Last week featured Dallas Green. This week is a different type of green. I know most of our readership here is not from Saskatchewan, but nevertheless here we go. Just click on the song and keep reading:

Training camp began yesterday! I speak of the Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp, which is taking place in Saskatoon again this year. Joseph and I really wanted to check it out, so of course we did the whole get up just after 5am and drive to the Traditional Latin Mass bit too. Here we are after a beautiful Mass. The kids are hanging out with St. John Paul II (it's a Polish parish where the Latin Mass takes place).

Afterwards we headed over to the University of Saskatchewan campus to check in on the Riders.

It was somewhat surreal seeing the 34 year old Vince Young out there. Young was a former college star, who later became an NFL star. He was even featured on Madden 08, which is as big as it gets in the world of football.

But alas, he's trying to make a comeback after being out of football for 5 years. Needless to say, Young was showing a lot of rust. Wily veteran Kevin Glenn was by far the best QB on day 1 of training camp. Young better pick up his game. 

Here we are, Mass clothes and all:

Our view again:

We sure love watching the Riders practice. The boys want to head down to Regina again this summer to check them out. Becca was too tired for any visiting (she never sleeps well before trips), so we decided against visiting and went home after. Still though, it was a fun Sunday.

As for the song, it's by Jason Plumb and the Willing. It became popular in 2007 (the year SK won the Grey Cup). It's true, anywhere you go you'll see Rider green...

At Mt. Sinai...

At a hockey game...

At the Great Wall of China...

Antarctica...

Under the ocean...

On the moon...

Oh yeah, and there's this guy... 

Getting Organized

 For a long long time I've dreamed of owning something like this...

This, of course, is a Hammond SK 1-73. The Hammond name is legendary in the organ world.

I love playing the organ. I used to love stopping by the church on my way to work every morning in Nipawin and playing their lovely organ. I really looked forward to that part of my day. I always wanted to be able to do that in my own house. Also, there have been times, such as when my grandpa died and my siblings and I were the choir, when we really could have used a portable organ. But alas, we've had this:

This organ was generously donated to us by an older Catholic couple from Weyburn, SK. It's a 1976 Lowrey model. However, the past year or so it has really started showing its age. Buttons weren't working. Pedals were touch and go. Sometime notes played, other times no. Even the on/off switch didn't work anymore. Well, with all this considered, and with the help of a generous Christmas gift from my parents, everything combined meant we were able to order the Hammond SK 1!

Now we liked the look of our organ in our living room. It just wouldn't be the same to plop in some run of the mill organ stand and modern looking portable organ. So I decided to gut the old Lowrey.

Here are just a few of the many pieces I took out (including a Leslie tremolo... that circle piece). All in all I removed probably 200 lbs of organ guts. Much of the wires look rough for wear.

Unfortunately my new Hammond didn't quite fit our old organ structure. So I took a chisel and some laminated pine and improvised. I stuffed my speakers on the inside of the organ case, and left the top part open so that we can add books. And just like that, I have a beautiful organ to play!

Long term I want to add various pedals, and a nice amp to this set up. But long long term I want my kids to learn music, especially sacred music, and maybe, just maybe, form the Millette Choir 2.0.

The Great Guessing Game

Once in a blue moon Becca and I will get a brief rest from the yelling and screaming (aka "playing") of the boys. Inevitably we will only hear the faint rumblings and crackles of Lego being swished around in their room. They build and build, like little boys should. However, there is always the dreaded follow up.


Joseph, coming out of his room: "Daddy, look what I built!"

Dad: "Wow! That's great!"

Joseph: "Do you like it?"

Dad: "Yes, it's very nice! I like the different colour lines!"

Joseph: "Do you know what it is?"

Dad: "Yeah. It's really nice too."

Joseph: "What is it?"

Dad: "Um... What did mom say it was?"

Joseph: "She hasn't seen it. What is it?"

Dad: "Um...

... it's a jumbo jet."

Joseph: "No!"

Dad: "I mean a part of a train."

