Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. I announce to you Canon Joseph Heppelle. He was ordained to the priesthood by His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke today

Just a couple quick words about "Joseph". I went to school with him at the Academy for two years. In that second year we were housemates in a cabin on a tiny island. Needless to say, I got to know Joseph very well. He is one of the most disciplined, kind, and holy-seeking individuals I have ever known. One minute I would hear him practicing his Greek words, or praying the old breviary in Latin, the next he'd be out with me on a canoe ride, barbecuing burgers, or serving Mass with me before going out for breakfast with Father Shalla. The last time I saw Joseph was at my wedding. He showed up after the Mass had started. But show up he did. He promised he'd be there, and come ____ or high water he made it.

Joseph did not have an easy path to the priesthood. In an age where some dioceses treat their seminarians like gods (to the detriment, and I'm sure embarrassment, of the seminarian), Joseph had to persevere through many significant obstacles on his journey. Yet persevere he did. I always told Becca that I wanted to be at his ordination. I wanted to make a special journey to be there. Well he was ordained in Florence, Italy, as a member of the Institute of Christ the King today. And I have three little kids and a job... so you can see how my special journey went, or didn't...

Nevertheless, it is with great joy that I present to you Canon Joseph Heppelle!

Te Deum!

A Paid "Leave"

Bizarre circumstances surround me as I write this. I am at work. Technically getting paid. Something inside of me said I should call in sick today. But I didn't. I never do.

Today is one of our School Improvement Planning days. My morning was spent uselessly. My afternoon? Well I showed up only to find that all staff were to meet in the gym. The chairs were in a circle. Our school division First Nations consultant was evidently leading our afternoon session. We were told not to have jewels or metal on. She then informed us that we were to begin with a smudging ceremony. She explained how smudging gets rid of negativity while reworking our inner being and... I think I stopped hearing what she said after that. She then lit some foul smelling sage material and said she was going to pass it around. I never experienced the opportunity. I quietly went to my VP and whispered that I was very uncomfortable with this, all before I took off from the gym. "There goes Millette again.." I'm sure the others thought. The VP seemed understanding, and told me I could come back when I felt better, and that there'd be no more smudging after this.

And that's where I am. Sitting here. Evidently not feeling better about re-entering the gym. But I've had plenty of time to think and pray. My prayers right now are with a good friend of mine who, probably at this very moment, is being ordained a priest. Abbe Joseph Heppelle. I knew for some reason today would not be fun, but I resolved to offer it up for him. He's suffered so much in his perseverance to Holy Orders. Mary protect him as a priest.

And I think about the following: What on earth am I doing here? This year has been very evident to me that I just don't fit in with The System. For instance, "It" pushes more and more technology. Endless ipads and imovies and google drives. I ask about the link between depression and screen time for teenagers. It pushes metacognition, yet in a way that metacognition never was meant to be understood, if Aristotle is read correctly. I've seen a simple short story take over an hour to be read, because a teacher was so busy "thinking aloud" in search of "strategies" to aid "comprehension" and "connections". Remember when good books could be read? When deep questions could be asked? When children grew in wonder?

I shouldn't ramble on. Perhaps I should just prepare for my inevitable meeting with the principal. One thing is certain. One must follow one's conscience. And that the Faith is an honour to suffer for.

And speaking on the education of youth, one last thing: St. John Bosco, pray for us.

Points to Ponder: a little out of the ordinary

We finally received Becca's much anticipated "What I read in 2017" book blog. Now we have to wait a whole entire year for another one! In the meantime, here are some points to ponder. To cherish. To hold on to. To, well, read on...





