister has posted information that basically states that Ratzinger was upset with the USCCB's directives.
Kevin Miller points out that the then Cardinal Ratzinger sent a memo stating that the USCCB policies were very much in accord with their directives on the matter of pro-choice politicians and the Eucharist. I think any moron could tell that the memo was authentic and we don't really have any reason to think otherwise. If it wasn't wouldn't Ratzinger rant and rave that he didn't write that?
So why then does Magister suggest something to the contrary--which is what I believe Kevin is suggesting is a question we should be asking. To me, that sounds legit. What is Magister implying? Was there another memo? Was Ratzinger under pressure to give assent to the policy by someone? What?
And if we look at the context more accurately than Rich even came close to doing we'll see something very interesting and sheds light on McCarrick positively here:
1) The memo acknowledges receipt of the policy from McCarrick to Cardinal Ratzinger. So it's McCarrick who was making sure that the USCCB had all it's ducks in a row and not Ratzinger issuing some kind of theological smackdown (which could be a new fox series starring Kevin and Rich on Tuesday nights at 9:00PM).
2) With that in mind, why would McCarrick share the memo? They were already on the right track. There wasn't a need to share the memo.
3) With regards to Magister, if he is stating that Cardinal Ratzinger was upset with the USCCB then he needs to produce some evidence to that fact. Anything else is simply poor journalism and smacks of libel. Kevin is right to ask that exact question. Where the heck is the proof that Ratzinger was unhappy?
There isn't any. Unless Magister has an ace up his sleeve. In the words of Jesus: "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if rightly, why hit Me?"
Kevin Miller (who you can find at Heart, Mind and Strength) and Rich Leonardi are going at it in the comment page here:
The long and the short of it stems from the whole Pro-choice politician fiasco where the US Bishops were at odds with one another about refusing or not refusing communion to Catholic politicians who favor abortion. At the time, Cardinal McCarrick sent a memo of the impending policy that they drafted to the then Cardinal Ratzinger to see if it was in line with the directives from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. Short answer from Ratzy was that they were in compliance.
So here's the skinny on the argument:
A blogger named Magister has posted information that basically states that Ratzinger was upset with the USCCB's directives.
Kevin Miller points out that the then Cardinal Ratzinger sent a memo stating that the USCCB policies were very much in accord with their directives on the matter of pro-choice politicians and the Eucharist. I think any moron could tell that the memo was authentic and we don't really have any reason to think otherwise. If it wasn't wouldn't Ratzinger rant and rave that he didn't write that?
So why then does Magister suggest something to the contrary--which is what I believe Kevin is suggesting is a question we should be asking. To me, that sounds legit. What is Magister implying? Was there another memo? Was Ratzinger under pressure to give assent to the policy by someone? What?
And if we look at the context more accurately than Rich even came close to doing we'll see something very interesting and sheds light on McCarrick positively here:
1) The memo acknowledges receipt of the policy from McCarrick to Cardinal Ratzinger. So it's McCarrick who was making sure that the USCCB had all it's ducks in a row and not Ratzinger issuing some kind of theological smackdown (which could be a new fox series starring Kevin and Rich on Tuesday nights at 9:00PM).
2) With that in mind, why would McCarrick share the memo? They were already on the right track. There wasn't a need to share the memo.
3) With regards to Magister, if he is stating that Cardinal Ratzinger was upset with the USCCB then he needs to produce some evidence to that fact. Anything else is simply poor journalism and smacks of libel. Kevin is right to ask that exact question. Where the heck is the proof that Ratzinger was unhappy?
There isn't any. Unless Magister has an ace up his sleeve. In the words of Jesus: "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if rightly, why hit Me?"
Democrats' Statement
I posted this at dot commonweal today...but it bears repeating.
55 Catholic Democrats in the House of Representatives came out with a "Statement of Principles"
Perhaps the Democrats are taking a page from the GOP, who regularly co-opt the language of Catholic Social Teaching (how many times have we heard Pres. Bush say "culture of life?").
The document as a whole, is good and I found interesting and was surprised that they included abortion in their argument. However this may be an exercise in futility.
People are voting republican in our country because they have a longing for security (with 9-11 and Columbine and now Katrina and the Tusnami ramping up people's fears). While Bush made a mess in New Orleans this may not resonate with middle class voters because they do not have a vital concern for the poor (unfortunately). Middle class folks would have been able to flee Katrina as opposed to the poor who were exploited in the worst way in this disaster. So the Democrats co-opting Catholic Social Teaching in an effort to link Catholic voters with a concern for the poor is likely to fall on deaf ears even amongst the most pious conservative Catholics.
The GOP wins not because the majority of people are religious but rather because they are selfish--plain and simple. They are concerned about their own individual lives and religiously they only concern themselves with their immediate need of security. So 9-11 effected them because of its randomness. Anyone could be in a random building that gets hit by a terrorist. Same is true for Columbine...any high school kid could get shot up any day of the week. The majority of the rich and middle class escaped the natural disaster of Katrina and the tsunami was half a world away--so they will naturally have less impact.
The Democrats have two choices: they can start talking about "smart security" and ensure Americans that they will remain vigilantly on guard with regards to securing the nation, or they can attempt to convince Americans of the need to be concerned with one another.
It looks like they are going with the latter...and that's a tough road to hoe.
55 Catholic Democrats in the House of Representatives came out with a "Statement of Principles"
Perhaps the Democrats are taking a page from the GOP, who regularly co-opt the language of Catholic Social Teaching (how many times have we heard Pres. Bush say "culture of life?").
The document as a whole, is good and I found interesting and was surprised that they included abortion in their argument. However this may be an exercise in futility.
