SUN 01 JAN to TUE 31 JAN 2023
SUN 01 JAN 2023
Watched the ball drop in Times Square with D and M, on CNN with Anderson Cooper hosting. Then, watched WQED for an operatic New Years celebration, in which the 4 singers performed a drinking song from La Traviata before breaking in to "Auld Lang Syne."
Many Happy New Years to come!
Watched the 10.00 televised Mass from Cathedral. Fr Kris Stubna celebrated the Mass, with Nathan S cantoring and Mary McC lectoring. Servers were a seminarian, with Antonio, and the usual 10 o'clock acolyte. Eucharistic Ministers were three, with Audrey C, another lady, with Fred Egler scheduled, as well. The poinsettias looked great adorning the altar, as did the tall, lit conifers. Mentioned a friend of ours before Mass this morning.
Worked on my Advance Directives today.
Took a rest, and then sent out a Meeting link to all the usual suspects; and these showed up at our <50 minute meeting: D&M. J O, MFMA, and myself. Au the Dgg also showed up.
k, K and R arrived with I and P.
MON 02 JAN 2023
After a homemade breakfast and lunch, we enjoyed Butterjoint pierogies. Wow, panfried and delicious.
Photos of I and P, especially P peering in the mirror.
Played a game of AZUL with k, K, and R; after spending a time watching a game. What fun!
TUE 03 JAN 2023
D and I picked up takeout Chinese food in Bloomfield, and we all thoroughly enjoyed a meal .
Went to a meeting after lunch (and after we took a photo of us together in the Living Room). When I went outside to wait for the bus, R spotted me, and said hello. k, K, and R greeted me.
After the meeting, I walked to the bank, bussed to M and D's to change for a dusk meeting with SLH and DW at Phipps Conservatory. Lots of fun photos, and lots of fun times in the garden!
After leftovers for dinner, M and I watched Jeopardy!, in which Ray Lalonde of Canada was defeated by Lloyd Sy of Rockford, Illinois by less than $500.
Sent photos of this weekend's shenanigans to k, K, d, and M, and R through the miracles of Google Photos.
WED 04 JAN 2023
My morning was spent doing minor tidying. After lunch, I helped M with refund items, as well as organizing my choir folder for tomorrow's Mass for Pope Benedict XVI's memorial. Also, as usual, formatted the online reading for SUN for D and M, in preparation of our Bible Study this evening.
Bible Study this evening was for the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Cycle A. Fr Mike facilitated discussion, and there were 8 attendees. I was honored to read Reading 1 (Isaiah 60:1-6), DiYa read Reading 2 (Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6), and Fr Mike read the Gospel Reading (Matthew 2:1-12). We discussed, and I pointed out that the Star was an Astronomically Great occurrence. Fr Mike discussed the Star of Bethlehem movie. We had discussed this film at Advent or Christmas in prior years. I mentioned the tour of the Dom Cathedral in Koeln, which houses the bones of the 3 Wise Men, and what the tour guide had mentioned about the diversity of the 3 Wise Men echoing the diversity of the Church. I mentioned that presently if one were to go to a church today, one would see a spectrum of people. I pointed out that the last line of the couplet that ends the Gospel Reading echoes travel in Pittsburgh (!).
THU 05 JAN 2023
I had a lunchtime appointment for physical therapy. I feel that there has been progress made.
Went grocery shopping on the Southside, even got some favorite Stollen, too.
Went to rehearsal for the Requiem Mass for His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus. Rehearsal lasted ~45 minutes, then there was the Requiem Mass at Cathedral. The celebrant was Bishop David A Zubik, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The Episcopal Master of Ceremonies was Erica L Gamerro, The diocesan Master of Ceremonies was Deacon Kevin Lander; Deacons were Daniel D'Antonio and Thomas Kadlick. Mr Nathan Sudie was the lector for the evening. Servers were Diocesan Seminarians. Music ministry was provided by Becky Belczyk, cantatrice; the St Paul Cathedral choir, accompanied by Ken Danchik, organist, at the Beckerath console; conducted by Brian F Gurley, Cathedral Director of Music.