Ordinary Time

The ordinary season is upon us. Green is the colour. Growing is the game. Yes green means growth, as is indicated by our lovely puke green banner which now replaces our glorious Christmas tree at church. Green as growth is bit of a tough sell when it's been routinely 40-50 below with the never-ceasing prairie wind. But grow we must. Otherwise we are falling back. A critique I have is that to grow it is necessary for one to have the end in mind. A weightlifter makes most growth when he is seeking a goal, such as lifting 400lbs on the dead lift. A child learns his letters best when he sees the goal of learning how to read. A chef has a goal of out-cooking Bobby Flay on the show Beating Bobby Flay. Liturgically we are presented with "ordinary" time. While not every day can be a feast or fasting, our terminology certainly lacks a goal. we used to count these days as time after Epiphany, or the time after Pentecost, thereby suggesting the Church's goal of being led by Christ and the Spirit to our eternal end. As if this really is the time after Pentecost (which it is).

Does anybody love the ordinary season? Who invented it? Well, we have the 1970s to thank for it. The 1960s and 70s were blessed times for the Church. It's the time when people discovered they knew more than nearly 2000 years of Church traditions and practice. It's also the time when people completely snubbed the Eastern Church. Nevertheless, I hope you're having a blessed second week of ordinary time. On an unrelated note, the other day Becca was telling me that I was very cynical. I guess I am, ordinarily speaking.




Flu/Sign of Peace

I see that several diocese around the world are suspending the sign of peace due to the flu. The Lord can bring goodness out of anything. I'm sure there are some who believe that everyone should have a flu shot before they're allowed in the church, because hugging a stranger before Holy Communion is an essential part of the Mass. Speaking of cynical, there used to be an ancient group of Greeks, the Cynics, who strove after virtue and shunned anything else the world had to offer. One such story goes as such:

There lived a wise man in ancient Greece whose name was Diogenes. Men came from all parts of the land to see him and talk to him.

Diogenes was a strange man. He said that no man needed much, and so he did not live in a house but slept in a barrel, which he rolled about from place to place. He spent his days sitting in the sun and saying wise things to those who were around him.

When Alexander the Great came to that town he went to see the wise man. He found Diogenes outside the town lying on the ground by his barrel. He was enjoying the sun.

When he saw the king he sat up and looked at Alexander. Alexander greeted him and said:

"Diogenes, I have heard a great deal about you. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Yes," said Diogenes, "you can step aside a little so as not to keep the sunshine from me."

The king was very much surprised. But this answer did not make him angry. He turned to his officers with the following words:

"Say what you like, but if I were not Alexander, I should like to be Diogenes."

Say what you like Becca, but I'm sure if you were not Becca you should like to be me...


Hockey/Joseph

Joseph's hockey is going well. He's playing great, though I have him out on the rink firing pucks everyday in order to improve his shot. Here he is at one of his games in Porcupine Plain. Being a coach means I get to take close up pictures from the bench.

 

Dog Gone

We had Emma over for several days again. We loved taking her outside for strolls in the park. And she loved it too. As you can tell by this kiss. I think Becca's jealous.

 

Emilie lazing around again.

King Christian X

In my grade 5 class we're reading Number the Stars, the award winning WWII novel by Lois Lowry. At one part of the book it is explained that King Christian X of Denmark would ride his horse around Copenhagen everyday. When asked who his body guard was, the book responds that all of Denmark is his bodyguard. The ten year old heroine, AnneMarie, in the book responds that she too would give her life for the king.

Well I just couldn't let this moment pass. With a wry smile I ever so innocently asked the class: "And would you guys give up your life for Prime Minister Trudeau?"

"Yeah right!"
"No way would I ever do that for HIM!"
"My parents hate him!"
"I would never give up my life for him!"

And we continued reading.


Green is the Colour (again)

We'll end with more green. There is something lovely about how little boys create games. Pope Benedict XVI frequently discussed play in relation to the liturgy, and how we have a built in desire to worship, and play, in certain patterns with certain rules and certain clothing. I filmed this a couple of weeks ago.

Keep on playing boys.

What I Read in 2017

He beat me to it. Of course. But to set the record straight, I enjoy reading about what other people enjoyed reading. I often find books to read that way. But, I'm not writing this because I figure you all (whoever you are reading this) will be interested, but simply because I want to remember what I read.

