Friday in the Fifth Week of Easter
Today I woke early and brought the newspaper over to my parents' home. I noticed a map of diocesan real estate sale on the front page of the paper, and mentioned it to Fr. Raymond Utz, our morning celebrant for Mass. John DeF. was our server, Don provided music ministry from the loft, and Sally D. was Eucharistic minister. Dad and Martha M. provided the television ministry. I lectored. About forty people received communion at this Mass, on Friday of the fifth week of Easter.
The microphone for the pulpit was off at the very beginning of Mass (only), and I saw a friend in the congregation craning her ear, so I projected to the side of the microphone the title and the number of the entrance hymn, "Joyful, Joyful We Adore You."
The Mass celebrated was for L. D., and I noted to John that there were two more Masses for her next week, as well.
The recessional hymn was "Christ is the King."
Labels: lector
Thanksgiving Days 2010
Yesterday (Monday) Mom and I went to the resale shop then went to pick up Dad for lunch at the Japanese buffet. A two-hour nap ensued, then I went to Bible Study led by Frs. Josh and Steve at the Newman Center.
We used St. John Newman's text, PPS 3:44-53, "Early Years of David." When we were asked what made David different from the other prophets and holy men who preceded him, I asked whether he was filled with the Holy Spirit---the psalms were inspired, vs. Moses and Abraham, who occasionally went to separate places to communicate with God the Father. Fr. Josh reminded us of the presence of the Spirit (as in the Creed).
Later in the passage I said in response to this we read, a passage written by Newman, "[David] had power put into his hands, in a sense in which neither Moses had it nor Samuel. He was charged with a certain office": "David was empowered by God."
~~~
Today is a busy day. I started off the morning lectoring for morning Mass. Princess greeted me, as did Carol and Donna. Fr. Bill Dorner celebrated Mass, Ryan provided music ministry at the portative organ, and Linda was the server. We found out that Linda will be moving in a couple of weeks. The Mass was offered up for the soul of Margaret W., a friend and neighbor.
Later this morning I will meet with several of my students, one of whom will make up some work, (I will return the last of the written work they have given me) and then I have a couple of appointments before joining William and Marissa's children for Thanksgiving decoration preparations!
Labels: appointment, art, Bible, Faith, lector, Mass, meeting, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, work
Tuesday--Lector at Mass
Today I lectored for a morning Mass. John served, Ken was music ministry, Father Breier celebrated the Mass, and Sally D. was the Eucharistic minister. <~48> The theme for the readings was Faith working through Love. We sang Ode to Joy as the recessional hymn.
Labels: lector, Mass
End of the Week, June 2010: Christmas in June
This morning I lectored for Mass, with Father Bill celebrating, assisted by Deacon Brian Noel. John De served, with Ken at the portative organ. Deacon Brian delivered his homily on concepts addressed in the Gospel reading: Physical sight and how one treasures and protects that, and one's soul, which one treasures and protects. <~54>
Today is Don's half-birthday.
Mom, Dad, and I babysat Beatrice and Solomon. Marissa returned from her research study, and we all enjoyed lunch together. I went home for a 2+ hour nap, and then we went grocery shopping and to gas up the car. We also dined on fried chicken and bread at the Big Bird (GE). We discovered a faulty wiper blade, which we replaced.
Labels: Birthday, dine, gift, lector, Mass, niece and nephew, St. Paul Cathedral
National Donut Day 2010
Friday I read / lectored at Mass in the morning. Fr. Bill celebrated, John DeF. served, and Ken played the portative organ. <~54> Maureen and I stopped by after her work and my physical therapy (where we added releves to my exercise regimen) at the donut shop in Squirrel Hill. We braved the rains to get a beverage and a donut. I got the employee's favorite, blueberry with maple icing (which tastes like blueberry pancakes with maple syrup). Maureen got her coconut favorite. I got a plain donut with chocolate icing for Karina. We picked up Karina at the Newman Center and proceeded to Victor's restaurant, where we enjoyed a spread that included a great! okra dish. I walked away stuffed.