Music and readings included:
Organ Prelude- Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639- J S Bach
Entrance Antiphon- Give him eternal rest, O Lord,...- Robert J Batastini
Kyrie Eleison- from the Requiem Mass: A cappella by the choir- Tomas Luis de Victoria
Reading 1- Isaiah 29: 16-19
Responsorial Psalm- 42:2-3, 5cdef; 43:3; 4, 5
Reading 2- 1 Peter 1:3-9
Alleluia- Plainsong, Mode VI
Gospel Reading- "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"- Matthew 16:13-19
Offertory Anthem- Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (sung in English by the Choir)- J S Bach
Preface Dialogue, Sanctus et Benedictus- in English, and in Latin- Gregorian Missal, Mass XVIII
Mystery of Faith- from the Roman Missal
Amen- from A Community Mass- Richard Proulx
Our Father- Traditional Chant
Agnus Dei- from the Requiem Mass: A cappella by the choir- Tomas Luis de Victoria
Communion Antiphon- Lux aeterna...- Plainsong, Mode VIII
Communion Motet- Sicut Cervus (Choir)- Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina
Final Blessing and Dismissal
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
Recessional Hymn- Christ Is the World's Light- Christe Sanctorum
FRI 06 JAN 2023
Sent an online invitation to my work sub department and also to JT. a supervisor for the other floor education staff to a movie pre-screening "Do I Need This?" Requested that the Anthropocene group be invited, too. The filmmaker's concerns are human's impact on the environment. The movie addresses American acquisition, consumption, and excess. Was quite interesting and personal from the filmmaker's point of view. There were individuals as diverse as a Buddhist monk and a hoarder, as well.
Stopped by to pick up supplies at the store on the way to picking up art supplies for a fundraiser at ssmbl.
SAT 07 JAN 2023
Yoga class with SCN this morning.
Watched Fences (film based on a play by Pittsburgher August Wilson).
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2671706/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
The movie was directed and co-produced by Denzel Washington, one of the film's headliners. Viola Davis portrayed his wife in the film, and did an excellent portrayal of his coming-of-age son.
SUN 08 JAN 2023
Showed up early to the Social Hall to lay out napkins for the choir's sponsoring of Doughnut Sunday. Headed to D and M, bearing 2 donuts for both of them. I watched the 10 AM Mass from Cathedral with D and M.
We choristers, accompanied by Ken and led by Brian, sang the noon Epiphany Mass. Deborah Zugates cantored.
Music included:
Prelude d'orgue- Prelude sur l'Introit de l'Epiphanie- Maurice Durufle
Entrance Hymn- As with Gladness Men of Old- Dix
Kyrie Eleison- Gregorian Missal, Mass XVI, mode III
Gloria in Alternatum- Polyphony by Donald K Fellows
Responsorial Psalm- Lord, Every Nation on Earth Will Adore You- James Chepponis, text Psalm 72.
Alleluia- James J Chepponis
Offertory Anthem (Choir)- All Bells In Paradise- John Rutter
Holy, Holy, Holy; Mystery of Faith; Amen- from A Community Mass, Richard Proulx
Our Father- Traditional Chant adapted by Robert Snow
Agnus Dei- from the Roman Missal, ICEL, c 2010
Communion Refrain- The First Nowell
Communion Anthem (Choir)- Where Shepherds Lately Knelt- Carl Schalk, Text by Jaroslav Vajda
Recessional Hymn- Songs of Thankfulness and Praise- Jakob Hintze
Postlude de l'Orgue- Noel: Votre Bonte Grand Dieu- Claude Balbastre
Hosted the Family Google Meet this evening. US still hasn't joined up since his trip for Habitat for Humanity.
MON 09 JAN 2023
Attended the Moriarty Science Seminar 149 via Zoom today. The seminar today was delivered by Eric Morschhauser, of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He delivered a talk about Ceratopsian dinosaurs in the 21st Century. I asked the following 2 questions online:
@ 12:54 PM I asked: re: Styracasaurus-- Is it possible that the non-bilateral symmetry of the frills may be due to environmental and/or due to genetic reasons? (low sample size, though...)
@ 12:58 PM I asked: How date the fossils?
(FYI, dear reader, method for question #2 is important.)
Had a phone appointment re: Living Wills.
TUE 10 JAN 2023
Had a meeting for another project in Oakland, and am working on Living Wills. Finished tiles, a dim sum pusa for M.
WED 11 JAN 2023
Early morning All Staff meeting, prefaced by light breakfast scones, muffins, and fruit in Basecamp. Chatted with and met Rae Girard, our brand new Director of Advancement, Advancement and Community Engagement (ACE), who hails from the Smithsonian. During the meeting we heard briefly from various committee chairs, reporting on plans for work. Rae was also introduced to us. Sat next to Ryan from Program Scheduling during the meeting, and he remembered me from my having First Year Students classes visit the Oakland museums. Had a short schedule meeting after.