Joseph: "No! It's a sandwich! How come you don't know that? See, here's the bread, some lettuce, cheese, and the red is the bacon. Don't you know that!?"

Dad: That's a great sandwich! I want to eat it! Go ask your mom what it is..."

You see, it's tough. But secretly I'm proud of him. I mean... a bacon sandwich... what could be better than that?

Things You Don't Say To Your Wife

Too good not to post. Thankfully I never, ever, say these things. Right dear? 

Ok, maybe the mom's cooking thing comes out a bit...

A Snapshot of History

The philosopher G.F. W. Hegel (1770-1831), for all his many failed attempts at explaining life, has an interesting idea in relation to the passing on of ideas and events through history. This idea is known as Aufhebung. Perhaps fittingly, Aufhebung is contradictory in definition. It refers to both cancelling something, and keeping it. Contradiction is not a great obstacle to Hegel. A quick explanation of Aufhebung would be to consider some historical event/idea. This event/idea, as time passes, is somehow packaged up in its bare essence and moved forward as one complete big picture idea. For instance, when considering communism most might consider Stalin, government taking control, and many deaths. When considering Napoleon people might have a snapshot of him taking control of much of the world, failing, coming back and failing again. Or perhaps when considering the industrial revolution people might think about lots of pollution, slave labour, and the old way of life changing. In other words, events and ideas have a way of condensing into their bare essence, and being remembered only for this.

Now whether or not Hegel actually believed that events and ideas ontologically changed is besides the point. Forget about Hegel now. The point is that there is some truth to how we often only remember certain principles or general details of history. Perhaps in our modern day culture I fear our events and ideas are often reduced to even a single photograph.

For instance, mention the American Civil Rights movement and most people will picture something like this:

 

Mention Iwo Jima and you will get this image:

Muhammed Ali?

9/11? Something like this:

Perhaps more recently, even certain news events become memorialized by a recent picture. 

Pope Benedict XVI's resignation:

The whole Obama/Notre Dame controversy:

Well, I fear if you mention president Trump's meeting with Pope Francis, the enduring image will not be pretty. The two leaders held their highly anticipated meeting. The interest in this meeting was heightened after Pope Francis took some shots at Trump in the weeks leading up to the visit. So what did they talk about? Was Trump put in his place? Did Pope Francis get the arrogant Trump treatment? Was some form of understanding reached? Are they more or less enemies? Words have been shed over the meeting, but all in vain. What the meeting will be remembered for is this:

Modern day Aufhebung. Whatever events and ideas arise can be reduced to a simple picture. For better or for worse. The Hegelian message, then, is further reduced to one principle: Always remember to smile.

Or maybe that's the whole point of the picture?

Music Mondays: A Younger Version of Young?

Growing up I enjoyed listening to Neil Young. His music was extremely creative and well thought out. He sang about simple things, like life in the country (but without a country twang... just his high pitched twang). Well, some of his songs, anyway. I remember vividly his full orchestral piece titled: A Man Needs a Maid. It was quite profound. I can still quote it from memory: "I was thinking that maybe I'd get a maid. Find some place nearby for her to stay. Just someone to keep my house clean, fix my meals, and go away. A maid. A man needs a maid." Although Young seems to be a little crazy these days, with his Mother Nature I love you, Monsanto boo, crusade, his past music has stood the test of time.

There is a modern Canadian musician who reminds me greatly of Neil Young. That is, Dallas Green of City and Colour. (You'll never guess why he called his band City and Colour). Green, from St. Catherines, seems a little rough on the outside. But his music is very sweet to listen to. His voice is soft yet powerful, and his guitar playing is as good as it gets. He does not shy from topics such as death and suffering, and he clearly gives off the impression that he is searching for deeper meaning to life. One hopes he realizes this meaning. *cough* Jesus *cough* Regardless, Dallas Green is a great Canadian musician who is vastly underrated. Sort of like Neil Young was back in the day.

Here is a lighter song called The Girl. In it he plays the song multiple times, and they simply splice the video and merge his playing.

p.s. Dallas Green - City and Colour. Get it? Dallas is a city. Green is a colour... Dallas Green felt uneasy releasing an album just under his name, so he made the little switch.

