Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2016
Fr. Adam Verona celebrated the noon Mass.
We sang:
Introit: Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice
Gloria in alternatum (Mass VIII)
Responsorial Psalm 71 (Don Fellows)
Gospel Acclamation (A.G. Murray)
Preparation of the Gifts: Sicut Cervus (G.P. Palestrina)
Holy, Holy, Holy (J. Vermulst/ Kraehenbuhl)
Memorial Acclamation
Danish Mass Amen (LP version)
Agnus Dei Chant
Communion Antiphon: Let your face shine upon your servant (Robert G. Farrell)
Communion Hymn: God is Love (A. Murray)
Communion Meditation: Abide with Me (W.H. Monk, arr. by Malcolm Archer)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: O Salutaris Hostia
Had a relaxing afternoon with (amazing) mid-50s to low-60s Fahrenheit temperatures!
SAT- I went shopping across the Allegheny River and also in Bloomfield. Caught some nice sales.
THU- Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas
Today was the Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas. The morning Mass was celebrated by Fr. Adam Verona, with John DeF serving and Ken providing music ministry from the portative organ. I lectored.
The entrance hymn was "Praise, O Zion, Voices Raising," sung to the melody of "Pange Lingua."
The first reading was from 2 SAM 7:18-19, 24-29
Responsorial psalm 132:1-2, 3-5, 11, 12, 13-14
Gospel reading was Mark 4: 21-25
Thirty-eight people in the congregation received the Eucharist, and a toddler was blessed.
Recessional hymn was "O Saving Victim" sung to the tune of "O Salutaris Hostia."
Dad spoke with the cameraperson, one of my former students, E.
MONday- That busy day at work! TUE- B&S, Workday; WED- NASA talk, building talk
Busy day at work (office hours, and teaching a lab). The kids (B & S) came by this afternoon. Received choir candy order forms last Thursday night. Despite the snow still on the curb and my rankling ankle, I walked home from work tonight.
~~~
Tuesday B & S came over to Lolo and Lola's to visit. I had my left lens repaired at the optometrist's shop...The ladies played telepictures. Then I went to work.
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Wednesday morning I went for a screening for a study--turns out I'm too healthy.
Wednesday late afternoon I went to the NASA talk hosted in large part by the University Honors College with Matthew Rodell presenting interpretation of groundwater data from gravitational data from satelllites (GRACE). I was pleased to see that Earth-based research was still alive and well and doing quite well, thank you, at NASA!
After dinner, I attended a building talk with Q&A afterwards.
SUNday- Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today, the day after the BIG snow hit the South and the Eastern seaboard, there were still a goodly number of us in choir.
Fr. Joshua K from the Oratory celebrated Mass with Deacon Chuck R, Perrin H lectured for the second reading, and Ted W provided Eucharistic ministry to the choir.
We sang:
Introit: Bow down before God,
Entrance Hymn: God, We Praise You!
Gloria SImplex (Richard Proulx)
First Reading: NEH 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10
Responsorial Psalm 19 (M. Guimont/ D.K. Fellows)
Second Reading: 1 COR 12:12-30
Gospel Acclamation: A.G. Murray
Gospel Reading: LK 1:1-4, 4:14-21
Preparation of Gifts: The Mirror of Eternity: Prayer of St. Clare (James J Chepponis)
Holy, Holy, Holy (J. Vermulst/ Kraehenbuhl)
Memorial Acclamation
Amen: (LP version from the Danish Mass)
Agnus Dei from Mass in E-flat (Antonio Lotti)
Communion Antiphon: Look t'ward the Lord and be radiant (Robert G. Farrell)
Communion Hymn: This is a Holy Day (A. Motyka)
Communion Meditation: My Song Shall Be Always of the Loving-Kindness of the Lord (Gerald Near)
Recessional Hymn: A Year of God's Favor
Dad ate lunch earlier than Mom and I did, who enjoyed chicken and pork adobo, rice, and fresh Roma tomatoes.
FRIday and SATurday- TurnItIn.com, meeting, and write to Father Seelos Center; Finished grading Academic Integrity assignments
Yesterday (Friday), our originality program was experiencing problems. We had our weekly instructor's meeting, and in the evening I typed Mom's electronic letter to the Fr. Seelos Center. The BIG SNOW started last night---I was glad to have my boots when travelling the short trek home.
