A Long Day...

Ugh.  Thursdays are such long days.  First, I have to get up extra early to get my required classwork done (and, to top that, I spent the morning on an English essay).  Then, I have to scramble to collect all of my piano music, voice music, and percussion music (which also requires occasional homework such as the "who is playing what" list). 

We are always either ten minutes early or ten minutes late for piano lesson.  Fortunately, on some rare days, such as today, we make my lesson on the o'clock.  After forty-five minutes of our intended thirty minute lesson is spent in outrageous laughter at innocent jokes (mostly consisting of memories of my dear Fidelio's lesson days...), we have about fifteen minutes of piano-playing. 

Then, we find some convenient place for a healthy lunch and book it to band lesson so that I can be there forty-five minutes early.  At that point, I scramble to get all the beginning band and advanced band percussion instruments together and size them for each of the percussionists' heights (Which is difficult considering that the twelve-year-old boys grow a few inches each week).  Then, it is pretty easy, despite having to figure out who is playing what, if each person has the right music, what instruments need to be put next to each other, which mallets are the right ones, whether the drums are on or not, who I need to catch if they fall off the back of the stage, and so on...

Eventually, the forty-hour-long band rehearsal ends and we scramble to get all the percussion equipment put away without dropping the wind chimes.  Usually that process includes the cleaning of the entire band room.  (Those inconsiderate wind players!)   

I then have to run to the parking lot and hop in my free taxi (that is, I pay with my hardwork; nothing is free) to drive to my voice lesson, across town.  After twenty minutes of my intended thirty minute lesson is taken up with the adults' talking, I have a fifteen minute lesson and somehow create an unatural (that is, "how can that sound come out of me," unatural) sound that delights my teacher.

I go home feelling exultant and much relieved only to be greeted with a very hungry cat.  Oh, yes, Mr. Benedict has been officially put on a diet.  I do not know what other chores may lie ahead of me, but I am hoping to get a little computer-playing time in...  Maybe.

"Oh well...  I still have Jesus," as a priest once said.

O Good Grief

I've had a lot of good grief the past few days.  We have been completely redoing our eroded backyard after having drains installed.  I have been moving everything from bags of river rock and mulch, to lifting (with papa's help, of course) left over concrete slabs (three ft long, 12 in wide, and 6 in deep) from having the driveway dug up and half-rotten railroad ties.  Quite frankly, I've had a lot of good Lenten penance the past few days.  There is not an inch of my body that is not sore. 

I was able to spend the weekend at the convent with servants.  The retreat master was awesome!  And, we all got to be silent!  Its amazing how much better you can think without having to listen to your own voice.  We stayed for a few hours extra to prepare for the next retreat to be held for priests.  It was great!  I got to clean bathrooms!  Uh, yeah, another form of good grief...

Its been days since even a scheduled post!  I should endeavor to do better...

Tuesday, March 22nd

First Reading:Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
Psalm:Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23
Gospel:Matthew 23:1-12

A third path of repentance consists of prayer that is fervent, careful and comes from the heart. A fourth path of repentance is almsgiving, whose power is great and far-reaching. A fifth way, moreover, if a man lives a modest humble life, takes away sin.

-- St. John Chrysostom


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#22#ixzz1HMUsiB3n

Monday, March 21st

First Reading: Daniel 9:4-10
Psalm: Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13
Gospel: Luke 6:36-38

The field of battle between God and Satan is the human soul. It is in the soul that the battle rages every moment of life. The soul must give free access to the Lord so that it may be fortified by Him in every repect and with all kinds of weapons; that His light may enlighten it to combat the darkness of error; that it may be clothed with Jesus Christ. To be clothed with Jesus Christ it is necessary to die to oneself. That which comes from Satan begins with calmness and ends in storm, indifference, and apathy. In the spiritual life he who does not advance goes backward. It happens as with a boat which always must go ahead. If it stands still the wind blows it back. Fix the time, the length of your meditation, and do not rise from your place until you have finished even at the cost of being crucified.

-- Saint Pio of Pietrelcina


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#21#ixzz1HF2ho4el

Sunday, March 20th

First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4
Psalm: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-10 

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

O wondrous vision, which makes us contemplate the human race in the unity of its origin in God. . . in the unity of its nature, composed equally in all men of a material body and a spiritual soul; in the unity of its immediate end and its mission in the world; in the unity of its dwelling, the earth, whose benefits all men, by right of nature, may use to sustain and develop life; in the unity of its supernatural end: God Himself, to whom all ought to tend; in the unity of the means for attaining this end;. . . in the unity of the redemption wrought by Christ for all.

