Codex Veritassima

令人動容的智慧

2009-10-23T22:59:00.000-07:00

傍晚，在一個規模不大的快餐廳裡，總共有三個食客：一個老人、一個年輕人，還有我。
或許是因為食客不多的緣故，餐廳裡的照明燈沒有完全打開，所以顯得有些昏暗。我坐在一個靠窗的角落裡獨自小酌，年輕人則手捧一碗炸醬麵，坐在靠近門口的位置，與老人相鄰。
我發現，年輕人的注意力似乎不在麵上，因為他眼睛的餘光，一刻都未曾離開過老人在桌邊的手機。事實證明了我的判斷。我看到，當那個老人再次側身點煙的時候，年輕人的手快速而敏捷地伸向手機，並最終裝進他上衣的口袋裡，試圖離開。老人轉過身來，很快發現手機不見了。
他的身體微微顫抖了一下，然後立即平定下來，環顧四周。
這時候年輕人已經在伸手開門，老人也似乎明白了什麼，他馬上站立起來，走向門口的年輕人。
我很替老人擔心。我認為，以他的年老體衰，很難對付一個身強體壯的年輕人。沒想到，老人卻說：「小伙子，請你等一下。」
年輕人一愣：「怎麼了？」
「是這樣，昨天是我七十歲的生日，我女兒送給我一部手機，雖然我並不喜歡它，可那畢竟是女兒的一番孝心。我剛才就把它放在了桌子上，可是現在它卻不見了，我想它肯定是被我不小心碰到了地面上。我的眼花得厲害，再說彎腰對我來說也不是件太容易的事，能不能麻煩你幫我找一下？」
年輕人剛才緊張的表情消失了，他擦了一把額頭上的汗，對老人說：「哦，您別著急，我來幫您找找看。」
年輕人彎下腰去，沿著老人的桌子轉了一圈，再轉了一圈，然後把手機遞過來：「老人家，您看，是不是這個？」
老人緊緊握住年輕人的手，激動地說：「謝謝！謝謝你！真是不錯的小伙子，你可以走了。」
我被眼前的一幕驚呆了。待年輕人走遠之後，我過去對老人說：「您本來已經確定手機就是他偷的，卻為什麼不報警？」
老人的回答使我回味悠長，他說：「雖然報警同樣能夠找回手機，但是我在找回手機的同時，也將失去一種比手機要寶貴千倍萬倍的東西，那就是 -- 寬容。」
人到了中年，越來越覺得微笑是一種悲憫，緘默才是一種修養，而寬容也是一種智慧。
出自於內心的寬容，可使滿室生春，一片祥和，愉悅的笑聲，可化解滿室如冰的場面，出自於內心的真誠，可使人有一份親切感，他會使人放鬆臉上的皺紋，會心的微笑，就像一首與人心靈相交的妙音，帶來通體的舒暢。
厭倦，拉長了人與人之間的距離，寬容的人，很少露才揚己，他能體會出人各有長的道理，不輕易的否定一個人的價值，他欣賞別人的長處時，是以平生不解藏人善，虛心的看待學習，而對自己的優點，又如含羞草般的善於掩藏。寬容的人知道，含笑的言語，可使人樂於接受，咬牙切齒口沫橫飛的辯論，一開始就輸了一半，我們何不多以笑容來面對世間的一切不如意之事，抱著渡人就是渡己的心，這世界會少了很多醜惡與紛爭。

The Wooden Bowl

2009-10-23T22:53:00.000-07:00

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table.
But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl!
When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper,the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?"
Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

寬恕的真意

2009-10-23T22:50:00.002-07:00

有個婦人來求診。她的主述都是一些焦慮、憂鬱的症狀。診斷並不困難，就是憂鬱症，任何一位精神科醫師都可以辦到這點。問題在於是什麼造成她的憂鬱？又該怎麼治療？
「是我的先生。」婦人痛苦地說著。「但我不知道我該不該這樣說？」
婦人陳述了一段艱辛的過去。原來，婦人面對著婚姻暴力的問題。先生喜歡喝酒，一喝醉，就動手打她。先生因為酒醉的關係，工作都無法維持長久，讓她不得不到外面工作賺錢，貼補家用。但儘管如此，當她回到家中之後，所有大大小小的家事，以及三個小孩的扶養，都需要她來處理。她身心俱疲，整天生活於恐懼當中，她還擔心家庭暴力的現象，會影響小孩子的發展。
「妳的公婆怎麼說？」
「他們都站在先生那邊！」婦人又敘述了一段悲情的故事。聽起來，公公婆婆偏袒親生的兒子，當暴力出現時，公婆往往反過來指責她事情沒處理好，才激怒她先生。而妯娌姑嫂們，也都採取自掃門前雪的態度。到頭來，她變成了一切問題的核心。明明她是受害者，她卻必須負擔「不要讓先生生氣」的責任。她不斷受挫，而且還不斷受到其他人指責。然而，這還不是苦的--
「大家都要我寬恕他們」。婦人幾乎崩潰。「教會的姊妹都很關心我，沒有他們，我活不到現在。但我說實在的，我真的很難去寬恕那些傷害我的人。」
「那你曾經去報復過嗎？」
「我很想。但我不敢。而且，我偶爾也會懷疑：到底真相是如何？是我做錯了，才導致先生打我？我到底怎麼了？」
「所以，我聽起來，妳面對的問題有幾個：妳目前處於很不確定的狀態。事實真相、孰是孰非妳沒有辦法確定。其次，妳很想報復，但妳又不希望這麼做；但如果要放任妳這樣下去，妳又無法忍受。所以聽起來，妳很想說：妳先生聯合全家來欺負妳，但妳不甘心，妳想報復，但又覺得不妥，別人要妳寬恕，妳也做不到？」
婦人點點頭。「他們都說我瘋了。我也很擔心：自己是不是瘋了？」
「我只是個醫師，不是上帝，所以我沒有能力幫你做判斷。至於診斷，我不認為那很重要。」我說。「我只告訴你該怎麼做。首先，先問妳幾個問題--妳鄰居對這件事情的看法怎樣？」
婦人想了想，搖搖頭。「我沒問過他們。」
「妳有什麼生活嗜好或娛樂消遣嗎？」婦人搖搖頭。
「倘若妳被趕出家門，妳能自己活的下去嗎？」婦人搖搖著。
「妳仔細想一想，關心妳的人多？還是傷害妳的人多？」
婦人想了很久。「其實關心我的人比較多。」
「好，那妳花多少心思在那些關心妳的人身上？」婦人愣住了。
「這就是問題核心。」我說。「妳被先生傷害，也被婆家傷害，妳一心尋求所謂的正義，但妳又沒有辦法證明自己是對的。所以妳什麼事情都不能做，這就是妳既焦慮又憂鬱的主因。而傷害妳的人少，關心妳的人多，妳卻老是花時間討好那些傷害妳的人，卻將愛妳的人棄之不顧。這豈不是很荒謬嗎？」
「所以，最愛妳的人是誰呢？是妳自己。圍繞在妳旁邊的、關心妳的人是誰呢？是那些朋友。妳得在心中提升他們的地位。妳應該多為自己、也多為朋友們著想。傷害妳的人是誰呢？聽起來是妳的先生、婆婆。妳得在心中把他們降級。妳無須去追問：他們為什麼要這樣做？也無需去討論：他們到底好不好？這些真相與評價，留給上帝去做判斷，不是身為凡人的妳應該去做的。妳要做的，只是減低他們在妳心中的比重。先生想打妳，妳就去申請保護令，不然就跑給他追。婆婆喜歡指責妳，妳就不要讓她有開口的機會。他們一罵妳，妳就藉故離去，要不然，就乾脆跟他們各說各話。該妳做的事情妳就做，不該妳做的事情就讓它放到爛也沒關係。」
「不能不做的，不然我會被罵死的。」
「妳又來了。妳又在關心那些傷害妳的人了。」我說。「而且，說實在的，妳即使配合他們，他們就會對妳有好評價嗎？」
「我明白了。」婦人默認了，但是想了一想，又開始猶豫。「這樣子不是違背了寬恕的真意嗎？我不是該去愛我的敵人嗎？」
我微微笑。「容我賣個關子，幾個月後妳就會知道。」
一個月過後，婦人來返診。臉上開始有笑容了。我因為時間不夠，就沒有多說什麼。幾個月過後，婦人整個人都變了樣子：她衣著亮麗多了，講話大聲多了，走起路來也有元氣，乍看之下，很難想像這就是幾個月前那個即將瀕臨自殺的憂鬱症婦人。
「這幾個月來怎樣？」
「奇蹟。」婦人神采飛揚地說。「我只能說是奇蹟。我照著您的說法去做。我才赫然發現：我身旁有這麼多人默默在關心我！我的鄰居、教會的姊妹，甚至我的小姑們也是。我以前都沒注意過他們，而且也根本不在意他們。我真的都專注於我的先生。偏偏他傷害我最大！」
我微笑不語。
「我乾脆就不去理他。我沒去請保護令--我還是比較傳統，不好意思將家醜外揚。但是，他現在一喝醉，我就躲開。他連想打我也沒機會。結果他竟然去打我婆婆，我婆婆氣壞了，開始罵他。我現在除了必要的工作，我其他事情都不管了。我把自己的時間放在教會、街坊鄰居上面。而且，我還報名了才藝班。我要多學些東西。最令人高興的是，這些日子我的心情越來越好，我的小孩也彷彿感染了我的情緒似的，越來越開朗。」
「妳明白什麼是寬恕的真意了嗎？」
「我不懂。」一絲陰霾浮現婦人臉上。「我有時候還會擔心。我是不是太自私了。」
「是該告訴妳答案的時候了。」我說。「妳覺得妳先生為什麼會打妳？」
「我發現他很缺乏自信，小時候被父母保護的太過了，他又不懂得怎麼表達自己。當他發現自己做不到自己想要的東西時，他就會直接將憤怒發洩出來。而我很倒楣，就成為他的受氣包。」
「所以過去妳的挨打，就是在幫助他繼續惡化，讓他永遠沒機會學習。」
「以後不會了。」婦人尷尬地笑一笑。「說實在的。我覺得他蠻可憐的。我有點想幫他。但又不知道該怎麼做？」
「妳需要的是知識、方法、跟資源。這些妳可以在一些書籍、助人工作中學習到，妳也可以回到校園--有何不可？」我闔上病歷。「還有其他問題嗎？」
「我還是不知道寬恕的真意。」
「妳已經替我回答過了。」我淡淡地說。
後記：
很多受苦的人都誤把「縱容」當成「寬恕」。事實上，縱容是懦弱的表現，而寬恕卻是勇氣的實現。一個人如果學不會愛自己、以及愛所有愛他的人，那他就不會有足夠的力量去抗拒懦弱--他會將所有的資源拿去討好那些傷害他的人，對方將成為「壞人」，而他自己就會成為「受害者」，到最後就是合演一齣悲劇，雙雙一起墮落。
絕大多數人一想到寬恕，就想到自我犧牲，但事實上，寬恕背後是有個強大力量的。上帝的愛散在於天地間，你必須透過愛才能領略到那個力量，當你被那強大而良善的力量所包圍時，寬恕就會成為再自然不過的結果。
所以，如何才能愛你的敵人呢？最快的方式就是先去愛所有愛你的人，同時不要對敵人進行任何評價，也不要配合敵人、或讓敵人有任何繼續傷害妳的機會，更不要浪費唇舌在辯論孰是孰非上。倘若你能做到這點，力量就會開始累積，當你成為強者的那一天，你將會發現：寬恕竟然是如此的容易。

