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I’ve completed my first summer read: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart. It’s become my replacement for the Harry Potter series; it is a children’s book and a very easy read but the book tells an intense story and touches on serious issues regarding right and wrong, relationships, and sacrifice. The book I just finished is the latest installment (October 2009) and third in the series. Stewart has written other works as well including a novel for adults. I highly recommend these books as a wonderful summer read in these hot and lazy days.
J.K. Rowling enticed her fans for about a week dangling a countdown on a new YouTube channel titled: JK Rowling Announces. On 23 June at 6am CST, high noon in the UK, Jo Rowling released a 1:49 video thanking her fans for their readership and announcing a new website, pottermore.com. Within this website she will provide a new reading experience for the Potter stories, participant influenced, releasing side information about “the world of Harry Potter I have been hoarding for years.” Rowling is also releasing the Potter books in e-book form for the first time entirely through her own website. I hope to be one of the first to enter the website in July to preview and help develop it. While I’m not head-over-heels excited like I might have been for the release of one of the books, I am looking forward to finding out what other tidbits and stories Rowling’s imagination created in the development of the 7-book series which has taken the world by storm.
New York State Legislature passed its own same-sex marriage bill late on 24 June. With no opposition from the governor the bill will soon become law. One of the most frustrating things about the law is how a religious protection amendment was passed to convince conservatives to vote for the bill, never mind the fact the religious protection is guaranteed by our nation’s Constitution. Let us join together in prayer for New York, especially for Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York, one of the most important Catholic voices in the state.
As always comments, civil discussion, and opinions are welcome.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Lightning Transfigured Night
Thunderstorms are one of my favourite things about summer. The power of nature is truly awe-inspiring, if sometimes a little terrifying. We had a great big thunderstorm the other night when our heatwave finally broke. The storm brought temperatures down over 20 degrees F. I tried to take some pictures of the lighting but it was unfortunately too deep in the clouds to catch a bolt. (Either that or my camera is too poor quality.) Regardless, the ability of the lightning to make the pitch-black night sky shine brighter than the sun was pretty cool. Perhaps this is the blinding effect is what Peter, James, and John saw when the Lord was transfigured before their eyes.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Heroic Charity deserves Italian pizza
While surfing weather.com seeing when the heat wave would break (it finally has in Illinois), I came across a beautiful example of heroic charity. Watch the video at the link below. This is the kind of news story that deserves national attention!
Fire evacuation ‘angels’ save the day
* * *
Dinner being my charge this evening, I decided to be a little explorative. Off to foodnetwork.com, Paula Deen did not let me down. I found a video and written recipe for Grilled Veggie Pizza, which bears a striking resemblance to the pizza I would pick up near the Spanish Steps in Rome and either bring it back to Bernardi Campus or enjoy with friends on the steps like Audrey Hepburn and Carey Grant and their gelato. My sisters, Madalyn and Catherine were a great help particularly because there were so many things to do! Olive oil coated crust; eggplant, arugula, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella
cheese, capers, garlic
, & black olives (or whatever you please!); grilled over a charcoal fire. It certainly was a learning experience working out the bugs in our system but overall, it certainly made for a delightful dinner.
Fire evacuation ‘angels’ save the day
* * *
Dinner being my charge this evening, I decided to be a little explorative. Off to foodnetwork.com, Paula Deen did not let me down. I found a video and written recipe for Grilled Veggie Pizza, which bears a striking resemblance to the pizza I would pick up near the Spanish Steps in Rome and either bring it back to Bernardi Campus or enjoy with friends on the steps like Audrey Hepburn and Carey Grant and their gelato. My sisters, Madalyn and Catherine were a great help particularly because there were so many things to do! Olive oil coated crust; eggplant, arugula, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella
cheese, capers, garlic
, & black olives (or whatever you please!); grilled over a charcoal fire. It certainly was a learning experience working out the bugs in our system but overall, it certainly made for a delightful dinner.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Follow me on Twitter: @KellenOGrady
Proper capitalization but they wouldn't let me keep the apostrophe.
Proper capitalization but they wouldn't let me keep the apostrophe.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Vatican Public Relations
On the morning of 2 June, TV personalities Matt Lauer and Al Roker aired a number a stories live from Saint Peter’s Square on the TODAY Show on NBC. I just finished watching these video clips from the NBC website and I am blown away at how beautifully they portrayed the Holy Father and the Vatican. Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York was also on hand for a variety of interviews, tours, and commentaries.
I think my favourite of these stories was “A Day in the Life of Pope Benedict XVI” which featured footage of the Holy Father in his private chapel and chambers, the Vatican gardens, and even watching the evening news. A close second is the video “Church seeks new followers through social media”. Not only do we get to see and hear the infamous and elusive Rocco Palmo of the blog “Whispers in the Loggia” but they mention that the Vatican is soon to launch its own news website, www.news.va.