Labels: dining, exercise, Faith, friends, lector, Mass, St. Paul Cathedral
Last Week of Class, Spring 2010
Seeing as I teach a laboratory class, this week has been the last week of class for my students.
This week was William's birthday, and we went to Thai Cuisine with his family and Mom and Dad for dinner. Thursday morning Marissa and the children and I walked to the public library. We saw the art work made by some of the children in the corridor on the way to the children's room.
We had fun reading books, and Beata demonstrated how she has been doing self-checkout. Friday I met up with William, Marissa, and the children by the art tent, and watched buggy races. They each made a miniature wooden buggy. I also lectored at Friday's morning Mass, with Fr. Kim celebrating, John serving, and Don providing the music ministry from the loft. <40>
It was set-up time for doing the practical Friday, C's last time! We will miss her---I will miss her. I brought home Plant 1--Coleus, but not before taking care of some administrative tasks.
Friday night Maureen and I spotted tickets from my neighbors, J & T, for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. We had a Scottish snack on the way there, and visiting conductor Juraj Valcuha conducted the PSO in Zemlinsky's Die Seejungfrau, the Mermaid. Intermission was spent enjoying Andes candies, and Yefim Bronfman joined the orchestra on piano for Beethoven's Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37. He was absolutely brilliant, noticeable in those solo passages. A standing ovation ensued, and he played an encore solo piece.
Maureen and I had a lovely evening, and we plan on another adventure this morning after my laundry is through.
Labels: art, Birthday, Carnegie, dining, lector, library, PSO, school, sports, work
SIS Distinguished Alumnus Award
Yesterday I lectored at Mass in the morning. Ken provided music ministry at the portative organ, John was the altar server, and Fr. Kim had switched with Fr. Bill for the morning Mass. The first reading was from the Acts of the Apostles, and the Gospel reading spoke about dropping the nets in a fortuitous place for catching fish. Fr. Kim spoke about Youth Ministry before Mass, and Ken spoke about the church on Polish Hill and photographs on the web. <48>
I dropped off my packets of graded papers from this week for my students to pick up just after noon.
Mom, Dad, and I had lunch (pancit! beef peanut soup! and strawberries and pears!), and then I took a nap.
I graded quizzes from about 14.00 to 17.30, half-finishing my task.
I went home to change for the School of Information Sciences Distinguished Alumni & Professional Achievement Awards Ceremony at the Athletic Association. My former professor, Ange Pollis, was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for 2010. Ken S was awarded the 2010 Professional Achievement Award. His family was present, as was Ange's, and I asked him if he were related to my classmate A, who started Protest Easy Guns (he's not). Ange and her sister Helen were and looked lovely, and we chatted easily at times throughout the evening.
I caught up with SLA friends Denise, Kim G, and I met SIS Alumni president Joe I. Carolyn B was there, and we chatted about her daughter growing up.
A lovely evening.
Labels: biology, celebration, dine, lector, library, list, love, Mass, photos, read, school, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, student, teaching, work
Friday in the Third week of Ordinary Time 2010, Coco
Today I lectored at the morning Mass. Fr. Breier celebrated Mass, John served, and Don provided the music ministry. The first reading was from 2 Samuel, the passage about David's asking to put Bathsheba's husband in danger during wartime. There was at least one audible "tsk" that I heard from the congregation when reading that key phrase. Fr. Breier delivered a homily primarily about God's grace.
As the temperature this morning was six degrees Fahrenheit (well below freezing), and windy and sunny, I took my breakfast then proceeded to take a long winter hibernation for the good part of the morning. Karina and I had lunch at the Japanese-Korean restaurant in Oakland, stopped at the post office to pick up stamps and to mail Jonathan's birthday card, and stopped at the campus and public libraries for computer lab work and for Karina's items on hold. I stopped by at home to check my messages, send a fax, and then met up at Karina's to produce the first in my earth-water-wind-sea necklace and matching bracelet series. Karina had prepared a cup of spiced chai for my enjoyment when I had arrived out of the cold. Maureen arrived when I had completed stringing about two-thirds of my necklace. I felt a great sense of accomplishment, and Karina shored us up with her homemade soup for the long evening.
