A Pre-Election Thought

November 3, 2012

At long last we come to a pivotal event in our nation’s history; Election Day 2012.

Looking at the Ballot online, there are as usual a slew of amendments; amongst them is the proposed Amendment to the Louisiana Constitution about the Right to Bear Arms? This takes me back to the Bill of Rights, and wondering how this has become an issue in our state Constitution. But it has… and I’m thankful that I took the few seconds necessary to look up the Ballot ahead of time.

Recently I found these “Rules for Civil Dialogue” on the US Bishop’s website. They offer some charitable advice on conducting political discourse, which is entirely in line with St. Paul’s advice to the Corinthians in Chapter 13 of his famous first letter to them.

“Guidelines for Political Discourse

1. Make sure everyone has an opportunity to speak.

2. Share your personal experience, not someone else’s.

3. Listen carefully and respectfully. Speak carefully and respectfully. Do not play the role of know-it-all, convincer or corrector. Remember that a dialogue is not a debate.

4. Don’t interrupt unless for clarification or time keeping.

5. Accept that no group or viewpoint has a complete monopoly on the truth.

6. “Be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another’s statement than condemn it” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2478, quoting St. Ignatius of Loyola).

7. Be cautious about assigning motives to another person.”

I like these guidelines except for one thing: regarding #5, the Catholic Church does hold within it the fullness of the truth.

Monday night and Tuesday morning we are hosting Eucharistic Adoration for those willing to make an extra commitment to prayer, and to offer a Sacrifice of Praise to our God as millions prepare to vote.

My prayer for our Parish is that we seek to fulfill the wishes of Jesus Christ, who is Lord in our lives. I pray that he may guard our election and hold his own to Himself. May the holy angels surround us, and guard us in all of our ways.

 

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On Standing After Communion…

October 16, 2012

In the early 00’s, with much anticipation, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (the GIRM — fondly pronounced “germ” to most who reference the work,) was published with revised guidelines that set everyone abuzz with talk of change.

Some were afraid we were going backwards; others were afraid we weren’t going backwards enough. The situation was fraught with drama and intrigue. Kind of.

A point of confusion is paragraph 43, which says that the Faithful should stand from the end of Offertory (Pray brethren that my sacrifice and yours…) until the end of Mass; although “if appropriate they may sit or kneel during the period of sacred silence after Communion.”

Also, “In the Dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by ill health, …et cetera… The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.”

So, while it’s written that the Faithful should stand from the end of Offertory to the end of Mass, perhaps sitting after Communion, the Dioceses of the United States of America, have permissions for some other occasions of sitting and kneeling, which respects our tradition of doing so.

And, although people in the United States have historically never returned from Communion to remain standing, there was for some reason a general confusion about whether this was mandated or not. In fact, the confusion reached such a fever, that Cardinal George of Chicago wrote in complaining about the matter.

The Holy See responded, “[The rule, for the universal Church] is intended, on one hand, to ensure within broad limits a certain uniformity of posture within the congregation for the various parts of the celebration of the Holy Mass, and on the other, to not regulate posture rigidly in such a way that those who wish to kneel or sit would no longer be free.”

In other words, when you return to your place after Communion, it is perfectly acceptable to sit or to kneel. And in fact, it has long been customary in the US to do so. May God bless you with a beautiful weekend.

+Fr. Kenneth Allen

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Fr. Jambon’s Farewell Mass

September 24, 2012

I finally was able to work with the photos of Fr. Jambons Farewell Mass.

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What a wonderful day it was.

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There are many differing opinions on taking photos during Mass.

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Regardless, we sure could use a new censer.

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Though it sure is put to good use!

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In retrospect it was also an ode to the end of summer….

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…and a thoroughly enjoyable day in the Lord.

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Storms of the Midwest

September 10, 2012

I love the Pioneer Woman‘s website, and learned a lot about Photoshop from her tutorials.

So, I offered a picture to one of her Edit This posts.

And here it is:

Clouds in OK

Well.

Subtlety.

It’s not my forte with Photoshop…

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On Another Stormy Afternoon

September 2, 2012

train

A brief bike ride as Isaac fell apart, and this is the memorable pic. It’s right there by the bike path all the time, I just haven’t had my camera with me until the hurricane hit.