潔白的木槿花

2009-10-23T22:50:00.001-07:00

一到夏天，院子裡的木槿就開花。母親一見潔白的木槿花，就會眼含淚水，哆嗦著說：「我那時好糊塗，好糊塗啊。」
我５歲那年，右腿忽然青腫了一塊，痛得我成天哭喊。母親見我熬不過，就背著我去廖醫生家。廖醫生是個老中醫，退休後在家裡開了個小診所。他醫術好，心也善良。
廖醫生看了我的腿，責怪我母親：「再晚來兩天，右腿就廢了。這是骨髓炎，嚴重了就得截肢 !」母親不敢出聲，眼眶卻紅了。
其實不能怪母親，父親去世後，母親終日為3 餐發愁．哪有閒錢給我治腿？母親擔心地問能否治好，得到廖醫生的肯定回答後，臉色晴朗了許多，可片刻後，又一臉的陰雲。廖醫生給我敷了草藥，又交給母親兩帖中藥，說兩天後再來換藥。
母親顫聲問要付多少錢，廖醫生說５塊錢，母親的臉紅了，母親借不到錢，但我的腿不能不治。母親只好揣著八個雞蛋去廖醫生家。那時雞蛋很便宜，幾分錢一個。廖醫生不肯收，母親鼻子一酸，眼淚就掉下來了。廖醫生的眼睛也濕了，安慰母親：「好，我收下。錢的事，不要說起。」看了幾次腿，母親已欠廖醫生２８塊錢了，這在當時不是一個小數目。再去廖醫生家，母親帶上了家裡惟一的母雞。廖醫生死活不肯收，母親哽咽著再三哀求。廖醫生拗不過，說：「好，就算我買你的，１０塊錢，好嗎？」說著，硬塞給母親十塊錢。那時一隻雞最多賣4、5塊錢。母親說啥也不肯接錢。回到家裡，母親發現中藥紙包裡有１０塊錢，當晚就去了廖醫生家，把錢從門縫裡塞進去了。兩天後，又該去換藥，可母親不敢去，只默默地流淚。
不料廖醫生找上門來了。
談話間，廖醫生驚喜地發現了院子裡的木槿花，說：「木槿花是上好的中藥，一兩值２塊錢呢！摘了賣給我，好嗎？」母親驚喜萬分，連忙摘木槿花。廖醫生拿秤一稱，竟有１斤。
他說：「這下好了，你再也不用欠我錢了。」此後，去廖醫生家治腿，母親就帶點木槿花去。
母親不用欠廖醫生錢，廖醫生反而每次給母親一點錢。不久，我的腿治好了。第２年，廖醫生竟去世了。母親十分傷心，去廖醫生家弔唁。母親從他家屬口裡知道了一個天大的秘密：
木槿花是不能做中藥的。
母親哇的一聲嚎哭起來：「我的恩人呀……」
好朋友們，要把握機會幫助人；但，要記得：也要讓受助者有尊嚴。
聖經的話『上主能將各樣的恩惠多多地加給你們，使你們凡事常常充足，能多行各樣善事。』(格後書九8)

Peace of Mind

2009-10-23T22:42:00.000-07:00

If you were to ask your neighbor, "What would give you peace of mind?" he might tell you, "A vacation in Bermuda!" or "An extra hundred grand would give me peace!", or "A new Ferrari would make me content!"
But going places ?and getting stuff ?is usually a temporary solution ...
Let's say you buy a lottery ticket and by some miracle you win your dreamFerrari. Today you are content.
Tomorrow you are saying, "If I could just catch that little punk who scratched it in the car park!"
Peace of mind rarely comes from getting more stuff. Getting more stuff usually leads to wanting even more stuff!
Peace of mind starts with being grateful for what you have right now.
GRATITUDE is POWER, and here's why ...
When you are thankful for what you have - for the friends you have, and for the things you've got, you attract more good people and good things.
People who always complain about what they DON'T HAVE, stay stuck. Complainers attract more things to complain about!
It is a law of life. It's hard to explain, but you can observe it around you. We get more of what we dwell upon.
That's why all the spiritual masters have taught the same lesson ... "Start by being thankful. Be happy with what you have now, and more will come your way."
It's practical advice. IN A NUTSHELL Every time you say a silent "thankyou" you become more peaceful ?and more powerful.

瀰天大罪，一懺便消；蓋世功德，一驕便無

2009-10-23T22:41:00.001-07:00

浙江奉化雪竇寺的開山祖師--妙高禪師，在妙高台上用功修行，晝夜不息，但因體力有限，時常打瞌睡。
他為了警惕自己別再瞌睡，就移到臨山崖的一邊結跏趺坐，下面是十丈的懸崖山澗，如果打瞌睡，一頭栽下去，絕對沒命。
有一天妙高禪師忍不住又打瞌睡，真的就這樣摔下去，他以為這一次一定沒命了，沒想到到半山腰時，忽然覺得有人托著他的身體往上回到崖上，他很驚訝的問：「是誰救我？」空中回答：「護法韋馱！」妙高禪師心想：還不錯，我在這裡修行，居然還有人為我護法！於是趾高氣揚的問：「像我這樣精進修行的人，世間還有幾人？」空中答道：「像你這樣修行的人，有恆河沙數之多。從現在起，因你有這一念傲慢之心，我二十世不再護你的法！」
妙高禪師聽了，察覺自己貢高的心尚未根除，頓時慚愧萬分，痛哭流涕，左思右想，倒是想開了：「唉！不管他護不護法，我還是在這裡修行我的，修不成，一頭栽下去，死了也就算了。」就這樣，他依然坐在妙高台上修行。坐不久，又打瞌睡，又一頭栽下去，他認為這次真的沒命了，可是快落地的時候，竟又有人雙手托著他送上台來。妙高禪師又問：「是誰救我？」空中回答：「護法韋馱！」「你不是說二十世不來護我的法？怎麼又來？」韋馱菩薩說：「法師，因為你一念慚愧心起，已除去二十世的傲慢心。」
人生稍有成就，能不傲慢者有幾人？在傲慢中迷失自我，能思慚愧心者又有幾人？我們的人生不在妙高台上，而在我們自已的心上，我們時時刻刻都坐在妙高台上打瞌睡，只是尚未墜崖，不自知罷了！
從這個故事中我們瞭解，改過不怕慢、不怕難，最忌自我原諒，這是自欺欺人的行為，永遠也沒機會改，所以，「改過」要立志、要下決心，如此才能有效根除惡習與過錯。

在角落休息的魚

2009-10-23T22:40:00.001-07:00

有個朋友去京都的時候，偶然進了一家店，他說因為坐在隔壁桌的人講的話實在太有趣了，所以就不知不覺聽了起來。他們談的是養殖小鰤魚的事。
鰤魚是養在架在海裡的四方形網裡，小鰤魚會在網裡繞圈圈的游來游去，養殖的人讓魚充分的環游，並不斷餵食，讓魚長大。
可是有一天，那位坐在隔壁桌的人，也就是從事養殖小鰤魚業的老先生一看網裡，卻發現網的四個角落竟然有偷懶不游的小鰤魚，這些魚要是不游就不會長大。所以，他就想了個辦法，既然四方形網的角落會讓魚躲在那裡偷懶，乾脆架成圓形的網算了。
他的構想的確很有效果，小鰤魚果然找不到休息的地方，只能在圓形的網裡環游，可是問題卻發生了，架起圓形網的數個月後，小鰤魚全都死光了，因為太累而累死了。
結果，他再一次架起四方形的網，然後往養魚網裡面看，他這次發現偷懶不游的並非特定的魚群，而是互相輪流，原來魚兒們都是適度的休息後再游的。
"休息是必要的"
認為人的價值是以做事來證明，或是被人認可才能證明的人，或許很難休息，但有時候什麼也不管就休息，說不定反而會發現什麼也不做的自己，其實也是很有價值。
休息是為了走更長遠的路。別給自己太大的壓力，要懂得舒解自己的壓力，別太累了！記住下面這句話：
「人在天堂，錢在銀行」
辛勤奮鬥一輩子，啥也帶不走...便宜了誰？