People are voting republican in our country because they have a longing for security (with 9-11 and Columbine and now Katrina and the Tusnami ramping up people's fears). While Bush made a mess in New Orleans this may not resonate with middle class voters because they do not have a vital concern for the poor (unfortunately). Middle class folks would have been able to flee Katrina as opposed to the poor who were exploited in the worst way in this disaster. So the Democrats co-opting Catholic Social Teaching in an effort to link Catholic voters with a concern for the poor is likely to fall on deaf ears even amongst the most pious conservative Catholics.
The GOP wins not because the majority of people are religious but rather because they are selfish--plain and simple. They are concerned about their own individual lives and religiously they only concern themselves with their immediate need of security. So 9-11 effected them because of its randomness. Anyone could be in a random building that gets hit by a terrorist. Same is true for Columbine...any high school kid could get shot up any day of the week. The majority of the rich and middle class escaped the natural disaster of Katrina and the tsunami was half a world away--so they will naturally have less impact.
The Democrats have two choices: they can start talking about "smart security" and ensure Americans that they will remain vigilantly on guard with regards to securing the nation, or they can attempt to convince Americans of the need to be concerned with one another.
It looks like they are going with the latter...and that's a tough road to hoe.
Mar 14, 2006
Adoption, buying a home, and more
The blogging has been light for the last month because I've been sequestering myself in my office and trying to finish my book, Googling God for Paulist Press. Only few re-writes needed on two chapters at this juncture from where I sit...hopefully the editors will agree.
Adoption for us took a slight turn south. Our agency in Nicaragua informed us that Patricia, the little girl we are looking to adopt has not been declared abandoned. Her mother is unable to care for her because she is financially unable to do so, but she stays in contact with her from time to time at the orphanage. The director there believes that adoption is the best option for Patricia and is going to ask the mother to consider it.
I've gone through the mill prayerfully about this. I love Patricia and I think that I would be a good dad for her...and Marion, my wife would be a great mom for her as well. But how do you ask a mother for her child, even when you know that she is unable to give her the care that she needs. She's still her mama! That is a bond that is impossible to break and nor would I want to. Yet, I know that Patricia needs more than she's getting in Nicaragua and I can provide that for her. So my prayer today is that God will show us what is best for this little girl and will move the heart of her mother to discern that as well.
On the homefront, I think we may have found a co-op to buy with the help of my sister and brother in law. We will need a 2BR apartment in order to move forward with the homestudy for adoption and I think I found on that I can afford.
Was interviewed by New York Magazine today about catholic blogging. Seems they think the blogging awards were a big deal. Dunno. I wasn't waiting with baited breath on any of them with the exception of my buddy, Mark Mossa, SJ's award for blog by a seminarian. Check out "You Duped Me Lord."
Adoption for us took a slight turn south. Our agency in Nicaragua informed us that Patricia, the little girl we are looking to adopt has not been declared abandoned. Her mother is unable to care for her because she is financially unable to do so, but she stays in contact with her from time to time at the orphanage. The director there believes that adoption is the best option for Patricia and is going to ask the mother to consider it.
I've gone through the mill prayerfully about this. I love Patricia and I think that I would be a good dad for her...and Marion, my wife would be a great mom for her as well. But how do you ask a mother for her child, even when you know that she is unable to give her the care that she needs. She's still her mama! That is a bond that is impossible to break and nor would I want to. Yet, I know that Patricia needs more than she's getting in Nicaragua and I can provide that for her. So my prayer today is that God will show us what is best for this little girl and will move the heart of her mother to discern that as well.
On the homefront, I think we may have found a co-op to buy with the help of my sister and brother in law. We will need a 2BR apartment in order to move forward with the homestudy for adoption and I think I found on that I can afford.
Was interviewed by New York Magazine today about catholic blogging. Seems they think the blogging awards were a big deal. Dunno. I wasn't waiting with baited breath on any of them with the exception of my buddy, Mark Mossa, SJ's award for blog by a seminarian. Check out "You Duped Me Lord."
Mar 13, 2006
I'm a racist
Ok—here’s a moment of clarity for me from my Examen today….
I was house hunting in Woodside, Queens and As we walked back towards the subway, we witnessed a man (for lack of a better term, as you will soon see) punch a woman in the stomach after she has spoken harshly to him. This was in broad daylight and there was a child walking with them (presumably theirs). The woman doubled over in pain and began sobbing. I stood there dumbfounded and began to walk away. I wish I had a baseball bat because I think I would've used it on the guy. Unfortunately, I was afraid to do anything at the time out of my own fear.
Well…that moment popped up for me today when doing my Examen. For those unfamiliar with the examen, it is a method of prayer that St. Ignatius of Loyola developed where you rewind your previous day in your mind, as you would view a film. You try to see what really happened in your day. You become thankful for each moment, make amends to do better the next day. It has helped me determine much about the way I act towards others and has made me be honest with myself.
I should also say that the moments before that moment popped up as well. I had just finished pointing out to my wife how the neighborhood changed as we walked closer to the train. I even said that as you get closer to the train station you start to see "fewer white faces and more bodegas and graffiti."
Well…that’s kind of a racist statement…don’t you think? (Cue the Avenue Q song)
The big moment of clarity came when I realized the man who punched the woman was WHITE. Even more telling was that the woman was Hispanic and that he punched her in front of her kid (possibly their kid).
When I talk about "bad neighborhoods" I often assume that it will be the minorities who will make a neighborhood crime ridden. Interestingly enough, in this neighborhood, it was “whitey” that committed the only crime we saw that day. And this neighborhood that we're condisering living in is a nice one at that.