-- Pius XII. Encyclical, Summi pontificatus 3


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#20#ixzz1GyLoHriM

Saturday, March 19th, Solemnity of St. Joseph, Holy Spouse of Mary

First Reading:2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16
Psalm:Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
Second Reading:Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Gospel:Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 or Luke 2:41-51

Salvation is shown to faith, it is prepared for hope, but it is given only to charity. Faith points out the way to the land of promise as a pillar of fire, hope feeds us with its manna of sweetness, but charity actually introduces us into the Promised Land.

-- St. Francis De Sales


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#15#ixzz1Gb4ScmbU

Friday, March 18th

First Reading:Ezekiel 18:21-28
Psalm:Psalm 130:1-8
Gospel:Matthew 5:20-26


Believe that others are better than you in the depths of their soul, although outwardly you may appear better than they. 

-- St. Augustine


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#15#ixzz1Gb4F3vhe

Ah! Foiled again.

I finally got my papa to try fencing.  He has just completed the class and last night was our first time to fence foil.  (He has been tainted by the stain of epee...)  He is doing very well overall, but still needs some work on footwork and strategy.  I don't think he cares much for the target area and restrictive rules of foil.  Though, I keep reminding him that foil is real fencing. 

Otherwise, a couple of months ago, I beat the state champion (my personal instructor) and rejoiced in gladness!  (Though I conned him into stopping 1/3 of the way through our bout just so that I could say I won...)   Mr. J. O. still beats me like crazy, most likely due to his being fourteen inches taller than me.  But, we still have great fun. 

I also fenced eppe with a beginning, though middle-aged, fencer who I thought, for a split second, had broken my arm.  He did not break my arm, or my wrist, or any fingers, thank goodness, but somehow took away all feeling in the right side of my body...  I could feel my arm again this morning!  At that time, I illustrated to papa the reason why I prefer foil.

Well, at least I did not suffer a flesh wound, like last week...

Saint Patty's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Here is a yummy key lime pie recipe.  I thought the kiwi was exceptionally creative! 

Ingredients:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs

3 tbsp. butter, melted
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk 

4 egg yolks
1/3 cup lime juice

Thin chocolate cookie wafers
1 kiwi, peeled and sliced

Instructions:
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix the graham cracker crumbs and butter in a bowl. Firmly press the crumbs against the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie pan. Bake for 5 minutes.  In another bowl, stir the sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks and lime juice until well mixed. Pour the mixture into the crust and bake for 15 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean.  Once the pie cools, push cookie wafers into the filling along the edge. Top with kiwi slices arranged to resemble a shamrock. Serves 8.
[For an easier recipe, use key lime pudding for the pie filling.  The chocolate wafers can remain, or you can use a ready-made graham cracker crust.]

From website: http://familyfun.go.com/st-patricks-day/

Thursday, March 17th

First Reading: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Psalm: Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8
Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12


We are at Jesus' disposal. If he wants you to be sick in bed, if he wants you to proclaim His work in the street, if he wants you to clean the toilets all day, that's all right, everything is all right. We must say, "I belong to you. You can do whatever you like." And this...is our strength, and this is the joy of the Lord.

-- Blessed Mother Teresa


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#15#ixzz1Gb3w5W1Y

Wednesday, March 16th

First Reading: Jonah 3:1-10
Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19
Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

The home must be in accord with the Church, that all harmful influences be withheld from the souls of children. Where there is true piety in the home, purity of morals reigns supreme.

-- St. John Vianney


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#15#ixzz1Gb3Uguu9

Tuesday, March 15th

First Reading:Isaiah 55:10-11
Psalm:Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19
Gospel:Matthew 6:7-15


A first path of repentance is the condemnation of your own sins: be the first to admit your sins and you will be justified. For this reason, too, the prophet wrote: I said: I will accuse myself of my sins to the Lord and you forgave the weakness of my heart. Therefore, you too should condemn your own sins; that will be enough reason for the Lord to forgive you, for a man who condemns his own sins is slower to commit them again. Rouse your conscience to accuse you within your own house, lest it become your accuser before the judgment seat of the Lord.