「無條件關懷」是關鍵

2009-10-23T22:36:00.001-07:00

我曾經聽一位佛教出家法師，講了這麼一個寓言故事：
有一位四、五歲的小朋友，他奶奶是非常虔誠的佛教徒，每天早晚誦經、禮佛，經常持頌「觀世音菩薩」佛號。
這位小朋友每天聽奶奶把「觀世音菩薩」掛在嘴上，心裡很是好奇，有一天，他就問奶奶：「奶奶，『觀世音菩薩』是什麼樣的人啊？」
奶奶心想，小孫子才四、五歲，講太深、太複雜，恐怕小孫子聽不懂，所以，想了想後，就這麼告訴他：「『觀世音菩薩』是一位很仁慈的人，和祂在一起，我們都會感到很快樂。」
奶奶的這段話深深烙入小孫子的小小心靈，從此，他就非常期望能夠遇到「觀世音菩薩」，希望能夠和「觀世音菩薩」在一起。不過，他的願望一直都未能實現。
有一天，他終於下定決心，要出門去找「觀世音菩薩」，於是，他拿出他的小背包，把自己喜愛的糖果、餅乾、飲料，裝滿了小背包，然後，背起小背包，一個人出門找「觀世音菩薩」去了。
他一路走到附近的公園，看到樹下有一張椅子，就坐了下來，放下小背包，掏出糖果、餅乾，一個人就一面踢著小腳，一面四下張望，一面吃著餅乾，口裡還哼著兒歌。
這時，有一位衣衫襤褸、彎腰駝背的拾荒老婦人，緩緩經過小朋友身邊，她這一天都還沒進食，看到小朋友的食物，肚子不禁咕咕叫，於是，她就很小心地問這位小孩：「小朋友，你能分一點餅乾給我嗎？我肚子餓了。」
小朋友很熱情地拿出餅乾給老婦人，還讓出一個位子，邀請老婦人坐下來，兩個人就這樣一起吃餅乾、糖果，一起喝飲料，老少倆越談越投緣，聊得相非常高興。
小朋友回家後，很高興地告訴奶奶：「奶奶，奶奶，我遇到『觀世音菩薩』了，今天我和她在公園裡一起吃餅乾、吃糖果、喝飲料，真的好快樂哦。」
拾荒老婦人回去之後，她也告訴家人：「我今天遇到一位很可愛的小朋友，他的愛心，真像『觀世音菩薩』一樣慈悲啊。」
故事結尾時，這位法師這麼說：「很多念佛的人，都期望見到『觀世音菩薩』，但是，他們一直以為，『觀世音菩薩』要顯現得像圖畫裡所繪、像佛像所塑那樣，是一個人的形象，手裡還要拿著淨瓶，瓶裡還要插幾株楊柳枝，這才算見到『觀世音菩薩』。卻不知，只要我們心中有『慈悲』、有『愛』，我們就已見到『觀世音菩薩』。這位小朋友和這位老婦人，就是真正見到『觀世音菩薩』。」
從「心靈疆界」角度來看，法師的這個說法真是絕妙。
根據經驗，進入「自性」以上層次的人，或許他們會「見」到某種影像，或許他們會「聽」到某些聲音，或許他們會「聞」到什麼香味，或許他們有某種「感受」，但是，這些都不是重點，真正的關鍵是，他們都由內心深處流露出對人、對世界的一種「無條件關懷」，它就像法師所說的「愛」、「慈悲」，也像基督教所說的「博愛」。

"擔心" 與 "祝福"

2009-10-23T22:34:00.001-07:00

一位做電視企畫與採訪的朋友告訴我，常常需要加班，日夜顛倒。
因與家人同住，所以他媽媽常會擔心，常唸他：要記得吃飯，別太晚睡，開車要小心等等，這樣的嘮叨每天反覆好幾次，朋友已見怪不怪，習以為常。
只是有時朋友也會覺得不耐煩，一見到母親就想逃，免得聽她囉嗦半天。
有一次朋友赴花蓮採訪證嚴法師，聽到證嚴法師說一句話，他覺得很有道理。她說：「如果一個父母常常擔心他的孩子，他的孩子會沒有福氣；因為福氣都被父母給擔心掉了。」
師父又說：「如果父母希望他的孩子有福氣，就要多多祝福他的孩子，而不是擔心她的孩子。」
朋友聽到這樣的話十分興奮，一回到家馬上轉述證嚴法師的話給他媽媽聽。朋友說，從此以後，他母親就很少再對他嘮叨了，他看到母親也不會再躲，反而在下班之餘，會找母親聊聊天，他覺得現在他跟母親像朋友一般自在。
媽媽常常是一家的靈魂人物，她掌握了一個家的家庭氣氛，我相信：如果沒一個快樂的媽媽，就很難有一個快樂的家庭。
然而，大多數的媽媽都過份地擔憂子女：課業，工作，婚姻，健康---幾乎無所不擔心，你想這樣的媽媽會快樂嗎？
用超心理學的潛意識說法，就是所謂的「心想事成」這句話。
一件事情如果你用很大的「念力」去相信它，它就會如你所相信的去「實現」你相信的。
一個媽媽如果相信：她的孩子有能力去面對他自己的生活困境與難題，那麼這個相信就是一個「祝福」，而她的孩也會因著這樣的祝福而蒙福的。
相反的，如果一個母親老是「覺得」她的孩子不懂事，不會照顧自己，一定會吃虧上當的，那麼這個「擔心」很可能就成了「詛咒」，以後你的孩子果然就會如你之前所擔心的那樣，老是出狀況令你擔心。
你的願有多大，實踐的力量就有多大。
從今天起，我們當要當心去檢查自己的每個「念頭」，你對孩子：是擔心多？還是祝福多呢？真的，愛你的孩子，與其擔心，不如祝福吧！
其實對於我們所關心的人，不管是家人、朋友、情人、恩人、師長、同學、同事等，也都要給予全部的祝福來取代擔心的心情，這樣，不用因擔心掛念而讓自己睡不著!

Silence is not only Gold, but Wisdom

2009-10-23T22:22:00.000-07:00

懂得什麼時候不要說話，是一種智慧。
每個戀人和每個家庭都會遇到的經濟上的危機。
如果你的家人精明一世、糊塗一時，運氣不好被倒會，或為朋友作保受牽連，你當然也會跟著不開心，但懂的相處之道的人，自然得避免在這時製造雙方的裂痕，不該有話直說的埋怨道：「我早就知道，你這麼貪財一定會遭到報應！」或「我早就告訴你那個人不可靠了,你偏要相信他，這下好了吧，知道我的話是對的了吧？」這些話比直截了當罵「你這個白癡！」更難聽。
這時候沉默是最好的支持，其實犯錯者本身必然從失敗中的到教訓，不必再送給他一頓鞭子。
對方在度過難關以後，會終身感激你的支持。甚至，你什麼都沒做，他也會對你感激涕零的。
懂得什麼時候不要說話，是一種智慧。當朋友也是一樣。在別人哀慟欲絕的時候，你還要追根究底，就像人家的傷疤好不容易在結痂，你還來撥人家的痂。最好的安慰是無言的微笑，和傾聽。
有智慧的父母也是孩子福份。在英國遊學的時候，住宿家庭隔壁就住了一對很有智慧的夫妻。他們剛好度過七年之癢。有一次我在院子看書，目睹隔壁院子發生的事情。布朗先生正在教他五歲的兒子安迪使用剪草機，父子兩剪得正高興時，父親進門去接電話。接著我看到一幕慘劇；五歲的安迪把剪草機推向父親最愛的鬱金香花園，不一會，已經有兩公尺長的花圃糟殃。布朗先生出來，鐵青著一張臉。眼看他的拳頭已經高高的舉起......
忽然，布朗太太出來了，她看見滿目狼藉的花圃，馬上知明白發生了什麼事。她小聲、溫柔地對先生笑道：「喂，我們現在人生最大的幸福是養孩子，不是在養鬱金香。」三秒鐘後，他們交換一個吻，一切歸於平靜。
我把這個故事告訴好友，她是個家庭主婦。後來她告訴我，很感激我跟她說這個故事。「以前孩子打破東西，我少不了罵他兩聲，現在我會告訴自己，對我重要的是孩子，不是碗。哪個小孩在成長過程不會打破東西呢？」
情緒智商高的人懂得分輕重。如果你真的珍視感情的價值，就該懂得在他倒霉的時候施小惠。
也許我們都沒有聰明到「一句解千愁」的地步。但傾聽卻是人人做得到的施恩行為。傾聽，常比替他義憤填膺或替他擔起一切聰明一百倍。

God is a Comedian

2009-09-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

Why God Loves Blondes:

A blonde finds herself in serious trouble. Her business has gone bust and she's in dire financial straits. She's so desperate that she decides to ask God for help.
She begins to pray... "God, please help me. I've lost my business and if I don't get some money, I'm going to lose my house as well. Please let me win the lottery."
Lottery night comes, and somebody else wins.
She again prays... "God, please let me win the lottery! I've lost my business, my house and I'm going to lose my car as well."
Lottery night comes and she still has no luck.
Once again, she prays... "My God, why have you forsaken me? I've lost my business, my house, and my car. My children are starving. I don't often ask You for help, and I've always been a good servant to You. PLEASE let me win the lottery just this one time so I can get my life back in order."
Suddenly there is a blinding flash of light as the heavens open. The blonde is overwhelmed by the Voice of God, Himself....
"Sweetheart, work with Me on this.... Buy a ticket."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Balance

God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael, the Archangel, found Him resting on the seventh day.
He inquired, "Where have You been?" God smiled deeply and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made."
Archangel Michael looked puzzled, and said, "What is it?" "It's a planet," replied God,” and I've put life on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a place to test Balance." "Balance?" inquired Michael, "I'm still confused." God explained, pointing to different parts of earth. "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor. Over here I've placed a continent of white people, and over there is a continent of black people. Balance in all things." God continued pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice." The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a land area and said, "What's that one?" "That’s Washington State , the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful mountains, rivers and streams, lakes, forests, hills, and plains. The people from Washington State are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent, and humorous, and they are going to travel the world. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking, high achieving, carriers of peace, and producers of aircraft and software." Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then asked, "But what about balance, God? You said there would be balance." God smiled, "There’s another Washington . Wait till you see the idiots I put there!

A Brilliant Conversation

2009-09-04T00:55:00.000-07:00

An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his Class on the problem Science has with GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his new Christian students to stand and...

Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, you believe in GOD?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD good?
Student : Sure.
Professor : Is GOD ALL - POWERFUL?
Student : Yes.
Professor : My Brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent)
Professor : You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella.