Without further ado...

Mother Teresa of Calcutta: A Personal Portrait by Leo Maasburg

I really enjoyed this anecdotal story written by a priest who traveled very frequently with Mother Teresa. It was a beautiful little peek into the life of this great saint! One of my favourite stories was when Mother Teresa told Fr Leo that he needed to come meet the pope with her. It didn't bother her that he hadn't been asked and would never get through all the security. She prayed her famous Novena of Memorares confidently and somehow wheedled her way past security. Fr Leo found himself preparing to celebrate Mass with Pope John Paul II.

Green Dolphin Street by Elizabeth Goudge

An exceptional study in character, Green Dolphin Street tells the tale of two sisters and the man they both love. A "three-way thread" ties them altogether throughout life as they live out their vocations, learn the meaning of sacrifice, and, ultimately, the meaning of happiness. I really enjoyed it and would probably re-read again.

 

Will Wilder by Raymond Arroyo

The first two installments in EWTN's Raymond Arroyo's Will Wilder series was a complete departure from anything I would normally read. Arroyo's unfinished seven book series for middle school readers follows a boy and his family who have special gifts and secrets for combating the supernatural demons unleashed on the world. For an adult, it's exciting though predictable, but for a middle schooler I think it would be just thrilling. Arroyo combines action, weird Catholic stuff, and the supernatural for a speedy ride!

 

The Blue Castle & A Tangled Web by L.M. Montgomery

I cannot believe I had never read The Blue Castle before. Oh my, what a sweet, lovely, unexpected romance! This was a book I saw on a reading list and promptly knew I had to read it. The story follows the heroine, Valency Sterling, after she receives a doctor's life-changing diagnosis and decides she is not going to live under her family's ridiculous, overbearing expectations. I also picked up L.M. Montgomery's A Tangled Web for the first time this year. A humorous story about a family obsessed with inheriting an aunt's jug. Enjoyable, but not the gem I found Blue Castle to be.

 

The Magnolia Story & Capital Gaines by Chip and Joanna Gaines

Fixer Upper has long been my favourite TV show: the design, the humour, the Gaineses. Chip and Joanna's books are just like their show: real, funny, and a great story.

Canadian Saints Essays by Canadian Catholics

I read these essays during Lent last year. They are so inspiring! Written by Canadian Catholics, some of whom I know personally, they are a beautiful look into the lives of great saints. I especially enjoyed the more narrative stories that combined what we know of their lives and history in a story-like fashion.

Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives by Pope Benedict XVI

A re-read of Pope Benedict's. He does not disappoint. I always find something new to meditate on, am always inspired and amazed at Benedict's profound knowledge and spiritual insight.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

I think this was my favourite read of the year. Apparently, it took Doerr over ten years to write. All the Light we Cannot See follows the lives of an intelligent, inventive German orphan boy and a book-loving, blind Parisian girl, the daughter of a museum worker, culminating during World War II. Doerr is an incredible storyteller. While dealing with a difficult, dark period of history he accomplishes an beautiful work writing in fantastic, often poetry-like prose that touches a deep chord and leaves the reader aching.

Eight Cousins & Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott

Years ago, I read Alcott's Little Women and felt badly that I didn't really like it. I read these two Alcott novels because I'd heard good things and thought I'd give her a try again. While the stories were enjoyable, I just have to admit I'm not a huge Alcott fan.



Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie

This was a homeschool read for the year and probably the best thing I've ever read on the subject, ever. Ok, I'm in my second year as a homeschool mom. No experience, obviously. But Sarah Mackenzie is one of my go-to websites for good books and sane, simple, practical advice. Basically, she wants to simplify the schooling and get at what's really important; not trying to do everything, but doing the most important things well. I will read and re-read this book and I hope it will forever shape our schooling.

