Today is (Christopher) Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day, as announced on WQED this morning between various music sets, and before top-of-the-hour newscasts.

 

Bicycled a total of 11 minutes: 3 min very slow, 1 min medium speed, 1 min very fast to fast, 2 min maintain medium, 1 minute fast, 2 min slow/ start to cool down, 1 min very slow.

Had a relaxing beginning of the morning with views of Internet music videos from contestant shows.

Had a short email discussion with Pat H about Grave Creek Mound 

https://www.nps.gov/places/grave-creek-mound.htm

---now surrounded by present-day Moundsville, WV---(Adena culture, about 250-150 BC/ BCE, thus predating the mounds found at the Marietta Earthworks) as well as other Adena, Hopewell, and Fort Ancient Peoples' mounds in West Virginia and the greater Ohio Valleys, including the conical mound ("Conus") found in the southern portion of the Marietta Earthworks (early Adena culture), and at the center of the present-day Mound Cemetary:

http://touringohio.com/history/marietta-earthworks.html 

Also looked for shopping cart items for M and BMc (with M). M and D had a phone conversation to clarify issues from an email. I enjoyed noodles for lunch. Further phone conversation. Time to delete old files. Making dinner. Time to ZOOM! With organizer BF, D and M, JO and BMc, k (outside, at first), MMo, SC, WA, K, and Aug, I LAX, and HPotter, from 18.00 to 20.45. Dinner of lasagna served at ~ 19.20. Also had peach with orange Jello. Vanilla ice cream. Time to sleep.

Did an early/ mid-morning run for groceries, which I bought at Friendship/Shadyside. Had two meetings this afternoon: Remote/Zoom meetings. The second was a museum Mega Meeting for the Education department, with NHIs and LLLs alike.

 

Bible Study, with Fr Mike Darcy and 8 to 9 participants, plus Emily T. I had the honor of reading the Gospel passage, which has Christ's parable which ends with the couplet

 Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar

and to God what belongs to God.

We had lively discussion about this passage, along with the other two preceding readings. It was noted that St Augustine said that the denarius coin had an image of the ruler, as well as the inscription "Filius Dei" which means "Son of God." I stated that there are "2 sides to the same coin": For believers, there are both Faith and Deeds. Living out one's beliefs requires not just Faith, but Good Deeds.

We had the fresh salmon belly for dinner with fresh green beans and rice! Dessert was Orange Jello.

Bicycle this morning for 10 Minutes: 3.30 Warm Up; 1:00 Fast; 1:30 Slower; 1:00 Much Faster; 3:00 Cool Down.

 

Oatmeal for breakfast. Mid-morning lab work at the doctor's office. Back to watch a Wilson Institute Zoom session about "Rolling Out a Vaccine for COVID" with 8 to 9 speakers:

 

Flossed, chatted via typing with a choir friend, made pancakes with jelly and yogurt for breakfast early (at least for a Sunday). The maintenance guy, R, and I spoke with someone stuck in a self-imposed spot, and I was able to "unravel the knot." And I made pancakes for M, D,....all this before 09.30 this morning!

Soon time for the mid-morning Mass at 10.00...

The Mass was celebrated by Fr John Odeyemi, assisted by Deacon Tom Berna. There were two servers (one very young one), Fred E was the scheduled lector, and Linda O cantor, accompanied by the organist in the loft. We celebrated the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, and Deacon Tom read the Gospel and gave the Homily. The homily was about what Jesus said: "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God." Deacon Tom said, "What belongs to God? (We belong to God...By Baptism.)" He spoke about how God works through unbelievers in the 1st reading, Isaiah 45: He works through King Cyrus, so that the Israelites get back to Jerusalem. He spoke about the wedding feast, where all are invited. As stated in the Responsorial Psalm, "My help is from the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth," we owe our entire life to God.

We also sang "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty," and

"All You Nations Sing Out Your Joy to the Lord"

Lunch of sandwich spread on an everything bagel with dark green lettuce and sliced Roma tomatoes. Had 2 Samoa Girl Scout cookies with two flavors of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Worked until last AUG to remove old excess photos from my V Cloud.

Awoke and spent up to 4.5 hours emptying a banker's-size box of removable materials. 

 

Listened to BBC news at the top of the hour twice this morning---Troubles continue in Thailand, and also in France, where a schoolteacher showed caricatures of Mohammed, mocking the prophet. The teacher was beheaded by a teen in the greater Paris area. My friend who had taught in Paris public schools indicated that there was a strong Muslim presence in the school body (a few years ago). Why would a teacher push the buttons of a culture, known to have violent elements, in this day and age? And knowing about Charlie Hebdo in Paris's recent past? I feel sorry for the teacher and the family, but could this have been prevented? I do not understand the situation; and it is probably a pressure cooker there now.

Had lunch chez M and D. Also went to get two furniture finishes for them, while helping with a decision about how to select a gift. Scanned some documents. After dinner, M and I watched Jeopardy! 

In France, a teacher who died recently was declared a "martyr" for freedom of speech, various news sources, including the BBC stated. Samuel Paty, the teacher, will receive the Legion d'Honneur posthumously. Hassen Chalghoumi, imam of the Paris suburb of Drancy's mosque, warned against Islamist extremists and called on parents not to foster a hatred of France.