Is GOD Good?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Is Satan good?
Student : No.
Professor : Where does Satan come from?
Student : From...GOD...
Professor : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this World?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And GOD did make everything.
Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor : So who created evil?

(Student did not answer)
Professor : Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness?All these terrible things exist in the World, don't they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, who created them?

(Student had no answer)
Professor : Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe The World around you. Tell me, son...have you ever feen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Have you ever Felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor : Yet you still believe in HIM?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor : Yes, Faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student : Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?
Professor : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as Cold?
Professor : Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn't...

(The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events)
Student : Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat, a Little Heat or No Heat.
But we don't have anything called Cold. We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero.
Which is No Heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as Cold.
Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat.
We cannot Measure Cold.
Heat is Energy.
Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.

(There was pin-drop dilence in the Lecture Theatre)
Student : What about Darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as Darkness?
Professor : Yes. What is Night if there isn't Darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the Absence of Something.
You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light, Flashing Light...
But if you have No Light constantly, you have nothing and its Called Darkness, isn't it? In reality, Darkness isn't. If it is, You would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn't you?

Professor : So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student : Sir, my point is, your Philosophical Premise is flawed.
Professor : Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality. You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure.

Sir, Science can't even explain a Thought. It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.
To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing.

Death is Not the Opposite of Life: just the Absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Students that they evolved from a Monkey?

Professor : If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going)

Student : Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and Cannot even prove that this Process is an On-Going Endeavor, Are you not teaching your Opinion, sir? Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?

(The Class was in uproar)
Student : Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?

(The Class broke out into laughter)
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it?...

No one appears to have done so.
So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have No Brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The Room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable)
Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student : That is it sir...Exactly!
The Link between Man & GOD is FAITH.
That is all that Keeps Things Alive and Moving.

NB:
I believe you have enjoyed the Conversation...and if so...
You'll probably want your friends/colleagues to enjoy the same... won't you?
Forward them to Increase their Knowledge...or FAITH.
That student was ALBERT EINSTEIN.

窮人的遺囑

2009-08-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

窮人的遺囑文/李家同

我做律師已經三十年了，當然常要處理遺產的事，通常需要律師處理遺產的人，多半是有錢的人，可是我曾經處理一個案件，寫遺囑的人卻是一個沒有多少遺產的神父。
這是二十年前的事，一位在南投縣鄉下的年輕神父寫信給我，他說，他們那裡的老神父病重，需要一位律師去見證他的遺囑－我信天主教，他們請我去，當然希望我能免費服務。
身為天主教徒，我覺得這件事義不容辭，立刻就去了。老神父雖然病重，卻不願住院，住在教堂裡。我去的時候，他很清醒，但非常虛弱，已經不能說話，遺囑大概是他口述以後，別人寫的。
這一份遺囑的主要內容都是對那位新的年輕神父寫的，老神父在遺囑中叮囑新神父好多事情，比方說，有一位教友最近失業了，情緒很不穩定，老神父請新神父一定要去幫助他找一份工作；某某人酗酒，老神父叮囑新神父幫助他戒酒；某某國中學生不想念書，成天混，老神父希望新神父好好地管教這個小孩子；某某年輕人在台中打工，有參加幫派的可能，老神父請新神父務必要使這位年輕人不至誤入歧途。
我記得大概有七個案例，老神父一再叮囑新神父一定要認真照顧他們。遺囑的最後一句話「我的財產全部遺給張神父」，張神父就是那位新來的年輕神父。
我將遺囑唸了一遍，問老神父是不是的確寫了這份遺囑，老神父點了點頭，他已經無法簽字了，我們拉著他手指畫了押，如此就完成了手續。
幾天以後，張神父告訴我，老神父過世了，我告訴他遺囑已經開始生效。我當時好奇，問他究竟老神父有多少財產。新神父告訴我說，他們發現他遺有現款二百元新台幣，還有一些舊衣物和書，即使在二十年前，二百元實在不算什麼，老神父顯然是個不折不扣的窮人，新神父從老神父那裡好像沒有得到任何遺產。
我每年都會收到張神父的一份報告書，說明他如何處理那七個案子，看來他處理得不錯，也都有好結果。四年以後，我告訴他，他已經照神父的遺囑做了，以後不需要再送報告過來了，這個案子就此結束。
二十年過去了，我的秘書在整理檔案時發現了這個案件，也勾起了我再度去南投鄉下的想法，我設法聯絡上那位當時年輕的張神父，他仍在那裡，我說我想去看他，他十分地表示歡迎。
十年前，我就覺得鄉下這裡好舒服，空氣新鮮，風景好，又沒有交通擁擠，現在這種好感更加強烈了，當時的年輕神父現在已經步入中年，他一方面招呼我坐下，一方面仍在應付許多事情，我感覺到這個小村落的每個人都是他要照顧的，他和我談話不到幾分鐘，就會有人來找他。
我們談了一陣子，我決定問張神父一個問題，以解我的心頭疑問。我問他那位老神父明明知道他只有二百元新台幣，為什麼要在遺囑中說他要將財產遺給他？
張神父說他當時也不懂，他以為老神父老來糊塗了。可是幾年以後，他終於懂了。他說他當時才從美國念完碩士回國，他畢業於美國的明星大學，碩士學位是生物化學，總以為自己會被派到大學去輔導大學生，沒有想到被派到山間的鄉下，他說這裡的教友根本對他的學問毫無興趣，他因此有些不安，也有點失望。
可是他規規矩矩地照老神父的遺囑做了，一旦開始，他就全心投入了關懷村民的工作，他發現有好多人需要他的幫助，他也就成天幫助他們。有一天，他忽然發現，他擁有一個特別的東西，就是心靈上的平安，而他知道，如果他沒有愛人，他是不會有這種平安的。
老神父當年叮囑他愛人，然後說將財產遺給他，老神父的財產就是心靈上的平安，心靈上的平安不是白白地能得到的，只有真心愛人的人，才能擁有它，老神父的意思是：「年輕神父，你如能真正的愛人，就能得到心靈上的平安。」
神父告訴我，他仍和他的老同學、老朋友有聯絡。他們也都常常來看他，和他們比起來，他的確看上去一無所有，但是他所感到的平安，卻不是他那些同學所能享受的。
我們天主教徒，個個想得平安，但真正心中有平安的人是很少的，為什麼？無非是因為我們沒有抓到秘訣，我們應該知道，平安絕非白白地能夠得到的，沒有愛人是不能享受這份珍貴寶物的。
我開車回台北的時候，決定要將那份遺囑好好地保存起來，因為它所牽涉到的是一份無比巨大的財產，最重要的是：寫遺囑的人過世的時候，一無所有，是個道道地地的窮人。
所謂宗教，應該是這樣放開心胸與人為善的，而不光只是念經頌佛或禮拜禱告這些形式上的東西而已……。

Homework from the Bishop

2009-07-29T23:44:00.000-07:00

San Francisco Bishop Ignatius Wang will be one of the guest speakers at a Chinese Catholic Conference in Australia in October.

He wrote a letter to the Chinese Catholic Community, posting some questions regarding evangelization in the US/ Canada among chinese communities. As his daily duties are more on management than pastoral, he wants to know more about how Chinese Catholic communities operate from day to day.

Each Bible Study / Faith Sharing group has already had discussions nights. For the music ministry, since most of the members are already belongs to the Bible Study groups, we will not have any meeting. One of the questions is about the Liturgy. So I thought I would use this space to work on my answers. :) (the letter from Bishop is in chinese, & of course, my brain doesn't do well in translations. so the questions I wrote down might seems a litle funny.

Anyway... first, here are the questions, then my scribles...

1. What is the most difficult challenge we have in evangelizing to the Chinese in US/ Canada?

2. When serving the Lord, in theory & practice. Is the Chinese Catholics Understand that the message of the Gospel and the Chinese traditions are connected?

3. The Chinese cultures and dialects are so diverse. How does this affect the Liturgy and activities? For example, in a very general outlook, just for people from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, there are already Mandarin, Cantonese, & Taiwanese-Mandarin. How do you bring together all these differences? How do you break the dialectic & cultural barrier between them, & harmoniously serve God?

4. Because of the politicl climate changes, the source of Chinese immagrates changed as well. In fact, many Chinese have returned to their countries of origin. How do you deal with the lost of congregation?

5. What are the pre-requisites for Evangelization? How to be successful?

6. Regarding the priests, especially those minister to the Chinese communities. Do they have to be Chinese? What qualities should they have to promote Evangelization?

7. How is the relationship between the Chinese parishioners & those of other ethnic groups? (or with the maority of parishioners?)

8. Many Chinese Catholic Communities have to "borrow" the main English parish for Liturgy & Activities. Sometime there's not enough room or the time is not convinient. How have this affect the community?

9. For the First Generation American-born, the youngsters, since their first language is English. How do you attract & keep them in the community?

10. With all the challenges each community has in Evagelization outside of Chinese Countries. Do you think it is the misattribution of the differences between Catholicism & Chinese Traditions, Thinking and Culture. (Q.2) Or do you think it is the more practice aspect (space & time for activities/ language barriers/ availability of priests)? Which (the cultures & philosophy vs Practical) has more impact on Evangelization? What might be a solution?

----------------------------------------------------

As the music director for the Chinese Community & the member of the Parish Music Committee, there are few aspects of the Liturgy I can address.

Mandarin is the primary dialect used for the Liturgy. Since the majority of our congregation comes from Taiwan, follow by those from Hong Kong, China, and a few originated from South-East Asia countries (Vietnam, Malysia / Singapore). Most members from Hong Kong can understand & communicate in Mandarin without [or with minimum] problem. And since those from Taiwan and China do not understand Cantonese, Mandarin became the primary dialect for the Liturgy.

The availability of priests is also a determining factor for dialect use in Liturgy. Currently all the celebrants are Mandarin-Speakers, including Fr. Gaspar, an Indian priest, who entered seminary& was ordained in Taiwan. Because he is based in L.A. Fr. Gaspar is our primary celebrant (about 50%). We also have visiting priests from Berkeley, Chicago, & Washington, D.C. Many of them are graduate students in Theology.