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And this.

It’s what happens during hurricanes, since they last forever and a day. And then they go on and on and on.

One moment everything’s grand. Eventually, you’re napping on a sofa, cooking on a camp stove, sleeping on a chaise lounge in a dining room, or photographing water as it pools on the lawn.

And then you’re exhausted, and need to sleep.

Lord Jesus Christ, send your holy angels to watch over us as we sleep. Help us to be victorious in the battles we accept in your name. Help us to know you, and to help bring healing and wholesome, abundant living wherever we are. Amen.

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A Stormy Afternoon

August 29, 2012

Hurricanes mean long, long times of waiting. There’s tons of stuff to do before hand, and tons of stuff to do afterward. But during the storm, if you’re lucky, there’s not much to do at all. For a day or two.

In the case of Isaac, we’re on day two; after a day of non stop prep.

Stormy Afternon in Abita Springs

But before all of that, the nights before tropical systems move in are absolutely glorious, and some of the most beautiful weather one could ever hope to see.

Don’t take my word for it, since all I had really the time to do was snap a picture in the sky above the Home Depot. Maybe you’ll have the chance one day…

Calm Before the Storm

Just prepare well, and stay safe.

in memoriam, Joseph West Allen, Jr.

666

August 26, 2012

“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” John 6:66

Judgment Day

The number “666″ is overwhelmingly popular in our culture run amok. Ever since it’s use in the Book of Revelation some 2,000 years ago, people have been trying to discern it’s meaning.

Some things never change.

Wikipedia gives it a go, writing:

In modern popular culture, 666 has become one of the most widely recognized symbols for the Antichrist or, alternatively, the Devil. The number 666 is reportedly used to invoke Lucifer (Satan) the dark spirit of seething rage. Earnest references to the number occur both among apocalypticist Christian groups and in explicitly anti-Christian subcultures. References in contemporary Western art or literature are, more likely than not, intentional references to the Beast symbolism. Such popular references are therefore too numerous to list.

The Urban Dictonary, never to be left out of a trend, offers us some tidbits:

The Mark of the beast, and the men who follow the beast of the earth will bear this mark to display their allegiance to the beast. It has been disputed by some scholars that certain numeric ciphers would translate it over to certain words, names, etc… For example, one of the more popular translations was Nero Caesar, and before that, Lateinos, etc…

“…And that number is 666.”

Widely implied that it was 666 because it was an imperfect number to represent the impurities of man and their evildoings and sinful ways.

Read the book of revelations, at the end of the New Testament; it tells all about that, the seven seals, the apocalypse, Armageddon, Megiddo, etc…

And Wikipedia, which I do like for it’s usually self-correcting nature, also offers us some choice morsels on the Number of the Beast, the Beast, Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia (which is Fear of the Number 666); and well, too many others to really note here.

The point is, 666 is all over the place.

A Simpler Point of View

St. John is said to have written the Book of Revelation, where we find the reference to 666. So, to simpletons like myself, I naturally look to see what he’s writing in his own Gospel at Chapter 6, Verse 66.

And we find something very telling.

Rejection of the Eucharist

In John’s lengthy discourse on the Bread of Life, gone are the simple parables of Jesus’ early ministry. Jesus is explaining the Bread of Life, the Eucharist.

People are mumbling and grumbling to themselves and others about eating his body and blood. Discontent is setting in that the new messiah is somehow a loon, saying things that do not make sense. And eventually we reach John Chapter 6, verse 66:

“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” John 6:66

Unable to accept one of Jesus’ most challenging teachings, many return to their former lives.

Former lives untouched by Jesus Christ; former lives untouched by curiosity towards a man walking through their country preaching the Kingdom of God, the fulfillment of the old Covenant, eternal life, healing, forgiveness, charity… They return to former lives where grace had not touched their hearts.

Christ the King

They reject the challenges proposed by God in the supernatural realm, because what is happening in the physical realm appears so contrary to his teaching. “How can we eat his flesh, how can we drink his blood? Let’s get out of here!”

6:66

So, the number 666 has many meanings, but in a simple way it ultimately about the rejection of Jesus Christ, his teachings — his body and blood in the Eucharist.