The worst part about this is that we are trying to adopt a little Nicaraguan girl into our home. As we move forward and try to bring this beautiful girl into our lives I think I need to be more sensitive to the subject of race. I think we both grew up with some overt racism in our lives…maybe even in our own families (I know there was in mine!).
I pray today to be more sensitive about sweeping statements. That woman could easily have been my own daughter, precious and beautiful and beaten by a thoughtless and vile person who happens to share my skin color and probably my ethnicity.
My thoughts about crime existing near the subway is accurate. However, it could just as easily be crime committed by a white man.
Father, forgive me. Make me a better man...a better father to be. Allow me to unite people instead of dividing them and to see all people as you do with love and preciousness. May I teach my daughter to be these lessons in my home and may we all live in the peace and harmony which you provide us. Amen.
I was house hunting in Woodside, Queens and As we walked back towards the subway, we witnessed a man (for lack of a better term, as you will soon see) punch a woman in the stomach after she has spoken harshly to him. This was in broad daylight and there was a child walking with them (presumably theirs). The woman doubled over in pain and began sobbing. I stood there dumbfounded and began to walk away. I wish I had a baseball bat because I think I would've used it on the guy. Unfortunately, I was afraid to do anything at the time out of my own fear.
Well…that moment popped up for me today when doing my Examen. For those unfamiliar with the examen, it is a method of prayer that St. Ignatius of Loyola developed where you rewind your previous day in your mind, as you would view a film. You try to see what really happened in your day. You become thankful for each moment, make amends to do better the next day. It has helped me determine much about the way I act towards others and has made me be honest with myself.
I should also say that the moments before that moment popped up as well. I had just finished pointing out to my wife how the neighborhood changed as we walked closer to the train. I even said that as you get closer to the train station you start to see "fewer white faces and more bodegas and graffiti."
Well…that’s kind of a racist statement…don’t you think? (Cue the Avenue Q song)
The big moment of clarity came when I realized the man who punched the woman was WHITE. Even more telling was that the woman was Hispanic and that he punched her in front of her kid (possibly their kid).
When I talk about "bad neighborhoods" I often assume that it will be the minorities who will make a neighborhood crime ridden. Interestingly enough, in this neighborhood, it was “whitey” that committed the only crime we saw that day. And this neighborhood that we're condisering living in is a nice one at that.
The worst part about this is that we are trying to adopt a little Nicaraguan girl into our home. As we move forward and try to bring this beautiful girl into our lives I think I need to be more sensitive to the subject of race. I think we both grew up with some overt racism in our lives…maybe even in our own families (I know there was in mine!).
I pray today to be more sensitive about sweeping statements. That woman could easily have been my own daughter, precious and beautiful and beaten by a thoughtless and vile person who happens to share my skin color and probably my ethnicity.
My thoughts about crime existing near the subway is accurate. However, it could just as easily be crime committed by a white man.
Father, forgive me. Make me a better man...a better father to be. Allow me to unite people instead of dividing them and to see all people as you do with love and preciousness. May I teach my daughter to be these lessons in my home and may we all live in the peace and harmony which you provide us. Amen.
Feb 15, 2006
Way too busy
Sorry for the lack of Blogging lately. Been sequestered finishing my book, Googling God and working on another article for The Way, the magazine put out by the British Jesuits.
Anyway, I will be commenting more on B16's encylcical soon. I wanted to share some articles that I've done on BustedHalo.com for today.
An Atmosphere of Faith: A Portland parish becomes devoted to the environment
Radical Forgiveness
And from our "Busted" series--an interview with Garry Wills.
Anyway, I will be commenting more on B16's encylcical soon. I wanted to share some articles that I've done on BustedHalo.com for today.
An Atmosphere of Faith: A Portland parish becomes devoted to the environment
Radical Forgiveness
And from our "Busted" series--an interview with Garry Wills.
Jan 26, 2006
Loving Benedict
Pope Benedict's first encyclical "God is Love" (Deus caritas est) is remarkable and should be highlighted by priests and lay ministers everywhere. IN the coming weeks I'll take a small piece of it and add my own reflections to our Holy Father's words.
Stay tuned,
Mike
Stay tuned,
Mike
Jan 25, 2006
Upcoming Appearences
I'll be hitting the road for some appearences and other gigs that I thought I'd let you know about:
Jan 28: Good Shepherd Parish Inwood (AKA Upper Manhattan):
I'll be attending a fund raiser for Fr. Greg who runs an orphanage in Guatemala. Come on by if you can.
Feb 3-5: BustedHalo's Charis Seekers Retreat- Oak Ridge NJ
I'll be facilitating a retreat for people in their 20s and 30s for the weekend. These have been highly successful for us in the past. Register online BY CLICKING HERE
Feb 20-23: Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership Symposium: Burbank, CA
I will be serving as a representative of NCYAMA (National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Assosication) to this project which is exploring the models that exist in the church in Pastoral leadership. Check out the project HERE.
Feb 25: Keynote Speaker: Diocese of Richmond's Young Adult Conference
Topic: Young Adult Ministry: Past, Present, Future
Check out the Conference HERE
Hope to see y'all there.
Jan 28: Good Shepherd Parish Inwood (AKA Upper Manhattan):
I'll be attending a fund raiser for Fr. Greg who runs an orphanage in Guatemala. Come on by if you can.
Feb 3-5: BustedHalo's Charis Seekers Retreat- Oak Ridge NJ
I'll be facilitating a retreat for people in their 20s and 30s for the weekend. These have been highly successful for us in the past. Register online BY CLICKING HERE
Feb 20-23: Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership Symposium: Burbank, CA
I will be serving as a representative of NCYAMA (National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Assosication) to this project which is exploring the models that exist in the church in Pastoral leadership. Check out the project HERE.