Few years ago, we have Cantonese-speaking Priest from L.A. to preside Mass once a month, with someone translating the homily into Mandarin. Since most of Cantonese-speakers know mandarin pretty well. The practice was discontinued when priest became unavailable. We also had local English-speaking priests, with a translator helping with homily. It was under the parish pastor’s guidance & suggestion that we began the current practice with the visiting priests.

For the practical aspects of the Liturgy~

LECTORS: 1) The First Reading is always read in Cantonese; 2) Second Reading in Mandarin. 3) Prayers of the Faithful in Mandarin.

Since music is an integrate part of Liturgy, I believe the music ministry is important in providing both sense of diversity and unity within the community.

First, for the Mass Ordinary, we use settings that are familiar to members, regardless where they are originated from. For example, Mass settings by 劉榮耀，劉玉亭，李振邦神父等 are sung in Hong Kong & Taiwan, as well as in here in the US.

Second, we are building our resource for Responsorial Psalm. Instead of drawing from one composer (we know some other communities only use Responsorial Psalms by Jerry Chu, 朱健仁); we sing the Responsorial from Lectionary (English, and translate into Chinese if needed), Chinese Contemporaries, English Contemporary from the Hymnal, etc.

Third, we do not use any particular Hymnal. For the past seven years, we have been using a Hymn Binder for our community. This Binder has music selection of five (5) persons, of the music they know & have used often in the San Diego community & when they were in Taiwan / HK. In the formative years of the San Diego Chinese Catholic Community (est. 1995), the Hymn book 輕歌讚主榮, a worship song book used by university Catholic students in Taiwan. Many of the music are more suitable for Activities rather than Liturgies. We soon realized that, because of the diversity of our community, this Song Book, though familiar to those who came to U.S. in the 80s after college, no longer fulfills our needs.

As the music director, I am undertaking the task of revision/ re-organization of the Hymn Binder. I want to focus on hymns that are suitable for Liturgies; arranging them according to liturgical seasons & subjects; adding music notations, and revising text as needed (some hymns have traditional Chinese lyric, and might be difficult for congregation).

For the week-to-week operation to provide music for the Mass, here are some of the “work format”:
Many hymns are bi-lingual. They are the more universal hymns that everyone would recognize, whether they attend Chinese or English Mass. For example, traditional hymns such as Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (GROSSER GOTT), Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (LOBE DEN HERREN), as well as Chants (sung in Chinese) like Adoro Te Devote, Pagne Lingua, Ubi Caritas, etc. Such hymns can be found in《頌恩》 (Hymnal used in Hong Kong & mainly Cantonese-speaking Parishes), 《光啟聖歌選集》 (Hymnal from Taiwan) AND English Hymnal we have in the pew. This is convenient for the English-speakers (mostly non-Chinese parishioners, kids).

We also use Chinese-only hymns that many grew up with, like上主是我的牧者 by 江文也, or hymns by Fr. Lucien Deiss (戴思) like All the Earth Proclaim the Lord〔普天地頌揚天主, All You Nations〔爾眾萬邦〕; as well as English Hymns from the Hymnal when it is appropriate.

In additional, I try to have common musical element as the English Masses – it could be a hymn, or a meditation pieces. Hopefully this helps to create sense of unity within the parish community, as some of the Chinese members feel that SDCCC isn’t part of the St. Therese community, but that we “borrow” their church for Mass, because we don’t have our own church. Although few of these voices actually come from choir members, some of us are active within the Parish. Personally I sing with the St. Therese choir, which provides music for the 9am Sunday Mass and Feast days. I am also part of the Music Ministry Committee. For some others, because of personal limitations, participate in the seasonal Liturgy (Christmas, Easter, and Lessons & Carols) or Concerts.

Although our choir is small, our backgrounds reflect the unique, diversity of our congregation. One of our most active members is a first generation American-born youngster. Other members are from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, and a few non-Chinese as well. Our musical tastes range from Gregorian Chants to Classical to Traditional Hymnody to Contemporary Praise songs.

As pastoral musicians, our day-to-day focus is the Liturgy; yet because its ability to transcent linguistic and cultural barriers, music allow us to cultivate diversity and create sense of unity at the same time. And while it helps to strengthen our Liturgy and sense of community, we hope our works also inspire the members to reach out to others and invited them to be part of SDCCC.

How to Deal with Negative People

2009-06-14T23:05:00.000-07:00

A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband.. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded:
" Rome ? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty.. You're crazy to go to Rome . So, how are you getting there?"
"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"
"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser. " That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome ?"
"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome 's Tiber River called Teste."
"Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks its gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump."
"We're going to go to see the Vatican and maybe get to see the Pope."
"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. You and a million othe r people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant.
Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."
A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome .
"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Continental's brand new planes, but it was overbooked, and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot.
And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"
"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."
"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me.
Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."
"Oh, really! What'd he say ?" He said: "Who f***ed up your hair?"

Agape

2009-05-19T01:45:00.001-07:00

Agape - the greek word for love.

The Gospel this past Sunday was about Love. It is from John 15:9-17. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends"

The act of love, not only for the people we know & love, like family or friends; but also for those random acts of kindness toward strangers.

Deacon John, during his homily, gave a few examples. I can't repeat them word-by-word. But here are two I remembered~~

If you see an elderly couple in a store, walking slowly, taking their time in front of the shelf -- be patient. It would be the last time they are able to shop together.

If you got cut off by another driver on freeway during commute -- be patient. The other guy just finished 10 hours of work & trying to rush home to make dinner & spend a few extra minutes with his kids.

四個老婆

2009-03-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

從前有一個富商，他有四位妻子。他最愛他的第四位妻子，常給她穿最貴重的衣服、吃最美味的佳餚；他也非常愛第三位妻子，常以她為傲，喜歡帶她到朋友面前炫耀，但是富商其實十分擔心，經常怕她會跟其他男人私奔。對於第二位妻子，富商也很喜愛，她十分關懷體貼，事事都有耐性；事實上，她是富商的紅顏知己，富商遇到什麼麻煩事情，總會去找她商量、請教，而她也常常幫助他脫離險境與難關。說到富商的第一位妻子了，她對富商忠心耿耿，對維護他的財產、健康和照顧家庭方面有非常重大的貢獻，但是，富商並不珍惜這位妻子；儘管她深愛著他，富商卻無動於衷，並沒有特別去留意她、照顧她。
好景不常，有一天，富商病倒了，過了不久，病情愈來愈嚴重，他自知時日無多了，想到過去的奢華生活，不禁暗忖：「我現在雖有四位妻子，可是，我只能孤單地死去，真孤獨淒涼啊！不！我不想如此！」於是他問他的第四位妻子：「我最愛護妳，給妳最好的衣服、最好的照顧，現在我快要死了，妳願意跟我一起去嗎？」
第四位妻子回答他：「不行！」二話不說，頭也不回地立即離開了他。她的回答像尖刀一樣，狠狠刺進富商的心胸裡。悲哀的商人於是去問他的第三位妻子：「我一生那麼愛妳，現在我快要死了，妳願意跟我一起去嗎？」
第三位妻子回答他：「不行！這裡的生活那麼可愛，你死後我會馬上改嫁別人的。」
商人的心立即沉下，跟著變冷。他跟著問他的第二位妻子：「我經常找妳解困，妳總會幫到我的，現在我又要妳幫忙了，當我死時，妳願意跟我一起去嗎？」
第二位妻子回答他：「對不起，這次我幫不到您了！最多我只能送您去墳場而已！」她的回答像雷電般把富商徹底地擊倒了。
那時傳來一個聲音向他道：「不要害怕！我和您一起離開！無論您到那裡去，我都會跟著您。」商人向上一瞧，原來那是他的第一位妻子。她骨瘦如柴，看來極度營養不良。商人萬分悲痛地說：「唉！我早該在有能力時好好地照顧妳啊！」
事實上，我們每一個人一生中都有四位妻子。第四位妻子是我們的身體，無論我們花多少時間與精力去保養它，讓它看來很美、很帥、很棒，死後它必離我們而去。第三位妻子是名譽、地位與財產，一旦我們死去，它們就會落到別人的手裡。第二位妻子是我們的親屬和朋友，無論在生時他們與我們多麼親近、多麼的樂於相助，死後也只可陪我們到墳場為止而已。第一位妻子是我們看不到的東西，那就是我們的心靈。在我們追求（物質）財富與（感官）慾樂時，她最常被忽視。事實上，她是唯一經常跟著我們到任何地方的東西。現在是培育她、強化她的時候了，免得在病榻上垂死掙扎時才悲痛與哀傷。

輕囊行遠

2009-03-20T00:14:00.001-07:00

一個小和尚要出門雲遊，但日期一推再推，已經過了半年了，還遲遲不肯動身。
方丈把他叫去問：「你要出門雲遊，為什麼還不動身呢？」
小和尚憂愁地說：「我這次雲遊，一去萬里，不知要走幾萬里路，跨幾千條河，翻幾千座山，經多少場風雨，所以，我需要好好地準備準備啊。」
方丈聽了，沉吟了一會兒，點了點頭說：「是啊，這麼遠的路，是需要好好的準備準備。」又問小和尚說：「你的芒鞋備足了嗎？一去萬里，遠路迢迢，鞋不備足怎麼行呢？」
方丈吩咐寺裡的僧人，每人幫小和尚準備十雙芒鞋，一會兒就送到禪房裡來。不一會兒，寺裡的僧人就紛紛送鞋來了，每人十雙，上百的僧人，很快就送來了上千雙芒鞋，堆在那裡，像小山似的。
方丈又吩咐大家說：「你們這師弟遠去，一路要經不知多少場風雨，大家每人要替他準備一把傘來。」不一會兒，寺裡的僧人便送來了上百把傘，堆放在方丈和小和尚的面前。
看著那堆得像小山似的芒鞋，還有那堆得像小山似的一大堆雨傘，小和尚不解地說：「方丈，徒兒一人外出雲遊，這麼多的東西，別說是幾萬里路，就是寸步，徒兒我也移不動啊！」
方丈微微一笑說：「別急，準備得還不算足呢，你這一去，山萬里，水千條，走到那些河邊，沒船又如何能到彼岸呢？一會兒，老衲我就吩咐眾人，每人給你打造一條船來。」
小和尚一聽，慌忙跪下一迭聲地說：「方丈，徒弟知道您的用心了，徒兒明白了，現在徒兒就要上路了！」
方丈會心一笑說：「一個人上路遠遊，一鞋一缽就足矣，東西太多，就走不動了。人生一世，不也是一次雲遊嗎？心裡裝的東西太多，又如何能走得遠呢？輕囊方能致遠，淨心方能行久啊。」
小和尚一聽，心裡慚愧

