1) Back to School, or "I'm Tired" - It's shocking how tired I was after the first day of school. I teach five phys. ed. classes a day, along with some Language Arts and Music. I need to figure out a way to justify a nap time as being part of the curriculum. Stamina will build I'm sure. But until then, in the whiny words of Joseph: "I'm tiiiiired."
2) No More Little Ones - It sure is a relief though to be done with teaching the younger grades (kindergarten, I'm looking at you). The youngest I go this year is one section of grade two phys ed. Most of what I teach is grade five. I'm way more comfortable with older students. Although I was thinking about it tonight, after just four days of teaching I've already had a lengthy discussion with them over the meaning of philosophy, as well as what Plato and Aristotle said regarding the human soul. Amazingly the kids seemed interested. Maybe grade 5 isn't for me either though.
3) NFL - The NFL season has kicked off. You gotta love the talent of the players. But you also gotta hate the 4 downs and 40 second play clock. I think I spent nearly 10 minutes watching the Packers get two first downs against the Seahawks. 3 yard run. 40 second wait. 3 yard run. 40 second wait. 4 yard pass. 40 second wait. 3 yard run. 40 second wait. 3 yard run. 40 second wait. 4 yard pass. They've even managed to throw in quick commercials this year right in the middle of drives. Nevertheless, despite all of this, you still gotta love the talent of the players.
4) You Can't Teach an Old Dog a New Catechism - Our diocese has rolled out a new catechism that all catechists are expected to use. I looked through it the other day. To be clear, it's not awful. But it's still watered down waaaaay too much, to the point of changing the names of the 10 Commandments to make them easier to understand (I thought the point of teaching was to explain what they mean?). So I said thanks, but no thanks. Faith and Life baby!
With maybe a bit of St. Joseph's Catechism thrown in as well:
I'm not at all opposed to some glitz in a catechism book. Not at all. But at the heart of it all I still look to see how clearly and fully the truth is being taught. What could be more clear than this?:
5) New York, New York - Cardinal Dolan's name seems to be making the rounds lately for all the wrong reasons. There's the whole St. Patrick's Day (Gay Pride) Parade fiasco as well as the constant cozying up to Democrats who work day and night to undermine Catholic teachings. Cardinal Dolan is also under fire for considering the closure of one of the few bright spots in the New York area: Holy Innocents' Parish. The parish is growing rapidly. Debt free. The whole deal. But one can't help but point out that it offers the Tridentine Mass. So it could very well be on the chopping block.
I just want to personally recommend to Cardinal Dolan a book I've started reading. I know it's done me a lot of good thus far, and has been forcing me to rethink how I do things. That book is:
Yes, it's tough to do the right thing. Heck, it's tough to even know what the right thing is. But Fr. Larry doesn't let us off the hook with such excuses. All the more he says to "be a man."
6) Mowing Along - So I cut our grass today. Really. First time in over a month.
7) The Pope - You know what? On second thought I'm not going to let it go that easily. Going back to that St. Patrick's Day scandal and Cardinal Dolan. Yes, as it stands right now there will be a Cardinal leading a supposedly Catholic parade with a newly approved LGBTQUVWXYZ contingent. The media has already started salivating at the prospect. Msgr. Charles Pope, blogger extraordinaire, gave a truly awesome blog earlier in the week advocating that the Cardinal be rid of the parade altogether (because St. Patrick doesn't promote debauchery and drunkenness, much less during lent) and the Al Smith dinner where Catholics get to be buddy buddy with the likes of Obama. I've always admired Msgr. Pope for both his clarity and charity. He's one of the good guys. Do you want to read his blog post? Well you can't. It was pulled. Read between the lines, as they say. Needless to say, this has caused quite the stir in Catholic circles. Many people are shocked that Msgr. Pope, one of the true good guys, would have such a quality posting removed.
It's painful to see good people who speak the truth with great love have their hands slapped for it. Last night I ended up messaging Msgr. Pope through the comments section of his blog. He personally emailed me back this morning thanking me for my prayers and kind words. He seemed embarrassed that his blog caused such a commotion. But it's not you Msgr. It's not you.
You're a true man.
"Some of our younger parish clergy read their sermons. This should not be done except for some very special reason. The priest who is not capable of preparing and delivering a brief, clear instruction on Catholic teaching to his people is not fit to be in parish work. The people as a rule do not want to listen to a sermon reader. The reader is usually a poor one and his matter many times is poorer. We do not expect every priest to be a Lacordaire or a Bossuet. We do expect every priest however to be a teacher of God’s word, an intelligent and intelligible one. We have heard splendid eloquence on the subject of card parties, bazaars, church support, etc. and then mental confusion in many cases when the time came for the sermon. Our work as preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ is of infinite importance. It ought to be done with prayerful preparation. The sermon should be delivered in such a manner that our people can hear, understand, and take away with them a better knowledge of their faith and at the same time feel moved to live that faith and more practical way. If the priests of a parish wish to hold her people’s loyalty to their parish church, they cannot do it by competition in the matter of late hours for masses, unbecoming a hurry in the celebration of divine mysteries, or curtailment of devotional church practices."