We stopped at the bookstore in Shadyside to run an errand, then proceeded to the Mall in West Mifflin for the MaxiSaver movie, Coco before Chanel. We decided on a stop for fast Mexican food first, then watched the movie in a practically empty theater.
Coco Avant Chanel was about the rise of the phenomenon of Coco Chanel from personal setbacks and tragedies. It focusses on her personal life, as the title suggests, before she made a household name for herself; before Jackie Kennedy wore a signature Chanel suit to meet the President of France. Her personal life and ensuing decision to focus on her career in a time when a typical French woman was expected to become a wife was touching. Coco Chanel was a woman with a particularly striking visage who entered the fashion field when it was still dominated by men. She made a name on simple, practically austere looks and elegant, simple lines. She changed women's fashion from binding Victorian corsets and rules to flowing, comfortable lines. The music in the movie was particularly moving.
After the movie we went to a large superstore and went grocery shopping. Boy, it's late.
I'm pleased to have received an email verifying that the health emergency Thursday afternoon has resolved itself.
Labels: art, Carnegie, cinema, cold, dine, dining, health, jewelry, lector, library, Mass, painting, shopping, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, tea, walking, weather
Automatic musical instrument museum--Bayernhof
This afternoon Nancy and I are off to the Bayernhof Museum, a museum of automatic musical instruments. We will be participating in a tour this afternoon.
I spoke with Auntie Chi and also spoke with William this afternoon. Dad also called to inform me that he lectored for the televised 8:15 morning Mass today.
~~~
18:40
I'm helping to prepare dinner with mom after the museum. William, Marissa, and kids are on their way her now...
The Bayernhof was stunning. A home- and music-lover's paradise. I even had my fortune read! "A good year, in general...If employed, look for a promotion. If unmarried, look forward to court and to get married this year." Or something equally interesting!
Labels: family, lector, Mass, museum, music, Pittsburgh, TV
Thoughts on Commencement 2009
I was particularly taken by a certain part of this year's commencement speech given by my classmate, Kim Dozier. She stated,
"I talk to...people about what it is like to be injured and recover. I talk about getting out of the injured box. When you are injured, everyone just remembers that you’re broken. They don’t remember that you healed. They don’t know how hard you fought to become whole again. They think of you as a victim, not a survivor."
As I prepare for my surgery, I focus on the hopefulness of my condition...that I will soon (within two months) be dancing again. The fear creeps in occasionally, but I fight it back by staying busy, focusing on the needs of others, and by doing things like getting blessed in preparation for my surgery (by Fr. Breier after lectoring at Mass for Grandma today).
~~~
By the by, Don played "Ubi Caritas" during the preparation of gifts during Mass today. I particularly like that hymn.
Labels: lector, Mass, pain, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery, Wellesley
Jeudi on Tuesday
Today is my day off---my jeudi---on Tuesdays. I read/ lectored at Mass today, during which Fr. Breier celebrated, Matt served, and Don was music ministry from the choir loft. Dad and Martha were television ministry. <44 people in the congregation received communion...It's usually 48-50.>I caught up on phone calls, moving items from my parents' home to my house, putting away laundry, and organizing and cleaning the kitchen and living room. I also fit a nap in.
I went to physical therapy, and gave my good news to my physical therapist, K. He was pleased to hear that I have a surgery date.
Maureen called me on the way home from physical therapy with news of Brian's Memorial Mass. We attended, during which Fr. Andrew F., Fr. Mike D., and Deacon Steve with Matt served. Maureen and I spoke to his parents and sister afterwards, and we saw Nancy and Tom M., Stacy, Chad, Judith, etc. I told his parents and sister that the fire of Christ was in his belly! We sang "The King of Love my Shepard Is" as the entrance hymn<, and #417, the last 2 verses, for the recessional hymn.>
Maureen and I walked to the burger shop for dinner/snack afterwards, and walked back afterwards.Labels: exercise, farewell, lector, Mass, moving, organizing, phone, singing, sleep, walking
Actually, on my day off...
