{sigh}

Even though there have been a few bugs, [scratch, scratch] we've moved into our new web home. Finally. Go to overheardinthesacristy.net. Yay!

I can

Tuesday night I renewed my commitment to the Lord.

And Jesus said to me: Can you drink of the chalice that I drink of: or be baptized with the baptism wherewith I am baptized? I said to Him: I can. And Jesus saith to me: You shall indeed drink of the chalice that I drink of: and with the baptism wherewith I am baptized, you shall be baptized.

St Lawrence Pray for Me

St. Lawrence Jubilee Under Way

3rd-Century Martyr Considered the Poor as Church Treasure

ROME, JAN. 8, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's vicar for Rome launched the jubilee year of St. Lawrence, which marks the 1,750th anniversary of the martyrdom of the saint who considered the poor as treasures of the Church.

Cardinal Camillo Ruini presided over the opening Mass of the jubilee year Jan. 1, held in the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls.

Lawrence was one of seven deacons of Rome condemned by Emperor Valerian I to die on a grill in 258. Tradition says he was originally from Osca in Roman Spain.

The complete program for the jubilee year that will span all of 2008 is not yet finalized. But the pastor of St. Lawrence's Basilica, Father Bruno Mustacchio, gave a preview of some of the events: "On the feast day of St. Lawrence, Aug. 10, we are organizing a procession in the neighborhood, preceded by a triduum of special preparation."

The pastor said the celebrations will also have a cultural dimension: "Most likely we will organize a cycle of conferences about St. Lawrence the martyr and the history and architecture of this church."

Persecution

Lawrence lived in Rome when Sixtus II was elected Pope in 257. As a deacon, Lawrence had the mission of administering the goods of the Church and was entrusted with the care of the poor.

During the persecution of Emperor Valerian I, in 258, many priests and bishops were condemned to death, while the Christians who belonged to the nobility or the senate were deprived of their possessions and exiled.

Pope Sixtus II, one of the first victims of this persecution, was crucified on Aug. 6. The death of Lawrence and other Christians came shortly afterward.

Tradition says that authorities sought out Lawrence because they knew he administered ecclesiastical possessions destined for worship and for the poor. They ordered Lawrence to hand over the "riches" of the Church. The deacon promised to do so and arranged a place for the meeting. Meanwhile, he gathered all the poor of Rome. When the attendants arrived to claim the supposed "treasure," Lawrence pointed to the multitude of underprivileged people and said: "These are the riches of the Church."

The basilica was constructed in the area where Lawrence was buried after his martyrdom.

Succeeding pontiffs embellished the old structure until a new basilica was built in the time of Pope Honorius III (1216-1227). The most recent works of restoration were repairs in 1946-1949, after the Second World War, due to damage from the bombing of Rome.

St. Lawrence is also the patron of the city of Huesca, Spain, where people venerate the memory of his parents, Sts. Orencia and Paciencia.

Too late for the draft

I got a call today from the Cleveland Browns who are in town for Sunday's game against the AZ Cardinals. The new stadium is just three miles from the church. I've been asked to celebrate Mass for the Browns at their hotel Saturday night. [whisper] Pssst, don't tell the Cardinals.

Vision 112607

At Holy Hour this morning the Lord gifted me with the following:

I was standing on a sand dune with waves and waves of sand to the East before me. Moving toward me was our Lord. He stopped, put His hand upon my shoulder and turned me around. A beautiful lush oasis spread out before us. The scene was green and cool. We came to a clear spring-fed pool, and sat at its edge; the cool water refreshed my scorched bare feet. Tall palms were laden with dates. Waterfowl splashed about. I noticed a pelican feeding her young.

The Lord spoke. His voice resounded amidst the flora and fauna of the oasis. There was gentle authority in his words: “You will help me.” “Yes, Lord. I am Your servant.” I replied. “Restore this for the good of those I have given you.” We stood. We embraced. He was gone.

I turned to the North and walked, the sand beneath my feet became lush grass. A woman stood before me standing on the hot burning sand, her hand reached out to me for comfort. I took hold of her and brought her to the refreshment of the oasis. Her family soon joined us. I continued to walk; everywhere I walked the oasis expanded and more people came to inhabit this place of nourishment.

Deo gratias.

