Fun in Minnesota

Elliot Hegel, no funny business! I'm cute and I know it. Deal. This is my carseat and not your's.

One day...

My butt's on my grandpa's belly. Yeah, this is fun!

Maybe next time I walk through these doors I'll be potty trained.

A Sunday in New England

We had a great whirlwind trip and visit to Aunt Terry, Aunt Bea and Aunt Margaret in Marlboro, Mass. Aunt Terry, now 79, plans to travel to France next summer to attend the general chapter of the order of St. Chritienne, representing the US houses. She showed us the Holy Bible she translated into Solami, a life's work. Aunt Bea, who is now 95, is feeling better, just getting over a touch of bronchitis. She is well cared for by the nurses at the convent. We surprised her after Mass and that was fun. Aunt Margaret is in a convent that cares for higher needs, and although she is quite compromised compared to years ago, she seems mostly happy and recognized us and shared many memories with humor and sincerity. We talked about in Florida when she was working with immigrants from Honduras and Haiti, and the importance of learning to speak their language. Why? Wisdom from Aunt Margaret... "Because it brings people together." Sounded like the secret of life to me. What do you say to this, and to Aunt Terry about her bible? It was an honor and we are humbled. That's about it.

Afterwards we travelled with Cousin Jeanine to Amesbury. At their home we showed Jeanine and Alan our pictures we had brought on the computer. Then we went out to eat to Newburyport for lobster and fried clams, and a picture with the Captain. Sorry, the pictures are in reverse order to the day and evening. Afterwards we drove back to Marlboro, got some quick shut-eye, and took off back to Virginia on icy roads at 3:00 AM, arriving there 12 hours later without incident.

On being a Liberal Catholic

In most of the U.S. Roman Catholic churches, conservatives rule and liberals are in the closet. In this closet we find gay men and women, people who practice birth control, others who don't take most of the bible literally, believers in evolution, eccumenists, stem-cellers, the divorced, democrats and few community activists. It's a crowded closet these days. Most actually didn't really like it in the closet, and just walked out leaving the Church behind. Many still consider themselves Catholic however.

I decided to stay in the Church but became more introspective and less engaged. Rarely do I feel the Church affirms me. I know from personal contacts in the Church that many religious and laiety retain a liberal world view. I would describe this view as concerned with social justice, one who recognizes and names evil when it is seen, scientific truth reveals God's glory, charity, finding social and political solutions to those things that suppress liberty, being willing to stand up again oppression, anti-war, peace through community, the dignity of every human, the willingness to view the world through the eyes of the other, and having hope for the creation of a better world [through our own efforts and the grace of God).

Uncle Roger used to say the Church was only one hundred years behind the times. Still at her heart is the Eucharist, and in this is a constant source of renewal. How does Christ's love pour out on us through this mystery? How does it span time and space? I guess you either believe in Christ's divinity or not, and when you do believe then the mystery of the Eucharist is simply amazing.

A few Sundays ago our pastor spoke about Catholics experience and beliefs of Eucharist and those of other Christians. If you believe... If you believe that Christ was God, then you believe in transubstantiation of the bread into his body, wine into his blood. You patiently wait for the priest to clean the bowl and chalis, knowing even the crumbs then are part of this mystery. Crumbs of mystery... If we only could understand even a crumb of this mystery.

I enjoyed that sermon, so maybe attending Church is making me less liberal, more a believer in the fundamentals of our faith. I don't think that liberalism is truely reactionary by nature, defining itself by that which it rejects. I don't think I even do reject most of what the Church stands for or does. Unless something is being shoved down your throat, most of the time when it comes to the Church, I maintain a sense of obedience. But, it's not blind obedience. I need to think about it and if I can't support a position I decide whether it's more important to be fundamental to my position or to simply "hold" my position. Should I be fundamental to my position, I would have to decide whether it was important enough to seperate myself from the Church, that is, what's more important, my belief or obedience? I guess I would answer that by saying that I "hold" my belief and remain obediently a less than "good" Catholic but firmly authentic in my own skin.

God rest the soul of Edward M. Kennedy. Another role model dead. He'll be missed by me. Maybe it's time to become my own role model. I'm 54, so what the hell am I waiting for?

Calling on all Ebachers to check this out....

As a fellow Ebacher, a fellow Catholic, and a fellow North American and member of the human race, I am very proud of the work of my father's cousin, the Arch Bishop of Gatineau, Ontario, Msg. Roger Ebacher, as seen in this video link. I would encourage the whole family to view it. I wish US Catholics were as liberal minded.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJrBmcc1g1Y

Summer Days - Miscellany

Just a bunch of pictures of the latest from Camas. Oh, and Miehsa's President's List award for straight A's in Spring Semester at Western Washington University. Congratulations Miesha! It's going on the refrigerator. Pat and I just celebrated our 31st year married. So, how does that go, 50 years is diamonds, 25 years is gold? 31 years was barbequed sirloin steak. Did I get it right? I never know about these sort of things.

And, no picture, unfortunately, of our dear Aunts Beatrice and Teresa of the Sisters of Saint Chretienne, and their 75th and 60th anniversaries of joining that order.

But, here's the quote from the local Marlborough, Mass. newpaper, the "Wicked Local Marlborough", of all names! And, a recent picture of Sister Teresa (middle).

"The Sisters of St. Chretienne recently held a Jubilee Celebration recognizing the loving service of their Sisters. Congratulations go to the following Jubilarians:
60 Years - Sr. Marie Therese Ebacher
65 Years - Sr. Violet Arsenault and Sr. Irene Ledoux
75 Years – Sr. Arline Blais, Sr. Beatrice Ebacher and Sr. Mina Goulet."

Samson sitting in a chair on the back deck. All he needs is some playing cards. The second one is a deer I photographed over near Sharp, while out on my walk yesterday. Summer days.

Dom's Eagle Scout Project that he did 10 years ago, a city garden. Looking really good Dom.

And, Blueberries! Yeah, last night I picked the first batch. Some were just smaller than a nickel! All that watering from the rainbarrels has paid off. 5 cups of this years crop in the freezer. Yeah. I've put up a leader board for picking, kind of like the "Deadliest Catch" on Discovery Channel. I'm calling the it the "World's Yummiest Catch Leader Board". OK, Mara, Pat and Maddie, hope you can keep up.