Headed home and during the late mid-afternoon filled 2 large cardboard boxes with board games for NMB and a.
Bible study for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A. Fr Mike Darcy and 9 participants populated the Zoom meeting. I was honored to read the first reading. DY read the Responsorial Psalm and the second reading, Fr Mike read the Gospel Reading.
Reading 1- Is 49:3, 5-6
Reading 2- 1 Cor 1:1-3
Gospel Reading - Jn 1:29-34
I noted that during the Gospel reading John the Baptist stated twice, "I did not know him (Christ)." I said that this was rather surprising, as they were cousins. Fr Mike pointed out that St Paul said that we know Christ as flesh, but not in the purer, deeper, profound way of knowing (Jn 8:19), and that applied also to Jesus's cousin, John the Baptist.
THU 12 JAN 2023
Continue to work on my 720+ days of continuous Spanish lessons; bicycled ~20 minutes this morning.
Had my physical therapy session. Feeling stronger.
Went grocery shopping at Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside, then picked up fish sandwiches for the second time this week for dinner.
No choir practice this Thursday. M and I watched Jeopardy! and the second night a Springfield, Illinois fellow staked his claim as champion. We started watching Notorious with Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant, but only got ~ 21 minutes into the movie when we decided to finish it later.
FRI JAN 13 2023
Had a meeting this afternoon, walked through the light snow and cold blustery weather to take the bus 2 stops to get the car and shop in Bloomfield and to deliver 2 large boxes of board games, and a box of books to aid in learning---STEM books, et des livres en francais. Explained to A to pull a book and its traduction en anglais.
After dinner watched Jeopardy! with M.
SAT JAN 14 2023
Choir rehearsal this morning; rehearsed 3 pieces for tomorrow's/Sunday's Mass, and a total of about a dozen pieces for Ordinary Time. This was followed by choir brunch: various grilled cheese sandwiches, whole wheat homemade bread schmeared with savory buttery spread, tomato-ey tomato and feta soup, mixed green salad topped with varied vegetables (including sliced lightly pickled banana pepper) and balsamic or ranch dressing (your choice!), various baked goods including chocolate chip cookies and thick lemon bars, and various beverages, both ethanol-laden and not (mimosas and their deconstructed ingredients). I took a nap after catching a ride with L home.
After dinner of soups and sandwiches, M and I watched To Catch a Thief (1955), starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048728/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
A great film, M remembered seeing it in New York at Radio City Music Hall back in the day, and recalled the winding roads of La Côte d'Azur/La Bouche du Rhône, where Princess Grace met her demise, ultimately.
SUN 15 JAN 2023
The choir sang for the Mass, with Fr Kris Stubna celebrating. Ken accompanied us at the Beckerath console, and Mia cantored. Ted Wojcik lectored for both the first two readings. During the Homily Fr Kris noted that in the Gospel Reading John the Baptist states twice that "(He did) not know (Jesus)." JtB had faith in the Lord and his Word. God gave sufficient Grace, ... Compassion, Peace, and Justice, Faith, and Light. As the Responsorial Psalm sang, "Here am I , Lord; ... I come to do Your will."
Music and Readings included:
Entrance Hymn- The Baptist Bore Witness
Gloria- Gloria in alternatum (choir)- polyphony by Donald K Fellows
Reading 1- Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
Responsorial Psalm- 40- Michel Guimont
Reading 2- 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Alleluia
Gospel Reading- John 1:29-34
Offertory Anthem (choir)- Jesus the Very Thought of Thee (English)- Right Rev. J. E. Ronan, text Jesu dulcis memoria, St Bernard of Clairvaux
Holy, Holy, Holy- Vermulst
Mystery of Faith and Amen- Krehenbuhl
Lamb of God- Richard Proulx
Communion Antiphon (choir)- We shall rejoice in your salvation- Psalm 20 (19): 6
Communion Hymn- Lord, You have the words of everlasting life- Psalm 19
Communion Motet/ Meditation- O Sacrum Convivium (Latin)- Giovanni Croce, text Magnificat Antiphon, Corpus Christi- attr St Thomas Aquinas
Prayer After Communion
Final Blessing
Prayer to St Michael the Archangel
Recessional Hymn- In Christ There is No East or West
After Mass I retrieved our favorite lunch from Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside.
