Terri Schiavo, au centre d'un débat sur l'euthanasie, est morte
Terri Schiavo, une Américaine dans le coma depuis 15 ans privée d'alimentation artificielle depuis le 18 mars, est morte jeudi.
28 March 2005
24 March 2005
Fast and Hunger Strike
I found a message in my inbox this morning from a friend of mine, about what he is going to do to help Terri Schiavo. Here is the relevant part:
"I feel very helpless in all of this. All that I am going to do is fast. I was planning on fasting for the Easter Triduum, but now I am also doing a hunger strike. I will only drink water at least until Sunday. My purpose in doing this is to be in solidarity with Terri and offer up my sacrifice. However, I will also be doing a demonstration. I will make this hunger strike known to the public. Starting tomorrow, with the exception of when I will go to Mass, I will sit at the grotto outside of St. Aloysius church with a sign alerting those who pass by to what I am doing. I will sit there from 8am to 8pm. Originally I had wanted to sit at the steps of Crosby, but I felt consolation when I decided to sit and the grotto and ask for the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, the patroness of the Diocese of Spokane. I invite all of you to join me in doing this. Even if it is only for part of a day or you cannot do the fast or join me at the grotto, please keep Terri, her family, and this country in your prayers."
I'm sure other people have had this idea. But if you were not planning to do so, but are able to, perhaps you will consider participating in a more extreme fast than you might normally do for Good Friday. If you can, consider joining my friend John and many others in this endeavor.
I found a message in my inbox this morning from a friend of mine, about what he is going to do to help Terri Schiavo. Here is the relevant part:
"I feel very helpless in all of this. All that I am going to do is fast. I was planning on fasting for the Easter Triduum, but now I am also doing a hunger strike. I will only drink water at least until Sunday. My purpose in doing this is to be in solidarity with Terri and offer up my sacrifice. However, I will also be doing a demonstration. I will make this hunger strike known to the public. Starting tomorrow, with the exception of when I will go to Mass, I will sit at the grotto outside of St. Aloysius church with a sign alerting those who pass by to what I am doing. I will sit there from 8am to 8pm. Originally I had wanted to sit at the steps of Crosby, but I felt consolation when I decided to sit and the grotto and ask for the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, the patroness of the Diocese of Spokane. I invite all of you to join me in doing this. Even if it is only for part of a day or you cannot do the fast or join me at the grotto, please keep Terri, her family, and this country in your prayers."
I'm sure other people have had this idea. But if you were not planning to do so, but are able to, perhaps you will consider participating in a more extreme fast than you might normally do for Good Friday. If you can, consider joining my friend John and many others in this endeavor.
21 March 2005
A Reflection for Holy Week
"At every celebration of the Eucharist, we are spiritually brought back to the paschal Triduum: to the events of the evening of Holy Thursday, to the Last Supper and to what followed it. The institution of the Eucharist sacramentally anticipated the events which were about to take place, beginning with the agony in Gethsemane. Once again we see Jesus as he leaves the Upper Room, descends with his disciples to the Kidron valley and goes to the Garden of Olives. Even today that Garden shelters some very ancient olive trees. Perhaps they witnessed what happened beneath their shade that evening, when Christ in prayer was filled with anguish “and his sweat became like drops of blood falling down upon the ground” (cf. Lk 22:44). The blood which shortly before he had given to the Church as the drink of salvation in the sacrament of the Eucharist, began to be shed; its outpouring would then be completed on Golgotha to become the means of our redemption: “Christ... as high priest of the good things to come..., entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (Heb 9:11-12)."
--Ecclesia de Eucharistia
"At every celebration of the Eucharist, we are spiritually brought back to the paschal Triduum: to the events of the evening of Holy Thursday, to the Last Supper and to what followed it. The institution of the Eucharist sacramentally anticipated the events which were about to take place, beginning with the agony in Gethsemane. Once again we see Jesus as he leaves the Upper Room, descends with his disciples to the Kidron valley and goes to the Garden of Olives. Even today that Garden shelters some very ancient olive trees. Perhaps they witnessed what happened beneath their shade that evening, when Christ in prayer was filled with anguish “and his sweat became like drops of blood falling down upon the ground” (cf. Lk 22:44). The blood which shortly before he had given to the Church as the drink of salvation in the sacrament of the Eucharist, began to be shed; its outpouring would then be completed on Golgotha to become the means of our redemption: “Christ... as high priest of the good things to come..., entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (Heb 9:11-12)."
