August 2003 Archives

I just found out that my favorite spiritual director, Fr. Robert Lewandowski, SM, passed away more than a week ago. I feel a bit heartbroken at the news. He had been a priest for well over 50 years. He loved Mary and the Eucharist. He gave his homilies off the cuff, but unlike most priests, he wasn't boring. He was a wonderful and holy man, and he helped me and many other college students choose the path that God was leading them too. I will miss the "Sunday Fish Frys" that he had for those who were considering the priesthood. He'll be blessed for encouraging vocations in college students.

He is a priest forever. And I believe that he is perhaps concelebrating with Jesus in heaven. Please, keep the soul of Fr. Bob in your prayers. He affected the lives of many young Catholics, and he won't soon be forgotten.

Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.

Thanks to Mike Roesch of Res et Rationes for the link.

Catholics have a sick, or silly sense of humor. I haven't quite decided which. I say this especially when I refer to our picking patrons for particular things. I tell these stories to my protestant friends and they tend to get creeped out. I really don't blame them.

We name St. Bartholemew the patron of leatherworkers because he was skinned alive. The patron of cooks was, of course, barbecued (St. Lawrence). Who's the patron of Archers? St. Sebastian of course! He was tied to a tree and used as target practice. St. Joseph of Cupertino is the patron of Airline pilots because he levitated. I could go on, but you get the idea.

The martyrs I listed died pretty horrible deaths. You'd think we'd take that seriously, and be a bit more somber about it. Instead, we somehow flip the way they died to our advantage and make them patrons of our various occupations or hobbies. Why? I think it's because we know that as Catholics we can laugh at death. In the end, these men had the last laugh.

They went to see the smiling face of God. May I have the last laugh against satan in my death.

I sent something in to Fr. Sibley of A Saintly Salmagundi, and he posted it!

Go see the crocheted skull...

Happy Birthday wishes to Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. of The New Gasparian and Onerock fame.

May the Lord cover you with His Precious Blood and surround you with his heavenly angels. May He protect you and keep you from all physical, mental in spiritual harm. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

I've been incredibly lazy, in spite of having much to write about. So, I'll just ramble on telling you what I can remember.

I'm currently looking into the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word (MFVA). They're the guys who run EWTN. I took a look at them and thought that they're probably closest to what I'm looking for in a religious community. A charism that focuses on the Holy Eucharist and promote a deep devotion to Our Lady. The Marianists are also looking at me, and want to interview me. There plan is to hopefully send me on a retreat to Ohio in hopes that I'll be convinced to join them. The Marianists are good people, but they're probably not what I'm looking for. I'll oblige them for the interview, and probably go on the retreat anyway.

As I'm looking at religious communities, I'm hitting on women like crazy. I suppose it's a natural reaction. Human nature dictates that you want what you can't have. The other day I helped women move into their dorms at the University of Central Oklahoma. Dohi and Jorge were with me. We were all wearing the UCO Catholic Campus Center t-shirts. While the other guys were too shy and hesitant to ask the girls to come to the barbecue that Carl, the campus minister, had asked us to promote, I enthusiastically shook hands and asked all sorts of pretty girls to come to our party. I even asked some who didn't need help. It was hard work. I think every woman I helped move into that dorm lived on the top floor except maybe two. Of course, there weren't any elevators. The girls and their mothers appreciated our help alot. I was sore the next day, but I think it was worth it.

Just before we were about to go back to the Catholic Center, I saw this beautiful woman. She was tall, tan and brunette. She was at a dorm registration booth talking to somebody. I stood back and waited for her. Normally, I'm nervous around women, but when I'm trying to sell something, all of that goes out the window. When she turned around, I walked right up to her, and said, "Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Robert" She told me her name was Jessica. I told her about the barbecue and told her to write down the date. She said she might come because she was trying to meet new people (Yay!). I turned around and saw the guys staring at me in disbelief. I had this big stupid grin on my face.

More later...