Webcorner Weekly

2011-12-24T19:01:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Random Thoughts

2011-12-14T07:08:00.000-08:00

I wanted to post something to the blog because it has been too long since I have posted but nothing has grabbed my attention enough to want to post about it so I will just post some random comments and take from it what you will.

Time's person of the year for 2011 "The Protester." I my opinion Time took the cowards way out and dodged really making a choice because whichever way they went would have been controversial. I got the impression that both Rep. Gabbrielle Giffords and Steve Jobs were on the short list and either one would have been a better choice. I do not denigrate what has been accomplished in the world by protest but assigning the person of the year to a generic protester is in fact giving it to no one. Both Gabby Giffords and Steve Jobs had a large effect on people this year and are fine examples of rising to meet challenges, either was a far better choice.

Occupy "Anything" Is there a point? Most protesters have a coherent platform of things they are hoping to accomplish and the "Occupy" movement never seems to have anything other than a leftist agenda that would completely change life in america and not in what I would consider a positive way.

Absurdum est ut alios regat, qui seipsum regere nescit.

2011-11-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

I have spent some time lately trying to improve my poker playing ability and have enjoyed the experience. Poker, like most things in life is simple to understand but can take a lifetime to master.I have been slowly healing from a surgery in May but find myself wondering if I will ever be able to run Fire and EMS calls again. This has caused me to look at other things to focus on and poker has become one of the things that has garnered more of my attention. That is not to say that I don't do anything else but finding a hobby that using a cane doesn't hold me back from playing has been nice.

I am surprised to find it is nowhere as simple a game to play well as I first thought it would be! I find myself reading books on how to improve as well as reading how top players play and what can I learn from them! This has surprised me as I figured I could just pick it up as I go along.

The quote above has become a sort of personal motto for me and I must admit that I do a poor job of living up to it most days. It translates as; "It is absurd that a man should rule others, who cannot rule himself." Poker is another one of those areas where personal faults and flaws will hold you back. I guess one just cannot escape working to improve oneself no matter what one undertakes.

Monarch: Where to eat in St. Louis, MO!

2011-07-19T14:07:00.000-07:00

I traveled to St. Louis, Mo with my wife and had a wonderful week with her while she was there on business. We went out to dinner with some friends and I was treated to one of the finest meals I have ever eaten and given my mother's ability to cook, that's saying something! My wife Lise and I were taken to Monarch a restaurant tells you that you have arrived someplace unique as soon as you walk in the door and examine the decor. The Monarch is in reference to butterflies, the photos of butterfly wings on the walls are striking for how close and vivid the images are of the wings and their colors were quite amazing. The decor was finished off by a huge metal sculpture overhead of a cloud of butterflies in the dining area.

We were guests of one of my wife's coworkers who were known by the staff so some of what I will tell you is information given us by our hosts, who we will have to bring out to Connecticut to show what the coast can do! I am told that the house martini's are excellent but due to my recent medical issues I didn't want to push my luck and try one. I ordered the toasted ravioli and was not disappointed, there were four large well stuffed and crisp ravioli with excellent flavor. I am more familiar with toasted ravioli being cheese stuffed but these were stuffed with meat and not overly seasoned; but well seasoned and extremely tasty.

Our hosts informed us that we could not come to Monarch without trying one of the house specialties, an appetizer called Praline Encrusted Bacon, I agree, you should not miss the opportunity to try this delicacy! I found it delightful and you want to know more about it, you will just have to go try it yourself!

I was torn between several choices for the entree and finally chose a blackened tuna with black eyed peas that was cooked to perfection. I am not all that fond of black eyed peas but they were served in a sauce with bits of bacon that gave them and the tuna a wonderful flavoring.

I was honestly too full from dinner to order dessert but tried a taste of two different desserts others had ordered and were willing to share, although if I had the room, I not sure I would have been willing to share them! I had a couple of bites of the creme brulee my wife ordered that was superb and a bit of a bourbon pecan pie that was worth the trip to St.Louis itself.