--Ecclesia de Eucharistia
19 March 2005
Terri Schiavo News in French
Tube d'alimentation a été débranché
Etats-Unis: imbroglio autour d'une femme dans le coma, privée d'alimentation
St. Jude, pray for us!
Tube d'alimentation a été débranché
Etats-Unis: imbroglio autour d'une femme dans le coma, privée d'alimentation
St. Jude, pray for us!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hatke (Ben of Small Pax Guild) on the birth of their second child!
I suggest the rest of us celebrate by reading a Zita the Space Girl comic.
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hatke (Ben of Small Pax Guild) on the birth of their second child!
I suggest the rest of us celebrate by reading a Zita the Space Girl comic.
15 March 2005
14 March 2005
Anticipation
In anticipation of St. Patrick's Day, I present to you some familiar prayers in Irish (please excuse the lack of diacritical marks):
In ainm an Athar agus Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh. Amen.
Ar n-Athair ata ar neamh, go naofar d'ainm. Go dtaga do riocht. Go ndeantar do thoil ar an talamh mar a dheantar ar neamh. Ar n-aran laethuil tabhair duinn inniu, agus maith duinn ar bhfiacha, mar a mhaithimidne dar bhfeichiuna fein, agus na lig sinni gcathu, ach saor sinn o olc. Amen.
Se do bhatha, a Mhuire, ata lan de ghrasta, ta an Tiarna leat. Is beannaithe thu idir mna, agus is beannaithe toradh do bhroinne, Iosa. A Naomh-Mhuire, a Mhathair De, guigh orainn na peacaigh anois agus ar uair ar mbais. Amen.
Gloir don Athair, agus don Mhac, agus don Spiorad Naomh, mar a bhi ar dtus, mar ata anois, agus mar a bheas go brach le saol na saol. Amen.
Irish translations as found in the Glenstal Book of Prayer.
Note: In days gone by, there was a competition held during the feis at the Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco for recitation in Irish. The recitation could be of a poem (either original or otherwise), a short story, or a prayer. They also used to cease all competition at noon on Sunday and a priest would come say Mass in the competition hall, but that is no longer done.
In anticipation of St. Patrick's Day, I present to you some familiar prayers in Irish (please excuse the lack of diacritical marks):
In ainm an Athar agus Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh. Amen.
Ar n-Athair ata ar neamh, go naofar d'ainm. Go dtaga do riocht. Go ndeantar do thoil ar an talamh mar a dheantar ar neamh. Ar n-aran laethuil tabhair duinn inniu, agus maith duinn ar bhfiacha, mar a mhaithimidne dar bhfeichiuna fein, agus na lig sinni gcathu, ach saor sinn o olc. Amen.
Se do bhatha, a Mhuire, ata lan de ghrasta, ta an Tiarna leat. Is beannaithe thu idir mna, agus is beannaithe toradh do bhroinne, Iosa. A Naomh-Mhuire, a Mhathair De, guigh orainn na peacaigh anois agus ar uair ar mbais. Amen.
Gloir don Athair, agus don Mhac, agus don Spiorad Naomh, mar a bhi ar dtus, mar ata anois, agus mar a bheas go brach le saol na saol. Amen.
Irish translations as found in the Glenstal Book of Prayer.
Note: In days gone by, there was a competition held during the feis at the Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco for recitation in Irish. The recitation could be of a poem (either original or otherwise), a short story, or a prayer. They also used to cease all competition at noon on Sunday and a priest would come say Mass in the competition hall, but that is no longer done.
12 March 2005
Twenty Things Jane and Lizzy Have Done That Their Readers Probably Haven't
Jane has...