WYD: What'd You Draw?

I wasn't going to blog on this. But it's Friday afternoon as we approach a long weekend and, as much as I want to lesson plan for next week, it seems like it'd be more fun to tackle this, er, thing. Maybe you've seen it already. Behold the logo for the upcoming World Youth Day in Panama (2019):

My first thought when I saw it was: "Oh, it's a fidget spinner with a cross! Yes, those are on my mind too much. World Youth Day must appeal to what the kids are up to these days.

X

However, the problem is that these spinners will be hopelessly outdated by 2019. Heck, even today at our school they've already lost their appeal.

Is it supposed to be a blue drama mask?

Was it inspired by the old Canucks logo?

Was it inspired by kid scribbling?

Maybe it's one of those images which combine two pictures into one. Sort of like this Van Gogh (at least it looks like him) portrait:

The problem is, it doesn't look like anything.

Nope, not like this...

Or this...

 Or this...

The point being we Catholics have the greatest art heritage of all. The WYD logo is yet another embarrassment in our modern Catholic world. Do the creators of this think that Catholic youth are too dumb to notice? Too apathetic to care? Somehow I think the youth do notice. I sincerely hope so.

How could you not?

New Arrival. Very Exciting!

Brace yourselves! They've arrived at our school! They came in yesterday. There can only be one thing I speak of...

 

Yes. Fidget Spinners. You spin them 'round and 'round. They arrived at our local drugstore sometime on Tuesday. How appropriate to sell them there. The drugstore owners in our town are geniuses. They know how to make money. After our town axed its slogan of: "Tisdale: The Land of Rape and Honey," these owners made shirts with this slogan on it, and sell them for $35 a t-shirt. Now they sell fidget spinners.

I saw a fidget spinner before the first bell began yesterday. I asked if I could check it out. You'll never guess what it does?! You hold it and spin it and... wait for it... it spins! I asked the kid how much he paid for it. "10 bucks!" I saw another one later in the day. I asked the price on that one. "25 dollars!" Isn't that the problem with schools. We spend so much time teaching such things as reading strategies, explaining your work using your metacognition, and a dozen different ways to solve 4X4, but we can't for the life of us teach kids common sense. If I ever have $25 to spend on a fidget spinner, I'll know I've made it in the world.

But alas, we Catholics are guilty too. 

Maybe I should ask the local drugstore to sell these?


UPDATE

The fidget spinners must've had babies last night. They've multiplied tenfold this morning. I can't wait to find some laying around so that I can take them home for the boys and I.

On Mother's Day: Kids Quotes

My Mother's Day card: on the left, me in the fort with the boys; on the right, me with the boys in our van going to get flowers.

Dan has been interviewing the boys for recent cards. I thought you might enjoy these boys! I sure do.

What do you like best about Mommy?
JP: "That she makes nice brunch!"
Joseph: "But Daddy makes brunch!... How she came to our fort."

JP: "Dad, you, what do you like best about Mommy?"
Dad: "I like that she puts Em to sleep at night."

What gift would you give her?
JP: "A little water gun."
Joseph: "Some flowers. Is that a good one?"

Who cooks better, Mom or Dad?
JP: "Daddy!"
Joseph: Mommy. I'm doing it to tie."

Who's the better driver? Mommy or Daddy?
JP: "Daddy!"
Joseph: "Jimmy Johnson!" (smiles)
JP: "I think Carl Edwards."
Joseph: "He quit!"
(Johnson and Edwards are Nascar race car drivers. The boys get all their Nascar knowledge from Grandpa Millette).

Who does Mom like best: Dad, Joseph, John Paul, or Emilie?
JP: "John Paul!!"
Joseph: "Emilie."

What's your favourite thing to do with Mommy?
Joseph: "Look on chairs and cook with her."
JP: "Hug with her."

Is Mommy the best ever?
JP & Joseph: "Yeah!"

What do you want to tell Mommy?
JP & Joseph: "Happy Mother's Day!"
Daddy: "Anything else?"
JP: "No!"