 

Spent 2 hours emptying and organizing ~half of a banker's-size box of paper files. 

 

Bicycled for 10 minutes: 3 minutes warm-up, 1.5 minutes very fast to fast, 1.5 minutes slow interval, 1 minute very fast to fast, 3 minutes cool down.

Lunchtime, and then a virtual meeting.

Deliver library materials to the library. Dinner, then a meeting with N and A for ~as. N sent an email with attachments this evening.

Made my way to set up two Zoom Bible Study, discussing the readings for this Sunday, the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Cycle A). The group had 2 new people joining us---Ginny and Pete---to make a total of Fr Mike +11+Emily T. The readings were from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, unless otherwise noted:

1st Reading:  EX 22:20-26 

2nd Reading:  1 THES 1:5C-10 

Gospel Reading:  MT 22:34-40  

The readings were done by Pete, Tyson, and Fr Mike. The 1st reading had various words different from the Zoomed reading and the New American Bible Readings (for the Lectionary).   

1st Reading, Fr Mike pointed out that Jewish law was sensitive to the needs of the marginalized and protected them, due to the fact that the ancient world behaved much like the Mafia, with Family of importance, such that the widow and orphan were marginalized and an easy target. I asked, 'Do we know where (in ancient cultural) which family women would go when they marry, versus currently, there are differences between different cultures?" We also discussed the philosophy of F. Nietszche, which is counter to Christian theology.

2nd Reading, we discussed imitation (of Christ), with respect to Greek philosophy (not mentioned, but perhaps Platonic philosophy). Janine L mentioned that Christ called his disciples to follow him---both geographically, and also to be like Him (as in Philippians, "equality not to be grasped"), and we discussed this, as well.

The Gospel reading, Fr Mike spoke about the Unity of the greatest commandment and the second commandment, both of which Christ speaks about in the Gospel. Fr Mike spoke about Love of God, Love of Other, and Love of Self as a "Trinity." He discussed love of self being the basis /template of loving others. He also discussed magnanimity, a concept of St Thomas Aquinas= "greatness of soul" "Thank you because I am wonderfully made!" The concept of magnanimity is paired with humility, as in Mary's Magnificat. I brought up the thought that Jesus draws these two Commandments together when he brings up a New Commandment on Holy Thursday, as he washes the disciples' feet: "I give you a New Commandment: That you love one another as I have loved you." (Making them a Trinity.) There is humility in this love.

Applied rain guard to the outer parts of the car windows (disposable gloves), then wiped (cloth) it off soon after (Rustoleum). 

Watched Jeopardy! with M, too.

New 30 mL serum C bottle today (HA).

Bicycled for a total of 10 minutes: 3 min warm-up, 1.5 min very fast, 1.5 min slow interval, 1 min very fast, 3 min slow down/cool down.

 

Shopped for M and me: at North Oakland, the Post Office, Friendship/Shadyside for groceries and household cleaners. 

Today there was the largest 1-day increase in COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County with 2,219. And 77,640 cases total. In the USA there were 224,000 (new) cases; with a projected affiliated 500,000 deaths by the end of February 2021. It is estimated that 130,000 of those deaths can be prevented if we wear masks. (NBC Local Pittsburgh affiliate, 6PM News).

Last warm day in the high 70s/close to 80 Fahrenheit. Must enjoy!

Went to sit outside, took photos of cityscapes, as per usual.

Chatted with floormates -08 and -12 in the hallway.

Sorted canned/boxed foods with M. NBC Nightly News, dinner, then Jeopardy!

The NBC Nightly News stated that in the USA there were 79,000+ new cases today.

Sent email for M.

Rained in the early morning. Was about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Went to get fried chicken for our eats! As well as soda and future eats. Organized and deleted files from the cloud.

D, M, and I watched the Cathedral Mass at 10.00 celebrating the 114th anniversary of the Dedication of the Oakland Pittsburgh Cathedral. The date was Saturday, but we are celebrating on Sunday (today). Fr Kris Stubna celebrated the Mass with Deacon Thomas Berna.  Erica, the Director-Diocesan Department for Liturgy and Worship and Episcopal Master of Ceremonies was one of the servers, as was Matt (whom I thought was a seminarian), and R, a youngster. Audrey C was the sole lector, and Becky cantored while Don accompanied her on the Beckerath.

The Order of Worship included:

Entrance Hymn: Church of God, Chosen People

Kyrie

Gloria

1st Reading: 1 Kings 8:22-23; 27-30

Responsorial Psalm: We Shall Go Up with Joy to the House of the Lord

2nd Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9

Gospel Reading: John 2: 13-22

Deacon Tom Berna read the Gospel reading, and Fr Kris delivered the homily, much of which was about the Feast of the Dedication of the Cathedral. He explained how there a candles lit throughout 12 places of the building, as well as oil, all as a sign of Christ's light to the world. He spoke about the process of building the Cathedral, and the sacrifices done by various people to build the building. He mentioned, as in the readings, the Temple of Solomon. He spoke about the Sacraments that take place in the Cathedral, including that of receiving the Holy Eucharist. 