放下．放空．放平．放心．放手

2009-03-20T00:04:00.000-07:00

放下．放空．放平．放心．放手

新來的小沙彌，對什麼都好奇。秋天，禪院裡紅葉飛舞，小沙彌跑去問師父：「紅葉這麼美，為什麼會掉呢？」
師父一笑：「因為冬天來了，樹撐不住那麼多葉子，只好捨。這不是『放棄』，是『放下』！」
冬天來了，小沙彌看見師兄們把院子裡的水缸扣過來，又跑去問師父：「好好的水，為什麼要倒掉呢？」
師父笑笑：「因為冬天冷，水結凍膨脹，會把缸撐破，所以要倒乾淨。這不是『真空』，是『放空』！」
大雪紛飛，厚厚的，一層又一層，積在幾棵盆栽的龍柏上，師父吩咐徒弟合力把盆搬倒，讓樹躺下來。小和尚又不解了，急著問：「龍柏好好的，為什麼弄倒？」
師父臉一整：「誰說好好的？你沒見雪把柏葉都壓塌了嗎？再壓就斷了。那不是『放倒』，是『放平』，為了保護它，教它躺平休息休息，等雪霽再扶起來。」
天寒，加上全球金融危機，香油收入少多了，連小沙彌都緊張，跑去問師父怎麼辦。
「少你吃？少你穿了嗎？」師父瞪一眼：「數數！櫃裡還掛了多少衣服？柴房裡還堆了多少柴？倉房裡還積了多少土豆？別想沒有的，想想還有的；苦日子總會過去，春天總會來。你要放心。『放心』不是『不用心』，是把心安頓。」
春天果然跟著來了，大概因為冬天的雪水特別多，春花爛漫，更勝往年，前殿的香火也漸漸恢復往日的盛況。師父要出遠門了，小沙彌追到山門：「師父您走了，我們怎麼辦？」
師父笑著揮揮手：「你們能放下、放空、放平、放心，我還有什麼不能放手的呢？」

Woman and a Fork

2009-02-13T15:37:00.000-08:00

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.

'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.

'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed They make you smile and encourage you to succeed Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share ... being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.

Digging out Old tricks

2009-02-13T01:11:00.000-08:00

No, I don't have a dog or anything. But I found myself digging out some of my old piano scores.

I have been relearning the Debussy Arabaque #1. What happened was, Viktor, our church organist, has a cell phone with that ring tone. So everytime his phone, there is the Debussy. It is seldom that I actually like something from 19th century (I really don't "get" Chopin, nothing personal) but this piece Me Like! :D

Couple weeks ago, the choir did Mozart Laudate Dominum (from Vesper, soprano solo + choir). So one evening, when director said, ok, let get the Mozart out & work on it next; Viktor started playing the various tunes of Mozart Piano Sonatas. :D

p.s. Viktor said the Boesendorfer is the perfect instrument to play Mozart. So if you guys can get your hands on one, try it. :)

Blogger ate my homework!

2009-02-13T00:53:00.000-08:00

I was about post a "Blah" Chinese New Year family gathering, then Blogger dicided to eat it instead. No love lost. Like I said, it was ... blah....

Anyway... if you can imagine, I am getting ready for Lent already. Right now I am finishing the music planning for Lent. One of my accompanists is back in rotation! Yah! She has been out of commission for almost a year, because of her own health, & her dad's. She's been traveling to Taiwan every 2 weeks to take care of her day (who passed away right before Christmas), while herself underwent treatment for Breast Cancer. I am glad she feels better to be back. :) So let's thank God for that.

Although there's a long weekend coming up, I have to work on the RCIA presentation on Liturgical Music. I did that once couple year ago, write an article, etc etc etc. I am really really dragging it... not because of the material, but the fact that I have to do this in Mandarin Chinese.... YIKES. I cannot think of anything intellectual in Chinese... so I write in English, then translate the notes in Chinese, and of course then I have to practice how to speak that... Complicated, I know. Kinda like an assignment for a foreign language class... sigh.... I wonder if the computer can eat my homework again? :p

Links, Links, Links

2009-02-08T00:55:00.000-08:00

Boring title, I know. But does anyone know that those pictures to the left are actually links? Anyway... just thought, fyi.

Will be going to LA for the Chinese New Year Family gathering. Leaving after morning Mass.

Happiness Bank

2009-01-29T00:29:00.000-08:00

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.

His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window. I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'

'That doesnʼt' t have anything to do with it,' he replied.

Happiness is something y ou decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.

'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories! Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank. I am still depositing.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

Why dogs don't have to live so long

2009-01-24T14:23:00.000-08:00

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old).
-------------------------------------------
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker.

The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for amiracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.' Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or play with it, pee on it andwalk away.

Organ

2009-01-16T23:46:00.000-08:00

Choir Loft/ Organ @ Mission Santa Barbara

Choir Loft/ Organ @ Mission San Luis Obispo

Fill in the Blank...

2009-01-16T22:47:00.000-08:00

Last week (is it ONLY last week?!) I attended the Winter Chant Intensive Workshop organized by Musica Sacra, Church Music Association of America. It's right here in San Diego, so don't really have excuse NOT to attend. :)

When they say intense, they meant it! The time is long (Monday afternoon to Friday afternoon), basically 9am in the morning, to 6pm; with Wednesday & Thursday evening until 8:30pm. Both evenings were for chironomy (conducting) of Chant.

The Workshop used the Solesmes Method, focused on the singing, technicalities, in creating Schola in parishes. We went through the basic -
= Names for the neumes ~ hopefully those names are going to stick around in my head finally!! I never could remembered them when I learnt that as undergrad/ grad/ from voice lessons/ Medieval Workshops...

= Modes ~ I must admit this part was boring... I kept hoping the instructor would talk about the characteristic of the different modes. But he only went through the ranges, finals, dominants.

I think the part I learnt the most, was first, Chironomy, the Conducting of Chant. It's quite interesting. The technique, the movements of the hands imitate those of the sea, like the waves.

THe other thing I learnt most, is HOW to communicate with others, so to 'teach' them how to sing Chant, in a systematic way. For those of you Berkeleyans, who had sung under Prof Kuzma's direction, the systematic Solesmes Method is quite the departure from the "Thomas Binkley" Methold. :D

Maybe I should say that the Binkley way of singing, is more performance oriented. A dramatized way of singing Chant. Like Sequentia vs the Nuns from Einbingen Benedictine Abbey. After the Workshop, I looked through the Chants I sung along with the Dufay Missa. And was amazed. At that time, I think we learnt by oral tradition, it worked on for that level of singing, for that type of ensemble. And working with singers in a parish, or amateur community groups, Solesmes Method would work better, I think.

So I guess that's why I feel that, although I have learnt lots of new things in the Workshop; it was also a big Ah-Ha! moment. Kind of like "Fill-in-the-black/ That's why we sang it like that!"

There were actually two other people from our church attending the Workshop. One of them is the music coordinator. & We are starting a little group to sing the Proper Communion Chant during the 9am Mass. I actually have been doing that for the Chinese Mass (because people have to go to Communion, & I don't need to); but just some common hymns like Adoro Te Devote, Pagne Lingua, Ubi Caritas, Salve Regina, etc.

The week ended with a beautiful, tradition Latin Mass! We sang all the Ordinary & Proper in Latin (The readings were recited in English though). Now I am just wondering... did we record the readings, the Alleluia, the Pater Nostram for the Dufay? None of those made it in the CD...

Twas the Month before Christmas

2008-12-15T17:23:00.000-08:00

*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*Why the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday!*

Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christ is 'The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!

Treasure all you possess

2008-12-07T21:21:00.000-08:00

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: 'I am blind, please help.' There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by.
He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat.
He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words.
He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up.
A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.
That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were.
The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, 'Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?'

The man said, 'I only wrote the truth.
I said what you said, but in a different way.'
What he had written was: 'Today is a beautiful day and I cannot see it.'
Do you think the first sign and the second sign were saying the same thing?

