Be Not Idle

“In his interaction with people, I think that he won the hearts and the confidence and the trust of the people because they sensed that he understood that each one of them was special in the eyes of God. He just didn’t see individuals. He saw God reflected in every human being, no matter who they were - how brilliant, how simple, how elderly, how young. There was something that just came through. And what came through was his very, very deep spiritual connection with the Lord and then he reflected that in his dialogue, in his life, and in his relationships with others.” - Adam Cardinal Maida

My older brother Bruce and I were lucky enough to be able to see Pope John Paul II when he visited the Pontiac Silverdome. My parents had been drawn from our parish’s tickets, and they wanted us to be able to see him.  Coming from a rural town in which Catholicism was the minority, it was amazing to be a part of such a large congregation celebrating Mass - and a congregation so reverent. One thought struck me, “The Pope isn’t the big deal. We’re all here with Our Lord Jesus.” I paid rapt attention, never daydreamed, never thought of anything else.

I’m looking forward to seeing Pope Benedict, even if it’s just via TV and radio. I want to see the Mass he celebrates. I’m praying that others will feel that reverence and know that we’re all servants. (And I’m happy that the Clamster, aka The Clam Rampant, is going!)

For more of Cardinal Maida’s memories of John Paul the Great - including singing Polish songs together - and his funeral, the conclave, and his opinion of Pope Benedict, go to Anything Is Possible (see Media Sources under my bloglist).  It’s in the archived shows, dated 08/14/2005.

According to a survey I took at Just Another Day of Catholic Pondering, I can take 30 five-year-olds in a fight. Thanks, Heather, for the valuable insight. I now know I should seek counselling for my inner Hulk. :) 

On a more peaceful note, the youngest of my nieces, Miss Christine, is having her First Holy Communion the weekend before Mother’s Day. One of her older sisters, Miss Kelly, is getting married the weekend after Mother’s Day.  Neither of them can take me in a fight, unless their wicked dog Bandit gets involved.   

* sobrinos = nephews and nieces; sobrinos nietos = great-nephews and great-nieces

This is a fun story about a Kettering University student who built a mini-tank with the help of his frat brothers. Its ammo includes paintballs, golf balls, and empty Red Bull cans!

The story (both written and video) are at the Flint Journal, here:

http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/newsnow/2008/04/post_moto _kid_death_story_here.html

It reminds me of the frat house at the University of Michigan that had the highest GPA in the Greek System, Phi Kappa Tau. Many of them were engineering students, and there was also David, the budding entrepreneur who started a perfume factory in the basement.  “Nerds” have fun hobbies.