There are eight videos available if you follow the links above. They all take about a half an hour to watch. I encourage you to watch them all.
I think my favourite of these stories was “A Day in the Life of Pope Benedict XVI” which featured footage of the Holy Father in his private chapel and chambers, the Vatican gardens, and even watching the evening news. A close second is the video “Church seeks new followers through social media”. Not only do we get to see and hear the infamous and elusive Rocco Palmo of the blog “Whispers in the Loggia” but they mention that the Vatican is soon to launch its own news website, www.news.va.
There are eight videos available if you follow the links above. They all take about a half an hour to watch. I encourage you to watch them all.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Admission to Candidacy
On the evening of 28 May 2011 I had the distinct privilege of attending the Admission to Candidacy for my friend Paul Solomon. This ceremony took place at the 6:30pm Anticipatory Mass for the Sixth Sunday of Easter at his home parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Naperville, Illinois. Bishop Siegel, “interim bishop” for the Diocese of Joliet, celebrated the Mass.
Paul and I studied in Rome together in the spring of 2010 and graduated 21 May 2011 from the University of Saint Thomas. He studied at UST for four years as a college seminarian through Saint John Vianney Seminary. This Admission to Candidacy begins his major formation for the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. The ceremony beautifully portrayed the innocence and trust of a man giving his life in the service of Jesus Christ. He came before the bishop publicly declaring his intent and received the Bishop's blessing as the Church formally welcomed him. The next four years will see Paul studying in Rome, Italy through the Pontifical North American College (PNAC). He will return in the spring of 2015 and be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois. Please offer prayers for Mr. Solomon as he begins this new chapter of his journey. Pray also for all vocations, priestly and other religious. Their lifelong service is desperately needed in an often confused and broken world.
Paul and I studied in Rome together in the spring of 2010 and graduated 21 May 2011 from the University of Saint Thomas. He studied at UST for four years as a college seminarian through Saint John Vianney Seminary. This Admission to Candidacy begins his major formation for the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. The ceremony beautifully portrayed the innocence and trust of a man giving his life in the service of Jesus Christ. He came before the bishop publicly declaring his intent and received the Bishop's blessing as the Church formally welcomed him. The next four years will see Paul studying in Rome, Italy through the Pontifical North American College (PNAC). He will return in the spring of 2015 and be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois. Please offer prayers for Mr. Solomon as he begins this new chapter of his journey. Pray also for all vocations, priestly and other religious. Their lifelong service is desperately needed in an often confused and broken world.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
...that I may bear fruit in You.
Well over four months since my last entry, I am finally able to write again. Welcome to life post-college. Last Saturday, I graduated from the University of Saint Thomas with two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Liturgical Music and Catholic Studies. The blessings of the past four years are filled with manifold graces. Now it is time to move on to the next chapter of my life. I am spending my time back home while involved in a full-time job hunt. The exciting part is I could land anywhere…use a map of the continental United States as a dart board and I have as likely a chance to land there as anywhere else. The prospects are there. Hopefully it will just be a matter of finding the right fit.
In the meantime, I’m enjoying time with my family. I’ve begun to work on a new song, I actually spent some time reading for leisure, and I will soon make an attempt to learn to play the guitar.
Despite a tornado warning north of Minneapolis on Sunday, I am blessed to not have been tragically affected by these horrific storms ripping through various parts of the US. Prayers go out to those who have endured the worst of this spring: Alabama and Joplin, Missouri just to name a couple. May eternal rest be granted unto the dead.
University of Saint Thomas Liturgical Choir anthem:
From “Odes of Solomon”, 2nd century
Teach me the songs of Your truth, Oh Lord,
that I may bear fruit in You.
Open to me the music of Your Holy Spirit
that with every note I may praise You.
Out of Your abundant kindness, grant me this,
for You are sufficient for all our needs.
Alleluia.
In the meantime, I’m enjoying time with my family. I’ve begun to work on a new song, I actually spent some time reading for leisure, and I will soon make an attempt to learn to play the guitar.
Despite a tornado warning north of Minneapolis on Sunday, I am blessed to not have been tragically affected by these horrific storms ripping through various parts of the US. Prayers go out to those who have endured the worst of this spring: Alabama and Joplin, Missouri just to name a couple. May eternal rest be granted unto the dead.
University of Saint Thomas Liturgical Choir anthem:
From “Odes of Solomon”, 2nd century
Teach me the songs of Your truth, Oh Lord,
that I may bear fruit in You.
Open to me the music of Your Holy Spirit
that with every note I may praise You.
Out of Your abundant kindness, grant me this,
for You are sufficient for all our needs.
Alleluia.
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