MON 16 JAN 2023
Caught up with electronic correspondences, etc. Watched a Zoomed webinar on Laughter in the evening, which was funny in and of itself.
TUE 17 JAN 2023
Went to my morning work subdepartmental meeting. Lots of preparation for the new NHIs, small group activities, with talk tokens, and animal embassadors, JT and Lsl. Got a ride home, ran into2 friends on the way to D and M's, who went to dental appointments. Decided to hold J O's manila envelop until I had more items (crafty me!) to mail. Went to my class with B. First use of these paints.
Watched Jeopardy! with M.
WED 18 JAN 2023
Drove M to her appointment. On the way there, we called the office to inform them of our lateness, and that we were to go to park elsewhere. When we arrived, they told us that she had to reschedule her appointment. How discouraging! Did have an opportunity to speak with a staff member before we departed, and this person later rescheduled her.
D and I this afternoon went to Oscar Edmundo Valdes's visitation. We met his children, some of his grandchildren, and saw ML and RH, MR, and DS there. Met O, Jr; J; and M.
After dinner, we watched Jeopardy!
Bible study Zoomed with Fr Mike and about a dozen people. We read and discussed the readings for the 3rd SUN in Ordinary Time-A
Reading 1- Is 8:23—9:3
Responsorial Psalm- The Lord is my light and my salvation- Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
Reading 2- 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17
Discussion ensued after we read these readings.
THU 19 JAN 2023
Chatted with a couple of friends this morning.
Grandpa's memorial Mass was celebrated at midday, soon after Oscar's funeral Mass at 10.00. I went to Cathedral to prepare to lector for Grandpa's Mass. Ted W and Frank were busy as sacristans when I arrived. We were thankful that Fr Steven Palsa celebrated the Mass. M and D arrived before the Mass started; Readings were for THU in the 2nd week of Ordinary Time-A (Hebrews 7:25 to 8:6; Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17; Gospel Mark 3:7-12). The General Intercessions included one for Grandpa.
Right after Mass I drove M and D to the clinic to get their bivalent ("Uber") COVID booster, parked nearby, then picked them up after, then drove to my medical appointment Uptown, where I saw a resident (K) and an attending doctor. I took the bus back to chez D and M, where I had a late lunch of a cheeseburger.
Blogged for a little while, then time to prepare for dinner and to prepare for choral rehearsal.
Choral rehearsal was held in the loft, and then we all met up for snacks and chats afterwards.
FRI 20 JAN 2023
Went for Dx, everything turned out normal. Met M and D for her care appointment.
SAT 21 JAN 2023
Yoga Zoom class with SCN and ~5 students. Had a brunch, then went to work at DITT and at the opal. Interested, inquisitive tween at the second stop. After returning from work (through very light snow), I had lunch and then went with D to the Strip District to go to the fishmongers, and also to an Asian market. Continued to empty a cabinet.
SUN 22 JAN 2023
The choral Mass was celebrated by Fr Reed Frey from the Oratory. Amanda Plazek-Bruce cantored, Ken accompanied the choir at the Beckerath console, and Brian conducted as music director.
Justin Gugliuzza was scheduled as the lector, and Victoria Crowley was scheduled as our Eucharistic Minister.
Music and Readings included:
Entrance Hymn- Word of God, Come Down on Earth- Liebster Jesu
Kyrie- Chant
Gloria- Gloria in alternatum (choir)- polyphony by Donald K Fellows
Reading 1- Is 8:23—9:3
Responsorial Psalm- The Lord is my light and my salvation- Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14- Richard Proulx
Reading 2- 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17
Alleluia
Homily- "Fishers of Men"---Jesus gave his disciples an invitation to an intimate relationship with Him. We allow Jesus to drive the car and have great trust in Him. Come after Him and the rest will fall into place.
Offertory Hymn (choir)- My Eyes for Beauty Pine- Herbert Howells, text- Robert Bridges
Holy, Holy, Holy- Vermulst
Mystery of Faith and Amen- Kraehenbuhl
Agnus Dei- Richard Proulx
Communion Antiphon (choir, T,B)- Follow me, I will make you fishers of men- Chant, text- Mt 4:19-20
Communion Hymn- Psalm 19- Richard Proulx
Communion Meditation/Motet- Ave verum corpus- Chant, text 13th C, attrib to Pope Innocent III
Prayer to St Michael the Archangel
Recessional Hymn- You Walk Along Our Shoreline
Organ Voluntary- Deo Gratis- Joseph Willcox Jenkins
The Homily was rather short, sweet, and to-the-point. The organ voluntary was rather dramatic.
