Leave the Poor Priest Alone
I'm not talking about bugging the priest to do this or that thing that should be part of his job, if you think he's not doing it properly (although there are probably some people who need to stop that, too). I'm talking about stalking him.
On Saturday night, we had a nice dinner with Fr. M and some other friends. Fr. M confided in us, without offering any identifying information, that he has a couple of women who are more-or-less stalking him. They show up in his office without an appointment, seem to follow him everywhere, give him excessive numbers of presents. I think many priests, perhaps especially young and good-looking ones, become the victims of this kind of behavior.
I know as well as anyone that people sometimes develop inappropriate crushes. I don't know if women are more prone to this than men, although I do know that there seems to be more of a phenomenon of women who hang around priests and seminarians than of men who hang around nuns and novices. Maybe the priests and seminarians are just out there, accessible in the world, and the nuns aren't. At any rate, at some point a woman, especially a lonely woman, might develop a crush on a priest or seminarian. If you are that woman, or know someone who is, repeat after me: Leave Him Alone. His life is hard enough without you making it more difficult. If he is a good priest, or a seminarian who is confident in his vocation, you'll just take up time he could be spending doing his job, studying or helping people who really need his help. If he is weak in his vocation, and likely to be tempted to give in to your inappropriate requests, then he's not the sort of man you should be pursuing anyway. If he can't be faithful to his vocation as a priest, then he might not be faithful to you either, if he left the priesthood for you.
So, if you develop an inappropriate crush, don't hang around him. Bring it up in confession with some other priest, or with your psychiatrist or a very trustworthy friend, if you really need to talk about it. Otherwise, keep it to yourself, get a new hobby, and try to stop thinking about it. Leave the priest alone.
11 January 2011
Ice
Our little world is covered in it. The dog plays hockey with frozen leaves, my husband stays home because the school is closed and choir practice is cancelled. All the businesses are shut, and hardly anyone dares to drive down the street. It's very quiet, except for the crackling log fire and the steady drip of slightly melting icicles.
Our little world is covered in it. The dog plays hockey with frozen leaves, my husband stays home because the school is closed and choir practice is cancelled. All the businesses are shut, and hardly anyone dares to drive down the street. It's very quiet, except for the crackling log fire and the steady drip of slightly melting icicles.
09 January 2011
It's Funny, But Also Not
My husband's boss forwarded this "meditation" by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM to my husband today, saying, "I think this encapsulates how you, your wife, and our parochial vicar feel."
CULTURE OF ELDERS
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Feast of the Baptism of Jesus
Today, many young people and clergy long to return to an earlier and false innocence that never existed. I understand these psychological needs. We must start with some experience of order, or we will not have the ego structure to move forward. In the first half of life, the psyche demands structure before it can possibly deal with anti-structure.
These young people want to return to a romanticized church and world of the past that they idealize from a distance. They hope that it will provide the clarity, status, and certitude that they do not enjoy and that their ego needs.
We all need some still point in the midst of the tornado of postmodernism. But the trouble is, all the biblical God ever promised us was God himself as that still point—never an institution, role, social order or country. These are human-created idols that we worship in the place of God.
Adapted from Adam’s Return, pp. 79-80 (book/audiobook)
So, my husband's boss thinks we're naive idiots? I know this is not a new criticism leveled at those of us "young people" who have an affinity for tradition. Still, I'm an academic for heaven's sake! Does he think that my dissertation research hasn't involved examining the real state of music before Vatican II as well as after? Does he think we don't know about 15-minute Low Masses and schlocky hymns? This is not to mention all the study of sacred music in earlier periods, none of which were perfect, but some of which were, perhaps, further from perfection than others. Our parochial vicar has explicitly said that he prefers the OF to the EF, although he also believes in chant, plenty of incense and "Say the Black, do the Red."
Honestly, it's a bit upsetting that my husband's boss not only thinks we're idiots and children, but has the nerve to basically tell us that to our faces. Of course, it also makes me want to laugh a little bit, because it shows how little reading he's been doing regarding who, exactly, is taking part in this revival of tradition in the Church, and what their reasoning is.
