Of course, the Ascension Day peeve is rattling her cage at the transfer to Sunday because 40 days is 40 days, thank you! Then I reminded her that our new bishop is being installed on June 2nd and she calmed down and began to purr.
Welcome, Bishop Estevez! Welcome to St. Augustine! Ad multos annos!
The new Bishop of St. Augustine will be installed this week. On Wednesday evening, there will be a Vespers at the Cathedral-Basilica and on Thursday afternoon, the installation Mass at a large church in Jacksonville.
Obviously, most of us won't be in either building. We have been warned sternly by the powers that be not to even think we'd have a chance of getting in if we showed up. However, I plan to be in the Plaza at St. Augustine to watch the bishop arrive, knock on the door with a mallet and enter. That watching from the street is the laudable role of the peasants.
And I hope lots of other faithful are there as well! He will be the ruler, teacher, and shepherd to this diocese for many years (God willing!). If it were up to me, we would be lining the streets with cheering Catholics. Not only would it show our new bishop that we welcome him, it would show everyone else that we take our faith seriously.
The peasants never expected to enter the cathedral or dine at the king's table, but they certainly wanted to see him when he came to town.
Like every other person on the planet, I receive endless requests for money from worthy causes. Some are global; some are local. Some are religious; many are not.
As a veteran of the philanthropic sector, I know it is the duty of nonprofits to ask. And as a thoughtful person with some disposable income, I know it is my duty to give – and give wisely.
I like to know what happens to my money. Is it just going to overhead? Are there special projects happening and a need that's arisen? What kind of progress is going on?
In the wake of the Greg Mortenson melt-down, I've been thinking about fund-raising. Even more so after a solicitation I received this week from an organization I support.
They thanked me for my giving, appreciated my using a direct transfer method that saved them time and money. The conclusion was a suggestion that I up the ante by $5-$10 a month. That's the proverbial "call to action" that we all know and love in fundraising and marketing.
However, they didn't give me a reason to do so. I guess they'd just like some more. Not compelling. In fact, downright "dis-motivating."
I always like to keep up on Metropolitan Hilarion's writings. Thoughtful, lengthy (of course), and a good window on the Russian Orthodox view of the world. This essay on missionary questions covers some interesting territory on liturgy – with issues that may resonate with Catholic readers. (Scroll down to find that section if you're afraid of bogging down in patristics.)
So head over to his website - read something or just look at the pictures if you like elaborate vestments (something the Russians have taken to a high art-form).
I like this more approachable photo as well.
I've just learned that it's probably more difficult to move 1/2 mile than 3,000 miles. In the latter case, you throw everything in boxes all at once. The truck comes; the truck leaves. If it doesn't fit, it goes to St. Vincent de Paul.
Move inside the same town and you can agonize over every item.
No sooner did I ask Elizabeth Scalia, aka The Anchoress, to pray that we receive a wonderful bishop then the announcement came that Felipe de Jesus Estevez from Miami will become our new bishop. He's been an auxiliary bishop. Here's a link to a biographical video about him on our diocesan website.
Ad multo annos!
From our diocesan circular of important announcements:
This Earth Day, April 22, the U.S. Bishops are asking you to please contact your members of Congress and urge greater U.S. leadership to address climate change, especially its disproportionate impact on the poor and vulnerable people here and abroad.
I had other plans for Good Friday.
What a tragedy! Something that makes all our petty concerns seem just that – petty.
Having grown up and lived in San Francisco for years, I have a great appreciation of earthquakes. They are unpredictable, uncontrollable, and utterly destroy any fantasies that you might have about being in charge of the physical universe.
Say at least an "Ave" for the people of Japan.
The prize goes to (drum roll) – the Benedictines of Mary in the Diocese of Kansas City. What a great place to keep all those skeins of embroidery thread!
Visit the photo tour of their new priory at Kansas Catholic - a wonderful testimony to faith, clear charism, and the willingness of young women to answer this demanding call and of laity and clergy to support them.
People who read this blog probably don't come from the texting demographic. But maybe you have children, friends, whatever who do. Watch this – and make sure you send it on to someone who might benefit. Thanks to The Deacon's Bench over at Patheos.