Feb 25: Keynote Speaker: Diocese of Richmond's Young Adult Conference
Topic: Young Adult Ministry: Past, Present, Future
Check out the Conference HERE
Hope to see y'all there.
Jan 24, 2006
Notre Dame and the Vagina Monologues
Hat tip to Amy Welborn here:
Good article from ND's President on the difference between academic study of something a promoting it as connected to Catholic institutions.
Click here for more.
I think he's on target here--although I wonder why "academic" study needs to simply be limited to "a classroom" and we cannot discuss these matters more openly and promote these events with the caveat of exploration as opposed to simply putting on a play like the Vagina Monologues because we think we should or because someone at the helm wants to promote the message it brings.
Good article from ND's President on the difference between academic study of something a promoting it as connected to Catholic institutions.
Click here for more.
I think he's on target here--although I wonder why "academic" study needs to simply be limited to "a classroom" and we cannot discuss these matters more openly and promote these events with the caveat of exploration as opposed to simply putting on a play like the Vagina Monologues because we think we should or because someone at the helm wants to promote the message it brings.
Jan 19, 2006
B16's First Encyclical
From Zenit
POPE BENEDICT'S FIRST ENCYCLICAL TO BE PUBLISHED ON JAN 25
During today's general audience, Benedict XVI announced that his first Encyclical, the title of which is "Deus Caritas est," will made public on January 25. The official presentation of the document will take place in the Holy See Press Office at midday on the same day.
Explaining the contents of the document, the Pope said that "love today often appears as something far removed from Church teaching." Yet "It is a single movement that has various dimensions."
"Charity," the Holy Father went on, "is the love that renounces itself in favor of others. 'Eros' becomes 'agape' if one seeks the good of others, it becomes 'caritas' if it opens to one's own family and to the entire human family."
Benedict XVI concluded his remarks by expressing the hope that the forthcoming document may "illuminate our Christian life."
Sounds good so far. This guy is surprising me. I thought he'd be a nightmare but he's turning out to be a pretty cool Pope who I think has far more interesting things to say than JPII did.
POPE BENEDICT'S FIRST ENCYCLICAL TO BE PUBLISHED ON JAN 25
During today's general audience, Benedict XVI announced that his first Encyclical, the title of which is "Deus Caritas est," will made public on January 25. The official presentation of the document will take place in the Holy See Press Office at midday on the same day.
Explaining the contents of the document, the Pope said that "love today often appears as something far removed from Church teaching." Yet "It is a single movement that has various dimensions."
"Charity," the Holy Father went on, "is the love that renounces itself in favor of others. 'Eros' becomes 'agape' if one seeks the good of others, it becomes 'caritas' if it opens to one's own family and to the entire human family."
Benedict XVI concluded his remarks by expressing the hope that the forthcoming document may "illuminate our Christian life."
Sounds good so far. This guy is surprising me. I thought he'd be a nightmare but he's turning out to be a pretty cool Pope who I think has far more interesting things to say than JPII did.
Vomit and NYSC: Perfect together
Today was day one of my personal training regimen. Basically it was a series of tests to see just what I can do. Liz, my personal trainer, is awesome and is really great at adjusting and instructing me throughout the workout.
I started out on the elpitical machine as a warm up (note: usually this IS my work out so I'm taking what I usually do as a workout and it's already become the warm up--can you say "Oh shit, I'm gonna die?). Only five minutes and I probably couldn't do too much more.
We then moved to some basic yoga stretches--which were fine. I've done yoga before with my pal, Fr. Tom Ryan, who is the healthiest man alive. Check out his new site christianspracticingyoga.com.
We moved to some up/downs on the step boards which were pretty hard for me and got me sweatier than I get when I eat Kow-pung chicken. We moved on to some free weights doing curls and lat excercises. Not a huge amount of weight but man was it hard.
I got to take a water break and when I returned I thought I would puke all over the place. Liz took pity on me and had me sit for a bit on the excercise ball and stick my head between my legs and breathe deeply. I was right at that point where you feel like you're turning all kinds of colors and your tummy is jumping all over the place. I felt a lot better after about five minutes. Liz told me that since I've been so lousy to my body it's confused about what the hell I'm doing to it.
We did some calf rolls because mine are really tight next and then we did some lunges and took on some of the weight machines. Liz was really good at teaching me how to use them properly. We did some light stretching and then set a time to meet on Monday and called it a day--Thank God.
Looking back on this though--we were only at this for one hour--but man was that a workout. So I guess I'm getting what I paid for. I had checked my weight before I started and it read 222...up from 218. At the end of the workout I was curious so I hopped on the scale and girlfriend knocked my ass down to 220 AND I was soaking wet.
Monday she'll have an entire program for me to follow until we meet again. My big challenges will be keeping square and not moving my back off the bench machines.
I feel like total crap right now but the endorphins are also clearly raging in response so it evens out from time to time.
My goal is somewhere around 175 and then to gain a lot of flexibility and keep that part up along with some strength. I have a little girl coming along and daddy needs to be around to pay for all that tuition and a wedding one day. So I gotta take better care of the body God gave me.
So today, I thank God for Liz. Who's basically a nightmare in a black sweatsuit that I'll meet once a week or so to start and then move those sessions out to every other week.
Pray that I don't upchuck all over the place.
I started out on the elpitical machine as a warm up (note: usually this IS my work out so I'm taking what I usually do as a workout and it's already become the warm up--can you say "Oh shit, I'm gonna die?). Only five minutes and I probably couldn't do too much more.
We then moved to some basic yoga stretches--which were fine. I've done yoga before with my pal, Fr. Tom Ryan, who is the healthiest man alive. Check out his new site christianspracticingyoga.com.