As for Fr. Richard Rohr, well, I don't have a lot of faith in the analysis of someone who's written multiple books on the Enneagram.
My husband's boss forwarded this "meditation" by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM to my husband today, saying, "I think this encapsulates how you, your wife, and our parochial vicar feel."
CULTURE OF ELDERS
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Feast of the Baptism of Jesus
Today, many young people and clergy long to return to an earlier and false innocence that never existed. I understand these psychological needs. We must start with some experience of order, or we will not have the ego structure to move forward. In the first half of life, the psyche demands structure before it can possibly deal with anti-structure.
These young people want to return to a romanticized church and world of the past that they idealize from a distance. They hope that it will provide the clarity, status, and certitude that they do not enjoy and that their ego needs.
We all need some still point in the midst of the tornado of postmodernism. But the trouble is, all the biblical God ever promised us was God himself as that still point—never an institution, role, social order or country. These are human-created idols that we worship in the place of God.
Adapted from Adam’s Return, pp. 79-80 (book/audiobook)
So, my husband's boss thinks we're naive idiots? I know this is not a new criticism leveled at those of us "young people" who have an affinity for tradition. Still, I'm an academic for heaven's sake! Does he think that my dissertation research hasn't involved examining the real state of music before Vatican II as well as after? Does he think we don't know about 15-minute Low Masses and schlocky hymns? This is not to mention all the study of sacred music in earlier periods, none of which were perfect, but some of which were, perhaps, further from perfection than others. Our parochial vicar has explicitly said that he prefers the OF to the EF, although he also believes in chant, plenty of incense and "Say the Black, do the Red."
Honestly, it's a bit upsetting that my husband's boss not only thinks we're idiots and children, but has the nerve to basically tell us that to our faces. Of course, it also makes me want to laugh a little bit, because it shows how little reading he's been doing regarding who, exactly, is taking part in this revival of tradition in the Church, and what their reasoning is.
As for Fr. Richard Rohr, well, I don't have a lot of faith in the analysis of someone who's written multiple books on the Enneagram.
04 January 2011
It's 5 O'Clock
Lamb marinates in wine, olive oil, garlic, and some sea salt from the package that was in the Pascha basket we took to St. Andrews Russian Catholic church to be blessed last year.
The laundry waits to be folded.
Dinner is on-the-fly tonight because of choir practice, rather than at the dining room table, but I still feel smug about my Christmas dining table decorations.
The dog waits forlornly for his dinner. Just a little bit longer, honey!
The star on the tree lights the way for the Magi. Our parish, like most others in the US, celebrated Epiphany on Sunday, but at home we will wait the full twelve days before the Magi arrive at our creches. The decorations will probably remain up until after the Baptism of the Lord next Sunday.
Lamb marinates in wine, olive oil, garlic, and some sea salt from the package that was in the Pascha basket we took to St. Andrews Russian Catholic church to be blessed last year.
The laundry waits to be folded.
Dinner is on-the-fly tonight because of choir practice, rather than at the dining room table, but I still feel smug about my Christmas dining table decorations.
The dog waits forlornly for his dinner. Just a little bit longer, honey!
The star on the tree lights the way for the Magi. Our parish, like most others in the US, celebrated Epiphany on Sunday, but at home we will wait the full twelve days before the Magi arrive at our creches. The decorations will probably remain up until after the Baptism of the Lord next Sunday.
Communion Antiphon for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
I don't often get fits of inspiration, but I did this afternoon. Here is a fairly simple, two-part setting in English of a Communion Antiphon. If the ending sounds a bit odd, that's because it's modal; the beginning and end are loosely based on the chant. I've licensed it under Creative Commons, so if you like it, take it, copy it, and sing it, as long as you leave my name on it. I didn't write out any verses, but you can sing the one provided by Bruce Ford in American Gradual, and then sing the antiphon again.
Usually I am not pleased with my attempts at writing music, but I think this is pretty ok. There aren't too many leaps, the ranges are small, it's only two parts...I think it's singable. If anyone is reading this, let me know what you think.
