TrulyGrace

Ordered OTC items via mail. Got groceries at the Asian Market in the North Hills.

Got my 3rd (booster) Pfizer shot this morning. Went to North Oakland to get gasoline; then to the home store in East Liberty to get flower pots for pineapple  plants and to get light bulbs. Went with D to get dinner of hamburgers and shake.

D, M, and I attended the televised 10.00 Mass from Cathedral, with Fr Kris Stubna celebrating. The cantor was Alex Di C, accompanied by Brian Gurley, the new Music Director, from the Beckerath console. The lector was James Hayes. Five servers were present: Luke, the steadfast 10 AM server, at least 2 seminarians: Eric Pinter and Chris McMullen, and, perhaps, a 3rd seminarian. Scheduled Eucharistic Ministers included Fred Egler, Judi Nocito, and Lyn Bainbridge.

Music included: 

Entrance Hymn, #632- For the Beauty of the Earth

Communion Hymn- Taste and See, Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord

Communion Hymn of Praise- I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Some concepts from Fr Kris's Homily included:

The concept of the Irish Claddagh Ring, which includes the Wife, the Husband, and God.

St Paul in his letter to the Corinthians hints at other than emotional love: He hints at our ability to love like Christ: Love is patient, Love is kind...

In the Gospel reading a child is mentioned. The Image of a Child is mentioned: A child, dependent on other people---a child who is full of Joy, Humility, and Excitement, with Love given out out a Joyful Heart.

Every person is important, even the unborn. St John Paul II stated as much---persons with disabilities, the elderly, the infirm, refugees, immigrants---all are important in God's Kingdom.

"If you want to get to Heaven, you've got to love more.

"If you want to get to Heaven, you've got to serve more."

He pointed out the Ladies of Charity in the front pew, who help veterans; as well as a couple who was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Just as the program ended, he pointed out (the new music director and organist in the) loft.

WA stopped by. I made homemade pizza with prosciutto, red peppers, tomato, fresh oregano, and fresh mozzarella. We enjoyed it for lunch, and I also enjoyed it for dinner.

We had our Family Zoom for all siblings but K and k, D and M were there, as was US.

Went to South Side to work out an administrative issue. Back to Oakland (Street closed near the museum) to scan documents.

Got in touch with CML and the BoD regarding fundraising. We hope to have a meeting soon.

NMB, A O-D, DL, and I met for the ~as SEED Zoom virtual meeting this evening. I printed out an ask in progress.

Jumped to and maintained 1st position for the Dmnd League in DuoLingo Spanish.

Went from 2nd to 1st in DuoLingo Spanish. Received the shopping list from M. Helped M with food into the refrigerator. New person on PT team this afternoon. Went to Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside afterwards.

Bible study via Zoom for the 10th OCT 2021, that is, the 28th SUN in Ordinary Time (B). Readings were from Wisdom 7:7-11 (read by Laura D), Hebrews 4:12-13 (read by me), and the Gospel reading (the story of the rich young man, Mark 10:17-30), was read by Fr Mike Darcy.

Went to Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside to return an unwanted grocery item. D, M, and I went to take M's computer for work where she purchased it, at the store (now closing) in the North Hills. The tech support person on the phone yesterday recommended that we take it to a brick-and-mortar stores for assessment, etc. There, they recommended we take it to another location of the same store. Since it was late in the afternoon, we will go tomorrow.

Attended a Zoom meeting with the CIO of UNICEF at lunchtime. M and I went to the South Hills location of the Tech Store. Computer to be assessed.

Brush, floss, rinsed this evening again.

Yoga class with SCN and friends this morning. Returned to South Hills to get a replacement for M. Needs set up.

Mass via television ministry with D and M. Fr Josh Kibler (with Deacon Tom Berna) celebrated the Mass. Mary McCrory was scheduled to lector. Alex DiC cantored. Tamika, Antonio, and the young, short bespectacled server served. Eucharistic ministers were Deacon Tom, Tom G, and Judi N. 

The Homily delivered by Fr Josh made good points. It was centered on the Gospel Reading (28th SUN in Ordinary Time- B, Mark 10:17-30). He spoke about camels and how they sequestered water from plants as they passed, how they were bundled with items as they carried the wares of rich merchants in desert countries, how they were adapted to making money for their owners. How the camel itself (independent of its burdens) has a hump which makes it difficult for it to pass via a narrow gate.  Another more menial animal, the donkey, can, though, making it possible for the donkey to pass through a narrow gate; kings such as Solomon and Jesus were seen riding on the back of a donkey. 

The rich young man who interacted with Jesus in the Gospel reading was willing to do Great tasks, but was unwilling to do little ones. What must we do to enter the Kingdom of God? You must Be a child of your Faith; Be one with empty hands.

Went to get groceries at Friendship/Shadyside.

WA attended JBMc's memorial service this afternoon. The Oakland Catholic Choir sang several times, JMc's family spoke (B, C, MEllen, and later, G), as did her coworkers from UPMC, members of the 3Rivers CC adoption community spoke, C's babysitter, and someone who said that J was a "straightshooter who said what she said and said what she meant." The rest of us attended via livestreaming.