1. Sung chant in the chapel at Solesmes.
2. Stayed at a Basilian convent (in Olympia, WA).
3. Worn my school uniform to a pro-life rally in Sacramento.
4. Sung for a Mass at Mundelein Seminary--and boy were they suprised to hear girls' voices from the loft!
5. Along with my harp, been offered a ride by a Jewish bodhran player.
6. Been sent a free dessert at a French restaurant in NYC by the owner (who was actually from France), just because I was from Napa Valley.
7. Asked my mother if I could take a picture of a kosher butcher in Albany, NY, because I thought he looked like Lazarwolf.
8.Had it suggested to me that I star in a kind of Irish stepdancing-meets-martial arts picture, and call it "Enter the Leprechaun."
9. Been given a crossbow on the occasion of my graduation from high school.
10. Had over 50 limericks and 20 sonnets written about me, though none have been published.
Lizzy has...
1. Bought books on the Templars in French (and is actually able to understand them! Finally!)
2. Sung Francoise Hardy songs with a beggar at Chartres (in the snow!)
3. Been hit on by a Louvre Guard
4. Been in an opera company commercial
5. Stood in line for hours at Opera Bastille for a 9€ Magic Flute ticket
6. Seen Josh Groban at Mass at Notre Dame
7. Waltzed at Mont-St-Michel
8a. Said Morning Prayer on the Metro
8b. Seen priests saying the office on the Metro
9. Played in the snow in Paris. Apparently this is the first snow they've had in Paris in ten years.
10. Sung with the CGP.
Jane has...
1. Sung chant in the chapel at Solesmes.
2. Stayed at a Basilian convent (in Olympia, WA).
3. Worn my school uniform to a pro-life rally in Sacramento.
4. Sung for a Mass at Mundelein Seminary--and boy were they suprised to hear girls' voices from the loft!
5. Along with my harp, been offered a ride by a Jewish bodhran player.
6. Been sent a free dessert at a French restaurant in NYC by the owner (who was actually from France), just because I was from Napa Valley.
7. Asked my mother if I could take a picture of a kosher butcher in Albany, NY, because I thought he looked like Lazarwolf.
8.Had it suggested to me that I star in a kind of Irish stepdancing-meets-martial arts picture, and call it "Enter the Leprechaun."
9. Been given a crossbow on the occasion of my graduation from high school.
10. Had over 50 limericks and 20 sonnets written about me, though none have been published.
Lizzy has...
1. Bought books on the Templars in French (and is actually able to understand them! Finally!)
2. Sung Francoise Hardy songs with a beggar at Chartres (in the snow!)
3. Been hit on by a Louvre Guard
4. Been in an opera company commercial
5. Stood in line for hours at Opera Bastille for a 9€ Magic Flute ticket
6. Seen Josh Groban at Mass at Notre Dame
7. Waltzed at Mont-St-Michel
8a. Said Morning Prayer on the Metro
8b. Seen priests saying the office on the Metro
9. Played in the snow in Paris. Apparently this is the first snow they've had in Paris in ten years.
10. Sung with the CGP.
07 March 2005
I don't often post silly quizzes...
...but sometimes they're just cool.
You are 'Latin'.
Even among obsolete skills, the tongue of the ancient Romans is a real anachronism. With its profusion of different cases and conjugations, Latin is more than a language; it is a whole different way of thinking about things.
You are very classy, meaning that you value the classics. You value old things, good things which have stood the test of time. You value things which have been proven worthy and valuable, even if no one else these days sees them that way. Your life is touched by a certain 'pietas', or piety; perhaps you are even a Stoic. Nonetheless, you have a certain fascination with the grotesque and the profane. Also, the modern world rejects you like a bad transplant. Your problem is that Latin has been obsolete for a long time.
What obsolete skill are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Oh, please. With numerous journals still being written in it and at least one radio program devoted to it, I'd hardly call Latin obsolete!
...but sometimes they're just cool.
You are 'Latin'.
Even among obsolete skills, the tongue of the ancient Romans is a real anachronism. With its profusion of different cases and conjugations, Latin is more than a language; it is a whole different way of thinking about things.