And so it is almost every day of our lives. Do we accept Jesus Christ and continue our walk with him? Or do we forsake him and his Church, and return to our “former lives”?

Food for though, about the food of eternal life.

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Vertigo

August 25, 2012

The Backstory

  1. A few months ago I was diagnosed with vertigo. I had started to feel bad every now and then, with dizziness and nausea at odd times that really bordered on the extreme. In fact, it occurred to me more than once, when it was at its worst, that maybe I should not be driving.

  2. Vertigo is miserable, and many people suffer with it, with no known cause or cure.

    In fact, since I’ve been talking about vertigo, everyone and their cousin has had, or knows someone who has had, an experience with it. I had no clue so many people were suffering with it.

  3. A few weeks ago I had been out running errands, and my amazing and stunning dizziness started up in full force again, and I ended up checking myself into the Emergency Room to see what exactly might be up with the dizziness and nausea, since it was again at its worst.

  4. I spared anyone from this knowledge, of being in the Emergency Room, since I figured everyone would think the worst.

  5. The entire Parish knew I was in the Emergency Room within an hour. And they all thought the worst.

  6. The good doc at the hospital said I had vertigo too. I was relieved to have that restatement of my diagnosis, and felt much better about life in general thereafter

  7. I looked forward to my upcoming vertigo test… All would be well soon.

    Time passed, and all was well with the world.

The Story

  1. Today I finally had my vertigo test, which uses various technologies to … well… test for vertigo.

    goggles

    You put on goggles so the doctor can check your involuntary eye movements while you stare at certain spots, or have hot and cold air variously blown into your ear canals. You do balance tests and hearing tests.

    I look nothing like the model in this photo, a fact which pleases me to no end, being a Priest.

  2. After the tests, my doc and her student assistant told me that my hearing and inner ears were fine. Which is great and wonderful, but… the leading causes of vertigo were now ruled out.

    It was back to the drawing board…

  3. :-[

  4. This afternoon I googled, again, my symptoms — “dizziness and nausea”, only this time I added “headache”.

  5. The results amazed me. One of the leading causes of these symptoms is carbon monoxide poisoning, which often imitates other conditions.

  6. Just yesterday I brought my car in for work. A persistent rattle, alternately diagnosed as various things which had not panned out, had been steadily getting worse, and as things ended up, the exhaust system needed to be replaced.

  7. A leading cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is a faulty exhaust system in your car. in fact the CDC has a page listing unintentional deaths resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning.

    8. La Couronne

  8. One side of my dual exhaust system was totally blocked; and every indication is, that this condition had been around for awhile. I’ve checked everything else regularly, but the exhaust system never occurred to me as mechanics is not a gift of mine.

  9. I’m thinking the math adds up, and that these symptoms will continue to subside drastically.

Lesson Learned

  1. Check your automobile exhaust system every year!

  2. Just do it.

  3. Amen.

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The Extraordinary Former Church

August 24, 2012

oldchurch

I found this old photo of a wedding in the Church a few days ago. (I’ve seen copies floating around, but was glad indeed to find out we actually have the original.)

You could spend hours arguing any which way when it comes to Church remodeling and decorating. Many people do.

But here’s an interesting juxtaposition.

oldchurch2

It’s pretty much the same view taken at Fr. Jambon’s farewell Mass a few weeks ago. Quite a difference.

I found quite a few old photos. So… until next time.

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The River, the Clouds and the Flowers

August 23, 2012

river

I know you’re probably expecting something to do with the Queenship of Mary today. Or the election. Or any number of prescient issues aside from photography.

But I’ve had zero time to devote to photography lately and just have to get it out of my system, darnit.

And look at that river! And those clouds! And that sky!

Ah, the river… the clouds… the sky…. things to gaze upon and give thanks to God. And certainly to give thanks to him for the Queenship of Mary, who no doubt would gaze upon this peaceful scene quite lovingly, while perhaps being thankful that one of her Priests was photographing the scene for the enjoyment of others.

But, I’m concerned that I haven’t really made any strides in my understanding of exposure.

river2

Hence this strange shot of the clouds.

One thing I do understand is that digital photos have a limited range of dynamic contrast, which is why some areas of this image are darker than they should be. The light is too strong in the clouds, and too dark on the river.