Bicycled ~10 minutes this morning.

Attended a Movin' with M Zoom session. 

Attended a Zoom Moriarty lecture given by Shayla Monroe on Beasts of the Southern Wild, inspired by the movie which I watched with AChi. The beasts of the movie were harbingers of climate change.

Attended the Zoom portion of the Mary R Dawson memorial gathering, and supplied a remembrance of her.

Matt Amodio ended his 38-day continuous, non-tournament streak as Jeopardy! champion tonight. M and I were sad.

Early morning appointment with the large chain car repair shop. D and M will bring to another garage later.

D and I went to WA to drop off a book for MB. Went to Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside afterwards.

Had an appointment with S with B. New exercises. Got my flu shot. Chatted with DW over SB's chai afterwards.

D and I went to the Tech store in the South Hills to pick up the computer of M. (It has a white chassis.)

Bible study for readings for the 29th SUN in Ordinary Time (B). Fr Mike Darcy and 8 attendees. 

I noticed the last couplets/ last 2 sentences of each of the readings:

In the first reading, the last 2 sentences  seem to be predicting/mentioning Jesus Christ.

In the 2nd reading, the last couplet is the polar opposite of the apathea ancient pagan God: The care that God has for us. It hearkens back to the "inheritance" of last week's reading. It does not mention deeds; help or aid is provided irrespective of what you Do. The Grace mentioned in the couplet is openly given from God.

In the Gospel reading, the last 2 sentences echo Jesus's Mandatum of Holy Thursday---what I have done for you, you do for each other. I even mentioned that to wash each other's feet is a gross task.

Morning yoga with SCN, CV, and friends. Mailed package to Auntie NS at USPS. Went to Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside for groceries, including peanuts.

Those present broke for dinner, which were delicious second rounds of lunch dishes. 

SPOILER ALERT!

Gifts for G's family included a carved angel, my first ceramic hand (for nightstand OR soapdish), and a hair gizmo for someone with long hair. Also showed G a photo.

SPOILER over..

Sent Auntie NS an informative text.

We discussed all 3 readings, including the Gospel reading (Mark 10:46-52). We were discussing how the blind man, Bartimaeus was so brimming with faith that he was moved by the Holy Spirit to call out to Christ, despite the crowd taunting him to be silent. His faith impelled his discipleship. 

I noted that this story differs from the story of the other blind man in that the other blind man was healed through Christ using his spittle and mud smeared on his eyes: Physical, concrete means, versus this passage from Mark highlights that Bartimaeus is healed through spiritual, abstract means---through Bartimaeus's Faith. Christ healed Bartimaeus without touching him, or having his garment touch him. The last couplet of the passage is:

"Jesus told him, 'Go your way; your faith has saved you.' Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way ((then known as Christianity))."

See the posting for SUN 24 OCT 2021 for more discussion of these readings.

Made an appointment to talk about insurance. Went with D to Friendship/Shadyside and to Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside for groceries.

Near the end of the Gospel reading Jesus asks Bartimaeus "What do... you want?"

And Bartimaeus replies, "...I want to see."

After his sight returns, "Jesus told him, 'Go your way; your faith has saved you.'"

For Bartimaeus, the way meant the way with Christ, the way united with Jesus.

Fr Chris Donley compared this poor blind beggar, Bartimaeus, with the prideful James and John, whose mother was asking whether one of her sons would sit at Jesus's left and one at his right. This poor blind beggar had total trust in Christ. He was empty, and was ready to receive Christ. He was empty and had Faith in his teacher.

Fr Chris went on to say that we have to have (make) room/ make space ((for Jesus)), and be humble. We must empty ourselves, and (be ready to) receive the question that we need ((now)). We must humble ourselves in the presence of Jesus Christ and constantly reach out to Christ, unafraid and humbly grateful. Then we can follow Jesus Christ on the Way.

Paid a bill online. Today M and I went to 6S of the hospital to get durable medical equipment adjusted. I fetched the car afterwards and paid for parking.

Went to a medical appointment at Mercy Hospital building for M. 

Later in the afternoon I had a remote medical appointment via computer video call.

I mailed my vote in, early. Bible Study, in front our computers, remotely with Fr Michael Darcy. There were 7 participants. I made a point about the Gospel reading (Mark 12: 28B-34), that here Jesus was reminding us, that in any practice or Way of learning, no matter how much mastery you have (music, language, sports, etc.), it is always good "to go back to the basics." And that is what Jesus is saying here: Here are the first 2 commandments. On the basis of these 2 rest the rest. The second, he will restate with a slightly different spin on Holy Thursday, when he says the Mandatum:

"I give you a new commandment: That you love one another as I have loved you."

Pretty deep, coming from a teacher who just washed the feet of his students who wear sandals in an arid place.

Stopped by at a friend's office late this morning. M and D had their booster Moderna vaccines at the same locale as I did. Recognized one of the workers, Mt. Went for a walk in Oakland.

Two PT appointments; one evaluative. Early in the afternoon D brought the car to the South Hills for repairs.

This morning I refilled my medicine boxes.

Did the NHI survey for work. Family Zoom with WA handing out candy from the front porch....