Confirming our will to fight

"Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast confessed a good confession before many witnesses." - 1 Timothy 6:12

In the history of the Church there is a common occurrence, at least in appearance, where the good work of one is soon lost. Like a delicate flower nurtured by life giving rain, only to then wither away by scorching heat. Or like a boxer building up an 11 round lead on the scorecard, only to get knocked out in the final round. Think of many great saints such as Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, and Alphonsus Ligouri. Some saints, as they prepare for death, get a firsthand glimpse of their hard work falling apart. Oftentimes it involves a newly founded religious order already losing zeal for the faith. It is a difficult purification for such saints. Why, even St. Alphonsus was more or less kicked out of his own order before he died. While it is a final purification for such saints, it undoubtedly is on account of original sin. That is, human nature, being fallen and thus disordered, often too easily drifts away from God. When someone leaves a work behind for others, there is a grave possibility of this work falling apart. Perhaps this is why some people are a little concerned about Opus Dei. Opus Dei, for the first time, has a new leader whom has never worked with St. Jose Maria Escriva. How long will it be before the "Work of God" loses its savour? Hopefully not in my lifetime.

And so I, being a great saint, had to endure this destruction of work over the past weekend. Hopefully it means I won't die too soon. I'm so busy purifying my wife everyday I'm sure. I speak of, though with perhaps slight exaggeration, our recent parish Confirmation/First Communion.

Last year I was helping out with catechism and sacramental prep at the church. I absolutely hated it. There was little to no structure. There was such apathy. I would teach a lesson, and then there would be zero follow up by parents at home. The children never prayed. Many never went to Mass. One parent would routinely show up very late to pick up her child. That is until I told her to show up on time, or pull out of catechism. Then I never saw her again. A couple of times I had parents come up to me and say "I heard you're doing catechism... I want my child to get Communion." Oh? I had no idea these families were Catholic. I remember one mom coming to me a couple of weeks before the bishop's scheduled arrival asking for the sacraments. I told her she should've been reading the bulletin for updates and registration. She said they never went to church, so it wasn't her fault that she never read about anything in the bulletin. So I asked her, in a slightly smoother manner, why on earth she wanted something that she obviously couldn't care less about. And I never talked with her again. It sure is easy to be hated when you take a stand for truth. I quit right after the Confirmation/First Communion that year. I did my best for my four little confirmands last year. And I'm proud that the bishop said he was impressed when they answered his questions so well during the homily. But I don't miss the position at all. 

Fast forward to this year. A dozen new children received these sacraments on Sunday at our church. A dozen! Yes, including all the ones that I said notachance to last year. The rumour mill is that they no more went to Mass and studied catechism now as opposed to last year. The difference is that I wasn't there to say no. My "good" work, that being saying the word no, was completely reversed as soon as I bailed out. Is this my purification? There's the catch. I'm actually not a saint, or even very saint-like. The whole thing is more annoying than anything. Clearly we "rigid" Catholics are looked down upon, outnumbered, and simply seen as being in the way of people getting what they want.

Yet God somehow permits this to regularly occur. Fallen nature makes any growth fragile. Life is just like that. I mean, I will work out very hard for months on end. Then I might get a two day flu bug. By the time I recover from the flu bug, I've lost all the gains I've made from the previous months! It's so hard to grow! It's so hard to sustain any growth! Anything we do in this world is so fleeting. We win one battle, and promptly lose the next one. This is why my opening quote is so important: "Fight the good fight of faith." I love that. It is a fight. A FIGHT. Often a fight is about getting knocked down and, well, you say it Rocky Balboa: "Life's not about how hard of a hit you can give... it's about how many you can take, and still keep moving forward." This applies to work outs, catechism, the pro-life movement, heck, even to making supper each day.

