Catholic Online Forum

So, Rob...was your weekend as good as you thought it would be?


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Yes. Actually, I think I posted that after I came back, to be succinct, but the story's worth telling.

Four of us guys, best friends from college. One of us had gone through particularly trying times with the long illness and eventual death of his wife (best friend of my wife from college, their wedding the reason we started dating, and the couple we lived closest to, saw most, and socialized with frequently for, well... something like 14 years). We saw many of the rough patches - the grieving, the mourning; the beginnings of recovery; stepping out again.

He eventually happened across a high school friend, living near his hometown. There had been some mutual attraction/feelings/interest back then, but for various reasons never pursued. Her marriage had recently ended badly. She and my friend talked a lot, rediscovered old feelings, discovered new feelings, started dating, and it was soon apparent that they would build a life together.

My wife and I were privileged to be among the first of his "old" friends to meet her. She reached out to us when we barely knew her - invited us into her home and family, went the extra mile in one of our own times of grief. We could see clearly that she's beautiful, loving, funny, intelligent, strongly family-oriented, thoroughly in love with him - and it was a joy to see him not "merely" healed (which he was (which put him in a position to appreciate her)) but actually happy, seeing a future, realizing some dreams & ambitions, forming new dreams & ambitions, and thoroughly in love with her.

They married this weekend. Our other college friends were in attendance, and did much to help bring off the day with nary a hitch. This was actually the first opportunity for our other two couples to meet her in person (they agree she's wonderful for him, and think she'll fit in great with our little gang of lunatics). I had the privilege of serving as best man, and managed (mostly) to not screw anything up. (Note to other prospective "best men" out there - one of the lesser-known (but still important) duties of the best man is to make sure the groom remembers to eat that morning)

When they announced their engagement and told us all to save the date, they spoke of theirs being "a love 28 years in the making". In my toast at the reception, I spoke (or tried to) of how that sentiment struck me as being connected to biblical passages on weddings, wine, vintages (and I dunno, maybe some whiskey adverts) - and how, truly, their love was the best vintage, aged in the finest barrels, and had now come of age and was ready to be tasted and enjoyed.

Back home, heading for choir rehearsal tonight, I was making a mental note for intentions in our closing prayer circle - to make sure I remembered to offer a prayer of Thanksgiving to our God of new beginnings for our friends and their new beginning. Little chance of me being allowed to forget - I opened my music folder and was reminded that tonight's rehearsal set was the Mass parts for a composition called The Mass of New Beginnings.

One of the other particularly nice things about this past weekend (and our guys' night the week before), was that this month we four guys mark 25 years of friendship. Truly another gift to thank God for.

_________________
Rob

Rob, thank you...that's a very beautiful heartwarming adventure!


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Today is my birthday! It's a shame we have torrential rain and a tornado warning until 7 pm tonight.

_________________
Andrew McAllister

Respect for the dignity of every innocent human being from conception/fertilization, without exception, without compromise, without apology.

Everyone!!!

It's Andrew's birthday today and WE are invited to his PARTY!!!!

We will need umbrellas and raincoats!!!!

Let's see, what should we get for him???


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Single malt Scotch, like Talisker aged 15 years?

_________________
Andrew McAllister

Respect for the dignity of every innocent human being from conception/fertilization, without exception, without compromise, without apology.

Happy Birthday Andrew.

Oh wait, that was on topic...I blew it.

I'll bring the Scotch as it's a liquor I don't care for so it should make it from the market to your home unscathed.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

I bought a bottle Scotch about ten years ago when my wife's Scotch-drinking brother-in-law from San Antonio visited. He had two or three drinks. The rest of the bottle sits undisturbed in a remote kitchen cabinet!

I'm not sure whether it's well-aged or past its expiration date — and I certainly won't find out by sampling it!

_________________
In Christ,

Jim B

I will consider your position if stated with firm, well-thought-out, quiet reasoning. Hateful diatribe, ad hominem attacks and shouted rhetoric don't impress.

