The Two of Us

This is me with MY DAD, whom I love with my whole heart and soul. Today is Father's Day, and a guy feels a certain responsibility to connect with his Father in ways not usual. So, yes, I called him ... knowing he'd be sitting there at home watching a golf game. Just a few minutes ago, I ended my obligatory chat with Joseph Philip Fairbanks III, M.D. And how grateful am I for his life? VERY. Of course, he wanted to hand the phone off to mom or someone else, but I told him ... "This is all about You!" We exchanged solemn words and sentiments, and then I had to let him get back to watching golf. If it wasn't for my Dad, I wouldn't have a love for card games, a college education, a puppet stage, any siblings, or ... my life! Man, am I glad I have had just that brief time to express my love for my Dad. Hope you had the same chance. Happy Father's Day to all my sibs who are Pops. And thanks to the Father in Heaven for giving me the best there is.



Oh, and let's not forget to wish Happy Birthday to Audrey Ann who was born this day, seven years ago. Shortly after her birth, I had the honor of baptizing her in full immersion: my first. And I sure it was her first as well. I love you Auds, Uncle Pat.

Slow Down

This is my nephew Andrew, also my godson. Today he is 15 and a young man who enjoys life. This is a shot of him watching the Chicago subway roll past ... too fast. What a blast! And I know he thinks he "hast" to hop on and ride along. He wants to go fast too. All teens do.

So, my words to Andrew are these, which make life last ... Slow Down! Take time for prayer Andy. Listen to birds. Contemplate water. Instead of yelling at your siblings or running away from their madness ... watch them ... ponder what they are ... and thank God you have 'em. Same for your folks. How freaked out would your mom be at the kitchen counter while she's cutting the cheese and you are just staring at her (in prayer) thanking God she's your Mom.
OK, not everybody has a priest godfather, but lucky the ones who do ... like you ... nephew Andrew.

Golden Slumbers

Man, there is nothing like visiting family for a few days of R&R. I am between directing retreats: one at Milford last week, one at Manresa next week. In between I decided to mosey on up here to Minnesota and serve as my nephew Stephen's Confirmation sponsor. What a great time that was Thursday night at the Cathedral in St. Paul. The photo here shows us all smiles (although my sister claims that my smile is more of a goofy face). Notice Stephen's Holy Spirit tie! The Beatles title for this post (Golden Slumbers) refers not only to the great rest I am having here at my sister's house, but also to the this cool juggling video Stephen showed me. My nephews are both jugglers, and so of course the best tune for juggling is "Golden Slumbers" by the Beatles. Check this video out ... OK for now. I'll try to be more committed to this blog. After all, Confirmation is the Sacrament of Commitment.

And I Love Her

We call Friday Good because of where it leads ... to the Good News of the Resurrection. When you consider life and all the events therein, the same principle applies: we are all created Good and (hopefully) headed for Good because the source of our lives and our final destination are the same: Jesus Christ, Who is nothing but Good. Sacred art tries to convey the goodness of God through the creative talent of those so inspired. I like this rendition of the Resurrection by Rogier van der Weyden. It is part of an altarpiece in Berlin, and you can see that it depicts a Resurrection event most Christians have never heard of: the appearance of the Risen Christ to Mary. The Gospels don't tell of this "event," but the long tradition of Christian writers (including Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises) hold the opinion due to the great love of Christ for His Mother. My guess is, if the Lord loves each of us as much as he does His own Mother, then how quickly will he run to be with us at the hour of death -- so to make it the start of new life? Maybe you'd like to browse the link below to see if there are other renditions of Resurection art that stir your heart. Happy Easter season.

http://www.joyfulheart.com/easter/resurrection_artwork.htm

Good Friday

I wonder why they call this day "good." If they asked for a new name, I am sure people might suggest "Holy Friday" or "Passion Friday" or even "Sad Friday." Those are more apt to the feelings and senitments of the events we recall. Still ... Good is good. I'd like to say a little bit about Good Friday and a little something about this painting by Nicholas Tournier which I saw in the Louvre last year. Included here at the foot of the Cross are Mary, John, the Magdalene, and St. Vincent de Paul. Are you somewhere in the scene as well? Where?

What You're Doing

Happy St. Patrick's Day.
I had a great feast today and one of my goals was to write a blog on March 17 and post the various things I've been up to. But it is going to turn midnight any second, so I better post this now (so I can accomplish my goals) and I'll tell you what I've been doing later. God bless you. And St. Patrick ... pray for us.

I'm A Loser

Question: Is there an appropriate Scripture for those defeated in Super Bowl LXI?

Answer: Well sure … check out Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, where “BEARS” are mentioned by name.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, nor pompous. It is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love BEARS all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Cor 13:4-7)

Sounds like St. Paul is telling to “Wait til next year!” ___________________________________________

Meanwhile, let me just pass on Birthday Greetings (Feburary 15) to the best mother in the whole world. When he wrote those words about LOVE, St. Paul was actually describing OUR MOM. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Now that kind o’ love should definitely keep us warm during these chilly days of mid February. In her eyes, everyone's a winner.
We love you Mom.