WordPress makes it very easy to blog, and has dozens of ready-to-go designs that are very easy to use.  As such I selected a new one that features a larger header.  I also loaded a new header photo that is discussed on the tab above entitled “About the Header Photo.”

How blest we are to behold the beauty of God’s Temple.

This weekend we took a quick road trip to North Platte.  As we often do, we stopped in Grand Island for dinner.  This time we stopped at Bosselman’s Truck Stop.  As we sat down I noticed the man in the next booth.

The song is a cover / reworking of Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major, with Christmas lyrics. The lyrics are beutifully delivered by the talented Jennifer Cella with gusto and feeling.

Here’s a link to a YouTube video of the song – Christmas Canon Rock

It’s delightful to see a rock band incorporate so much of their faith into their music. Three of their four albums CDs feature a Christmas theme.

Thanks to Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Jennifer Cella, and all artisans who glorify God with their gifts. May God bless your work abundantly.

It’s a sort of chain-letter kind of thing:

1. Make this Novena to St. Jude
2. Publish in a newspaper the results OR leave a copy (or LOTS of copies) of this novena in Church

Lots of church vestibules constantly see these sorts of things, sometimes with stern warnings to not remove the novena material and so forth.

Why do some Catholics do such a thing?  Well, in a word, superstition.  There are lots of superstitious things that well-meaning (although mistaken) Catholics do.

For example, even more popular than the St. Jude Novena (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL, BY THE WAY!) is the goofy practice of burying a statue of St. Joseph in order to sell your home (HE WORKS FASTER IF YOU BURY HIM UPSIDE DOWN!).

And, of course, often enough the home is sold, or the novena request is granted, thus reinforcing through lived experience and the resulting word-of-mouth how effective such activities are.

Thankfully Joseph and Jude are both Jewish; so they can smile when I say, oy vey!

Leave the propaganda at home and just pray the novena, people.  And for God’s sake quit burying St. Joseph in the ground – not only disrespectful, but a violation of the First Commandment for sure, and likely the Fourth Commandment to boot.

For example:

• “I believe everything happens for a reason, God knows best.” – While God does know best, He doesn’t cause our actions.  That’s why we have free will; to freely choose (which presupposes the ability to choose wrongly) to do His will or not.

• “He (or she) is in a better place.” – While that may be true, it isn’t necessarily true; a loved one may very well be in heaven, but they also might be in hell.  They also may be spending a little time being purified before entering heaven, i.e. purgatory.

Thus endeth my current rant on thoughtful sentiments.

Lots of wind to irritate my Weber Smoker.

Lots of “hot wind” stories told by George and Dad. . .

Smoked beef (back) ribs were enjoyed by all guests.  The bone remnants were enjoyed by Sophie.

By the way, throughout antiquity it was very common to take artifacts from those defeated in battle, or from conquered sites.  The Romans were very proficient at this.  Shown here is a closeup detail from the Arch of Titus, one of the triumphal arches found in the Roman Forum. The relief shows Roman soldiers taking the candelabra (menorah, in Hebrew) [מְנוֹרָה‎] after destroying the Temple in the year 70.  We know that this depicts the menorah from the Temple, because it is seven-branched, unlike the nine-branched menorah used during Hanukkah.

And, before any of you share your smart-alec remarks — I know, I know, only Deacon Chris would mix Husker football with a teaching-aside regarding menorahs.

I’m just sayin’ . . .

Bishop Lucas, formerly of Springfield in Illinois will become the Metropolitan of the Province of Nebraska on July 22.

May the Lord shower you with blessings!

We’ve been waiting nearly two years to hear of our new Shepherd, and are delighted to warmly welcome you to Nebraska, home of the friendliest people!

Our Council believes that the work we do must be grounded in a genuine spirituality.  The Knights of Columbus aren’t just do-gooders; they are Catholic gentlemen seeking to serve Christ among us in a variety of ways.  Find out more about the Knights of Columbus here.

I’ve attended the retreat for many years, and have always been delighted by the wildlife encountered during the weekend.  The main chapel, named after Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, features floor-to-ceiling windows along the south side.  I’ve yet to attend Mass there without seeing deer moving through the forest.  I’m hoping to encounter some this weekend, too.

Retreats are important for anyone serious about the spiritual life.  It’s important for us to tithe some of our time each year to listen to the voice of the Lord, and to draw close to God in a pronounced and unhurried manner.

I remember being in Rome during the Jubilee (Holy) Year 2000 – signs were posted at all the basilicas reminding everyone (in multiple languages) that a pilgrimage is about an interior journey of the heart, not just a physical vacation of the body.

If you haven’t been on a retreat lately, take some time to schedule one right now.  It’s a New Year’s Resolution worth keeping.  If you’ve never been on a retreat, drop me a line for some suggestions, or contact your diocesan family life office.  They can share with you what is available in your area.

Please pray for me this weekend, I’ll be like a deer longing for running water . . .