Guten tag

Checked out my Site Meter
stats this afternoon,
and noticed a visitor (?)
from Vatican City. Hmmm.

Vision 102907

I spent an hour in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this afternoon with my priest-brothers. While meditating the Lord offered me the following vision:

Inside a cave lying upon a book was the Lamb of God. Pouring forth from Its spine were seven ribbons of blood flowing down to the gilt-edged book pooling into seven red seals each bearing a Greek letter Χριστός (Christos). On each corner of the book were huge torches illuminating the cave; angelic voices chanted: ιδε ο αμνος του θεου ο αιρων την αμαρτιαν του κοσμου -- Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world. – Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccata mundi.

RRROFLOL!

I heard the funniest comment today. This elderly woman was complaining about the conspiracy in the church regarding the restoration of a Catholic identity with all the Latin, Gregorian Chant, and reverence. Yes, ma'am. It is a conspiracy. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost are causing all the ruckus. Imagine that.

A Vigilant Canine

"Did you see that?"

Pet Blessings

Pets make more than faithful companions

Oreo will be signing pawagraphs this weekend!

Parish Website

Visit scbpeoria.blogspot.com for parish news.

Sometimes you feel like a nut

Oreo has a new pet. This little guy is living in the small storage room off the patio. Oreo just stares at him wondering how he'd taste with a little Miracle Whip between two slices of marble rye.

Pray for those who persecute

The faithful of the One, True Church of God continue to be persecuted by Satan's minions.

Good people, be strong, courageous and steadfast in your faith. Do not allow victory to those who believe in harming you with false accusations, vile words, and anger.

The Sacred Blood of Jesus covers you.

Prayer Request

Please pray for me as I labor in the vineyard today.

9:00 a.m. Spanish Baptisms
11:00 a.m. English Baptisms
1:30 p.m. Wedding
3:30 p.m. Confessions
5:00 p.m. Mass

Many thanks.

Giddyap

Headed north to Flagstaff, AZ today for a week with my confreres at our Diocesan Convocation. Pray for us that we may have a fruitful time of study, spiritual renewal, fraternity, and relaxation.

Deo Gratias

Thanking those in attendance at the reception which followed the Missa Cantata Friday evening.

Vision 091107

My co-workers and I gather for a half-hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament before each monthly staff meeting. This morning we prayed the Holy Rosary and the Divine Praises. I offered Benediction, and we ended by singing the Salve Regina.

During meditation I envisioned something similar to the image above. Is it a vase or two faces? This morning the face on the left became the profile of Jesus while the image on the left morphed into my profile. AWESOME!

Thank you Jesus.

Missal and Veil Readied

The telephones were abuzz today with the faithful seeking more info about Friday evening's Missa Cantata in honor of Summorum Pontificum. This proves that there are Catholics in Phoenix's Westside who desire the Traditional Mass.

Heading back to CA for a few

The Grapes of Wrath

"Anyone can cook"

I spent a nice afternoon with lunch and a movie with my priest-brothers.

The Plot

Remy (the protagonist) is a rat, constantly risking life in an expensive French restaurant because of his love of good food, as well as a desire to become a chef. Yet, obviously, this is a rather tough dream for a rat. But opportunity knocks when a young boy—Alfredo Linguini (the deuteragonist)—who desperately needs to keep his job at the restaurant, despite his lack of cooking abilities, discovers and partners the young Remy. It’s up to the two of them to avoid the insane head chef, bring the rest of Remy's family up to his standards, win his partner a girl, and, of course, produce the finest Ratatouille in all of France.

A thought-provoking quote

“In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau's famous motto: Anyone can cook. But I realize that only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau's, who is, in this critic's opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France. I will be returning to Gusteau's soon, hungry for more.” – The antagonist, food critic Anton Ego

What is "ratatouille"?

Ratatouille is a tasty French Provençal dish made from stewed vegetables. The dish is versatile and can be served with rice, potatoes, French bread or itself can be a side dish.

Its main basic ingredients consist of tomatoes, onions and zucchinis.

The name of the dish appears to derive from the French touiller, "to stir", although the root of the first element "rata" is slang from the French Army meaning "chunky stew".

BTW

I had spaghetti with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes with a thick garlic sauce for lunch.

View trailer at:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382932/trailers-screenplay-E33581-10-2