We moved to some up/downs on the step boards which were pretty hard for me and got me sweatier than I get when I eat Kow-pung chicken. We moved on to some free weights doing curls and lat excercises. Not a huge amount of weight but man was it hard.
I got to take a water break and when I returned I thought I would puke all over the place. Liz took pity on me and had me sit for a bit on the excercise ball and stick my head between my legs and breathe deeply. I was right at that point where you feel like you're turning all kinds of colors and your tummy is jumping all over the place. I felt a lot better after about five minutes. Liz told me that since I've been so lousy to my body it's confused about what the hell I'm doing to it.
We did some calf rolls because mine are really tight next and then we did some lunges and took on some of the weight machines. Liz was really good at teaching me how to use them properly. We did some light stretching and then set a time to meet on Monday and called it a day--Thank God.
Looking back on this though--we were only at this for one hour--but man was that a workout. So I guess I'm getting what I paid for. I had checked my weight before I started and it read 222...up from 218. At the end of the workout I was curious so I hopped on the scale and girlfriend knocked my ass down to 220 AND I was soaking wet.
Monday she'll have an entire program for me to follow until we meet again. My big challenges will be keeping square and not moving my back off the bench machines.
I feel like total crap right now but the endorphins are also clearly raging in response so it evens out from time to time.
My goal is somewhere around 175 and then to gain a lot of flexibility and keep that part up along with some strength. I have a little girl coming along and daddy needs to be around to pay for all that tuition and a wedding one day. So I gotta take better care of the body God gave me.
So today, I thank God for Liz. Who's basically a nightmare in a black sweatsuit that I'll meet once a week or so to start and then move those sessions out to every other week.
Pray that I don't upchuck all over the place.
Jan 18, 2006
Working Out-The Battle of the Bulge
I joined a gym and have been working out in the early morning hours the past three days. Just some treadmill and bike work mostly--for about an hour.
I have to say I have more energy and my brain is not as foggy as it sometimes gets and I haven't come close to hitting my stride...I'm taking it slow.
Tomorrow however, I have my first session with a personal trainer. I'm afraid she's going to kill me since I'm so out of shape. And since she's a woman and presumably good-looking (I mean she is a trainer, after all) my wife is probably next on the list to kill me. But since I haven't been able to do this on my own I'm getting help. I bought a 10 session package plud the gym dues...which wasn't cheap. So now I'm committed. It was also the recommendation of the doctor I went to see when I hurt my back so badly that I thought I was having a heart attack, the pain was that intense. Turns out I'm just way too out of shape and the muscles are atrophied and need to wake up.
My goal...to go from 218lbs to 175-180. About 50lbs. I'd also like to increase my flexibility as I get tight a lot.
So pray for me this week, that I won't keel over!
Thanks,
MH
I have to say I have more energy and my brain is not as foggy as it sometimes gets and I haven't come close to hitting my stride...I'm taking it slow.
Tomorrow however, I have my first session with a personal trainer. I'm afraid she's going to kill me since I'm so out of shape. And since she's a woman and presumably good-looking (I mean she is a trainer, after all) my wife is probably next on the list to kill me. But since I haven't been able to do this on my own I'm getting help. I bought a 10 session package plud the gym dues...which wasn't cheap. So now I'm committed. It was also the recommendation of the doctor I went to see when I hurt my back so badly that I thought I was having a heart attack, the pain was that intense. Turns out I'm just way too out of shape and the muscles are atrophied and need to wake up.
My goal...to go from 218lbs to 175-180. About 50lbs. I'd also like to increase my flexibility as I get tight a lot.
So pray for me this week, that I won't keel over!
Thanks,
MH
Jan 11, 2006
John Paul II would've driven the getaway car
Sometimes my church makes me laugh at their marketing ineptitude
Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who shot John Paul II is set to be released from prison today. He stated that the Vatican secured his release and wanted to express his gratitude.
Catholic World News states:
"Vatican officials have said that the Holy See was not involved-- in fact, not consulted-- before a Turkish court ordered Agca's release. Although Pope John Paul II said that he had forgiven his assailant, Church spokesmen have stressed that the decision to pardon Agca in 2000 was made by President Ciampi himself, without interference from the Vatican."
Ok, here's where I had to laugh. One of the biggest examples of what it means to be Catholic was John Paul II's forgiveness of his attacker. He often stated that clemency should be given to the imprisoned and he had no problem with Agca's release from jail.
And now the geniuses at the Vatican shout from the rooftops that they had nothing to do with his release. Granted that Agca may indeed be lying about the Vatican's intervention (he hasn't always been the most reliable witness), but anyone could see how this looks like the Vatican is saying: "We wish you'd keep him behind bars and lose the key."
Pope John Paul II, a man I admired much for his forgiveness of his attacker, gave us an example of forgiveness that is unparrelled. How are we called to forgive? Can we even forgive those we detest most?
Agca's fear is that his life is in danger. All of his accomplices are dead. Will those who hired him (presumably the KGB) have him bumped off next? If the Vatican is not involved in securing his safety then maybe they should be. I think John Paul II would probably pick him up from the prison himself if he were alive today.
And yet I believe unfortunately that Agca's life indeed will come to an end soon. Could the Vatican have prevented this loss of life? Indeed. Only time will tell how free indeed Mehmet Ali Agca really is today.
Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who shot John Paul II is set to be released from prison today. He stated that the Vatican secured his release and wanted to express his gratitude.
Catholic World News states:
"Vatican officials have said that the Holy See was not involved-- in fact, not consulted-- before a Turkish court ordered Agca's release. Although Pope John Paul II said that he had forgiven his assailant, Church spokesmen have stressed that the decision to pardon Agca in 2000 was made by President Ciampi himself, without interference from the Vatican."