You are very classy, meaning that you value the classics. You value old things, good things which have stood the test of time. You value things which have been proven worthy and valuable, even if no one else these days sees them that way. Your life is touched by a certain 'pietas', or piety; perhaps you are even a Stoic. Nonetheless, you have a certain fascination with the grotesque and the profane. Also, the modern world rejects you like a bad transplant. Your problem is that Latin has been obsolete for a long time.
What obsolete skill are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Oh, please. With numerous journals still being written in it and at least one radio program devoted to it, I'd hardly call Latin obsolete!
06 March 2005
I Can't Afford Her Clothes...
...but Miuccia Prada is apparently a very sensible woman. The Manolo has posted an interview with her, inserting his own comments.
...but Miuccia Prada is apparently a very sensible woman. The Manolo has posted an interview with her, inserting his own comments.
02 March 2005
Does Modest Mean Frumpy or Unfashionable?
What do you think of when you hear the words "modest clothing?" If you're from a certain background, you may associate that phrase with young ladies who dress like young ladies, who value themselves enough to try and avoid tempting men into lusting after them. If you're from a different background, you might associate that phrase with the words "frumpy," "unfashionable," or "unflattering." Why?
There are probably young women out there who have completely bought into the idea that if you wear the current fashions, you are therefore dressed attractively. For those of us who are disgusted by girls whose low-cut jeans and high-cut shirts reveal parts of their body and items of clothing better left hidden, we know that dressing "fashionably" does not equal dressing beautifully or attractively. Yet, a woman can still look "fashionable" or classy without wearing a dress shaped like a burlap sack. So why are even some otherwise good Christian girls giving in to the latest fashions for mini skirts or low-cut tank tops?
There are probably many opinions on this, but I think it is because a lot of girls who try to dress modestly end up dressing quite unattractively. On most women, the baggy denim jumper with white turtleneck just isn't flattering. Yes, you're covered, and you're unlikely to temp men to lust, but your clothes don't have to be quite so unflattering to be modest. Ladies, God made you beautiful, and even though you are called to use wisdom and prudence in how you show that beauty, you don't have to hide it! I was taught that there are deficiencies and excesses, and that virtues lie in the middle. For instance, the deficiency of courage is cowardice, and the excess is recklessness. We all know what the deficiency of modesty is, but is there an excess? Prudishness, perhaps? Maybe that is not the right word, but I hope you see what I'm getting at. Is it possible that wearing a baggy, shapeless dress that completely hides your womanly figure is as unfeminine and unladylike as a tight mini-dress that shows too much of it?
In my never-ending search for pretty clothes which don't offend my ideals of Christian modesty, I have scoured the web for businesses which cater to those who wish to dress modestly. I came across this site which has links to numerous other sites offering modest clothing for sale or patterns to sew modest clothing. After going through these sites, I began to see a trend. They are almost all affiliated with or catering to some religious group--Christian, Mormon, Muslim, or Jewish. And while the last three generally have nice-looking clothes, a lot of the Christian offerings could be described as "frumpy." (If you wear these kinds of clothes and are offended by what I say, I apologize, but I will not retract the expression of my opinion.)
For example, these dresses and jumpers. If you have what I have heard called "the hips for childbearing," this sort of thing can be most unflattering.
Or these. I'm sorry, but unless you are under the age of 7 or have just walked off the set of "Little House on the Prarie," you probably should not be wearing dresses with poufy sleeves, or anything called "Prarie Dress #49."
Others look to the past for modest clothing. While I think that Regency, Edwardian, and vintage dresses are lovely, you probably shouldn't go for this look unless you really want to attract attention. It's best to save such things for more formal events, and look elsewhere for your everyday clothes.
On to the websites who are catering to non-Christians:
Look how pretty and, well, normal the clothing offered by Jewish sites is. (Yes, that last one has a "Victorian" collection, but they have more "normal" looking and pretty clothes as well.)
The Islamic clothing site listed there has jumpers and some clothing that would probably attract attention on the average American street, but they have some things that might be found at your local mall, if your local mall sold pretty, modest clothing (mine doesn't have much). They even sell pants!