Of course both signs told people the boy was blind.
But the first sign simply said the boy was blind.
The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind.
Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

~~~~~
Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.

Invite others towards good with wisdom. Live life with no excuse and love with no regrets.
When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile.
Face your past without regret.
Handle your present with confidence.
Prepare for the future without fear.
Keep the faith and drop the fear.
Great men say, 'Life has to be an incessant process of repair and reconstruction, of discarding evil and developing goodness....
In the journey of life, if you want to travel without fear, you must have the ticket of a good conscience.'

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling...
And even more beautiful is knowing that you are the reason behind it.

Two Indian Dessert Recipes I want to try

2008-12-05T12:40:00.000-08:00

Friday after Thanksgiving, we went to an Indian Buffet Lunch with Fr. Gaspar. The Tandori & Masala are yummy, But the desserts! Here are two found on the internet. I think I will try them out!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gaajar Halwa (Carrot Pudding)

Ingredients:
1 kg (just over 2 pounds) of fresh grated carrots
2 tins (400 gms each) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup full-cream milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup ghee
200 gms khoya (thickened milk)
75 gms raisins/sultanas
75 gms almonds blanched and slivered
75 gms pistachios slivered

Preparation:
Mix the carrots, condensed milk, milk and sugar in a large pan and cook on a medium flame till all the milk thickens and reduces.
Add the khoya and ghee to the carrot-milk mix and fry till the carrots turn a to dark orange color.
Add the dried raisins, almonds and pistachios, mix well and turn off fire.
Allow the halwa to cool slightly and serve in bowls with a dollop of vanilla icecream each.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RICE PUDDING ~ Kheer (Payasam in the south, Payesh in the east)

Ingredients:
2 litres full-cream milk
1 can (400 gms) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp cardamom powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup Basmati rice
50 gms almonds blanched and slivered
50 gms raisins
A few strands of saffron
Rose petals to garnish (optional)
Preparation:
Wash the rice well and soak for half an hour in enough water to cover it fully.
Put the milk, condensed milk and sugar in a deep, thick-bottomed pan and boil. When the milk comes to a boil, add the rice and simmer. Cook till the milk thickens and reduces to half its original volume.
Add the almonds, raisins and cardamom and cook for 5 more minutes.
Turn off the fire and add the saffron. Stir well.
Allow the kheer to cool, then chill.
Serve cold garnished with rose petals.

The Sack Lunches

2008-11-05T01:07:00.000-08:00

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. "I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap," I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. "Where are you headed?" I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.

"Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq "

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. "No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago " His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. "Take a lunch to all those soldiers." She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. "My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him."

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, "Which do you like best - beef or chicken?"

"Chicken," I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. "This is your thanks."

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. "I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this." He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, "I want to shake your hand."
Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, "I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot." I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. "It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You."

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals.
It seemed so little...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his or her life wrote a blank check made payable to: "The United States of America " for an amount of "up to and including his or her own life.
"THAT IS HONOR, and as sad as it may seem, there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it!"

Sometimes just acknowledgement is enough to make a service person feel like what they are doing is totally worth it...and helps to pull them through the tough times!

If you know a vet or someone still currently serving and you truly appreciate the freedom we enjoy in our country...let them know how you feel and thank them for their selfless sacrifice. It has more impact than you can ever imagine!

Where is your key? 鑰匙在那裡

2008-11-04T23:57:00.001-08:00

No matter where we are, either environment, people, events, or things sometimes make our emotions fluctuate, But don't forget! Don't get upset too long by one sentence uttered by another person.

Where is your key?

A famous writer, Sydney Harries, and his friend went to buy newspapers from a newspaper stand, His friend politely said thanks to the seller, But the seller only responded with a cold face, not saying a word. 'This fellow has a very bad attitude, hasn't he?' Harries asked as they continued to walk forward.

'He is like this every evening', the friend replied. So why are you still so polite to him? Harries asked. 'Why should I allow him to determine my own behaviour?' replied his friend. 'A mature person will always hold on to his own Key of Happiness, he does not depend on others to make him happy, instead he is able to give happiness and blessings to others. Every man has a 'Key of Happiness' in his own heart, but has often unconsciously given that key to be under others' control.

A lady complained: 'I live very unhappily, because my husband often has to be out of town for his job', she has put her key of happiness to her husband's hands.

A Mom said: 'My disobedient child makes me very mad', she has put her key to her child's hands.

A man may say: 'My boss does not appreciate me, thus I feel so depressed', he has put his key of happiness to the hands of his boss.

The mother-in-law said: 'My daughter-in-law does not practice filial piety to me, I really have a bad life!'

The young man came out from a stationery shop, saying: 'That shop owner has a very bad attitude, I feel so mad'.

All these people have made th same decision, and that is to allow other people to control their own emotions.

When we allow others to control our emotions, we will feel we are the victim, and are helpless to face our own situations, complaints and anger would be our only choice. We begin to blame others, and convey the following message:

'All the pain that I am suffering is created by you, you should be responsible for all my pains.' At that time, we give a very heavy responsibility to those around us, and demand them to make us happy.

It seems we admit that we have no way to take control of ourselves, and thus pitifully can only allow others to control us. This person would make others run away from him, or to be afraid of him. But a mature person would hold on to his own Key of Happiness, he does not expect others to make him happy, on the contrary, he is able to give happiness and blessings to others, His emotions are stable, he is responsible for his own life, it is an enjoyment, a freedom from pressures, to be together with him. Where is your key? In others' hands? Make haste to get it back!

The opposite of love is not hate, but is indifference and no caring. Love changes everything. No matter whether life is sweet or bitter.

這篇文章希望你能體會到它的涵意。
其實我們身處的地方，不論是環境，人，事，物都很容易影響我們的情緒起伏，可是千萬別忘了！不要因為他人的一句話，而在意太久哦！

鑰匙在那裡

從箸名專欄作家哈理斯(Sydney Harries)和朋友在報攤上買報紙，那朋友禮貌地對報販說了聲謝謝，但報攤卻冷口冷臉，沒發一言。'這傢伙態度很差，是不是？'他們繼續前行時，哈理斯問道。

'他每天晚上都是這樣的。'朋友說。

'那麼你為什麼還是對他那麼客氣？'哈理斯問他。朋友答道：'為什麼我要讓他決定我的行為？'一個成熟的人握住自己的快樂鑰匙，他不期待別人使他快樂，反而能將快樂與幸福帶給別人。每人心中都有把'快樂的鑰匙'，
但我們卻常在不知不覺中把它交給別人掌管。　

一位女士抱怨道：'我活得很不快樂，因為先生常出差不在家。' 他把快樂的鑰匙放在先生手裡。

一位媽媽說：'我的孩子不聽話，叫我很生氣！' 她把鑰匙交在孩子手裡。

男人可能說：'上司不賞識我，所以我情緒低落。' 這把快樂鑰匙又被塞在老闆手裡。

婆婆說；'我的媳婦不孝順，我真命苦！'

年輕人從文具店走出來說：'那位老闆服務態度惡劣，把我氣炸了！'

這些人都做了相同的決定，就是讓別人來控制他的心情。當我們容許別人掌握我們的情緒時，我們便覺得自己是受害者，對現況無能為力，抱怨與忿怒成為我們唯一的選擇。我們開始怪罪他人，並且傳達一個訊息：

'我這樣痛苦，都是你造成的，你要為我的痛苦負責！'此時我們就把一重大的責任托給週圍的人，即要求他們使我們快樂。我們似乎承認自己無法掌握自己，只能可憐的任人擺佈。這樣的人使別人不喜歡親近，甚至望而生畏。但一個成熟的人握住自己快樂的鑰匙，他不期待別人使他快樂，反而能將快樂與幸福帶給別人。他的情緒穩定，為自己負責，和他在一起是種享受，而不是壓力。

你的鑰匙在那裡？在別人手裡嗎？快去把它拿回來吧！愛的反面不是仇恨，而是漠視而不關心。不管人生是甚麼味道甜的吃、苦也吃

Wise words for an election year

2008-11-04T23:52:00.000-08:00

During this election year let's be reminded of these words:

* You cannot help the poor, by destroying the rich.

* You cannot strengthen the weak, by weakening the strong.

* You cannot bring about prosperity, by discouraging thrift.

* You cannot lift the wage earner up, by pulling the wage payer down.

* You cannot further the brotherhood of man, by inciting class hatred.

* You cannot build character and courage, by taking away men's initiative and independence.

* You cannot help men permanently, by doing for them what they could and should, do for themselves .

Do you recognize the author?
It was Abraham Lincoln

Very, very wise words, written years ago and we still don't get it... Why do MOST People think the Government owes them a living?

Story: The Other Side

2008-10-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like.

Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, 'Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today.'

After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together.

The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. 'Oh,' she said, 'on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together.'

The Girl With An Apple

2008-10-27T22:50:00.000-07:00

(The picture above is taken by Jennifer Shaw at Auschwitz. She's studying aboard in Austria & visited there)

The Girl With An Apple ~~ a most remarkable, true love story

August 1942. Piotrkow , Poland.

The sky was gloomy that morning as we waited anxiously. All the men, women and children of Piotrkow's Jewish ghetto had been herded into a square.

Word had gotten around that we were being moved. My father had only recently died from typhus, which had run rampant through the crowded ghetto. My greatest fear was that our family would be separated.

'Whatever you do,' Isidore, my eldest brother, whispered to me, 'don't tell them your age. Say you're sixteen.

'I was tall for a boy of 11, so I could pull it off. That way I might be deemed valuable as a worker.

An SS man approached me, boots clicking against the cobblestones. He looked me up and down, and then asked my age.

'Sixteen,' I said. He directed me to the left, where my three brothers and other healthy young men already stood.

My mother was motioned to the right with the other women, children, sick and elderly people.

I whispered to Isidore, 'Why?' He didn't answer.

I ran to Mama's side and said I wanted to stay with her.

'No, 'she said sternly.

'Get away. Don't be a nuisance. Go with your brothers.'

She had never spoken so harshly before. But I understood: She was protecting me. She loved me so much that, just this once, she pretended not to.

It was the last I ever saw of her.

My brothers and I were transported in a cattle car to Germany.

We arrived at the Buchenwald concentration camp one night weeks later and were led into a crowded barrack. The next day, we were issued uniforms and identification numbers.

'Don't call me Herman anymore.' I said to my brothers. 'Call me 94983.'

I was put to work in the camp's crematorium, loading the dead into a hand-cranked elevator.

I, too, felt dead. Hardened, I had become a number.

Soon, my brothers and I were sent to Schlieben, one of Buchenwald's sub-camps near Berlin.

One morning I thought I heard my mother's voice. 'Son,' she said softly but clearly, I am going to send you an angel.' Then I woke up. Just a dream. A beautiful dream.

But in this place there could be no angels. There was only work. And hunger. And fear. A couple of days later, I was walking around the camp, around the barracks, near the barbed-wire fence where the guards could not easily see. I was alone.

On the other side of the fence, I spotted someone: a little girl with light, almost luminous curls. She was half-hidden behind a birch tree.

I glanced around to make sure no one saw me. I called to her softly in German. 'Do you have something to eat?' She didn't understand.

I inched closer to the fence and repeated the question in Polish. She stepped forward. I was thin and gaunt, with rags wrapped around my feet, but the girl looked unafraid. In her eyes, I saw life.