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We do a lot of reading around here with our kids. A few years ago I read Gladys Hunt's Honey for a Child's Heart about the importance of reading to kids. I grew up like this and am forever grateful to my Mom, especially, for filling our home with books and our minds with great literature. But reading it for myself put me on a new path towards "making meaningful connections with my kids over books" as Sarah Mackenzie (above author) would say. So, here are a few of our chapter book favourites we read with the kids:

   
   

What I read in 2017 - Husband Edition

Becca has several times told me that she's wanted to write a blog post about what she's read over the past year. I hadn't the heart to tell her: "Why would anyone care?" But then she said I should do the same too. Obviously you all should care if I write one. Hypocrisy isn't in my dictionary. Nor humility, apparently.

I started the year by finishing Crime and Punishment (again). Great books deserve a second read. This is a great book. Though it's so darn depressing. Dostoevsky writes a situation, then looks back and thinks: "How can I make this more heartbreaking and sad? I know! I'll have the drunken dad start yelling at his kids in the middle of the night before he tragically dies while the mother goes crazy and the neighbours laugh!"

I also previously wrote that I read The Lion of Munster by Fr. Daniel Utrecht. Just to reiterate, it is a fantastic book which gives tremendous insight into the life of a Catholic diocese in Germany during World War II. I highly recommend this book for all bishops and priests.



 

 And just for relaxation-sake, I plowed through several P.G. Wodehouse Jeeves and Wooster novels. This is light reading which is sure to provide many laughs. The stories are well written, and woven together beautifully. Plus you get to picture the TV show in your head while you read, which is rather fun. That's the posish...

Anything written by Pope Benedict XVI/ Cardinal Ratzinger is excellent. His writings will endure for centuries (so long as the world is still around...). The Jesus of Nazareth series is always worth returning to for insight and devotional use. Lately I get sad thoughts about how Papa Ratzinger will very likely soon leave the burdens of this life. My beloved Holy Father... pray for him please.

Speaking of Benedicts, I finally bought into the hype and purchased a copy of The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher. You know, Dostoevsky has nothing on Dreher for writing depressing scenarious. All Dreher does is write about what is going on in the world. There is nothing worse than this! The Benedict Option is misunderstood. No, it is not a call to leave our society and form Catholic-hippy communities in the mountains. It is a call, though, to form little citadels of Christianity within society. The Church will survive as mighty little areas. Note: Dreher is an Orthodox Church member, and not Catholic. His book is meant to appeal to Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants. This is a weakness in his writing. All or nothing for me man. Catholicism is where it's at.

Which brings me to a book I finished over the Christmas break: Anthony Esolen's Out of the Ashes. This is best book I read last year. It is one of the best books I've ever read. I'm telling you to buy it, or ask me to lend it to you. Esolen's book is somewhat similar to the Benedict Option, and yet it's not even close. Esolen is a story-teller, historian, philosopher, theologian, literary genius, and a Catholic prophet. All rolled together to form one book.

On to some lighter reading. Yes, we own both books by Chip and Joanna Gaines: The Magnolia Story and Capital Gaines. They are the popular stars of the show Fixer Upper. Their work is beautiful, they seem like great people, and they very publicly put their family and faith first. Hence, they are not going to be filming another season of the show. Also, they just announced they are expecting baby number 5! If you like the show, you will like the books.

 

I've read Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls a few times. You guessed it, we do a novel study at school with it. That ending.. always gets me choked up. Needless to say, in class we had a group of crying students by the end. But they loved it. 

Maybe you didn't know this but... Alexandre Dumas was a great writer. I've previously read The Count of Monte Cristo, which is a blow-your-mind story with a less than stellar ending. Last year I read The Three Musketeers, which is a somewhat disappointing story but with a great ending. I then read The Man in the Iron Mask, which is a good-to-great story with a good-to-great ending. Sort of in between the other two books. I'm glad I read these books. If you could only choose one book to read... hmmm, maybe read The Count of Monte Cristo, and then lower your expectations for an epic ending. Oh, and just read the abridged versions for Dumas' novels.

