Posted on 04/13/2007 6:54:57 AM PDT by Frank Sheed
Two years into his reign, Pope Benedict XVI is finally poised to make a major mark on American Catholicism with a string of key bishop appointments and important decisions about the future of U.S. seminaries and bishops' involvement in politics.
Benedict's election on April 19, 2005, shook liberals and comforted conservatives who expected a doctrinal hard-liner. So far, they have found an easier hand - and someone who has not made the United States much of a priority.
When Benedict has gained attention, it has mostly been on the world stage, focusing on the re-Christianization of Europe, Islam and mending relations with Orthodox Christians. He also has stressed universal themes of faith and reason.
``The last two years have been much quieter years as far as the papacy is concerned because you have a very different personality'' than John Paul II, said Monsignor Robert Wister, chairman of the church history department at Seton Hall University's School of Theology.
``Many Americans were surprised - some happily, some disappointed - that he did not turn into the pit bull of dogma. He is taking a very pastoral approach, and I think people resonate very positively with that.''
Yet America's turn may be coming. At the top of the list is a looming generational shift among the nation's bishops, whose decisions at the local level greatly affect Catholics in the pews and can carry national weight. For instance, church leaders recently closed parishes in Boston and New York, while the St. Louis archbishop has clashed with a heavily Polish parish over control of its assets.
Key appointments are expected in New York, Baltimore and Detroit, where cardinals have reached retirement age - 75. And retirements or appointments are likely in at least seven other archdioceses...
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
You’d think in most parts of AZ, if you left a dog outside... it’d roast to death.
It will. People seem to think dogs are “insulated” from extreme heat and cold, but they need to be treated with respect.
They don’t like hot pavement or freezing sidewalks, and making a dog shiver in a doghouse while the humans are toasty is cruelty, IMO.
But don’t get me started on that. If you can’t respect an animal, you don’t deserve to have it. </ rant >
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, Monkey Face. I really appreciate them. I am just “recovering” from the trip - actually still feeling a bit ill. There were some stressful parts (mostly the hassle of travel) but once there I felt welcome “home.” Sionnsar and I both struggle with the concept of “home” since in our youth each of us was forced to leave all that was familiar and comforting - the place where we felt we “belonged.” Globe trotting has its glamorous aspects, but not feeling a true sense of rootedness takes away from that considerably. You make friends, you make accommodations, but you never quite feel right. You know the friendships may not last a couple of years beyond the next move, so you keep things light in order not to get hurt. Family is the only “permanent” relationship there is.
The send off for Granny was glorious. The family chapel was filled with the scent of fresh cut lilacs (purple and white) - her favorite flower. The organist was an old family friend and she had a few surprises up her sleeve (several brought tears of bitter sweet memories). The service was pretty near perfect with members of each generation leading readings and assisting with liturgical duties. It really was a family affair. The communion brought us all close together as we thanked God for our matriarch’s well lived life.
I know it was difficult for Sionnsar - he lost two grandparents before we even met (over 30 years ago) and his remaining two passed on in the late 1980’s early 1990’s (both of them just shy of 100). If Sionn and I have the longevity genes we are only just over half way to glory.
It’s always difficult to say the “right” thing when people have lost someone close to them. My own grandparents (both sides of the family) were dead before I was born, so I never had the nurturing from them that most people had.
I’m glad Granny had a good send off. I always try to put things into perspective...death is as much a part of life as birth is.
I will continue to keep you in my prayers, knowing the year ahead will at times bring waves of grief.
{{{{{LOM}}}}}
{{{{{sion}}}}}
Bless your heart, and thanks for the hugs!
{{{{{Monkey Face}}}}}
:o])
Back from my run. It was too hot!
It’s still only 78, here, with a 22 mph breeze, so it feels “chilly” to me.
I hope I start feeling better soon, because I really want to get back on the Gazelle.
(I don’t run because I can’t find sports bras in cow sizes...)
I’m back.
Now time for work.
I’m back briefly, but have to get supper made. I’m going to a party at one of the neighbors’ this evening, something involving home day-cor. It’s an opportunity to get out, and I assume there will be snacks! Tomorrow I’m going out to lunch with the ladies from my Lent prayer group. What a social butterfly I am :-).
I’m putting some pictures in the mail to you tomorrow.
Thanks! I’m looking forward to them!
And I put the website in my Favorites to check out in a few minutes.
Having observed the asteroids in their magnificent chaotic glory as we slowly approached their focus of dancing icebergs choreography, it seemed prudent to anchor ourselves to a relatively stable rock out here.
Since the middle of the Thrust Ring is empty except for our mirrors, zero-gee entertainment swimming pool, and the low-gravity labs, placing a large three-quarter mile radius asteroid in that center seemed like a good way to achieve a stable orbit and have a convenient source of raw materials.
We could mine the rock without having to commute very far.(The above facilities can be simply extended farther along our axis of rotation. We wont lose them!)
Other advantages are left as an exercise for the attentive observer.
However, your faithful scribe feels duty bound to mention at least one disadvantage: The increased gravitational attraction may cause a few more incoming pebbles to come calling.
Accordingly, we have been working on a way to boost our ability to magnetically deflect stones thrown our way by using a powerful magnetic field, and the inherent diamagnetism of most materials. The field is also expected to assist in helping to deflect ionized particles coming from the Sun, which are a problem even at this distance from that magnificent fusion furnace.
Also, the gravitational interaction of the asteroid, dubbed Plymouth, and the Flying Castle is inherently unstable, so we have been slowly precessing to match its rotation axis with our own. When we get into position, we will attach connections at the poles of Plymouth, tying our transportation system and hard-wired communications into the hollowing interior of the asteroid.
These connections will stabilize the relationship, even though our rotation rate and that of the asteroid will differ for many years. Yes, it will mean a bit of an angle to the ecliptic, but our mirrors can compensate for that. The value of the raw materials will be worth the transitions necessary. Remember, there are no filling stations out here.
Anyway, the proposed magnetic field blanket is a beauty of gossamer utility. We have draped the exterior of the linked habitats of the Flying Castle with silvered buckytube cables arranged in an array resembling a huge fishnet or toroidal hammock.
After the asteroid Plymouth is encompassed, the net will be closed and energized.
More reports later. Back to piloting.
Good Night!
Morning.
Good Morning, T-C!
I get all my exercise with my fingers.
Good morning, Bob. I get lots of exercise going to Wal-mart!
Too bad thinking doesn’t burn lots of calories...
I sure miss a lot while I’m cleaning and unpacking.
Boy, have things gotten busy in the office this week! But it's "good busy," at least. So I may continue to not be around much.
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