This Saturday morning I awoke to the strains of the mini snow plow next door. Listened to Performance Today and Piano Puzzler. Made my way through the snow (6-12" originally) to Mom and Dad's. Must grade turned in items (at TIIn.com) this morning, and scan my choir Easter candy order form for my friends.
~~~
(Today, sent the choir candy brochure to friends who requested it.)
21.40- I finished grading my Academic Integrity assignments on TurnItIn.com within the hour. Filled in my gradesheets. Posted the assignments to TurnItIn.com. Helped Mom with correspondence (emails).
THUrsday- Memorial of St. Agnes,
This morning is the Memorial of St. Agnes. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Kris, John DeF served, Don provided music ministry from the loft, and I lectored.
The entrance hymn was "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"
The first reading was 1 Sm 18:6-9; 19:1-7
Responsorial psalm was PS 56:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11, 12-13
The Gospel was Mk 3:7-12
During this Mass we especially prayed for the dear soul of Sharon Lewis, who was the Cathedral's social minister until recently.
The recessional hymn was "We Walk by Faith."
About 29-30 people in the congregation received the Eucharist. This, on a day ~16-18 Fahrenheit...well below freezing outside.
~~~~~
Ran into my choir seatmate, Jen H on the sidewalk after Mass. Glad to see her!
~~~~~
Went for my half-yearly dental check-up with C and Dr. Dennis. Great outcome, as usual.
Choir practice tonight, and Jess prepared raspberry bar cookies and chocolate chip cookies! First night to pick up Easter candy forms.
After choir, spoke with Tita Celi, Mom's friend, with whom she was speaking by phone. Told her that the cross she gave me was blessed in Philadelphia when Dad brought it this Fall. She said, "we are in America, the land of Good and Everything." Always good talking to her.
WED- Up early, resending email, organizing, Bible Study
This morning I was up about four o'clock resending my email young adult creative idea to a friend, continuing organizing my current two-semester sets of notes (and weeding while I do this), and generally preparing for the day.
Planning to go to Bible Study this morning.
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After Bible Study, Mom, Dad, and I went for Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel. I got some work done at home and at work, then went to meet up with a friend for a short meeting afterwards.
I watched a movie, 444 Days to Freedom, about the Iran hostage crisis this evening. Great movie made in the late 1980s, narrated by William Shatner. It also showed the hostages who ended up at the Canadian embassy who were detailed in the cinematic picture, Argo.
Heard back from the library via email this evening.
TUESday- organize current work notes, grading online
Today I woke early and tossed old biology work notes and started organizing my current two-semester sets of notes. I started (and finished one section/ class of) grading online. Lots of questions for the course coordinator. Emails to late assignment submitter. Answered email correspondence from the library for a workshop. Mom called Kelly, Uncle Alex, and their friends near Joyce. Lunch and dinner with Mom and Dad. A nice winter nap late in the afternoon.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- Sort of a Day Off
Today is Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and I somewhat have the day off. There are administrative items to take care of, and items can be started to be graded.
On the NBC Nightly News,
http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news
the last story was about a hemophiliac boy named Max in the Philadelphia area. His sister made a calendar to benefit the Philadelphia Children's Hospital. And he became a superhero---Iron Man---and made the issue of a comic book.
I think someone should make a comic book/ graphic novel (or series of books) of the lives of the saint/s. Maybe start with the most famous ones, and also the Doctors of the Church.
Second Sunday in Ordinary TIme, 2016 and Commoration of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mass was celebrated by Fr. Kris S and with Fr. Carmen D'Amico and Fr.
The choir, we sang from the loft this year, with Don directing and Ken at the mighty Beckerath organ.
We sang:
Prelude: (All I Want Is) A Little More Faith in Jesus
Entrance Hymn: In Christ there is No East or West
the Penitential Act
Gloria (C. Andrews)
Psalm 96 (Robert Kreutz)
Gospel Acclamation (A.G. Murray)
Preparation of the Gifts: Nobody Knows (arr. John L. Bell), solo by Jessica Sutara
Holy, Holy, Holy from the People's Mass (J. Vermulst/ Kraehenbuhl)
Acclamation from the Roman Missal
Amen from the Danish Mass
Sanctus from Chant Mass XVIII
Communion Antiphon: Let Us Break Bread Together
Communion Hymn: There is a Balm in Gilead
Communion Meditation: If You Believe and I Believe (Zimbabwean trad., arr. by John L. Bell)
Recessional Hymn: Lift Every Voice and Sing [AA Anthem] (James Johnson and Rosamund Johnson)
Treated Mom and Dad out to lunch for BIG fish sandwiches, then we went supplies shopping at the drugstore afterwards. Finally, I returned the bulk of my library books to the Main Branch and spotted N, one of my former summer 2015 campers there. Also, I saw and greeted Carol as well!