Ok, here's where I had to laugh. One of the biggest examples of what it means to be Catholic was John Paul II's forgiveness of his attacker. He often stated that clemency should be given to the imprisoned and he had no problem with Agca's release from jail.
And now the geniuses at the Vatican shout from the rooftops that they had nothing to do with his release. Granted that Agca may indeed be lying about the Vatican's intervention (he hasn't always been the most reliable witness), but anyone could see how this looks like the Vatican is saying: "We wish you'd keep him behind bars and lose the key."
Pope John Paul II, a man I admired much for his forgiveness of his attacker, gave us an example of forgiveness that is unparrelled. How are we called to forgive? Can we even forgive those we detest most?
Agca's fear is that his life is in danger. All of his accomplices are dead. Will those who hired him (presumably the KGB) have him bumped off next? If the Vatican is not involved in securing his safety then maybe they should be. I think John Paul II would probably pick him up from the prison himself if he were alive today.
And yet I believe unfortunately that Agca's life indeed will come to an end soon. Could the Vatican have prevented this loss of life? Indeed. Only time will tell how free indeed Mehmet Ali Agca really is today.
Jan 10, 2006
BustedHalo Cast Tearing Up the Charts
Good News!
Fr. Dave (my boss) and I have been Podcasting for a bit over a month and our Podcast called the BustedHalo Cast has gone up from 131 to 66 on the podcast alley ratings for religion and spirituality casts.
You can push us into the top 30 by voting on Podcast Alley.
Also to listen to the BustedHalo cast go to this link
Or you can subscribe to the feed at feedburner and get an automatic update on your itunes or feed demon aggregators.
Jan 9, 2006
Fired for His Faith
This weekend's Wall Street Journal had an interesting piece on a professor at Wheaton who was fired for his faith basically. He was teaching Aquinas to students at this Protestant university but then once he converted to Catholicism he was let go.
Now Wheaton makes all their faculty sign a letter saying that they uphold a belief in “biblical doctrine that is consonant with evangelical Christianity.” The last two words of the sentence may be most important as Wheaton has a pretty rigid "Protestants only" policy which is upheld by the 1964 Civil Rights Act which carves out an exemption for religious colleges.
I'm sort of libertarian in this mindset. I think people should be allowed to hire who they'd like. I obviously think that means that they should be mindful of diversity and that diverse minds simply make the world more interesting and make you cover all your tracks. In the academy, I think not looking at all sides of the coin leads to a self-fulfilling inner sanctum where you miss out on a good deal of the whole educational experience.
So in this instance, I think Wheaton is short-sighted but I also think they have the right to let this guy go.
By the same token--I found it interesting that Notre Dame's faculty is only 53% Catholic. I wonder much about the catholic identity of universities but I also think the adherence to that identity really resides with the Campus Ministry or Chaplancy departments and not the academic study of theology and other subjects.
A friend recently applied to a Catholic law school. He was a Jesuit school grad, did a year of the Jesuit International Volunteer Program, and had a master's in religious education. The admissions officers at the Catholic law school asked him if he thought he's fit in.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
They replied, "You do know that like nobody here believes in God, right?"
Now I'm as liberal as the next guy, but I wrote a letter to the President of the University after I heard this one.
There does seem to be a middle ground, I think. Perhaps religious schools should be "tolerant" of other traditions and open to the exploration of other traditions in fields of academic study.
However...
They also need to unabashedly and unapologetically proclaim their own tradition well. I think that is the role of Campus Ministers--a role all too often given short-shrift in the University.
Perhaps that is where Wheaton should've concentrated their efforts.
Now Wheaton makes all their faculty sign a letter saying that they uphold a belief in “biblical doctrine that is consonant with evangelical Christianity.” The last two words of the sentence may be most important as Wheaton has a pretty rigid "Protestants only" policy which is upheld by the 1964 Civil Rights Act which carves out an exemption for religious colleges.
I'm sort of libertarian in this mindset. I think people should be allowed to hire who they'd like. I obviously think that means that they should be mindful of diversity and that diverse minds simply make the world more interesting and make you cover all your tracks. In the academy, I think not looking at all sides of the coin leads to a self-fulfilling inner sanctum where you miss out on a good deal of the whole educational experience.
So in this instance, I think Wheaton is short-sighted but I also think they have the right to let this guy go.
By the same token--I found it interesting that Notre Dame's faculty is only 53% Catholic. I wonder much about the catholic identity of universities but I also think the adherence to that identity really resides with the Campus Ministry or Chaplancy departments and not the academic study of theology and other subjects.
A friend recently applied to a Catholic law school. He was a Jesuit school grad, did a year of the Jesuit International Volunteer Program, and had a master's in religious education. The admissions officers at the Catholic law school asked him if he thought he's fit in.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
They replied, "You do know that like nobody here believes in God, right?"
Now I'm as liberal as the next guy, but I wrote a letter to the President of the University after I heard this one.
There does seem to be a middle ground, I think. Perhaps religious schools should be "tolerant" of other traditions and open to the exploration of other traditions in fields of academic study.
However...
They also need to unabashedly and unapologetically proclaim their own tradition well. I think that is the role of Campus Ministers--a role all too often given short-shrift in the University.
Perhaps that is where Wheaton should've concentrated their efforts.
Jan 7, 2006
Belief-o-Matic
So I've seen Beliefnet's Belief-o-Matic but never bothered to really take the quiz myself.