Overexposed Clouds

Still, because I had a fascination with the image when I took it, I tried to manipulate it in photoshop. But it never turned out right; it always turned out sort of like this. Well, perhaps not as strange, but I’m not out to win any contests here, just to demonstrate the dilemma of trying to work with a lousy photo which could have been, just hazarding a guess here, a very good photo.

Some areas of the clouds take on drama, and you can make out the storm in the background, but the river itself looks grainy, and the whole thing looks fake.

So sad.

river bw

Putting the whole thing in black and white… well, it’s the same issue ridden photograph in black and white.

Maybe someone with better photoshopping skills could get this to look better. But a better photographer would have taken a beter picture in the first place, and wouldn’t even be having this conversation because the photoshopping would have been at minimum, the picture would have been great, and that would be that.

Or, he or she would have just deleted the photo outright.

So, moving on from this, the photo itself seems like it could have been really cool, but I need to learn and practice, some more skills.

flores

It’s either that or stick to flowers.

But hey, that’s what hobbies are for, to find some spare moments and spend them productively, learning and practicing something enjoyable. And, to have time to give thanks to God for making such a beautiful world for all of us to live in; it’s definitely worth taking more pictures and trying to get it right.

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A Novena to St. Jane de Chantal

August 21, 2012

St. Jane de Chantal

Earlier this morning I came across this holy card of St. Jane de Chantal. And, since it’s her feast day according to the old, 1962 Ordo, decided to post it along with the novena which is on the back page.

Novena

O Glorious saint, blessed Jane Frances, who by the fervent prayer, attention to the Divine Presence, and purity of intention in they actions attainedst on earth an intimate union with God, be now our advocate, our mother, our guide in the path of virtue and perfection.  Plead our cause near Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, to whom thou wast so tenderly devoted, and whose holy virtues thou didst so closely imitate.  Obtain for us, O amiable and compassionate saint, the virtues thou seest most necessary for us; an ardent love of Jesus in the most holy Sacrament, a tender and filial confidence in His Blessed Mother, and, like thee, a constant remembrance of His sacred Passion and death.  Obtain also, we pray thee, that our particular intention in this Novena may be fulfilled.

V. Pray for us, O holy St. Jane Frances.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

O almighty and Merciful God, Who didst grant blessed St. Jane Frances, so inflamed with the love of Thee, a wonderful degree of fortitude through all the paths of life, and wast pleased through her to adorn Thy Church with a new religious Order, grant, by her merits and prayers, that we, who sensible of our weakness confide in Thy Strength, may overcome all adversities with the help of Thy heavenly Grace, through Christ our Lord.  Amen

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"The Bread of Life"

August 19, 2012

the bread of lifeIt’s easy to sense the growing exasperation in the Gospel as Jesus tries to teach the crowds about the Bread of life.

The crowds were exasperated by the mere thought of Jesus giving us his flesh and blood for food. Jesus is probably exasperated with their lack of understanding. however, being the model of patience and virtue that he understandably is, he continues on with his instruction, all the while knowing the rejection and confusion that will ensue.

Indeed, how many people alive today still reject Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist? Studies show that around 57% of Catholics actually believe in the real presnce of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

While it’s understandable that belief in the real presence occasions a struggle within the intellect, we eventually come to the point where we either believe Jesus Christ, or we do not. Is he Lord? Or is he not Lord? Is he really and truly present? Or did he lie?

The earliest testimonies that exist, from the Scriptures themselves, to the accounts of the first Christian communities, down through time to us, all attest to a lively faith in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

Ancient Bread of Life Mosaic

As St. Iraneus of Lyons wrote: “[Christ] has declared the cup, a part of creation, to be his own Blood, from which he causes our blood to flow; and the bread, a part of creation, he has established as his own Body, from which he gives increase to our bodies.”

Times have changed and the modern world is closer knit; but ancient wisdoms do not change. And God remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Jesus speaks to our hearts in today’s Gospel, his words finding purchase in Faith filled souls.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat of the flesh of the son of Man and drink of his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.”

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Installation

August 13, 2012

Although this happened several weeks ago, on June 22 to be exact, I haven’t been able to get around to doing anything about pictures for a very simple reason.

I updated my MacBook.