Time for some relaxation!
SATurday morning
Yesterday (Saturday) morning I awoke with a dream voice saying, "Love," as in "What is most important?"
Then the dream voice said, "Love just one above all others." I was not prepared in my morning sleepiness for this, as well. I thought it was referring to people/ persons/ person. Later yesterday, when more awake during my morning ablutions, I realized that it was a theological imperative. It was stating for my sleepy self the First Commandment of the ten.
Wow. I am so thankful for that reminder from God to my somnambulant self! Because at first, it appeared that one should only love one individual person...which is somewhat difficult when one lives in society, lives in communities/ groupings of people: Family, Neighborhood, Church or faith community, etc. As John Steinbeck once wrote to a young family friend, these groupings follow you like a comet. I am so relieved for that clarification.
FRI- Slow day
Found my library books and some electronic equipment---were to be donated (!) in the trunk of the car.
Got an electronic communique from my doctor about hints to do for general exercises.
Took a nap around noon.
Today, before lunch, I went to campus to exercise. I ran into a former student, JL, before starting:.
10 minutes of stationary bicycling
10X3 sets of lateral pulldowns
arm curls 10 X2 sets, tricep and bicep exercises with free weights
Had a great lunch of raspberry balsam vinaigrette dressed salad.
I am contemplating making the (slightly underdone) sweet potato into smoothies. Need to get yogurt..
The Oscars Nominations; finished book, Concussion
I never saw/ heard of
Bridge of Spies and
The Big Short
Brooklyn (Best Movie nominations)
Ex Machina
Straight Outta Compton, Inside/ Out (Screenplay nominations)
and
45 Years (Leading Actress nomination)
...All nominated for various categories of the Academy Awards for this current season/year.
~~~~~
I finished the ~269-page book Concussion today, less than a week after starting it. Page 140-ish describes the naming of the cerebral traumatic encephalopathy, and pages 234-241.5 show how a family deals with it.
~~~~~
Back to choir practice tonight!
No Stars Wars ( The Force Awakens) for Best Picture Oscar/ Academy Award nomination
TUE, WED of first week of classes- version2
TUES (yesterday) was below freezing the whole day and snowed less than 3-5 inches. It was enough to slow traffic, though, as it took Kelly and Dad ~30 minutes to travel about 3/4 of a mile in Oakland yesterday after lunch. (Once they were on the Parkway, it was smooth sailing, though.)
I wrote a reference/ recommendation letter for a student applying to an academic program and mailed it from the department office TUESday afternoon.
I went to the instructor's office and doffed my heavy wool swing coat, exchanged my snow boots for my sturdy clogs, and traveled to lab class in the rest of my layers: Fleecy snow leopard-y hoodie and my down vest. Followed Ruth in her classroom today.
I made some points to my students this week:
~ Please tuck your books from other classes and any layers you may have in a cubby. [Please turn off any electronic devices.]
~ At the beginning of this class, it is fine to have your cell phones out for exchanging contact information. When you have completed this task, please turn your cell phones off and put them away, as you are not to have your cell phones on during class.
~ Some of you will think I speak too loudly, while some of you (at the other side of the room) will think my volume is just fine. If I am talking to the class while standing next to you, I will not be offended if you cover your ears.
~ Some of you have seen some of these topics before. Some of you haven't. If you think I'm going slowly, it is for your classmates who have never seen the topic before.
~ Just because I am on the other side of the room does not mean I am disinterested in your question. Please raise your hand to get my attention, or, if that doesn't work, call out my name, and I will go to to you to answer your question.
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WEDnesday (today) I took care of electronic correspondence, prepared longsilog for breakfast (Mom and Dad opted out, as they are having lunch with William), shredded old sensitive papers, check the presence of papers for my classes, and am slowly cleaning out the study at Mom and Dad's.