All in all, have to say that is that I look forward to my next trip to St. Louis if only so I can go back to Monarch again!

Archbishop Chaput to Philadelphia!

2011-07-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

I find myself rejoicing this morning at the news that Archbishop Charles Chaput will be coming to Philadelphia! I will more to say on that later, as I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Archbishop Chaput.

A Tale Of Two Priests

2011-07-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

I don’t think I would like Fr. Richard McBrian if I met him in person. I have been reading about his recent column in which he states that Pope Benedict XVI is or was wrong when he pronounced as settled the question that the Catholic Church cannot ordain women. The present Holy Father did this as head of the CDF under the authority of Blessed Pope John Paul II when still Cardinal Ratzinger. I have no illusions that Fr. McBrian even cares how I feel about him, or that my opinion carries any weight whatsoever. I mention this because I find that he disagrees with the question being settled on the basis of the fact because as a theologian HE disagrees, the question isn’t settled.

Fr John Zuhlsdorf is a completely different question however, and this column from his blog is just one of the reasons why. I enjoy reading Father Zuhlsdorf’s blog What Does The Prayer Really Say? I enjoy reading for many reasons, not the least is that he has a sense of humor. I also know from having read things he has written over the past several years that he is knowledgeable about what the church really teaches and not just about what he wished it taught.

I will tell you right up front that until I read both Ordinatio Sacerdotalis and Inter Insigiores at least twice I didn’t agree that women could not be ordained to the priesthood, I am still not one hundred percent convinced but have at least made the decision to pray and ask for a better understanding or at least the grace to accept the teaching and not allow it to be a stumbling block to the growth of my own faith.

Which brings me back to the two gentlemen mentioned above, I will in all probability not read Fr. McBrian’s column on a frequent basis unless it is referenced somewhere and I want to evaluate the column to have a clear picture of what he actually said without bias from the other writer. I have to question however, just what it would take to get Fr. McBrian to change his viewpoint and accept this decision as final. Is he even interested in attempting to do this or is he so sure of the Pope being in error that he has never even considered this question?

Father Z on the other hand is both entertaining and enlightening in that he provided both of the documents involved and gave me things to think about and make up my own mind, I appreciate that and recommend anyone who enjoys articulate commentary that his blog is well worth following.

I stated above that I still have some reservations and ask as always that you pray for Fr. McBrian, Fr. Zulsdorf and myself and I promise to pray for you dear readers.

Post Surgical Musings

2011-06-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

These past few days, even though I am recovering from major surgery it has been incredibly joyful! I don't know how to explain it other than there was no way for me to handle what was happening except to lay back and allow whatever was going to happen to happen. I had no choice but to just trust God and pray! I also have never been in this kind of situation where serious illness has struck me suddenly; well, not suddenly but, I was made aware of the problem suddenly and things went crazy from there! I was at Mass with my wife and she realized that my arm was shaking so badly that it was shaking her arm as well. I saw the Dr. and everything moved quickly. Anyway as you know I just came through surgery and I have been amazed at how things have gone. My recovery is much slower than I would like, and the next few months are going to be a real lesson in both true humility and patience. I had surgery just over two weeks ago, spent 8 days in rehab and wonder why I don't have enough stamina to get through a day without taking a nap or two during the day? You think I am being a little unreasonable? Can you tell that my sense of humor just has to express itself sometimes?

But the one constant that has helped me get through this has been the constant reminders from every one of their prayers for my recovery. I will be the first person to tell you that the best thing I can be used for is a bad example of what it means to be a Catholic/Christian. I have struggled with accepting many of the pronouncements and teachings of the Catholic Church and went through a severe crisis of faith when I was flatly rejected by the seminary rector for admission to the seminary for the Archdiocese of New York. That I was rejected and the abuse crisis broke just a few years later only made matters much worse, I wasn’t good enough but child abusers where? The next few years were a constant struggle with exactly what my faith meant and in what I had faith in. I found myself realizing that I had believed in the Church but never learned to understand what that really meant to me. I am going to use this time in recovery to do some serious studying so that I can finally learn exactly what this churches teaches and what I am supposed to believe.