Installation

And now it’s taking forever to do anything, let alone do a simple edit on a photo. (And it’s a bad edit at that, sorry.)

It’s also given me some time to reflect on this photo, which was taken by a friend. The grey curtain and the a/c vents are sort of an unbecoming backdrop during Mass. And it looks like St Michael is about to hit Fr. Bourg with his lance.

Then, one has to wonder why there is a wall lamp to the right, and why it does not work. And the Infant of Prague is practically hidden back there.

Mass is always about the mysteries you know. But maybe we can clear up a few of these minor mysteries as time goes on.

As for being Pastor, it’s wonderful in many regards. The challenges are not where I would have considered them to be, and that does require a lot of prayer. But of course, that goes with the territory.

I’m looking forward to getting my laptop back up to snuff. We have photos to post! Stories to tell! Places to see!

And evidently, longer albs to buy… pounds to lose… Oh my.

Ciao.

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On A Saturday Afternoon

July 21, 2012

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“The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Love; It signifies Love, It produces love. The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life.”

~ Saint Thomas Aquinas

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“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become. If we love things, we become a thing. If we love nothing, we become nothing. Imitation is not a literal mimicking of Christ, rather it means becoming the image of the beloved, an image disclosed through transformation. This means we are to become vessels of God´s compassionate love for others.”

~ St. Clare of Assisi

“Patience attains All that it strives for. He who has God Finds he lacks nothing: God alone suffices.”

“It is love alone that gives worth to all things”

~ St. Teresa of Avila

I don’t know that these quotes have anything to do with these pictures, but they’re certainly great quotes, and they happen to be on my desktop at the moment.

St. Jane is a beautiful little Church, and it’s surprisingly not as small as it looks. And it’s a very loving and friendly community.

Off into the weekend ~~~ Pax Christi.

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Life at St. Jane's

July 18, 2012

St. Jane de Chantal Church

Yes, you guessed it: I’ve been walking around with my camera again.

And then going for that startling, vibrant look which is so ‘in’ in photos these days.

Oh, wait… you’ve not been seeing startling and vibrant photos which look quite like these?

Well. On a separate note, we really need to do something about these power lines in front of the Church, like run them underground.

That’s a joke by the way.

On the right side of the choir loft is a little belfry type room with windows; the first Pastor used to spend his nights there. I guess he more or less lived in the choir loft, which no doubt made for an interesting life. (I used to do that, but I was an organist.) The little room is about ten feet by eight feet, at the most.

And that’s no joke.

St. Jane's

The rain here has been amazing. The dry, dry earth from the past few years has been soaking it up, and everything is green as could be and beautiful. Lots of dramatic clouds, too.

One of my seminary friends (now Dr. Jerry Harrington,) took up the photo a day contest that I bailed on recently, which inspired me to get back to it. Why not give it a try… what could happen?

Px, out.

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Exploring

July 10, 2012

the pearl river

As you recall, I’ve been transferred over to St. Jane de Chantal, in Abita Springs; which has been taking up a lot of my time. Which is a good thing, of course, seeing as I’m the new Pastor.

But yesterday I decided to drive around the Parish to see what territory we have… talk a bout a large land area! We include parts of the Bogue Chitto, and the Pearl River.

So, whilst driving over the Pearl I got out and snapped his shot from the bridge near Bogalusa (since it’s the only bridge that crosses the river anywhere near here.)

A few things about that:

  1. That bridge is very high, and no one stops on it to take pictures.
  2. The view down to the water is terrifying.
  3. The river had a very industrial and muddy look right below the bridge which made my stomach churn.
  4. The thing’s I’ll do for a photograph are starting to amaze me.
  5. I’d do it again in a flash.
  6. It’s been so rainy, it’s like living on Venus. And this captures some of that Louisiana cloudy, dreamlike, dark green, and watery landscape that we have so much of, and that I love so much.

On that note, the time has come to head to retire for the eve. Splash, out.

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Pentecost

May 28, 2012

Travis Clark Preaches

The Rev. Mr. Travis Clark ~ Newly Ordained Deacon

Here at Mary Magdalen, we were truly blessed to have Deacon Travis Clark preach for us this weekend. You can read all about his ordination over at the Clarion Herald’s site.