Having said that, I quit catechism teaching, and have no intent of returning. A fight can sometimes mean a change of strategy. Our current strategy involves raising our own children to be Catholic, and to hopefully have them excel at learning catechism. To figure out how to truly have a Catholic home. Some days our fight is merely to survive. But all in all, we wait for further instructions from the Lord. We wait for the next fight. It's not an if, but a when. And then we fight our next battle. If our work comes to nothing in our own eyes, so be it. The point is we fought the good fight, and did so with eternity on our mind. The Lord will take care of the rest. Whether we see results or not. Then, maybe then, we can shout out those immortal words when we finally pass from this life:

"Yo Jesus, I did it!"

Music Mondays: Strawberry Swing

First off, an honourable mention to the Regina Caeli. Last weekend while in Saskatoon we were able to hear it sung at the end of Mass. Then later while visiting with a family they sung it as part of the grace before the meal. As they sung it, I recall several of the children in the family staring intently at us. No doubt testing us to see if we knew it. Kids. Bah. So I mumbled a bit, then some alleluia, then more mumbling, and so on. A forced cough too, along with a made up whispered: "John Paul... stop." Anything to hide the fact that I didn't know it. I don't think I quite convinced them. I'm sure I was like Mr. Bean:

P.S. If you've never seen this, he's looking for his candy he dropped down his shirt at 1:12. Also, his jacket pocket is full of snot... ok, that's hard to explain. just watch the whole thing here.

Anyway, so Becca and I don't know the Regina Caeli. W we decided to learn it. It took a grand total of about 10 minutes to nail it down properly. Joseph knows about half of it too. So be warned. If you come to our house at mealtime I may send the kids as spies on you to see if you know it or not. Then I will laugh and laugh at you if I find out you don't.

Next up, we'll have to relearn the grace before meals in Latin ("The devils hates Latin!" my boys always remind us). Maybe I'll write it down on our chalkboard in the dining room.

Speaking of chalkboards, ok that was a little too forced as a segue, I come to the main event for Music Mondays. Today we return to Coldplay. They have some very creative videos. In 2009 they released a stop-motion video of Strawberry Swing. Though Strawberry Swing never made it high on the music charts, it is a peaceful happy little tune which, I think, is underrated. As for the video itself, never mind Chris Martin is rescuing a girl from a giant squirrel, the video is super fun and inventive. It is filmed overhead looking down upon what seems to be a giant chalkboardlike background. I wish more videos were creative like this. Here then is Strawberry Swing. Sing along if you like. Or just mumble along. I won't be watching you.

Happy Inclusivity Day?

From Justin's personal broadcasting corporation (CBC) comes a story about Mother's Day. Prepare for a heartwarming tale of love, gratitude, and sacrifice. Oh wait, this is the CBC. No, the article featured in preparation for Mother's Day on our taxpayer funded media outlet is titled: Is Mother's Day too exclusive for the classroom?

Apparently a teacher in Mission, BC, decided to cancel all Mother's Day and Father's Day projects. One of the students in the class, apparently, lost his or her mother. Therefore, out of liberal compassion, there will be no cards made in class. The teacher wrote to the parents of her classroom kids saying:

"In an effort to celebrate diversity, inclusivity and also nurture our students who are part of non-traditional families, we have decided to encourage those celebrations to take place at home."

Let's say Myrtle and her husband George live down the street. George has a heart attack and dies. We're all sad. We speak words of comfort. And in solidarity every other married couple in the community refuses to celebrate their anniversary in order to not offend the widow Myrtle?

Let's say Sidney Crosby breaks a hockey stick while in the middle of a shift. The coach thus yells out for all other players to drop their sticks in order to not make Crosby feel alone?

Let's say the Jefferson's dog gets run over. The community rallies around with unwavering support for the Jefferson's by refusing to feed their own dogs. Why should they put food in the mouths of their dogs when the poor Jefferson's dog is not given that chance anymore?

Bizarre examples. I apologize, but the point being that in real life tragedies are dealt with head on. They are not simply swept away. You help the person in need. But you don't stop living your life either. But in the world of education we lie to our children. We lie when we do not prepare them for reality. Do you really think a child who has lost his mom does not know Mother's Day is approaching? So let's just not talk about it?