I don't often get fits of inspiration, but I did this afternoon. Here is a fairly simple, two-part setting in English of a Communion Antiphon. If the ending sounds a bit odd, that's because it's modal; the beginning and end are loosely based on the chant. I've licensed it under Creative Commons, so if you like it, take it, copy it, and sing it, as long as you leave my name on it. I didn't write out any verses, but you can sing the one provided by Bruce Ford in American Gradual, and then sing the antiphon again.
Usually I am not pleased with my attempts at writing music, but I think this is pretty ok. There aren't too many leaps, the ranges are small, it's only two parts...I think it's singable. If anyone is reading this, let me know what you think.
29 December 2010
On the Feast of Stephen
I know it isn't St. Stephen's Day (impeded) anymore, but it was when these photographs were taken. I didn't have time to blog until now because my husband's parents were here and we were entertaining them, but they've now gone home and all is quiet. Our little part of North Carolina doesn't usually get much snow--only one or two inches a year, and usually in January. Our St. Stephen's Day 7-inch snow was very unusual, and we have really enjoyed all of it! Brody had great fun, and everything looked so beautiful. The snow is nearly melted now, which is great, because the roads are clean and we didn't have to buy de-icer for our steps.
Yesterday was my 26th birthday, and today we saw "Voyage of the Dawn Treader," but I think those are subjects for another post.
I know it isn't St. Stephen's Day (impeded) anymore, but it was when these photographs were taken. I didn't have time to blog until now because my husband's parents were here and we were entertaining them, but they've now gone home and all is quiet. Our little part of North Carolina doesn't usually get much snow--only one or two inches a year, and usually in January. Our St. Stephen's Day 7-inch snow was very unusual, and we have really enjoyed all of it! Brody had great fun, and everything looked so beautiful. The snow is nearly melted now, which is great, because the roads are clean and we didn't have to buy de-icer for our steps.
Yesterday was my 26th birthday, and today we saw "Voyage of the Dawn Treader," but I think those are subjects for another post.
10 December 2010
Prayers to St. Francis
If you read this, please say a prayer to St. Francis for our little dog. He was diagnosed with epilepsy yesterday. The disease is usually manageable in canines as it is in humans, and often with the same kinds of medications. Since he has only had two fairly brief seizures that we know of, we have chosen not to medicate him for now. We pray that there will be no major episodes. A
If you read this, please say a prayer to St. Francis for our little dog. He was diagnosed with epilepsy yesterday. The disease is usually manageable in canines as it is in humans, and often with the same kinds of medications. Since he has only had two fairly brief seizures that we know of, we have chosen not to medicate him for now. We pray that there will be no major episodes. A
29 November 2010
A Dog
Since October we have been the pleased owners of a two-year-old poodle mix. He is a little insecure; he cries and trembles when we get ready to leave the house and he knows he's not going, and he very much does not like strange men. He likes women well enough, but we had our priest to dinner last night and it was more than an hour before the dog could be in the same room with Father without barking or growling and baring his teeth. I hope the dog was not abused by a man, but we don't know.
He is a cute little dog, pictured here with the much-beloved toy pumpkin sent to him by my husband's aunt.
Since October we have been the pleased owners of a two-year-old poodle mix. He is a little insecure; he cries and trembles when we get ready to leave the house and he knows he's not going, and he very much does not like strange men. He likes women well enough, but we had our priest to dinner last night and it was more than an hour before the dog could be in the same room with Father without barking or growling and baring his teeth. I hope the dog was not abused by a man, but we don't know.
He is a cute little dog, pictured here with the much-beloved toy pumpkin sent to him by my husband's aunt.
24 September 2010
A House and Yard
We moved into our first house six weeks ago, and the landscapers have now come and gone. When we arrived, there was a shed and some trees in the backyard, along with the remains of some old landscaping. The lot our house sits on is on a corner, and one of the streets immediately winds around, so our lot is sort of like a peninsula with street on three sides. This means that everyone could look right into our backyard. Not anymore!