Please pray with and for me and our church.

DEO GRATIA!

2011-06-03T17:09:00.000-07:00

I had surgery on my cervical spine last Thursday and am recovering rapidly! I wish I could convey to those of you reading this what a blessing my having lived through the last week has been. I have been lifted up in prayer by so many people that I don't even know how many there are and I am and will be happy to return the favor. I am not saying that there weren't times of fear and anxiety, just that knowing that others where praying for me and that my recovery was in God's hands (and He was being besieged in prayer) was a wonderful comfort!

Deacon Jim

2011-05-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

It should be no surprise to anyone that I went to Mass yesterday, but I was surprised by what happened to me afterward. I have just recently found out that I have a benign tumor in my neck and after the mass my wife and I stopped to talk to the deacon who witnessed our marriage and let him know what was happening, so as to ask him to pray for us. He was not only willing but stopped and took us aside and prayed over me right on the spot! I have never experienced such a thing and was deeply touched by his doing that and by his words, which were a prayer not for the grace to deal with the situation but a request for me to be healed. I have to admit that I was embarrassed; not by what he did but by my first thought, which was one of I don't deserve that, there are many other people in far worse health who deserve to be healed far more!
I don't know why that was my first thought other than I have seen many people who have far more serious health problems and I would love to see them be cured. I have been very "lucky" in my life and had many wonderful experiences and met many wonderful people. Yes I have had some misfortunes but happily the good has far outweighed the bad. I will also happily admit I haven't always felt that way, but my wife has taught me much about how lucky I am, and not just because I am married to her!
I also have to say that I am incredibly blessed by my ability to remain patient so far through all this, and that is a miracle in and of itself! Anyone who has ridden in a car with me will know how quickly I can become impatient and lose my temper when things don't go according to the timing I want them too! I have so far been able to remain calm and just trust everything will work out in God's own time and I have to just wait for things to work themselves out according to his schedule. If the fact I have so far been able to do that isn't a miracle I don't know what is! I am going to learn many things through this experience and hope and pray for a full recovery, or the grace to accept that it may not be possible.
I met with the surgeon today and have discovered it is a far more serious situation than I was expecting, and will have surgery on Thursday. The one bright spot to the day was being able to pray about it with my wife, I can't believe I am actually writing this, but having this tumor has actually caused some good things to happen! I don't think if I hadn't been so scared I would have ever sat at a table in a restaurant and prayed with my wife or asked the deacon who married us to pray for me as well. Those two things have both been incredible gifts and I wouldn't have missed them for the world. So if you don't mind dear readers, Please pray for me and I promise to pray for you, and may it help us all grow in faith.

The Manhattan Declaration

2011-05-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

I wrote another post about the Manhattan Declaration several months ago and disagreed with much of what they had to say, it is amazing how much they have learned since then! The post I wrote was deleted from the blog due to my reformatting the blog and the post didn't fit in with the new format, I insert it here below

I Don’t Know If I Can Sign The Manhattan Declaration

Many people have signed the Manhattan Declaration, but I am not one of them. Much of what it contains is hard to argue with in terms of logic or reasoning, and some of the most famous Catholic Churchmen in America have said they signed it and I do not question their faith or ability to think and reason. However I do have a couple of issues with the document and they are more interpersonal issues than doctrinal. I can understand that as a Catholic I should believe that life begins at the moment of conception and that this person; for that is what the embryo is, a separate and distinct person, has a right to grow up and live his or her own life to the best of their ability.

But when I am standing in front of the person who is now feeling overwhelmed by the fact they are pregnant and totally unable or unwilling to care for the soon to be child inside them, how do I tell this person that abortion isn’t an option? Often the mother is in a situation where caring for a baby is just not something they can do and my telling them they don’t have the choice is something they don’t want to hear and I am not sure I have the right to tell them. It is one thing to be sitting in the bishops chancellery and discussing this is terms of teaching or a policy statement, but very different if your facing someone three feet away across a desk and looking them in the eye. I am NOT saying that the declaration is wrong; I am saying that on a person to person level, I am not sure I have the faith or knowledge to follow where the declaration would have me go.