I've been in this situation many times in class. I've taught students who lost their mother within the past year. I've taught students who have a dad in jail, or completely out of the picture. Before we do these projects we always have a quick serious discussion. We then discuss alternative people that we can make a card for if necessary. There's never been any hard feelings. Never. It just works. I tell you the honest discussion over the matter at hand is what helps the most, not the sweeping of Mother's Day under the "inclusivity" rug.

In the Middle of this Riot, Catholic Identity on My Mind

"In the middle of that riot, couldn't get you off my mind." - Gord Downie.

Yes, the words again from Bobcaygeon. When ever in doubt with life, quote Bobcaygeon. The boys and I do, and it sure helps. Yes, this is an inside joke. Now, sappy though the words I quoted may be, there is an element of truth to them. This time I speak of our latest Sunday trip to Saskatoon. While I sit here in the middle of the work week, with changes coming at the school which are producing many very unhappy teachers, I'm still thinking about Sunday.

For starters, we weren't even going to go to Saskatoon. One of the main reasons was not the Mass (well, it was for me), but rather Becca has been feeling the urge to meet up with a certain family at the Latin Mass whom we've met on a few occasions. So she asked me if she could email them and hint at an invite to their place (they've always said: "just let us know when you're coming..."). I, being myself, said no. Can there be anything worse than visiting with people while being completely exhausted from an early morning drive with three kids? In retrospect, those words don't sound so terrible, but darn it they did to me at the time. Well, the whole ask for a loaf of bread until it is given story applied, and eventually Becca wore me down until I finally said: "sure, go email them, just for heaven's sake let me finish my work out." I didn't expect a reply from them anyway. Neither did she. But, as Providence had it, they replied promptly. Something was up. So we prepared for an early morning departure to Saskatoon.

The Mass was, as per usual, beautiful. It is routine there to have a beautiful Mass. Though from our perspective we always consider it a real treat, and pray we always will be awed by it. I especially loved how John Paul and Joseph, though extremely tired, were so well behaved and interested in what was going on. They love the incense, responses in Latin, the final hymn, and I think they benefit greatly from seeing so many well behaved kids around them.

After Mass (and a coffee... no sense in ruining a visit by being grouchy), we made the fifteen minute drive South of Saskatoon. These people live in one of those "acreage" areas. You know the kind. You get 6-10 acres of land, build your own house, but basically you're living in a town surrounded by a multitude of neighbours. However, as with my own brother's place, these acreage areas often have a few back lots nicely separated from the rest of the riffraff of houses. A few trees and voila, you are secluded with your own little plot of earth. Well our hosts had the best of the best. Their spot was gorgeously secluded from the others. They had open space, a ravine with trees and a path, a hockey rink, and overall just a peaceful happy acreage.

We walked into their house, one they built themselves, and our jaws just dropped. If you've ever watched the show Fixer Upper, where Chip and Joanna Gaines create the most brilliant farm/rustic/clean looks imaginable, that is what we walked into. Everything was creative, well thought out, and stunning. "Everything is perfect!" stammered Becca. There were beautiful icons, concrete countertops (I didn't think they could be that nice, but they are), and little details such as scriptural Latin etched in the fireplace mantle. I don't know. Think of some Fixer Upper house, such as this:

But then make it distinctively Catholic. It was simple, yet elegant. And it was an extremely inviting atmosphere. Everything there exuded peace and contentment.

As we talked and ate, this couple (and their seven kids, did I mention that?) continued to ask us (US?!?) questions on how to raise kids to be Catholic. You see, they converted from Protestantism, and have not benefited from simply growing up in a Catholic home and having things flow in a Catholic direction without even thinking much about it. I think they referred more to how Becca and I grew up in Catholic homes, versus what we're doing now. I would sincerely hope that. We talked, then toured the home. We saw the home school setup, the books, the exercise equipment, the clean set up of toys. They put so much work into everything. Not out of showmanship, but to give a little extra peace and beauty. After some time outside, we headed on our merry way back home. The boys were sad to leave their new friends. Catholic friends for them... I can't imagine.