According to them and to the chagrin of people who find my thoughts to not be in line with mainstream Catholicism my results are:
1. Eastern Orthodox (100%)
2. Roman Catholic (100%)
3. Orthodox Quaker (95%)
4. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (89%)
5. Seventh Day Adventist (87%)
6. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (83%)
7. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (73%)
8. Hinduism (69%)
9. Jehovah's Witness (67%)
10. Orthodox Judaism (67%)
11. Liberal Quakers (65%)
12. Mahayana Buddhism (60%)
13. Jainism (59%)
14. Theravada Buddhism (58%)
15. Bahá'í Faith (58%)
16. Unitarian Universalism (58%)
17. Neo-Pagan (55%)
18. Islam (50%)
19. Sikhism (50%)
20. New Age (50%)
21. Secular Humanism (48%)
22. Reform Judaism (44%)
23. Taoism (36%)
24. Nontheist (34%)
25. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (26%)
26. New Thought (22%)
27. Scientology (19%)
Seems pretty accurate to me. Give it a go!
According to them and to the chagrin of people who find my thoughts to not be in line with mainstream Catholicism my results are:
1. Eastern Orthodox (100%)
2. Roman Catholic (100%)
3. Orthodox Quaker (95%)
4. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (89%)
5. Seventh Day Adventist (87%)
6. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (83%)
7. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (73%)
8. Hinduism (69%)
9. Jehovah's Witness (67%)
10. Orthodox Judaism (67%)
11. Liberal Quakers (65%)
12. Mahayana Buddhism (60%)
13. Jainism (59%)
14. Theravada Buddhism (58%)
15. Bahá'í Faith (58%)
16. Unitarian Universalism (58%)
17. Neo-Pagan (55%)
18. Islam (50%)
19. Sikhism (50%)
20. New Age (50%)
21. Secular Humanism (48%)
22. Reform Judaism (44%)
23. Taoism (36%)
24. Nontheist (34%)
25. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (26%)
26. New Thought (22%)
27. Scientology (19%)
Seems pretty accurate to me. Give it a go!
Jan 6, 2006
NBC's ER--Anti Catholic Episode?
Did any of you see ER last night? It contained two situations surrounding abortion. One, is a young girl was found to be pregnant after being raped (it sounded like gang rape too) at a party after blacking out. The second one is a 37 year old Abby Lockhart (played by the beautiful Maura Tierney) is found to be pregnant and struggles with the responsibility of motherhood and the fear that her child might suffer from bi-polar disorder.
To summarize quickly: Luka (Goran Visnjic) is the doctor in charge of the care of the young girl while Neela (Parminder Nagra) is the treating physician. The parents of the young pregnant girl intend for her to carry the child to term because of their "Christian" beliefs (it is never stated that they are Catholic). Neela, not aware initially of the rape, berates the parents for their choice and after speaking with this scared girl realizes that she has doubts about whether or not to keep the baby. Luka informs Neela to back off and she requests that another attending physician be consulted who is not Catholic.
Whoa! I had a pretty vile reaction to this. Someone over at Amy Welborn's blog made a great point how the President on the West Wing would never say, "I'd like to hear from someone who isn't Jewish about National Security." He'd be buried in the press as an anti-semite.
The writers of ER often err on the side of "what could happen in a hospital" and I would venture to say that this situation presents itself more often than not. The fact that a pro-life family was shown at all is actually a good sign. Now they made the father and mother look like unsophisticated idiots (well, the father anyway) so it's not all good news.
Still, I found that Luka (the doctor in question here) was going through the struggle that presents itself to people in both situations, which I also found to be a good thing to portray on television. Perhaps the producers were more trying to show the difference between making a personal choice and having that choice thrust upon someone else. Which is what happens to the daughter who is forced to live out the decision of her parents even if it is not her choice and the choice of Abby (Maura Tierney's character who is pregnant by Luka) who will force Luka (who is the father of her baby) to live with her choice to abort or not to abort. I was pleasently pleased with her choice not to abort-- something that wouldn't have happened in a TV series like Maude 20 years ago.
As someone who has been inside more hospitals than I care to remember these kinds of issues present themselves every day to those who work there. While I think there was a bit of anti-Catholic bias in some of the writing I would also counter that there is a lot of anti-catholic bias in the medical community. So maybe art imitates life here....
And maybe that's a good thing since it will bring to light some of this bias that exists and forces people to ask the big questions of themselves.
Besides it was a lot more balanced than 60 Minutes was in their recent story on Catholic hospitals and their policy on not giving the morning after pill to rape victims and the policy of the state that might force them to do so from now on. It was pretty anti-Catholic and reported by Leslie Stahl. Probably ran about 6 weeks or so ago.
The fact that we're all talking about this today is possibly a good result of both shows. How do we defend the vulnerable--both mother and child in these instances. It seems to me that we don't have all the bases covered with any of the choices that can be made.
To summarize quickly: Luka (Goran Visnjic) is the doctor in charge of the care of the young girl while Neela (Parminder Nagra) is the treating physician. The parents of the young pregnant girl intend for her to carry the child to term because of their "Christian" beliefs (it is never stated that they are Catholic). Neela, not aware initially of the rape, berates the parents for their choice and after speaking with this scared girl realizes that she has doubts about whether or not to keep the baby. Luka informs Neela to back off and she requests that another attending physician be consulted who is not Catholic.
Whoa! I had a pretty vile reaction to this. Someone over at Amy Welborn's blog made a great point how the President on the West Wing would never say, "I'd like to hear from someone who isn't Jewish about National Security." He'd be buried in the press as an anti-semite.
The writers of ER often err on the side of "what could happen in a hospital" and I would venture to say that this situation presents itself more often than not. The fact that a pro-life family was shown at all is actually a good sign. Now they made the father and mother look like unsophisticated idiots (well, the father anyway) so it's not all good news.
