Furthermore…

Answering question in religion class:

“What did Jesus offer The Woman at the Well?  Er, well being?”

Let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet (Song of Songs 2:14)

I write this knowing full well that it is almost an impossibility to convey an adequate impression of the vitality and sonorous richness of her voice and the talent of her delivery. I chuckle as I write ‘you have to take it on faith’ because she sings a religious repertoire. Hearing her perform is, to me, a transporting, joyful experience. I assume that those familiar with her music will agree. Perhaps many of the people who sometimes listen to Christian radio stations have heard her sing from time to time, but didn’t quite ‘catch’ her unusual name.

Some of the songs and hymns she is identified with are All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, He’s Been Faithful, Jesus Paid It All, and Standing on the Promises. She made a Christmas album with, among other titles, Silent Night, O Holy Night, and Joy to the World. Since she grew up in Puerto Rico and knows Spanish very well, she has cut Spanish language sets under the titles Yo Cantare and Albanzas, Tus Himnos Favoritos.

Damaris has a fine website which carries her photo, bio, discography, a bunch of links, and offers a sample of performance for listening; go to http://www.damariscarbaugh.com. Be enthralled!

Scriptural tidbit: the name Damaris traces to a woman who was one of Paul’s few converts on his visit to Athens (Acts 17:34)

One teenager to other:

“I so-o-o love Jesus more, since I found out he’s a celebrity!”

One teenage girl to other:

“Some weirdo told me I should practice modesty. What’s modesty?!”

I try to catch the daily “Food for the Journey” radio meditations broadcast by Sister Ann Shields, but the FM reception on my radio for a station 90 miles aways leaves a lot to be desired on occasion, so I only bat about .300. Today I found one of her thoughts especially valuable, something along the line of asking yourself am I being, as is urged in the scripture she quoted, kind, patient, peaceful, generous, loving? IF NOT WHAT IS WRONG

I like to listen mornings to the radio meditations given daily by Sister Ann Shields. Today’s made a big impression on me. Drawing on one of the scriptures, she suggested asking:

Am I actually being kind, patient, considerate, loving, peaceful — along the lines directed by the scripture? IF NOT, WHAT IS WRONG!
I don’t really remember the exact virtues and qualities she mentioned, or the particular scripture she was drawing upon; I suppose I should go to her website via the Renewal Ministries site and get these particulars straight by checking the archives of her shows…

Pro-Choice person to people  at social gathering:

“I believe in a woman’s right to choose -  multiple partners, marrying the same sex, elimination of unplanned conceptions, control of undesirable populations, almost anything compassionate…!”

Discussing the Book of Acts narrative of the making of the first deacons (Acts 6: 1-7)  we broached the concept of “inculturation” of selected groups of people, and one of the questions in the guide pamphlet was to the effect, what groups in your parish do you feel would be eligible for a special effort at  inculturation? Someone suggest the teen youths, and everyone among our somewhat elderly membership seemed to agree, as we considered the special challenges posed by the young folk. I only wished that we had some young people there with us at the time, to speak up for their way of seeing things, and to help us understand where they are ‘coming from.’

Priest to young couple bringing baby to be baptized:

“You might want to remove the baby’s iPod  so it doesn’t get soaked!”

I have a fondness and devotion for Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Lily of the Mohawks, so when I learned one of the priests in our parish was going to Rome to study I asked him to watch for an opportunity to assist in some way her cause for canonization.

While Pope Benedict was here in America the last few days I had the wonderful surprise of seeing Blessed Kateri included among the six holy American souls who were highlighted and presented to the Holy Father in a beautiful ceremony in Washington, seen around the world. 

What an unimaginable happening! As the old song goes, “Who could ask for anything more?”

“Oh God, who among the many marvels of Your Grace in the New World, did cause to blossom on the banks of the Mohawk and of the St. Lawrence, the pure and tender Lily, Kateri Tekakwitha, grant we beseech You, the favor we beg through her intercession - that this Young Lover of Jesus and of His Cross may soon be counted among the Saints by Holy Mother Church, and that our hearts may be enkindled with a stronger desire to imitate her innocence and faith. Through the same Christ Our Lord, Amen.    -TEKAKWITHA LEAGUE                        Auriesville, New York 12016