-- St. John Chrysostom


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#15#ixzz1Gb3CI7Fz

Home, Sweet Home

So, I am finally back to find my furball to be twice as big as when I left him.  My kitten is no longer a kitten, but a full-grown tom cat.  He is quite heavy when he falls asleep in my lap.  But, he has not grown out of his old habits.  He still chews on my hoodie drawstring while I am holding him, jumps on the table (and the stove) while we are outside, eats legos, and follows our exterminator, carpet cleaner, and any other strangers around the house.   What a handfull!

However, I am very happy that I have him after losing two beloved pets in only three months.  Our Gentle Giant, Tom, and the Engergizer Kitty, Pickles the First, have gone on to "kitty heaven," which I am thoroughly conviced exists (well, sort of).   I think that when (God Willing!) I reach Heaven, Pickles and Tom will be waiting for me.  I kind of invision their existence in Heaven like progections in the movie Inception, they will be visual perceptions of memories. 

In any case, I greatly love my furries!

Today's Mass Readings: Monday, March 14th

First Reading:Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
Psalm:Psalm 19:8-10, 15
Gospel:Matthew 25:31-46


Some say it is unreasonable to be courteous and gentle with a reckless person who insults you for no reason at all. I have made a pact with my tongue; not to speak when my heart is disturbed.

-- St. Francis de Sales

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#9#ixzz1G6qK7Evh

First Sunday of Lent

Readings for today:
First Reading:Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7
Psalm:Psalm 51:3-6, 12-13, 17
Second Reading:Romans 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19
Gospel:Matthew 4:1-11

Our wish, our object, our chief preoccupation must be to form Jesus in ourselves, to make his spirit, his devotion, his affections, his desires, and his disposition live and reign there. All our religious exercises should be directed to this end. It is the work which God has given us to do unceasingly. 

-- St. John Eudes

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#9#ixzz1G6pNf0V3

Catholic Kingdom

There is a great Catholic website for kids called The Catholic Kingdom.  I discovered it a couple of years ago and have found it to be a lot of fun.  I enjoy it even more today than I did before, I think!  Please check it out via the link under Places to Go. 

Dominique, one of the characters, is hosting a Lenten crusade, which I highly encourage you to join.  I have begun praying St. Gertrude's Prayer as part of my Lenten penance.  It is very encouraging that we know that God is so merciful.  And, think!  His promise to St. Gertrude is only the minutest example of his infinite mercy!

So, please check out the website.  They will start counting the crusade members' tallies soon to find out how many souls have been led through the Gates of Heaven by their prayers for God's Mercy.

Today's Mass Readings: Saturday, March 12th

First Reading:Isaiah 58:9-14
Psalm:Psalm 86:1-6
Gospel:Luke 5:27-32

Let each one remember that he will make progress in all spiritual things only insofar as he rids himself of self-love, self-will, and self-interest.
-- St. Ignatius of Loyola

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#9#ixzz1G6p8Y975

Today's Mass Readings: Friday, March 11th

First Reading:Isaiah 58:1-9
Psalm:Psalm 51:3-6, 18-19
Gospel:Matthew 9:14-15

Let us detach ourselves in spirit from all that we see and cling to that which we believe. This is the cross which we must imprint on all our daily actions and behavior.
-- St. Peter Damian

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#9#ixzz1G6otas7I

St. John Ogilvie, Saint for Today

Born in 1579, John Ogilvie belonged to Scottish nobility. Raised a Calvinist, he was educated on the continent. Exposed to the religious controversies of his day and impressed with the faith of the martyrs, he decided to become a Catholic. In 1596, at age seventeen he was received into the Church at Louvain. Later John attended a variety of Catholic educational institutions, and eventually he sought admission into the Jesuits. 

