Jesus is saved, thanks to GPS

In Florida, somebody keeps stealing Jesus.
Not the real Jesus we all know and love, but a reproduction used for a nativity scene in the center of Bal Harbour. In past years, the figurine has disappeared from the scene — even after nailing it down, if that isn’t ironic — and bystanders, including Mary and Joseph, were knocked over or damaged.
http://www.stltoday.com/blogs/business-talking-tech/2007/12/jesus-is-saved-thanks-to-gps/#more-18460

The meaning of the day
St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke is quoted in the St. Louis Post today.
"An important point in Matthew's Gospel, said Burke, is the connection of the name Emmanuel with the name Jesus, or Yeshua in Hebrew, which means "he who saves." Immediately after the angel of the Lord tells Joseph to name his son Jesus, the author quotes the Emmanuel passage from Isaiah.
"Jesus did not come just to be with us during his years of life on Earth, but he suffered, died, and remains with us always," the archbishop said. "God becomes man in order to save us, and that message is why the names Emmanuel and Jesus are connected by Matthew."
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/religion/story/86BD06150256580D862573BB0082BD06?OpenDocument

What Catholic book are you reading now?

Now I'm reading "a Doctor at Calvary" by Pierre Barbet. It's an analysis of the Shroud of Turin and a pathology report combined. It's a bit hard to read with all the medical jargon, but I'm enjoying it.

My son turned 18 yesterday. There is something about that age that is special. He can go to the doctor without a parent. I have to have his permission to know his medical records. He can buy cigarettes and Playboy (or worse). He can legally leave home.

I know he is not ready to leave the nest yet, but the thought that he could if he wanted to is both a scary and a proud moment. I have done my best to be a good mom. I can't know for sure whether I have, but I sincerely think I have. Words can't express my love and pride for him.

I guess every parent asks the questions, "What will my child grow up to be?" and "Have I done a good job?" Only time will tell. God be with him.

The Archdiocese of St Louis web site has a response to current issues in the area. An organization called "Roman Catholic Womenpriests" announced in a news release dated October 15, 2007, that it would be undertaking a ceremony on November 11, 2007, at the synagogue building of Central Reform Congregation, St. Louis, that would purport to ordain two women to the Roman Catholic priesthood. The following article serves to present briefly the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church regarding the ordained priesthood and who may be admitted to Holy Orders. The article is followed by links to some helpful supplemental resources, and a perspective on concerns regarding interfaith relationships arising from Central Reform Congregation's hosting of the November 11 event.

http://www.archstl.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=173&Itemid=1

Here are some other cool web sites I found:
http://evangelization2.typepad.com/evangelization2_0/2007/10/love-to-be-ca-1.html
http://www.sqpn.com/
http://www.thatcatholicshow.com/
http://www.rosaryarmy.com/
http://www.lovetobecatholic.com/video_362_Divine_Mercy.html
Catholics need to use the web to spread the Gospel. These sites do exactly that.

I haven't been updating this blog lately. I've become involved in Christ Renews His Parish weekends. I attended my first one in March. I helped to lead one Oct 6-7. Now I am helping the next team to get ready for a weekend in February or March, 2008.
It amazes me how powerful these weekends are. The dozen participants were as thrilled as I was at how God touches hearts and renews faith. The saying, "It is more blessed to give than receive" is very true, because I was blessed by giving the weekend. I love passing on the faith. There is nothing better than knowing that the Holy Spirit has been working through the meager efforts of his people.
I am helping with the pre-RCIA sessions again. Last year, the parish didn't have many people who needed those sessions, so I took a break. This is another way I can pass on the faith. It is a thrill to see those I have instructed being baptized on Holy Saturday.
I have been busy with a couple writing projects this year. I wrote a thematic bible study and a piece that is in the Screwtape Letter genre. I want to find a publisher for them.
In July - August, the family visited Daytona Beach and Orlando, FL. We had a budget motel right on the beach. That's the first time our family has had that type of convenience. I liked it, because I could see if the waves were big enough to ride. If they weren't, I continued to read the two Harry Potter books we brought. I read number six and seven, so I finished the series while on vacation.
I loved them all and it will be strange to not be looking forward to the next book in the series. It was well worth reading all seven of these tomes. I don't read a lot of fiction and I don't write it either. However, I really admire J.K Rowlings' ability to spin a great, spell-binding (pardon the pun) tale.
The other book I read while on vacation was Peter Kreeft's Handbook of Christian Apologetics. I found the chapter on the Problem of Evil to be awesome. The part about how can God be both just and merciful really touched my heart. I have been pondering the merciful love of God since I read that page. It was an epiphany for me. The understanding of mercy has never been so real to me before. I want to tell everyone about it. I feel the muse (or is it the Holy Spirit?) telling me to start writing another bible study about it. Before I do that, I want to focus on getting the one I wrote published. It is such a waste to fill up my hard drive with writings that have never seen the light of day. So I better get back to writing that book proposal.