This leads me to another path down which I am not sure I am willing to go on a personal level, saying no to gay marriage. In my life I have had several good friends that are gay and many of them had far more stable relationships than many heterosexuals I know, but they can’t be married? They are more married than some that have that piece of paper! I am reminded of an incident that occurred several years ago where a friend of mine’s life partner was in ICU and because he wasn’t “family” wasn’t allowed to see him. I marched in and said I was his brother and was allowed in with no questions asked. I made decisions and was applauded for consulting with his partner about what decisions were made! I found the whole exercise ridiculous and kind of cruel, it was only when I said that I hated having to leave to go talk to him that they relented and allowed him access to make things easier for me!

The only part of the declaration that I found no objection to on a person to person level was the final section that discussed the free exercise of religion in the public square. I have no problem with the free exercise of religion but have a huge problem with anyone who then states that mine is the only way! Therein lays the problem, which one of the many ways and methods is the correct one? The last election showed that even the bishops in this country don’t speak with one voice, how is the catholic in the pew to make a decision and know it is the right one? They make a decision based on what they know and believe, just what this declaration is telling them to do! The fact that many believe differently than the writers of this declaration is not surprising, what is surprising is that the writers of this declaration see that as a problem! To put it another way, I don’t disagree with the declaration that religion needs to be part of the discussion, but I disagree that a particular viewpoint or ideology needs to be part of the discussion. If you can’t convince people that you are right, don’t complain when people dismiss you as wrong. I personally believe that the leaders of the Catholic Church in America have done a very poor job of passing on the faith to the last couple of generations in this country and are now complaining because they have realized their mistake and don’t like the fact they have marginalized themselves. Much of that is because in today’s’ educated society the kind of answers our parents were willing to accept don’t work anymore and the church hasn’t bothered to notice until their toes got stepped on. I realize that many non-Catholics have had input into this document but as a Catholic I don’t want to question them or their motives and just want to add my thoughts to the discussion, much as the writers of this declaration did by publishing it and asking me to sign.

I started this post by saying I was amazed at how much they had learned in just a few months, I hope my readers can accept this bit of humor for what it was, my admission that I have learned a bit since writing that post. I ask my readers to simply do one thing, pray for me so that when I do sign this declaration I can live up to the standards it calls me to.

I received a message from a reader that said she was confused about what I was trying to say, so I will add this to clarify. I have come to the realization that I have much to learn and rather than disagree I should pray for the grace to conform myself to what God wants and just because I would feel uncomfortable doesn't mean that it's wrong. I will pray for the grace to grow as a Christian and ask for your prayers as well. How about we just pray for each other?

What is true freedom, and why do I care?

2011-05-10T07:08:00.000-07:00

What is the basis of true freedom? Is it the ability to do whatever you want whenever you want? Does your faith influence freedom, or do other things effect it more? I will admit to being a bit of an amateur philosopher/theologian and reading both subjects on occasion without having earned a degree in either discipline, but that doesn't stop me from trying to answer this question, if only because I am human and am affected by the answer.
I have several articles at hand behind me that discuss both freedom and moral responsibility and must admit to being somewhat surprised by two things I have discovered. Freedom is in some ways a paradox, one can only be truly free when decisions are being made subject to a standard, because making decisions in the absence of some kind of standard is nothing more than being a slave to emotions or fate. Doesn't that mean you are surrendering your freedom to a standard? Yes, and that increases the worth of your freedom! If I had a million dollars, but no place to spend it because I was alone on a desert island, would I actually have anything of value? Yes I would, but it would be useless! Freedom to make choices without a standard that would allow you to make informed choices is worth very little!
This makes the standard by which you make choices extremely important, as well as the choices you make. I am not speaking of the simple daily choices of life such as the color of the shirt you might wear today, but of the important choices by which you govern your life. This makes your faith an important standard in terms of freedom, your eternal life being the arguably most important choice you have to make.