...my day began with a fire alarm going off. I arose early and then chose to stay away from the building, despite it's being a false alarm.
~~~~~
The meeting tonight was for lectors, lead by Fr. Andrew. We began with a reading from John, which I read. We heard ideas and dicta from various sources about reading the Word of God, including the Catholic Church Catechism on Sacred Scripture, Dei Verbum (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation from 18 November 1965, and a book entitled Messengers of God's Word (from the Do's and Don'ts section).
We were reminded that we were proclaiming God's Word; that God is speaking through us, and not to go too fast; that we are to understand the Word through brief study of the Scripture (commentaries or websites) and that Pope Benedict's encyclical Sacrament of Charity states that in the celebration of Mass, that reading the Scripture is a way of unifying with the Eucharist.
Part of practicing the reading is to pronounce it out loud (including the difficult parts of the passages); to BREATHE; and it is okay to be afraid----a holy fear.
It was nice to see my lector friends and to chat after the meeting with them and with Fr. Andrew.
Labels: alarm, lector, meeting, read, St. Paul Cathedral
Clean, Strong, Straight Teeth
Today I lectored on the memorial of St. Scholastica. I particularly liked the reading from Genesis. Fr. Breier celebrated the Mass, Matt served, and Don provided music ministry from the loft. It rained this morning.
After catching some breakfast from the William Pitt Union student cafeteria, I attended a presentation for Helping Distressed Students sponsored by the campus Counseling Center and the Student Affairs Division. After presenting Counseling Center intake and outtake data, issues related to student behavior, the Student Code of Conduct, and strategies to best help students were raised. Questions were fielded at the end. Dawn, a counselor from the center, offered to email me the PowerPoint presentation afterwards. I chatted briefly after the talk with the advisor seated behind me and with James Cox, the Director of the Counseling Center.
After lunch, I took my antibiotic therapy before heading to the dentist's office. L, my dental hygienist, and Dr. D, my dentist, were pleased with the condition of my teeth and gums. My teeth were declared clean, strong, and straight. I did a little shopping and picked up a menu for a restaurant before heading home.
Time for some organizing of my paperwork, and some grading (after dinner, I say).
Tonight's meetings will end as my day began---with a lector meeting at St. Paul Cathedral.
Labels: accessibility, biology, cleaning, dining, lector, Mass, read, school, shopping, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery, teeth, walking, weather, work
Gather Together, January 2008
Last night, William's family came by for dinner and to celebrate a (belated) Marissa's birthday. We had food from Lulu's Noodle Restaurant which Mom and Dad picked up for us on their way home from a PAMS meeting.
Solomon is getting big and crawling about---what a great nine-month old he is! After dinner, Beatrice and Lola (and subsequently, she played with me) played the Elmo matching game right before they suited up to go out in the cold. The game is very similar to Concentration, with variations on the theme available. Earlier in the evening, Beatrice and I practiced ballet moves.
There was neither choir practice nor choir for this Sunday. It was nice to have a break while Don played a concert this afternoon in New York City. We continued to collect eyeglasses for the medical mission in the Philippines, and Dad had a chance to speak with Fr. Tom after Mass.
The young man who disrupted Mass last Sunday stood on a pew during quiet reflection after Communion and started to "lecture" that we can all be like Christ. The ushers immediately motioned for him to get down off the pew and he was brought to the back of the Church, where the police spoke to him.
Mom, Dad, and I enjoyed lunch at Quiznos sandwich shop. We also sent emails back and forth to Tina P. regarding the appreciation plaque and certificate verbiage to Tina. Mom had written a poem for the certificates.
I spoke with Grace Y and her niece Jenny about their experiences this weekend. I received emails from several friends this weekend. I called Nancy K. and switched dates with her for lectoring this week. She happily obliged.