That might be dangerous, Jim - sounds like you're in desperate need of aid...

THIS - looks likes a job for... Safety Ranger!

Excuse me while I dash into the stock room, change into my tunic and cape, with its awe-inspiring crest:

...and leap into action (propelled by by my George Reeves signature model miniature trampoline), ever-mindful of my credo: "One bottle, one Ranger!"

Have no fear, citizen! I, Safety Ranger, pledge to wage a never-ending battle against that single-malt, no matter How Long it takes - until it can never menace you ever again! (hic!)*



* Disclaimer - although I may act like a strange visitor from another planet, in reality I am something closer to mild-mannered, and usually the designated driver, so it usually takes several years to work through a good bottle of whiskey picked up at duty-free returning from a foreign trip.

_________________
Rob

Material Safety Data Sheets? What's Jim gonna do with them??


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

My wife's uncle once warned us that it evaporates, if you give it the chance.

_________________
- Joe Kelley

Death is only a shadow across the path to Heaven.

It seemed appropriate.

I've worked in construction, and one of my best friends in lab research. In both our workplaces, cabinets containing potentially volatile (or volatiley potent) substances would require the presence of a binder full of data sheets.

_________________
Rob

Unbelievable.

Never seen such a thing.

_________________
Rob

Rob, that's totally brilliant!!! are you a secret agent, or something?


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Well, if I said yes, it wouldn't be a secret. ...and if I said no, well, obviously you couldn't take that at face value, because a secret agent would have to obfuscate.

I used the MSDS emblem for the double joke - the potent substances as well as the Superman imagery.

_________________
Rob

Jim,

If you ever see a bottle of scotch with an expiry date, don't buy it.

Once the bottle has been opened you have about a year before the scotch has oxidised.

_________________
James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

James, if I bought a bottle of Scotch for my consumption only, it would never be opened!

Having lived over 52 years (so far) beyond the the minimum drinking age, I have yet to develop a taste for whiskey, be it Scotch, Bourbon, Irish or whatever.

In fact, the only hard liquor I enjoy is a gin and tonic on a warm summer afternoon.

My preferred libation would be perhaps an oatmeal stout, a dark european-style lager

or a nice dry red!

_________________
In Christ,

Jim B

I will consider your position if stated with firm, well-thought-out, quiet reasoning. Hateful diatribe, ad hominem attacks and shouted rhetoric don't impress.

Happy Friday!

We're going to the National Shrine in DC tomorrow for a pilgrimage, and Sunday we leave for Delaware for much needed R & R. Have a great week and weekend all!

_________________
Andrew McAllister

Respect for the dignity of every innocent human being from conception/fertilization, without exception, without compromise, without apology.

I like that plan and I hope it's everything you and your wonderful family are hoping for.

Happy Weekend to all and to all good food and lotsa laughs !


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

How does it last a year? Okay. Next time pull of the label on the neck, don't open the bottle. Seal it with candle wax and send it to me. I'll make sure the Bottle Ranger gets it. .........yeah right.

_________________
Pax et Bonum


Schultzz

THIS looks like a job for...

_________________
Rob

But is he gonna share it or hog it all himself??


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

I've returned from obeying Mary having had lots of good Mexican food, a couple of drinks (but not enough to intoxicate as there isn't enough liquor in the world for that) and lotsa laughs....it was a good order on Mary's part.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

How do you think he flies?

_________________
Pax et Bonum


Schultzz

Val,



Right, that's it; we must have dinner together.

Take your pick:

http://www.eatability.com.au/au/east-sydney/

(I recommend Beppi's.)

_________________
James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

There you go Val, see if that includes airfare.