The good Deacon grew up in this Parish, and everyone just loves him. I was impressed that he used no notes for his Homily, as I usually have, well…. some printed materials and an outline with me, to put it mildly.

Leading up to Pentecost I was doing some Scriptural meditations on a life in the spirit, vs, a life in the flesh. Here are just a few of them, to help focus our minds more clearly

Romans 8

For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you from the law of sin and death.a

For what the law, weakened by the flesh, was powerless to do, this God has done: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for the sake of sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,so that the righteous decree of the law might be fulfilled in us, who live not according to the flesh but according to the spirit.

For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with the things of the spirit.

The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace.

For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you.

Consequently, brothers, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

RULES FOR THE NEW LIFE

Ephesian 4: 30

Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger,and do not leave room for the devil.

The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work with his [own] hands, so that he may have something to share with one in need.

No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

And do not grieve the holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption.

All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice.

[And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

What is “Living in The World” vs. “Living in The Spirit”

“For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world.”

And finally…

1 Corinthians 6:9

“Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes* nor sodomites.”

Galatians 5

Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry,
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

Pentecost Flowers

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History is Amazing

May 23, 2012

Awhile ago I came across this very old picture of our Church here, as it looked almost 100 years ago in 1917. That’s during the time of WWI, the Russian Revolution, and all of the amazing things that happened in that year so long ago.

Here it is…

SMM 1917

St. Mary Magdalen Church, Metairie - 1917

Then just the other day I decided to check out the very same view as it looks now…

SMM Today

St. Mary Magdalen Church, Metairie - 2012

Fascinating I tell you.

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Good Times

May 12, 2012

Because there’s nothing else to do with these random photos — it’s either delete them, have prints made so they can sit in a box on a shelf, or store them on yet another hard drive — I’ve decided to share them with you.

These type of demanding, cutting edge editorial decisions need to be made daily here, to keep this website spinning like a top.

These cool cats were the hit of the Bacchus route in our neck of the woods. I asked to take their picture, and one day that spread could make a great photo essay just watching the changing group dynamics

ballerina

Winning smile, wonderful costume.

Mardi Gras

It was a pretty relaxed morning…

Adele

My good friend Adele.

Flowers

The Japanese Magnolias were in bloom again… Such a strange flower, suitable to any occasion.

costumes

There’s a story here. I think these costumes are great for many reasons. I posted the pic on a Facebook page, and someone said “What’s so great about this?” Then I second guessed myself, un-posted it and curled into a ball and sucked my thumb for twelve hours. But I’m perfectly fine now, thank you.

The Creole Queen… It’s such a beautiful boat. Years ago a friend dragged me onto this boat to play the slot machines. I had a quarter on me, and walked out with $31 and was on top of the world.

mardi gras

We hit it off immediately, and nodded knowingly as we passed on the street.

St. Joseph

And this is St. Joseph’s Church, which I post pics of every now and again. It’s grand and beautiful, but it needs a huge pipe organ way back there. Still, it makes me glad to be Catholic whenever I walk in.

Well, it re-affirms my gladness… it… you know what I mean.

And that’s it for now… but exciting things are happening, and it’s all good.

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The Garden Chronicles

May 1, 2012

Surely you remember last year’s unforgettable installment of Better Gardening Through Photoshop, where we first viewed the garden out back here at the Rectory. Actually we first viewed it almost exactly one year ago, in Into the Garden, followed closely by Garden Redux.

But if you’re new here, take a gander now:

Garden in need of some work...

Ah, one could gaze upon it for hours in peace and serenity.

But not really.

This year, what with our warm winter, warm spring and early summer, it’s looks like this:

The Garden

Totally overgrown and random.

A parishioner restored the Marian statue, some plants grew in to fill up the empty spaces, and there’s a bad case of Elephant Ears, which I don’t think anything can be done about.

Just yesterday via my iPhone:

the Marian Garden

Still it’s a huge improvement, and with a little tweaking it’s going to be great, even though the simplicity in the first photo is pretty nice. Nonetheless, it will be a perfect place to pray I tell you!

We just need some wax myrtles in the background beyond the fence, maybe some holly trees. Then some giant liriope where some of the stones are, with a box hedge and some cast iron plants… Something like that. Easy and low maintenance.

Splash, out.

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