06/22/2009
These last couple of months have been extremely busy for me, and I haven’t had the opportunity to take time with my blog. I’d like to let everyone know that I’m still around and very much alive!
I graduated high school on June 12 with the Richmond Senior High Class of 2009. I can already tell I’m going to miss high school; it was a great experience and I wouldn’t trade the world for it. You often here a lot of negativity about the public school system from more conservative Catholics. I don’t deny there are problems with the public schools – but I loved every minute of it. In any event, you just don’t have the same opportunity for evangelism if you’re cloistered away somewhere.
Following graduation we had a bonfire party at my house 
and burned the remnants of our senior Graduation Projects and old uniform shirts. No more green polo’s and khaki pants!
I went to Myrtle Beach with a few guys the following Sunday and stayed until Wednesday. Had a little place in Cherry Grove, a street back from the ocean. Smoked good cigars, played putt putt, walked the beach, played cards. Excellent times, lots of memories.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the traditional Latin Mass at Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensboro. Shelby and a couple other friends came with me. Beautiful liturgy and amazing choir. Here’s hoping the traditional liturgy continues to spread throughout North Carolina in general and the Diocese of Charlotte in particular.
05/17/2009
Senior Prom was last night; my friends and I all had a great time – much to the chagrin of such notable saints as John Vianney. Shelby was beautiful. After the dance we took turns changing in the back of my Jeep into casual clothes. Thereafter we roamed around town looking for parties – to no avail. Nevertheless, we found ways to entertain ourselves. Ever been to Walmart at 3:00 AM? I have. It was freakin’ amazing.
05/10/2009
Coming in faith to the well, the woman of Samaria beheld thee, the water of wisdom, and having satisfied her thirst, she inherited the Kingdom on high, and is glorified forever.
St. Michael’s Chapel celebrated Father Deacon Stephen’s ordination, which took place last weekend in Parma, Ohio. Father Deacon Stephen gave a stirring homily, exhorting us to place our trust in God even amidst the darkness of doubt. I was reminded of St. Anselm’s motto, “faith seeking understanding” The Divine Liturgy was offered by the Very Reverend Mark Shuey, pastor of Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Mission in Raleigh.
Monsignor Ingham (who received me into the Church in 2005) and Monsignor Hendrick from St. Anthony of Padua in Southern Pines sat in choir. A reception was held at St. Anthony’s following the conculsion of the Divine Liturgy.
In other news… it was a great Mother’s Day!
05/08/2009
Been a bit busy lately – AP English exam was yesterday, had AP European History today. So far, so good. One more left – Human Geography, on the 15th.
In less stressful news, I was awarded the Cole Scholarship! Awesome.
05/03/2009
I’m in the running for best “New Kid on the Block” in the 2009 Cannonball Catholic Blog Awards. And while I’m prepared, if necessary, to subject myself to all manner of degradation for your vote – I’d much rather not. So do me a favor, and go vote for me.
04/27/2009
St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Lincolnton NC
With ad orientem worship, I mean? Between Mass at St. James and attending the Divine Liturgy later that afternoon, I dropped in on the last few minutes of a Lutheran service yesterday. And the Lutherans retained the traditional altar arrangement, facing east. In fact, I realized that the vast majority of churches I’ve attended celebrate their services facing liturgical east. The Episcopal and Lutheran Churches have generally retained this posture (in addition to altar rails), and it’s universally prevalent in the Christian East (Catholic and Orthodox.) Even where some Episcopal Churches turned their altars around facing the people, the practice was never hierarchically foisted upon parishes. I’m not familiar with the argument against ad orientem worship in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church. I don’t think the vast majority of people in the pews would really care which way the priest faced; all the more reason to retain the classical posture. The only ones I can imagine really objecting are those individuals who lived before and during the Second Vatican Council, and were told the old posture was “wrong” – what do you think?
Nota bene: The Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Rockingham, where I was baptized, actually built their chapel as an exact imitation of St. Luke’s in Lincolnton, pictured on the left.
04/25/2009
What’s the private devotional life of Eastern Catholics like? As far as I’m aware, the Liturgy of the Hours, the rosary, and the stations of the cross are exclusive to the Western tradition. I’m only superficially familar with something called the “Jesus Prayer” and the prayer rope, although I’ve heard it suggested that these are primarily monastic observances, anyway. So – fill me in! How do the laity typically observe their faith outside of the public liturgy?
04/24/2009
Lourdes, the Disney World of Catholicism
Although I have no dispute with the New Testament miracles of Jesus Christ, I’m a professed skeptic when it comes to most everything else. Sure – God is still working in the world; but I believe He primarily conveys Himself to man through the sacraments of His Church (as opposed to, say, grilled cheese sandwiches.) With that duly noted, I find the whole notion of modern miracles somewhat distracting. And while I don’t deny their possibility, I tend to deny their necessity.
Last Sunday, Christians who observe the Julian Calendar celebrated the Great Feast of Easter, or Pascha. Each Easter, a theophany occurs for those Orthodox Christians who gather at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. According to reports, divine light – holy fire – descends at the bidding of the Orthodox patriarch, who emerges from the tomb of Christ and disperses the light to the assembled faithful. Appearing since at least 1106 A.D., the Holy Fire of Jerusalem is considered the oldest recorded miracle in Christianity.
Our Lord says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” I respond, “I believe, Lord, help my unbelief!”
The Holy Fire
