I have been busy rebuilding my personal website and adding new pages. The new theme I purchased is responsive to tablets and smart phones and much easier to navigate. You can check it out by clicking here.
I have suspected for sometime that a previous surgery I had to fix a torn rotator cuff had come undone based on pain and other symptoms I have been experiencing for the past year. I had an MRI/Arthrogram a couple of weeks ago, and went over the results with a surgeon on Thursday. He went to the images from the procedure and highlighted a torn rotator cuff. (Darn! I hate being right about some things!) He seemed surprised when he outlined the procedure and recovery that I did n't have more questions. I just told him I have done this before and wasn't looking forward to it. I will have to have another operation in a week and a half to fix this problem. Unfortunately, the recovery is exactly the same with the arm being immobile for six weeks in a sling and sleeping in a chair during that time period. This particular surgeon said he would probably start physical therapy earlier than the last one did. I suspected this operation was up and coming so while I was in Chi...
The reflection in today's Magnificat was from the Jesuit priest, Fr. Alfred Delp. I have used some of his writings for retreats and he is a powerful witness for Christ who was exterminated by the Nazis. Like Pope Benedict XVI his style is very "German". For the most part, I have found the Germans to be painfully blunt which is very refreshing. I believe what he shares in the reflection below is EXACTLY what is happening in our country and world today. False systems of power and security based on human doing and understanding are being crafted with the DELIBERATE attempt to shut God out. Our world is on the sifting sand Fr. Delp so powerfully describes. The collapse is IMMINENT and as predicted by the Lord it will catch the vast majority of people off guard. Life without God is HELL. Here is the reflection: For present-day humanity is sick and incapable of handling its affairs-it can no longer cope with life. So a new approach is necessary, a more intensive method....
I am preparing for a 20 year seminary reunion at St. John's in Camarillo, CA. The celebrations begin tomorrow afternoon/evening, but I will be leaving after my Masses in the parish and won't get in until quite late. I haven't seen a lot of the guys since we were ordained 20 years ago. It will be fun to see how things have been and how gracefully (or not so gracefully) we have all aged in the past 20 years. 😀 I will spend a fun day by myself at Universal Studios on Wednesday and then will head to the Sera Retreat House for a couple of days of prayer and reflection. I am working on a reflection on the priesthood and will hopefully have that posted pretty soon. Unfortunately, I will have to miss the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-Elect Daniel Mueggenborg on Wednesday. I made my plane reservations about three days before the announcement of his appointment. I'm sure that will be an amazing day for him. The reality of my upcoming transition to my new a...