Msgr. Benson wrote The Lord of the World over 100 years ago. The word "prophet" I believe is what you say to describe him. Again, I would say this story is an essential read. And the ending... I was racing through it. I just couldn't read fast enough! It didn't disappoint either.

I dabbled at St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica again this year. In a world of muddled ramblings and papal advisers telling us that for God 2+2=5, it is important to be grounded in the truth.

I very recently finished reading The Devil Hates Latin, written by Katharine Galgano (pen name). It was... not what I expected. For instance, there was some strong language used throughout the story. And yet, this language fits the story. The point being, the devil has his tale in all of life, and especially works through people in the Church. The story told explains this excellently. It is a very good book, a fast-paced and engaging story, though the epilogue is perhaps a tad too optimistic. Yes I just said that.

Since Christmas I've been reading the daily Mass prayers and readings... for the Tridentine Latin Mass. I just want to sing "A Whole New Wooooooorld!" I love spending time translating the Latin. It enriches the text so much. And besides, the Devil Hates Latin. 

That was last year. Amazing the reading that can be accomplished when you limit the TV and internet use. Here's hoping for some great reading next year! I have five or six books lined up already.

Ok Becca, your turn to write. And really, we care what you read. Really. Wait, this means I'll have to watch the kids while you write... 

Little Trouble

It's time to take down the Christmas tree. Do you know how I know?

Because of this little troublemaker. See that tree? See how there are no decorations on the bottom half? See how the lights are burnt out on the bottom half? It's quite a sorry sight.

It's been a temptation for Emilie the past three weeks. Despite telling her "no," giving her little hand slaps, having her brothers yell at her... she just can't resist. Actually, she's quite fiendish the way she deliberately grabs an ornament immediately after being reprimanded, laughs in our faces, and takes off running. So, the tree's gotta come down!

But, you see, it's all part of a bigger trend...

Caught stealing crackers

Smiling cutely after stealing fishies

Found on top of the boys' school desk playing with their new art supplies

She colours on bookshelves, steals uncooked macaroni, rips books, rips paper, rips toilet paper, dumps pee, climbs on tables, destroys Christmas tree ornaments, dumps water (purposefully), dumps crayons, steals her Dad's deodorant and picks at it (eats it?). We have all our kitchen cupboards elastic-banded because of her. We have all our cereal, crackers, drinks, etc on our fridge because we can't make that cupboard inaccessible. 

But... "she's so cute," you say? Just look at this next picture of her: outside playing hockey with her brothers. She loves hockey. Just can't hold onto the stick with those darn mittens her Mom puts on her but doesn't bother putting her thumbs in. She's so cute the way she has to have her hockey stick bungee corded onto her. She loves it. How could she be such a troublemaker??

Yeah? Well, just look at this face and tell me she isn't a troublemaker. That's the face of one who was just told we're removing the tree because she can't keep her hands off of it. 

One (last) Blessed Night

I sit at work now, trying to get set up for the next month of school before more report cards go home. Heck, I'm actually just trying to get my morning figured out. Christmas break went by quickly. Probably because it was a shorter break than usual... I was warned by a parent at hockey last night that she was "so ready" to send her kids back to school. Gulp.

But allow me one last taste of Christmas. I love watching (everybody loves) Raymond Arroyo's World Over Christmas Special each year. This year was great, as usual. At one point he featured a song called One Blessed Night. Emilie, who was watching it with us cause she didn't want to go to sleep at a decent hour, absolutely loved it. She was waving her arms wildly throughout. Why? Well, check out the conductor and you'll understand why. Seriously, conductor-style work outs could be a thing. Anyway, the songs starts at around 2:45.

Now, back to work. What were we doing in Math again?...

New Yearssszzzzz

It was an awesome New Year's Eve! The boys lasted until 7:30pm. I made it all the way to 9:00pm. I'm not sure when Becca went to bed. It's not that we don't party. Truth be told, everyday is a party. That's why we need our rest. Don't believe me?

Happy New Year. And happy solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

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