Still, I found that Luka (the doctor in question here) was going through the struggle that presents itself to people in both situations, which I also found to be a good thing to portray on television. Perhaps the producers were more trying to show the difference between making a personal choice and having that choice thrust upon someone else. Which is what happens to the daughter who is forced to live out the decision of her parents even if it is not her choice and the choice of Abby (Maura Tierney's character who is pregnant by Luka) who will force Luka (who is the father of her baby) to live with her choice to abort or not to abort. I was pleasently pleased with her choice not to abort-- something that wouldn't have happened in a TV series like Maude 20 years ago.
As someone who has been inside more hospitals than I care to remember these kinds of issues present themselves every day to those who work there. While I think there was a bit of anti-Catholic bias in some of the writing I would also counter that there is a lot of anti-catholic bias in the medical community. So maybe art imitates life here....
And maybe that's a good thing since it will bring to light some of this bias that exists and forces people to ask the big questions of themselves.
Besides it was a lot more balanced than 60 Minutes was in their recent story on Catholic hospitals and their policy on not giving the morning after pill to rape victims and the policy of the state that might force them to do so from now on. It was pretty anti-Catholic and reported by Leslie Stahl. Probably ran about 6 weeks or so ago.
The fact that we're all talking about this today is possibly a good result of both shows. How do we defend the vulnerable--both mother and child in these instances. It seems to me that we don't have all the bases covered with any of the choices that can be made.
Jan 5, 2006
Pilla Resigns?
Rumor has it that Bishop Anthony Pilla of the Diocese of Cleveland is set to resign allegedly for health reasons.
I've attended many conferences in Cleveland and spoke at John Carroll University and have admired Bishop Pilla for some time now. He has given his diocese a strong sense of their baptismal call and has enabled lay people to work in close collaboration with a tired and overworked clergy. I have many friends who work for the diocese and have nothing but good words to say about this man.
I'm hoping that his resignation isn't true...but if it is I also hope that Pilla gets to hand pick a replacement for his seat or at least he is in on the conversation. He's been there for 25 years and knows the diocese better than anyone.
I've attended many conferences in Cleveland and spoke at John Carroll University and have admired Bishop Pilla for some time now. He has given his diocese a strong sense of their baptismal call and has enabled lay people to work in close collaboration with a tired and overworked clergy. I have many friends who work for the diocese and have nothing but good words to say about this man.
I'm hoping that his resignation isn't true...but if it is I also hope that Pilla gets to hand pick a replacement for his seat or at least he is in on the conversation. He's been there for 25 years and knows the diocese better than anyone.
Jan 4, 2006
Speaking Circuit
I'll be on the road in February speaking at the Diocese of Richmond's Annual Young Adult Conference on the 25th. So if you're in the Williamsburg, VA area c'mon down.
I'll be speaking with Sr. Diane Guy who is a legend in Young Adult Ministry circles and was one of the people who was a driving force behind the US Bishop's Document Sons and Daughters of the Light. She'll be handling the "Where has young adult ministry been?" while I'll take on the next two facets of the talk--namely: "Where is young adult ministry now?" and "Where is young adult ministry going in the future?" Much of the material for this talk is already in my forthcoming book, Googling God, by Paulist Press--which is coming to a bookstore near you in the coming year.
More info: http://www.richmonddiocese.org/cyam/YAMConvFlyer.pdf
I'll be speaking with Sr. Diane Guy who is a legend in Young Adult Ministry circles and was one of the people who was a driving force behind the US Bishop's Document Sons and Daughters of the Light. She'll be handling the "Where has young adult ministry been?" while I'll take on the next two facets of the talk--namely: "Where is young adult ministry now?" and "Where is young adult ministry going in the future?" Much of the material for this talk is already in my forthcoming book, Googling God, by Paulist Press--which is coming to a bookstore near you in the coming year.
More info: http://www.richmonddiocese.org/cyam/YAMConvFlyer.pdf
Jan 3, 2006
Happy New Year
Hat Tip to Susan Rose over at Musings of a Discerning Woman for this hysterical resolution generator.
New Year's Resoultions often seem silly to me, but I suppose that they are worthwhile. At a time when we are filled with hope for the coming year let us be mindful of why we have that hope:
Because our God dared to become one of us.
With that in mind, I resolve this year to:
1) Be better with small details and not just the big picture.
2) Finish and publish my first book--GOOGLING GOD.
3) Become the best dad I can be and learn all I can about adoptive children.
4) Blog once per day.
5) Start a spiritual life coaching program.
6) Appreciate my co-workers more than I do.
7) Pray with gratitude and piety.
8) Do a daily examen.
9) Lose 50 lbs. and get a trainer to help me.
10) Buy my first home.
11) Be mindful of my parents and appreciate their sacrifices.
12) Love my wife more every day.
13) Take more pictures.
14) Inspire one person to do something every day.
15) Write two award winning articles.
In the year 2006 I resolve to: |
New Year's Resoultions often seem silly to me, but I suppose that they are worthwhile. At a time when we are filled with hope for the coming year let us be mindful of why we have that hope:
Because our God dared to become one of us.
With that in mind, I resolve this year to:
1) Be better with small details and not just the big picture.
2) Finish and publish my first book--GOOGLING GOD.
3) Become the best dad I can be and learn all I can about adoptive children.
4) Blog once per day.
5) Start a spiritual life coaching program.
6) Appreciate my co-workers more than I do.
7) Pray with gratitude and piety.
8) Do a daily examen.
9) Lose 50 lbs. and get a trainer to help me.
10) Buy my first home.
11) Be mindful of my parents and appreciate their sacrifices.
12) Love my wife more every day.
13) Take more pictures.
14) Inspire one person to do something every day.
15) Write two award winning articles.
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