Truth be told, Becca and I talked about the visit the entire drive home to Tisdale. Then we talked about it a whole lot more that night. And the next day. And the day after that. "That's where I want to be in 8-10 years!" said Becca. The family does not get out terribly much, the dad co-runs a small construction company, the children are happy, helpful, and both smart and humble. In my opinion they could use a few more sports in their lives, but I digress. All in all I wonder if this was the ultimate combination of living in the world and living the Benedict Option. Perhaps.

Why mention all of this? Envy? Awe? A bit of both? I think God placed this in front of us for a reason. It will take some thinking and praying. To see a Catholic family, one of converts no less, live the authentic life of Catholicism, with a true Catholic identity, was quite inspiring. It made us yearn so much for such a life. But the kicker is always the same: we are where we are. That is, we are stuck in Tisdale right now. We do not get beautiful Masses, an acreage with a house to put our stamp on and ample room to run around and explore, nor home school support, Catholic friends, or even a successful self-employed job. We get a cozy little home in town. One where neighbours are starting to annoy us, the boys out-grow the yard, and we are always worried about messing up the "re-sale value" on our home by making non-neutral updates. We get a parish where we are made to feel like outsiders for the sin of loving what the Church teaches. We get a job where I come home shaking my head frequently at the total lack of common sense in the world. At least my children are not being formed in it. Yes, it would seem we are hard done by.

Of course we are not. Not even close. We are very blessed. Being able to visit this family on Sunday made me realize that though there is a wonderful and hopeful ideal placed before us, it will only happen once we can come to terms with what we have. To be grateful for the job, the house, the local church, even the pain of being alone in this world. Our Catholic identity, the one we continue to cling to with a death grip, must somehow thrive wherever we are. If and when the time comes to move on, it will be difficult. It will be full of hard work, sacrifice, perhaps job worry, and even some tears. But if we are formed properly in our own Catholic identity, right now, where we are, this same Catholic faith is what will carry us to the next step. There is no way around it. Only then could we truly appreciate the next step. Once again, in a sly way, I am reminded of the words from Bobcaygeon:

"Drove back to town this morning, with working on my mind. I thought of maybe quitting, thought of leaving it behind." 

Yes, I think of leaving it behind. But in the meantime, there's work to do. Then, only then, will we see God's future plans "reveal themselves one star at a time."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Music Mondays: Sheep May Safely Graze

Yesterday we did the ever stupid thing of getting up way too early and driving to the Latin Mass in Saskatoon. Afterwards we were able to spend time at the acreage of some friends.

Of course the Latin Mass uses different readings and prayers. We were treated to the words Jubilate Deo in one of the Mass prayers. The choir then sung it following communion. It was quite beautiful

But what struck me most was the closing hymn. They sang Jesus Christ is Risen Today. Joseph has been working very hard at learning the song, and so he sung it very loudly and beautifully as only Joseph can. There was a man sitting in front of us. This man I've known for nearly 15 years. He is a somewhat hardened man. Hardened by suffering. Hardened by bitterness. The Latin Mass used to have many such times in Saskatoon. But slowly young families took over, and there are very few of his type left. But this man I speak of... I've never seen him smile. Well as the closing hymn pressed on, and Joseph sung with all his might, the man turned around to look and I saw for the very first time the biggest smile ever on his face. To whom the lips of children make sweet hosannas ring.

I would include Jubilate Deo as the Music Monday selection. But I want to return to the Novus Ordo readings for that. Yesterday brought the readings of the Good Shepherd. As I child I remember vividly that day. We were treated to: "Like a shepherd he feeds his flock... and gathers the lambs in his arms..." You know the one. Bob Dufford of the St. Louis Jesuits... Sorry to ruin your day.

I mention Good Shepherd Sunday because of one of my favourite songs by Johann Sebastien Bach. First off, always put the "Sebastien" with his name. Bach came from a very musical family and it seems all the males were called Johann Bach. So to distinguish which composer was who, you had to say the middle name. Anyway, Bach composed this in 1713 in honour of Duke Wilhelm Ernst's birthday. The suggestion was that the Duke watched over his flock like a good shepherd. However, this selection soon was adopted to have religious significance. There is only one Good Shepherd. It is a beautiful selection. It was originally composed with an orchestra in mind. However, I love how a trumpet adds to the piece. Here is Sheep May Safely Graze

Fort Saskatchewan

Ever wonder what goes on in the minds of little children? I can't imagine. Hmm...