For girls in search of a prom dress or young ladies looking for a modest dresses for brides and bridesmaids (are you tired of seeing strapless bridal/bridesmaid gowns in church, too?), the Mormons seem to have the right idea. While the regency and renaissance wedding dresses displayed on some of the Christian sites are quite nice, there are also nice things available for those of us who like more modern clothes. Some of the Christian offerings are not so bad, but on the whole, the others seem to have better selections for those of us not into historical dress or the burlap-sack look.
So, see, Christian young ladies? You can find clothing that is modest and nice-looking, without attracting unwanted attention.
What do you think of when you hear the words "modest clothing?" If you're from a certain background, you may associate that phrase with young ladies who dress like young ladies, who value themselves enough to try and avoid tempting men into lusting after them. If you're from a different background, you might associate that phrase with the words "frumpy," "unfashionable," or "unflattering." Why?
There are probably young women out there who have completely bought into the idea that if you wear the current fashions, you are therefore dressed attractively. For those of us who are disgusted by girls whose low-cut jeans and high-cut shirts reveal parts of their body and items of clothing better left hidden, we know that dressing "fashionably" does not equal dressing beautifully or attractively. Yet, a woman can still look "fashionable" or classy without wearing a dress shaped like a burlap sack. So why are even some otherwise good Christian girls giving in to the latest fashions for mini skirts or low-cut tank tops?
There are probably many opinions on this, but I think it is because a lot of girls who try to dress modestly end up dressing quite unattractively. On most women, the baggy denim jumper with white turtleneck just isn't flattering. Yes, you're covered, and you're unlikely to temp men to lust, but your clothes don't have to be quite so unflattering to be modest. Ladies, God made you beautiful, and even though you are called to use wisdom and prudence in how you show that beauty, you don't have to hide it! I was taught that there are deficiencies and excesses, and that virtues lie in the middle. For instance, the deficiency of courage is cowardice, and the excess is recklessness. We all know what the deficiency of modesty is, but is there an excess? Prudishness, perhaps? Maybe that is not the right word, but I hope you see what I'm getting at. Is it possible that wearing a baggy, shapeless dress that completely hides your womanly figure is as unfeminine and unladylike as a tight mini-dress that shows too much of it?
In my never-ending search for pretty clothes which don't offend my ideals of Christian modesty, I have scoured the web for businesses which cater to those who wish to dress modestly. I came across this site which has links to numerous other sites offering modest clothing for sale or patterns to sew modest clothing. After going through these sites, I began to see a trend. They are almost all affiliated with or catering to some religious group--Christian, Mormon, Muslim, or Jewish. And while the last three generally have nice-looking clothes, a lot of the Christian offerings could be described as "frumpy." (If you wear these kinds of clothes and are offended by what I say, I apologize, but I will not retract the expression of my opinion.)
For example, these dresses and jumpers. If you have what I have heard called "the hips for childbearing," this sort of thing can be most unflattering.
Or these. I'm sorry, but unless you are under the age of 7 or have just walked off the set of "Little House on the Prarie," you probably should not be wearing dresses with poufy sleeves, or anything called "Prarie Dress #49."
Others look to the past for modest clothing. While I think that Regency, Edwardian, and vintage dresses are lovely, you probably shouldn't go for this look unless you really want to attract attention. It's best to save such things for more formal events, and look elsewhere for your everyday clothes.
On to the websites who are catering to non-Christians:
Look how pretty and, well, normal the clothing offered by Jewish sites is. (Yes, that last one has a "Victorian" collection, but they have more "normal" looking and pretty clothes as well.)
The Islamic clothing site listed there has jumpers and some clothing that would probably attract attention on the average American street, but they have some things that might be found at your local mall, if your local mall sold pretty, modest clothing (mine doesn't have much). They even sell pants!
For girls in search of a prom dress or young ladies looking for a modest dresses for brides and bridesmaids (are you tired of seeing strapless bridal/bridesmaid gowns in church, too?), the Mormons seem to have the right idea. While the regency and renaissance wedding dresses displayed on some of the Christian sites are quite nice, there are also nice things available for those of us who like more modern clothes. Some of the Christian offerings are not so bad, but on the whole, the others seem to have better selections for those of us not into historical dress or the burlap-sack look.
So, see, Christian young ladies? You can find clothing that is modest and nice-looking, without attracting unwanted attention.
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