~~~
After the NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt and a rousing game of Jeopardy! Mom and I settled in to watch the end of one of Grandma's favorite movies, Always in My Heart (1942) with Gloria Warren.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034454/?ref_=ttpl_pl_tt
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034454/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/3323/Always-in-My-Heart/
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/3323/Always-in-My-Heart/full-synopsis.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Always_in_My_Heart_(film)
http://www.allmovie.com/movie/v83568
Soundtrack:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034454/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd
The title song (English), from April 26, 1942 Jack Benny Program radio show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_wkDKvL-1I
and GLenn Miller:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfCVybCmD14
Grandma used to sing the song from this movie to us when we were little children. A nostalgic film for cinema.
MON- First Day of Work, Spring 2016 Semester
Today was my first day back at work for the Spring 2016 semester. I started the sub-freezing day with my haircut at my usual place with my usual hair stylist. Then I went to my eyeglasses center to tell them a flaw in one of my lenses. Cleared out much of the study at Mom and Dad's home. I had a lunch of spaghetti with meat sauce and then went to work for my office hours. I had about five to seven students during my office hour. Went back to have a snack of salad---lettuce greens with Gouda cheese. Back to campus to follow Regina. No worries for timing.
Had a great day with the students!
SUN- Brought my niece and nephew to PITT Women's Basketball Game
Today Beatrice and Solomon and I met Debbie and Mijung for Family and Friends day at University of Pittsburgh's Women's Basketball against North Carolina State. This event was staged out of Chancellor Pat Gallagher's office. I saw Amy there, who used to work for Heinz Chapel, but is now at the Alumni Office. We chatted for a bit.
When we first arrived, the kids got T shirts, we all got food (either hamburgers, hot dogs, or pretzels; either funnel cake fries or caramel popcorn; and a soft drink---we got lemonade). The funnel cake fries were better than funnel cakes, and all of us agreed! B and I got cheeseburgers, S opted for the hot dog experience.
After S and I got our airbrushed temporary tattoos on our forearms, B opted for the painted-on sparkly pawprint on her forearm. They tried shots in the basket at Concourse level, but were a tad late for getting balloon art.
We left whilst the score was PITT 41, UNC 48. It is now into third overtime, and is currently 71 PITT- 74 UNC, with 18.0 on the clock. 76UNC-73 PITT with 12.0 on clock. 77- 73 (PITT 73) with 10.0 on clock. 76 PITT- 78 UNC with 1.0 on clock.
....which was also the final score as of 16.38 local time.
SAT- Prepared for the First Week of Classes, Mass, and Steeler Playoff Game
Most of Saturday I spent preparing for my first week back of the Semester. I also took a long nap. Mom went to get her hair cut. Went to the Saturday anticipated Mass at 18.00. Fr. Adam Verona mentioned that the football game would start after Mass is over. I worked for most of the game, until the last part of the last quarter----watched with Dad. "You don't win by playing mean," I intoned, as a penalty late in the game was called against #24 Adam Jones, of the Bengals.
As quoted from
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/steelers-announce-antonio-brown-will-not-play-vs-broncos/ar-BBof74V?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=TSHDHP
"Brown suffered a concussion after a hit from Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict with less than a minute remaining in the Steelers' Wild Card win over Cincinnati on Saturday. The NFL has issued a three-game suspension to Burfict for repeatedly violating player safety rules."
see
http://www.bengals.com/media-lounge/videos/Steelers-vs-Bengals-highlights/9c040d7b-f357-41c5-8b93-fe0fc607a99d
Steelers' Big Ben #7 came back from an injury late in the game. Steelers won just by a couple of points, 18-16. It was after midnight when it ended. Got a late email from a student, about scheduling.
THU; FRI- Work meeting and Chinese soup for dinner; Run errands
Yesterday (Thursday) was our first meeting of the semester at work. My "pod" consisted of Joe, Jessica, and me. We worked on some online genetics problems together and presented our answers to the group.
I did some scanning after work and after dinner I also returned to campus to scan a document for Mom. Also got some hot beef noodle Chinese soup for dinner.
Friday I made phone calls, medical appointments, and ran errands for Mom and myself in Oakland. Picked up the Jeanne Marie Laskas book, Concussion, at the public library.