_________________
Pax et Bonum


Schultzz

James,

I'll go to Beppi's with you on your recommendation but it seems odd to go to Australia to have Italian food. Believe it or not, I was talking to someone about how I wish I could travel and see more of the world and I said I'd love to go to Australia and I'd have to meet my internet friend in Syndey.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

For some odd reason, one of my professors in college wanted to see me drunk. It just happened that I lived two blocks from her parents so one day, when there was a family party, she invited me over and kept spiking my drinks with more and more bourbon. I admit, I was drunker than I've ever been before or since but she was practically passed out before she attained her goal of seeing me drunk enough to relax my habit of hiding my real self. Something I used to do but now I let my real self drip all over the place.

To this day, I can't drink bourbon. My fondest memory of that night was when my professor accidentally sent a bowl of chips flying and her mother said, "what kind of example is this for your students?" I told her, "it's a great example, I'm having fun". I also enjoyed the part where her brother and husband argued over who would drive me home and her brother said he didn't want me in his new car in case I threw up.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Val,



Heh, heh. Barramundi on Friday it is.

_________________
James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

"Something I used to do but now I let my real self drip all over the place." Love that line. You are precious.

_________________
Pax et Bonum


Schultzz

Hey, guys!
Guess what?

Today is:


AMBROSE'S BIRTHDAY !!!!!


HE'S THE GENIUS WHO STARTED THIS THREAD


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Hmmm...

...something tells me I'm the Champion Thread Killer!!!



Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Mary,

How do you obtain this secret knowledge of everybody's birthday and how old am I?

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Not a problem...soon's my short term memory goes away I'll probably remember more stuff than I ever knew.


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Do you guys know that short term memory doesn't go away if you climb up on a ladder?

I tried and it didn't go away. I still can't remember how to get back down!


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

We still have power in the panhandle! Hooray!

I pray for the victims and those without power, and for a safe cleanup from the storm of the century.

_________________
Andrew McAllister

Respect for the dignity of every innocent human being from conception/fertilization, without exception, without compromise, without apology.

Same here...


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

How are you, Mary?

Tomorrow is the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. God bless our veterans!

_________________
Andrew McAllister

Respect for the dignity of every innocent human being from conception/fertilization, without exception, without compromise, without apology.

Today I feel as old as the marine corp.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

hmm, I think that makes me about...nevermind.

Life is just too confusing these days: James says I come from Mars...one of my priests says I'm from Venus and my pastor says I'm from Utopia....

I wonder which one is correct.


Maey

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Mary,

Well, you're definitely not from Mars or Venus so you're from utopia which makes me jealous because I'm in Los Angeles which is far from utopia...although we have good weather.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Mary,



No, I didn't. You did.

viewtopic.php?f=221&t=65603&p=841896&hilit=mars#p841896

and

viewtopic.php?f=62&t=34838&p=845357&hilit=mars#p845357

My only other mentions of Mars in this Forum:

viewtopic.php?f=55&t=25853&p=356270&hilit=mars#p356270

viewtopic.php?f=68&t=11687&p=191106&hilit=mars#p191106

_________________
James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

James...all this time I thought it was you!

btw, thanks for the research...I hope I don't laugh myself silly when I read those treasures!


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Mary,

So, what's the weather report for Mars this weekend? Fine, I hope.

_________________
James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

James, I don't think we have weather here. We don't even have coffee.


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

I WILL NOT BE DENIED. I am not just a thread killer but a serial thread killer.

_________________
Kim Cates

Greetings, Casey...do you like oatmeal or bacon and eggs?

We try to accomodate all our guests...!


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

I just noticed that my time and the Forum's time had a syncronicity problem.

It only took me 17 minutes to find the directions Fabrizio gave me last year and another 12 minutes to correct the syncronicity problem.

Is that good or what???


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Mary,

It's certainly better than anything I could achieve.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Mary,



I seriously doubt it. Syncronicity is one of the more... um... fanciful of the many wacko-freak concepts made up by Jung.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncronicity

Syncronicity has nothing to do with Daylight Savings; synchronisation may have.

_________________
James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)