Prayer & Support Needed!

Fr. Alphonse de Valk, founder and editor of Catholic Insight needs our prayers and support. The magazine is being investigated by the Canadian Human Rights Commission because a complainant has claimed that the magazine's articles opposing homosexual activity and 'gay marriage' promote "extreme hatred and contempt" against persons with same-sex attractions. Read about it here and here.

Please pray too for the gentleman who filed the complaint...

Jazz Vespers

This evening, M. and I attended Jazz Vespers at an Anglican church. I'd never been to something like this before and I was looking forward to it as I like evening prayer, and I enjoy light jazz. I was hoping that the combination of the two would be pleasant, relaxing and conducive to meditation. I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed.

The service combined candlelight, prayer, reflection, hymn-singing and the smooth sounds of the Robi Botos Trio, all in the lovely setting of a traditional-looking Anglican church (stone building, stained-glass windows, central altar, wooden pews, etc.). The overall experience of being in this setting, hearing this music, and praying with everyone was enjoyable for me - I'd be happy to attend another session of Jazz Vespers when they resume in September.

Sea & Sky

I did a little more water-colouring yesterday. I first watched a video by Alex Krylow on YouTube, to get me started. Of course, my end result doesn't look anything like Alex's finished product...

But, the important thing is I had fun, right? :)

Click on the image to see it large on your screen (if you want to).

Prayers for my Nana

My Nana's been in a lot of pain lately with her arthritis. I give her neck and back massages, and she takes Tylenol and sometimes aspirin. Today she seems a little better. The Eucharistic Minister came by with Holy Communion for her.

Thirteen years ago, my Nana saw a big golden cross in the sky. She said it looked like it was on fire. This image appeared to her for about twenty minutes and she prayed the whole time. She took it as a sign of encouragement to unite her sufferings to Christ's sufferings on the cross, and she trusts that the cross will one day bring her everlasting joy.

Please keep my Nana in your prayers - she's 95!

Update on Maclean's CHRC Battle

The Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) has dismissed the complaint brought against Maclean's magazine by the Canadian Islamic Congress. Great, except that defending themselves cost Maclean's hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the Human Rights Act still makes provision for penalizing so-called "hate speech" - How do poor people defend themselves when hauled before one of these commissions or tribunals?

P.S. Note that this was the CHRC that dismissed the case, as did the OHRC (Ontario Humans Right Commission), although the OHRC expressed a lengthy opinion even while dismissing the claim. We're still waiting to hear from the BCHRC (British Columbia Human Rights Commission).

Afternoon Reflection

We must be still and still moving
Into another intensity
For a further union, a deeper communion
Through the dark cold and the empty desolation,
The wave cry, the wind cry, the vast waters
Of the petrel and the porpoise. In my end is my beginning.

from T.S. Eliot's "East Coker", second of Four Quartets

This & That

This morning, my sweet little Mom headed off to the library and returned with the first five books in the Mitford series! I'm very grateful and plan to get started on them today. Hopefully, I'll also squeeze in some studying in-between reading (just kidding...I mean, I really will try to keep studying for my exam as the top priority!).

My current freelance assignment is mostly completed - just a few odds and ends to take care of as we get closer to the printing date.

I've started sending out a number of resumes. It would be ideal to have a full-time job lined up for August after I complete my exam at the end of July, but I'll trust everything to God's timing as I continue to apply - please feel free to keep my job search in your prayers - thanks!

Also, please pray for Mr. George Carlin who passed away yesterday, and for his family.

You tell 'em, Bishop!

Bishop Fred Henry, Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Calgary, Alberta has written a letter to Alberta's Premier, Edward Stelmach (also a Catholic).

To Sir With Love - Lulu, 1967

I've always loved this song - I remember my Mom singing it when I was a wee one! :)

Rediscovering my creative side

On Friday, Mom & I went out and bought some watercolours, brushes, a palette, and paper. We've spent a good chunk of the weekend painting. A few weeks ago, when I went to visit my friend in Ottawa, she encouraged me to purchase a sketch pad and pencils, to get back into drawing too. I haven't been drawing and painting since high school, but I'm enjoying this very much.

At present, most of what I produce looks rather cartoonish - but I'm having fun! :)