The landscapers put some quite large wax myrtles along the back there. Building a privacy fence was not really an option, because with the yard facing the street, it is considered to be a front yard by the city. That means the fence can only be four feet tall. Plus, solid fencing can be very expensive! So we have a deer fence, which will keep a dog in when my parents come to visit or if we get a dog of our own, and is almost invisible. The plants provide the privacy. Most of the plants that were put in flower, too! There are lots of daylilies (which are edible--you knew that, right?) and azaleas, along with gardenias and camelias and all sorts of things. There are also three very tall holly bushes, to match the holly that was already in the front yard. Free Christmas decorations!
The front yard, like almost everyone's front yard around here, has a couple of pine trees. Unfortunately, ours seem to be the only ones not producing pine cones. I guess we'll have to go rooting in the neighbors' yards if we want them, and we do want them. They're nice for decoration, but also useful as kindling for the fireplace. My husband occasionally makes candles, and pinecones covered in leftover beeswax are excellent fire starters.
We moved into our first house six weeks ago, and the landscapers have now come and gone. When we arrived, there was a shed and some trees in the backyard, along with the remains of some old landscaping. The lot our house sits on is on a corner, and one of the streets immediately winds around, so our lot is sort of like a peninsula with street on three sides. This means that everyone could look right into our backyard. Not anymore!
The landscapers put some quite large wax myrtles along the back there. Building a privacy fence was not really an option, because with the yard facing the street, it is considered to be a front yard by the city. That means the fence can only be four feet tall. Plus, solid fencing can be very expensive! So we have a deer fence, which will keep a dog in when my parents come to visit or if we get a dog of our own, and is almost invisible. The plants provide the privacy. Most of the plants that were put in flower, too! There are lots of daylilies (which are edible--you knew that, right?) and azaleas, along with gardenias and camelias and all sorts of things. There are also three very tall holly bushes, to match the holly that was already in the front yard. Free Christmas decorations!
The front yard, like almost everyone's front yard around here, has a couple of pine trees. Unfortunately, ours seem to be the only ones not producing pine cones. I guess we'll have to go rooting in the neighbors' yards if we want them, and we do want them. They're nice for decoration, but also useful as kindling for the fireplace. My husband occasionally makes candles, and pinecones covered in leftover beeswax are excellent fire starters.
16 September 2010
Papal Visit to Edinburgh
As I was watching the live video feed from thepapalvisit.org.uk I saw the His Holiness go out to meet schoolchildren in the street after arriving at the archbishop's residence. It looked like this was a spontaneous decision made by the Holy Father--the guards and his entourage appeared briefly confused and were almost running to catch up with him. It is wonderful that he went out to meet the school kids. Many of them were obviously tremendously excited about it, waving their Scottish and Vatican flags enthusiastically.
The live webcast is great because there is, at least at the moment, no commentary. The music they're playing right now while running highlights from earlier is kind of annoying, but since there is no commentary it's not a problem to mute it and add your own music.
Incidentally, I still love the Holy Father's red shoes. I like the combination of the white outfit and red shoes--it's what I wore at my wedding. I also love the new tartan made up for the papal visit to Scotland. I'd love to have a shawl made of that.
As I was watching the live video feed from thepapalvisit.org.uk I saw the His Holiness go out to meet schoolchildren in the street after arriving at the archbishop's residence. It looked like this was a spontaneous decision made by the Holy Father--the guards and his entourage appeared briefly confused and were almost running to catch up with him. It is wonderful that he went out to meet the school kids. Many of them were obviously tremendously excited about it, waving their Scottish and Vatican flags enthusiastically.
The live webcast is great because there is, at least at the moment, no commentary. The music they're playing right now while running highlights from earlier is kind of annoying, but since there is no commentary it's not a problem to mute it and add your own music.
Incidentally, I still love the Holy Father's red shoes. I like the combination of the white outfit and red shoes--it's what I wore at my wedding. I also love the new tartan made up for the papal visit to Scotland. I'd love to have a shawl made of that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