The Essential Benedict XVI

2011-05-04T14:44:00.000-07:00

I am currently reading this book I purchased several years ago and am just getting around to reading now, and I am not exaggerating when I say it is rocking my world! I am truly amazed at the depth of what he writes, but am angry as well. He has an incredible ability to take a simple concept such as faith and plunge to the deepest depth of what it means both for the universal church and for you as the reader. I think one of the most thought provoking points he made has to due with faith and why each one of us needs the church as a whole for our own faith. He goes on to say that we cannot believe alone because part of what we believe is that there is "one holy and apostolic church." If you believe that, then why would you not want to worship as part of it? I hope the reader will forgive my fumbling try at illustrating just one of the concepts the Holy Father tried to bring out in just one of the writings contained in the book. The book is a compilation of just a small selection of his works chosen by the editors to illustrate the breath of Pope Benedict XVI's writings.
I mentioned I was angry as well as impressed by what he has written, and the reason has to do with the fact much of what he has written, dare I say, inspires one to deeper faith? That is nothing to be angry about, except where is this kind of teaching outside books such as this? I find myself struggling on a daily basis and much of what I hear on a Sunday is worthless in terms of dealing with the day to day struggles of living the Christian life. I hear just about every Sunday how Christ is the perfect example, but never much on how to apply that example to myself! I guess that's part of the struggle, learning how to apply what you hear to how you live your life! Now I don't want the reader to think that I don't like this book, I recommend it and urge the reader to find a copy to read and study.
I am a volunteer firefighter-emt and can draw parallels to the fire service. I attend training and classes and often leave them wanting to be a better firefighter but lose that desire and drive in the daily ebb and flow of daily life. How does one find that drive to continue improving yourself as a firefighter when you seem to make the same mistakes over and over or worse just seem to find new mistakes to make?

I'm human, and we just celebrated Easter!

2011-04-26T11:51:00.000-07:00

I wish I was half the man I want to be, I would a lot better man than I am. Yes, I am my own worst critic, but nobody knows me at well as I do either! This past weekend was wonderful in many ways, the Easter Mass at my local parish was a joyful experience largely due to the priest that said the Mass. His joy is a special gift on a day like Easter Sunday or any other day for that matter. He has had his share of trouble but his joy just continues to shine on through to everyone around him. I just wish I knew how to bottle that joy so that I could have a little drop of it to help me through the week. I tend to lose focus and become the short tempered impatient, and a lot of other things person that I don't want to be.
How does a person change who they are inside so that they can conform themselves to be more like the people they admire? I am writing about this today because of my experiences this weekend, I love the joy I feel when I am in the presence of someone like Fr. Charles and wish I could somehow learn to be that joyful. but I know it is hard work. I have no illusions about how or why Fr. Charles is so joy filled, I know he has been through much and it has tempered him so that life and it's ups and downs don't crush him but instead shape him still further. I realize that the priest is "In persona Christi" but what does that mean to me or for me? Can I aspire to be more Christ-like? Just how do I do that?

Attitude Adjustment

2011-02-24T18:08:00.000-08:00

I recently had to leave the paramedic program I had spent the last year in because of being unable to pass ACLS. I was having a good time feeling sorry for myself and then someone sent me this:

Click here: digtriad.com | Triad, NC | Video Main Page

I guess it really does depend on your attitude, after viewing this story, I wonder if failing at ACLS is quite as insurmountable.

Hello

2011-02-21T13:45:00.000-08:00

I have created this blog in order to have a platform to publish my thoughts on a variety of topics that strike my fancy. There will be political, philosophical and maybe even a little pure entertainment if the mood strikes me. I am a volunteer firefighter-emt so the subject of firefighting and ems will figure prominently in what I write