This Feast addresses how this building shows God's Presence with us, and, as in the 2nd reading, Saint Peter says we are the living stones of faith; we are called to be part of the building (the Church). The Church is a living monument to Faith. 

God loves us first---we can choose to love God back. The building of the Church is one of the acts of Christian Love. The truth of God's teaching is that it is not what we want the Church's teaching to be, but what that teaching is. As Living Stones, we build up His Body/ the Church to build the Kingdom of God.

Preparation of the Gifts: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

Sanctus (Chant)

Memorial Acclamation: We proclaim your death, O Lord, and Profess your Resurrection...

Agnus Dei (Chant)

Communion: They who dwell in your home They shall praise you forever and ever.

 

After Mass, I went to get a second round of fried chicken and prutas at Palenkeng Malaking Aguila in Shadyside, enjoyed lunch with D and M, and waited for a phone call from my provider, the appointment didn't happen, and I also called the office 2 times.

 

SR stopped by M's, with "Christmas in October."

Refused an invitation to mudsling as we approached General Election Day 2020. 

 

I have already cast my ballot, and I received the email saying that it was counted. I also helped another to do their civic duty--- I helped an elder to mark and to mail their ballot.

 

Went with D to winterize a car. Got back in time to hear a Zoom lecture by Jack Horner via work. He spoke for the R.W. Moriarty Seminar: Mystery of the Missing Diminutive Dinosaurs. As Matt Lamanna introduced him, he is a professor at Chapman University in Orange, California; is a MacArthur grantee, has 350 publications to his name (including some books), has studied dinosaur eggs, embryos, and dinosaur care of their young...and he's dyslexic. I was fortunate to have my question answered re: present-day environments paleontologists look for, to find dino-fossils. Spoke by phone to GY this evening.

Attended a Teaching Artist's seminar hosted by the Greater Pittsburgh Artist Council. Connected up with and directed a fellow attendee (MY) to the museums and to ~as, made some introductions for teaching and exhibiting STEAM art.

Problems with M's computer, will address tomorrow.

Set up my computer, D and I shared for Bible study this morning. Regarding the Gospel reading (the Beatitudes) for All Saints Day, at the end of our discussion Fr Mike mentioned a saying of Josemaria Escriva:

D harkened back to the Gospel reading from last week ( MT 22:34-40  ), mentioning the 2 Commandments, the second about one's neighbor. I also hearkened back to last week's Gospel we discussed, and said that Christ stated on Holy Thursday, "...the greatest of these is Charity," that is, Love. Then He gave us a New Commandment as he washed His disciples' feet. I made the point that Holy Thursday hints at Good Friday, which hints at the Resurrection.

 

I called M's computer service to help out with her computer.

Much of a Shadyside street was closed WED, making getting to the Friendship/Shadyside grocery stores difficult. Finally made it to one, and by a circuitous route found my way to a different Palenkeng Malaking Aguila, where I saw and chatted with Sara, a former coworker from the library. 

I made refrigerated pizza for dinner right before I watched a 1-Day University talk by Marc Lapadula re: the Making of 4 Movies: Citizen Kane, Psycho, Godfather I, II, and 2001: A Space Odyssey...followed by a Question and Answer session. 

Watched Jeopardy! with M afterwards (slightly delayed, as usual.)

Bicycled for a total of 10 minutes: 3.30 min warm-up, 1.0 min fast, 0.5 min slow interval, 1.5 min fast, 1.0 min slow, 1.0 min very fast, 1.5 min cool down.

Updated blog.

 

Went home to receive 2 delivered items: 1 from Amazon, another from a fulfillment center in New York state. While I prepared the item 1, I hopped on the bicycle and went for a total of 26 minutes;

23.0 minutes slow, 1.0 min very fast, and 2.0 minutes slow/cool down.

Received 2 shipped packages.

Scanning during the late afternoon.

The terrorist attacks on three people at Notre Dame Basilica in Nice, France were reported on BBC News this morning and on NBC Nightly News this evening. The suspect, when treated medically, was shouting, "Allah...akbar." The protests post-attack in Paris showed two people holding signs about free speech---one individual held a sign stating, "Je suis muselman  Je suis contre le violence   Je suis pour  liberee d'expression." The sign, translated: "I am 

muslim,...against violence,...for free speech/expression." Too bad that our friends in France cannot practice Free Speech without dire consequences. Too bad our non-violent neighbors, no matter their religion, are grouped with these other people who are terrorists. 

Billings, MT and Colbrook, NH also made the news tonight.

Time to watch Jeopardy!

Construction today in parking lot nearby. Oatmeal for breakfast today, chez D and M. Meet with S late morning--rain check!

 

Yet another grocery run. This time, successful mango retrieval! Went to Palenkeng Malaking Aguila in Shadyside, then to an additional store in Friendship/Shadyside.

Made it back in time to be a little late for the family Zoom meeting, to discuss our recipe-sharing for Thanksgiving at 15.00. The meeting ended by 17.00, in time for everyone to be available in  Pittsburgh for Trick or Treat.