Labels: Choir, dining, email, family, friends, lector, Mass, medical mission, New York, niece and nephew, thankfulness
Thanksgiving Mass 2008
The Thanksgiving Mass 2008 morning Mass was celebrated by Frs. Michael and Timothy Kesicki, who are in town visiting their parents and aunt. Jeff and Keith were the altar servers, Don provided the music ministry, and I was the lector. The first reading was from Sirach, there was a second reading after the responsorial psalm, and the Gospel reading was about the ten lepers, and the one who returned to thank Jesus for healing him. We all chatted after Mass, and I spent some time chatting with Carmella and Bob after Mass, too.
I'm preparing to pick up our Thanksgiving Day order from the store...on what is turning out to be a clear, sunny, cold day.
Labels: dining, lector, Mass, pastoral council, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, thankfulness
Lectoring, 20 November 2008
I lectored at a morning Mass, with Matt serving, Fr. Brian celebrating, and with Ken providing music ministry. The reading was from Revelation, and Fr. Brian delivered a homily on the past, future, and present coming of Christ. Forty parishioners received Holy Communion on the cold, windy, wintry hour that started with miniature hail and ended with small clumps of flakes of snow being blown about before landing.
Labels: Church, cold, lector, Mass, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, voice
Friday Spaghetti Dinner, Memorial Mass
Last night Karina and I dined with Jen, an MPH student at the Friday Spaghetti Dinner at the Newman Center. Fabiola joined us briefly, then left to help with the food delivery with Chad and Fr. Mike. Maureen joined us later and we went to Giant Eagle Market District (where I went in search of pickled herring!) and then to Starbucks near Maureen's home for a snack, enjoying people watching (especially the significant other of one of the counter workers), and the big band/50's crooner music.
~~~~~
This morning I called Alroy from the sacristy to remind him that today was the choir's memorial Mass for his Dad. I lectored, John served, and Fr. Breier celebrated the Mass. Alroy stopped by after the Mass to thank me---he was still at home when I called him...Kay will be here today, and so he will be cleaning his home. I reminded him of the Nationality Rooms Open House in December.
Labels: Choir, Church, dining, lector, Mass, Pilipino culture, Pittsburgh, PNR, read, St. Paul Cathedral, volunteering
Pinch-Hitting Lector, Thursday 13th November 2008
I left for Mass early, and Matt (the altar server) asked me if I would lector. We celebrated the Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Mother Cabrini), and Fr. Brian celebrated. There was no organ music ministry. We sang the acclamations mostly in English (save the Kyrie and Agnus Dei), and the recessional hymn led by Fr. Brian was "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name." About 50 people received Communion in the congregation at that Mass.
I will grade yesterday's papers this morning.
Labels: Church, lector, music, read, singing, St. Paul Cathedral
Lectoring November 2008 I
This morning I lectored at Mass. This was my first day back at Mass after my bout with laryngitis. Fr. Brian Welding celebrated, Matt was altar server, and Don provided music ministry. All of us noted after Mass that there were a number of people in addition to the "normal crowd" at Mass this morning---this was Matt's first week as the primary altar server, and he indicated that it started yesterday. (At today's Mass I counted 56 individuals in the congregation receiving Holy Commmunion.) I also noted a number of college-aged students.
Labels: Church, lector, Mass, read, St. Paul Cathedral, surprise
Auntie Mimi on TV
Within the past two weeks Beatrice was at Lolo and Lola's home and they were watching public television. During a pledge drive, they showed a pre-recorded slot while FAAP was volunteering for the fund drive. Of course, they saw Auntie Mimi on TV. That was Beatrice's first major exposure to television. Let's hope she doesn't expect to see family members on the set on a regular basis (unless she is up early and watching Christian Associates when Lolo is working camera, or when Auntie Mimi is lectoring...Benny and Miranda and I used to joke about that early in the morning).
Labels: lector, niece and nephew, Philippines, photography, Pittsburgh, TV, volunteering