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Mom and Dad's medical mission colleagues, T & E, came over for dinner. We chatted with them.
Chatted by phone with Maureen and also with Kim N into the wee hours.
TUE; WED- rest day; orthopedic day and visit with Phyllis
Tuesday was a rest day, I went to campus and scanned and printed items, as I did on Monday. I got my new ID card, as well.
Today (Wednesday) I went to Bible Study in the morning for the Baptism of Our Lord Sunday. I read the first reading, from Isaiah, about justice and the suffering servant and it was directed to the Jews who were serving...using concrete language and G-d was palpable.
Dad, Mom, and I drove to the new UPMC Lemieux facility near Phyllis. I had a small lunch with fruit and I found out I have bone spurs due to an acute incident two and a half years ago. Jessica W, the 3rd year resident, explained quite a bit, and I got a new lace-up brace. We spoke about the exercises of which I showed her diagrams from 2.5 years ago..."all are fine to do (use the brace if there is pain)". Dr. Dane was his hearty self, and pointed out the growth of the bone spurs on the images taken then and today.
Met up with Dad, Mom, and Phyllis at the burger restaurant on route 19.
Mom and I watched Dad leave and went to Church to try to go to the Novena for Our Lady of Perpetual Help. It being Epiphany, and still the Christmas Season, there was none.
Came back and prepared for my meeting tomorrow whilst Mom and I watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. "Do you know what happened to the man who got everything he ever wanted? He lived happily ever after." Mom said that the ending reminded her of the Disney animated movie Up.
First SUN and MON of the New Year 2016
Sunday was choir. Mom and I had prepared the taco ingredients before choir practice. We had tacos for lunch. I took a quick nap and went to Stacy and Vladimir's new pad for tea and cookies. A glorious view they have!
TOday (Monday) I made all sorts of medical/ dental appointments, chatted with friends, picked up women's basketball tickets and snack tickets, Lunched with Charles at the Syrian restaurant in my neighborhood, hoped (and he did) he liked the FLW gift...Then off for girl's night out with Debbie.
~~~~~
We had Mexican dinner in Aspinwall and watched the movie Concussion at Waterworks Cinema.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3322364/?ref_=nv_sr_1
A movie based on a true story...The story of an immigrant neuropathologist, Dr. Omalu, who goes to work for Cyril Wecht in the Allegheny County coroner's office. The stories his patients' bodies tell..and the impact on American football. Truly great personalities, and their internal conflicts. Well-mapped cinematic story set primarily in Pittsburgh. Nothing short of an excellent movie.
As mentioned in an earlier post, a University of Pittsburgh Writing professor, Jeanne Marie Laskas, wrote a book regarding concussion.
Welcome, New Year 2016!
This morning Dad. Mom, and I attended the morning Mass celebrated by Fr. Adam Verona. Colin cantored, Tamika served.
Mom and I watched the Rose Bowl Parade televised on the Hallmark Channel/ KTLA-TV with Bob Eubanks and Stephanie. It was their last broadcast as commentators above the crowd. Hallmark Channel had great footage from parade level, with unobtrusive---yet informative----commentary. There was even the band from Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pennsylvania. Stanford Cardinal and Iowa State Hawkeyes will play later today.
We went to Chinese lunch at ~14.00, then grocery shopping afterwards in Bloomfield. Then we went to Big Bird's palenke in Shadyside.
THU- New Year's Eve: Breakfast with the Prayer/ Rosary Group, The Force Awakens, Nap, Ring in 2016
Mom and I prepared breakfast for Dad's Prayer/ Rosary group. Those who joined us were: Oscar, Diane, and Lucy. We enjoyed ourselves very much. I took a quick nap, then Debbie and I went to Star Wars: The Force Awakens (3D IMAX) at the Waterfront AMC Theatre. The movie was as William described it (he saw it earlier with his children). To paraphrase: About an hour and a half of waiting for something to happen, and the rest of the movie making it clear why the first hour and a half was such. Excellent inter-generational characters and interactions, superb storytelling for this, Episode VII.
I took a nap after lunch, and Mom, Dad, and I rang in the New Year by watching the local NBC affiliate and CNN. Sparkling apple-pomegranate juice, guacamole, Gouda cheese, butter, and Italian loaf were enjoyed by us.