(From Wikipedia)

He was ordained at Paris in 1610 and asked to be sent to Scotland, hoping some Catholic nobles there would aid him given his lineage. Finding none, he went to London, then back to Paris, and finally returned to Scotland. John's work was quite successful in bring back many people to the Faith. Some time later he was betrayed by one posing as a Catholic. After his arrest he was tortured in prison in an effort to get him to reveal the names of other Catholics, but he refused. After three trials, John was convicted of high treason because he converted Protestants to the Catholic Faith as well as denied the king's spiritual jurisdiction by upholding the Pope's spiritual primacy and condemning the oaths of supremacy and allegiance. Sentenced to death, the courageous priest was hanged at Glasgow in 1615 at the age of thirty-six. His feast day is March 10.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=820 

Today's Mass Readings: Thursday, March 10th

First Reading:Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm:Psalm 1:4, 6
Gospel:Luke 9:22-25

I tell you that you have less to suffer in following the Cross than in serving the world and its pleasures.
-- St. John Vianney

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#9#ixzz1G6ocJ9zb

Piano Lesson

I just taught my first real piano lesson, complete with voice lesson.  Wait!  Stop and reverse that.  It started out when my dearest Fidelio requested that I step in for a minute and help her voice students warm up while she checked on V.   That "step in" turned into about 2 hours of voice/piano teaching.  It felt like a year!

After the first two lessons Fidelio says, "I'm exhausted.  Do you want to teach my students?"  Not knowing that the first two lessons were with the only mature kids of the day, I felt quite prepared for the task ahead and steadfastly walked (or shall I say, swaggered, as only Americans know how) to my doom. 

I love children, but I can't help feeling relieved that I don't have to take some home with me.  With each student I gained a new respect for my parents and all parents who steadfastly take on the responsibility of raising a child.  I will treasure the experience!

For now, Fidelio gave me at least a 30 minute break, at the end of which I do not know if I will be once again subject to a very tiring Ash Wednesday penance...

Today's Mass Readings: Ash Wednesday

First Reading: Joel 2:12-18
Psalm: Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20 -- 6:2
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18


Christ, indeed, always associates the Church with himself in this great work in which God is perfectly glorified and men are sanctified. The Church is his beloved Bride who calls to her Lord and through him offers worship to the eternal Father.

--Sacrosanctum concilium

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#9#ixzz1G6o6dN5T

God is in History

Tonight we discussed Lent, the Saints, the Lectionary, the Divine Office, and the Christian idea of history with our RCIA class. As usual, we had far too little time to really get in to the "meat" of the subject, but the amount covered tonight was pretty satisfactory!

I was able to sum up the discussion for the night, after the main instructor had finished, and it was key, I though, to emphasize to the class how our idea of history itself is radically difference from the mainstream idea. The instructor tonight mentioned that our picture of history is "linear," it is a line going from one place to another, with purpose. For Catholics, since we believe in God and have an understanding of Divine Providence, that idea makes perfect sense. However, the world in general has a very different idea--the idea that a Supreme Being is out there, ordering all of creation, is foreign to them. Instead, they believe that they are in charge, or that everything is random, or that forces like economics or gender or passions control history.

For those of us that read the Baltimore Catechism, the comfort of knowing why we are here and who is "running the show" is very simple.

Q. Who made the world?
A. God made the world.

Q. Who is God?
A. God is the Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things.

Q. What is man?
A. Man is a creature composed of body and soul, and made to the image and likeness of God.

Q. Why did God make you?
A. God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in heaven.

God made us to be happy with him in heaven, all of us, and he built all of history so that that goal might be accomplished. Every person is given the chance, somehow, to experience God's Grace and the chance for eternal life because of God's perfect, omnipotent design for history. It is like a rich, beautiful tapestry, and we are each a thread which contributes to the overall pattern, perfectly planned and beautifully made.

As we begin Lent, we enter one of those pieces of the pattern which is familiar, which we see every year. Growing in our journey of Faith, each new Lent should be a deeper and richer experience of Christ and his love, especially the love that led Him to death on a cross. How will you spend this Lent?

Today's Mass Readings

First Reading:Tobit 2:9-14
Psalm:Psalm 112:1-2, 7-9
Gospel:Mark 12:13-17

Of us God demands purity of heart, that purity which is the life of the soul. He wants besides, since we possess no virtues worthy of Him, a deep respect and true humility. Let us say to Him: " Lord I am not worthy to receive Thee. Depart from me, for I am a miserable sinner!" This conviction makes up for our shortcomings. Our Lord is content with it and, when he comes to us, He will give us all that we lack. Let us simply be faithful, humble, and confident. He will do the rest.
-- St. Peter Eymard

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm#8#ixzz1G1fABP9L

Welcome, welcome!

And again, welcome to the Faith and Furballs blog where we talk about life with Christ!