After lunch, I went to the get together (on same day as Lunar New Year celebrations). L and I sat together and enjoyed meeting new people, as well as sweet fruit, savory vegetables, and delicious pastries. Carole, Christine were also present.
Enjoyed humba with M and D for dinner, as well as squash soup. Caught up with blogging tonight.
MON 23 JAN 2023
Meeting on SSide. New person, J. New additions. I sent J info on programs for J's spouse.
TUE 24 JAN 2023
Drove M to appointment in S Oakland. Received delivery. Called U AR. After watching the weather on the 6 o'clock news, made adjustments to tomorrow's plans.
WED 25 JAN 2023
Heard back from GB re: lack of a COI. Fun new project.
Chatted with MVK re: What Calling?
Sent a photo of our Olin Mills photo with Grndp at Grndm with our pamilya.
Humba for dinner, with sitaw in oyster sauce as a side.
Watched Jeopardy! with M, then caught up on blogging.
THU 26 JAN 2023
Chat with a friend and former coworker on the East Coast, ElRo. Great ideas, planning now. D, M and I went to M's eye appointment in the S Hills (Kam). Before, we went for burgers and fries, and after, I dropped off my 2 pieces of art w NMB. Went to rehearsal for choir this evening. Great experiences and new perspectives on the pieces on which we are working. BG had us try techniques from Midwestern college choirs, including St. Olaf's Choir.
FRI 27 JAN 2023
Early appointment with the (newish) hip doctor. Video meet after that. Went to the grocery store in Shadyside/Friendship, then to Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside before having a late lunch.
After dinner, D, M, and I watched the U S Figure Skating Championships from San Jose, CA. We thought of Auntie M, and were sure that she was thinking of us, too.
SAT 28 JAN 2023
Yoga class led by SCN. Went grocery and supply shopping with D, M in the North Hills. Then went to an electronics store, a crafts store; then to get home supplies at JCP. Back to the electronics store---weren't helped. Back to Mc's for more home supplies. Then Mexican for dinner.
SUN 29 JAN 2023
I lectored at 10.00 Mass. Fr Kris Stubna celebrated the Mass with Deacon Tom Berna. Deborah Zugates cantored. Antonio and James were altar servers. Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers scheduled were Deacon Tom, Judi N, and Pat W. The Recessional Hymn- The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve- Azmon
Mary Ann Hv provided a gift for teachers from Blessed Be Educators. Very thoughtful and kind. Deacon Tom took a photo of our group after Mass.
Rehearsal and noon Mass followed. Fr John Pfannelstiel celebrated the noon Mass with Deacon Tom. Scheduled to lector was Penney H. Carloz G was scheduled as a Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister for us.
Music and readings included:
Entrance Hymn- Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence- Picardy
Gloria- in Alternatum, polyphony by Donald K Fellows
Reading 1- Aephaniah 2: 3, 3:12-13
Responsorial Psalm 146- Richard Proulx
Reading 2- 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31
Alleluia
Gospel Reading- Matthew 5:1-12a
Homily
Offertory Anthem- The Beatitudes, Traditional Russian Orthodox Hymn- text: Traditional Russian Orthodox Liturgy, Matthew 5:3-12
Holy, Holy, Holy- Vermulst
Mystery of Faith, and Amen- Kraehenbuhl
Agnus Dei- Richard Proulx
Communion Antiphon- Blessed are the pure in heart...- text: Matthew 5:8,9,10
Communion Hymn- Blessed are these, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven- A. Motyka
Communion Motet/Meditation- It Ye Love Me- Thomas Tallis; Text- John 14:15-17
Final Blessing
Prayer to St Michael the Archangel
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament- O Salutaris Hostia
Was to meet up with SLH after Mass; the rainy weather kept that from occurring. Arrived to a great meal of pancit with marinated bangus on rice. I could smell the aroma of the baking isda from the hallway! D and M and I enjoyed the lunch which M had prepared.
I did some espanol, then a nap.
Family Google meet; great meeting which included JO & GJMc's meal guests. Did a lateral puzzle.
Blogged.
MON 30 JAN 2023
Had a video meet with one of my medical specialists today. It went well.
TUE 31 JAN 2023
Had a meeting with B and D; got a lot of work done. Went to Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside for ingredients for lumpiang sariwa, which D, M, and I had for dinner.
posted by Grace @ 1/01/2023 12:49:00 PM
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