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Hi, I'm Joseph. I'm five years old and I know lots of stuff. I also need to build things because then I will be just like my grandpa. But my mom and dad don't let me. They say I have to ask first.

So I asked my daddy if we could build a tree house together. He said he didn't think it would work. So I drew him a picture of it. There, how could this not work? I even drew all the materials we would need. Dad is pretty slow sometimes.

Dad said he didn't think my picture would work! So I thought it would be good to let him sleep on it. I asked him the next day. He said no. I asked him the next day. He said no. I asked him... (repeat 37x) the next day... He said MAYBE!!!

Good! So that means I'd better start building it. I asked John Paul to help me. He's a good helper. He does what I tell him to. But he's a little bit dumb. Here's a picture of him and me working. I'm a workerman. John Paul's trying to figure out how to put his helmet on.

So the next thing to do is to come up with an idea. Daddy says that we're not going to build a tree house, but a fort instead. Great! So I went out to build a fort! But daddy says we need logs from grandpa's farm first. I think daddy is just trying to not do it. Just like when mommy asks him to vacuum the house but he says he's busy.

Instead of waiting, I made a plan of the fort.

It's going to be pretty sweet. I wanted to start building with John Paul. So I asked dad again if we could start the fort. He said we needed logs. But John Paul and I can get some logs in our yard.

Daddy says we can't use those logs because their for fires. Mommy says we're in trouble because we're not supposed to have the ax and saw. Mommy says we can't have lots of stuff. Like daddy's drill. Daddy says we can't have lots of things, when mommy is around.

Well, on Sunday we went to grandpa's house! At grandpa's house John Paul and I helped daddy cut down trees in the yard! Even grandpa came out with his chainsaw! I think it looked something like this:

We then put them in grandpa's chick truck and later hauled them home in our van. I fell asleep on the way, but when I woke up everything was unloaded. Poor dad probably never worked so hard. Daddy said we couldn't build the fort until Wednesday.

The next day I asked dad if we could build the fort. He said it was Monday, and that he wouldn't until Wednesday. He then said it was raining and that he didn't want his tools to get wrecked. It rained all day! So when dad came home from school I asked him if we could build the fort now. He said no because it was Monday and that it was raining. Dad sure likes to repeat himself a lot. I think he forgets things a lot.

The next morning I asked dad if we could build the fort. He said no because it was Tuesday and it was raining. But he said we could build it tomorrow! So I asked dad when he got home from work if we could build the fort. He said tomorrow again. Oh well. I'll ask him later tonight...

It's WEDNESDAY!!! OH BOY! Daddy said he would be home right after school. I looked out the window as often as I could so that I wouldn't miss him coming home. After lunch I looked out a bunch more. And then... Daddy came home! He changed his clothes and got out his power tools and we started working! John Paul and I gave dad screws when he needed them, and told him where to put stuff. It was a pretty big deal. We were pretty tired doing it, but we didn't stop. I think it looked something like this:

Well we worked and worked and worked like crazy! Dad got a wood piece stuck in his hand, but he didn't stop! John Paul went pee a couple of times too. But after about fifteen minutes of the busiest work you ever saw, we were done! We sure were tired. Dad then took some of the left over logs and we had a fire and made hotdogs and roasted marshmallows! Wednesday was the best day ever! I like Wednesdays! Here is what our fort looks like!

Daddy took a couple pictures of us. So I guess here they are.

We have a door that goes up and down!

John Paul worked pretty good.

We built a spy hole in it so John Paul can see out of the fort. I'm tall so I don't need it. But.. just for fun... can you see me in the picture? Look carefully!

Dad brought a Saskatchewan flag out. So we call the fort: Fort Saskatchewan!

I can't wait for another Wednesday when we can build more!

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"Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you"

- Luke 11:9.