She pulled an apple from her woolen jacket and threw it over the fence. I grabbed the fruit and, as I started to run away, I heard her say faintly, 'I'll see you tomorrow.'

I returned to the same spot by the fence at the same time every day. She was always there with something for me to eat - a hunk of bread or, better yet, an apple.

We didn't dare speak or linger. To be caught would mean death for us both.

I didn't know anything about her, just a kind farm girl, except that she understood Polish. What was her name? Why was she risking her life for me?

Hope was in such short supply, and this girl on the other side of the fence gave me some, as nourishing in its way as the bread and apples.

Nearly seven months later, my brothers and I were crammed into a coal car and shipped to Theresienstadt camp in Czechoslovakia.

'Don't return,' I told the girl that day. 'We're leaving.'

I turned toward the barracks and didn't look back, didn't even say good-bye to the little girl whose name I'd never learned, the girl with the apples.

We were in Theresienstadt for three months. The war was winding down and Allied forces were closing in, yet my fate seemed sealed.

On May 10, 1945, I was scheduled to die in the gas chamber at 10:00 AM.

In the quiet of dawn, I tried to prepare myself. So many times death seemed ready to claim me, but somehow I'd survived. Now, it was over.

I thought of my parents. At least, I thought, we will be reunited.

But at 8 A.M. there was a commotion. I heard shouts, and saw people running every which way through camp. I caught up with my brothers.

Russian troops had liberated the camp! The gates swung open. Everyone was running, so I did too. Amazingly, all of my brothers had survived; I'm not sure how. But I knew that the girl with the apples had been the key to my survival.

In a place where evil seemed triumphant, one person's goodness had saved my life, had given me hope in a place where there was none.

My mother had promised to send me an angel, and the angel had come.

Eventually I made my way to England where I was sponsored by a Jewish charity, put up in a hostel with other boys who had survived the Holocaust and trained in electronics. Then I came to America , where my brother Sam had already moved. I served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War, and returned to New York City after two years.

By August 1957 I'd opened my own electronics repair shop. I was starting to settle in.

One day, my friend Sid who I knew from England called me. 'I've got a date. She's got a Polish friend. Let's double date.' A blind date? Nah, that wasn't for me. But Sid kept pestering me, and a few days later we headed up to the Bronx to pick up his date and her friend Roma.

I had to admit, for a blind date this wasn't so bad. Roma was a nurse at a Bronx hospital. She was kind and smart. Beautiful, too, with swirling brown curls and green, almond-shaped eyes that sparkled with life. The four of us drove out to Coney Island . Roma was easy to talk to, easy to be with. Turned out she was wary of blind dates too!

We were both just doing our friends a favor. We took a stroll on the boardwalk, enjoying the salty Atlantic breeze, and then had dinner by the shore. I couldn't remember having a better time.

We piled back into Sid's car, Roma and I sharing the backseat.

As European Jews who had survived the war, we were aware that much had been left unsaid between us. She broached the subject, 'Where were you,' she asked softly, 'during the war?'

'The camps,' I said. The terrible memories still vivid, the irreparable loss. I had tried to forget. But you can never forget.

She nodded. 'My family was hiding on a farm in Germany , not far from Berlin ,' she told me. 'My father knew a priest, and he got us Aryan papers.'

I imagined how she must have suffered too, fear, a constant companion. And yet here we were both survivors, in a new world.

'There was a camp next to the farm.' Roma continued. 'I saw a boy there and I would throw him apples every day.'

What an amazing coincidence that she had helped some other boy. 'What did he look like? I asked.

'He was tall, skinny, and hungry. I must have seen him every day for six months.'

My heart was racing. I couldn't believe it. This couldn't be.

'Did he tell you one day not to come back because he was leaving Schlieben?'

Roma looked at me in amazement. 'Yes!'

'That was me!'

I was ready to burst with joy and awe, flooded with emotions. I couldn't believe it!
My angel.

'I'm not letting you go.' I said to Roma. And in the back of the car on that blind date, I proposed to her. I didn't want to wait.

'You're crazy!' she said. But she invited me to meet her parents for Shabbat dinner the following week.

There was so much I looked forward to learning about Roma, but the most important things I always knew: her steadfastness, her goodness. For many months, in the worst of circumstances, she had come to the fence and given me hope. Now that I'd found her again, I could never let her go.

That day, she said yes. And I kept my word. After nearly 50 years of marriage, two children and three grandchildren, I have never let her go.

Herman Rosenblat of Miami Beach , Florida

This story is being made into a movie called The Fence.
http://www.atlanticoverseaspictures.com/herman.htm

Oprah Winfrey presented the couple on her show, calling their story "the single greatest love story, in 22 years of doing this show, we've ever told on the air."
http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/relationships/couples/slideshow1_ss_rel_20071114/1

More Changes...

2008-10-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

Deacon Jim annouced this morning that he will be transfering to the Church of Nativity. I didn't catch when he will be leaving. Any way... I googled & found that Nativity is in Rancho Santa Fe.

Also, we have a new priest, Fr. Frank. He's a retire Navy Chaplain & will be celebrating one of the Masses each week.

& yours truly will be a little bit busy coming two weeks as Steve & Terry out of the Country. Two rehearsals & next Sunday Mass. Don't mind doing it, cos' I am having too much fun singing :D

The Law of the Garbage Truck

2008-10-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!

The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so....

'Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.' Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

iPod, finally! :P

2008-10-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

So... I finally I bought an iPod. It's an X-Files limited edition (numbered) 120G Classic. It comes with engravement. I got my internet handle veritassima, plus the phrase "Quem Quaeritis?"

The word Veritassima comes from veritas (truth). St. Hildegard von Bingen created new words sometimes. For example, Viridissima the greenest green. So, Veritassima can translate into The Truest Truth. It is actually a catch phrase used in the episode Trust No 1.

Then last night, I stumbling upon the phrase Quem Quaeritis?, Whom do you seek? It is a paraphrase of the Easter morning, the angel asked the women who came to the tomb of Jesus, why are you seeking the living among the death?
In X-Files, Mulder & Scully are seekers of the Truth. & the underline theme of the show, epecially for the second movie, was Hope, Light, Love, & Faith. & that kind of the idea of Easter, isn't it? :)

Carrot Goji berries Cake

2008-10-11T22:44:00.000-07:00

Doctored up a Betty Crocker Carrot Cake, with shredded carrot (don't know how much, 2 carrots), 2 handful of Goji Berries. Pinches of grounded ginger & cardamon. Probably will make ginger cream cheese fosting

A Story: God & $$

2008-10-11T17:30:00.000-07:00

An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was $10. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could find no job, and nobody was ready to help him.

He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. He looked at them. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket. With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed that God would bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin. The young graduate said to them 'you need the prayer more than I do'.

With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the ground. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address.

He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. The proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. This same old coin was worth 3 million dollars. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for 3 million dollars within an hour. He collected the Bank Draft and went in search of the old man and little children.

By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He asked the owner of the canteen if he knew them. He said no but they left a note for you. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them. This is what the note said: 'You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin,' signed God the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost. 1 Kings 17:10-16; Matthew 11:28-30

Сердитый пианист ("angry pianist" according to yahoo)

2008-10-09T14:14:00.001-07:00

For those of you who had Chinese or Russian music teachers while growing up – have you seen your teacher angry or upset? Oh… probably because you haven’t practice or made a mess around the piano. Wasn’t pretty, is it?
Well, Viktor, our Organist at church was very upset yesterday when he saw the piano.
Church doors were wide open when he got there, and no one was there. Everything was unattended.
The piano, the Bösendorfer Half Concert Grand, was open. There are DIRTY handprints all over the lip – imagine post-candy kid prints. There’s even a new scratch.
Apparently, the kid group was using the church earlier in the day (3-4pm, sometimes also till 5pm); which is 2-3 hours before choir rehearsal.
So Viktor is considering having the Piano locked during non Mass time & non-choir rehearsal time. “They can use the keyboard instead!” Agree, $200 keyboard is easier to replace than the $60000 Bösendorfer (that’s how much donation gotten to buy the instrument).

Change of Season

2008-10-09T01:47:00.000-07:00

Sure, the weather in San Diego has been pretty wild -- it has been in the 80s coastline last week, & today? It's 92 & climbing 10am. October, you said?

However, I am not talking about the weather right now. There are changes at church, specifically, with the music ministry. Apparantly, the music director is no longer working at church. 'Apparantly', because I only heard it from third person, her daughter sang for the youth group, & there was an email from the priest to all the ministry. ok. I don't think he has my email address. LOL.

Back around Easter, someone had told me the administration has been asking people for eval of the director. & he said he has prepared if he got asked, and I should be prepared, too. (thank God, I didn' get ask!)

As some might know, I've been involved with the Choir in the past year. In most of the past months, whenever Steve, the Choir Director (note, not same person as music director) is away, I would lead the choir for Mass. During this summer, I also led rehearsals for a couple of times. In addition, Terry (Steve's wife, a professional singer, is in charge of cantor training & vocal coaching) was away the whole summer for concerts.... so where was I? Oh, yes, think of it as Steve's TA. :) Rehearal Technique 101. And I can tell you, church choir has VERY different dynamic.

Well... the liturgical year is coming to an end, which means we will begin to prepare for Advent & Christmas soon. We'll see what happen...

p.s. Steve & Terry will be away for 2 weeks later in Oct. But right now, I am enjoying activity that require lest brain power - a.k.a singing. A nice little break for now. :)
Speaking of break, saw on Steve's posted "secret schedule" that he's away today. I thought... it MUST be a typo! I didn't get the memo! He WAS indeed away today, in DC. But Terry led the rehearsal. :) At any rate, I should begin to look at the Messiah Choruses we are doing before the Midnight Mass ~ "And the Glory," "O Thou," For Unto Us," "Glory to God," & of course, "Hallelujia Chorus".

Cookie - Joyful Hearts

2008-09-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

I made these cookies for the Oktoberfest. Recipe is from the book called " From Saint Hildegard's Kitchen"

Cookies that bring joy

12 TBSP plus 1 tsp butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup hony
4 egg yolks
2 1/2 cup Spelt Flour
1 tsp sait
2 round TBSP of "Spices that bring Joy" (ratio ~ 1TBSP nutmeg, 1 TBSP cinnamon, 1 tsp clove)

Melt butter under low heat, add sugar, honey, ^ egg yolks; beating lightly.
Add flour & salt, combine gently.
Refrigerate dough after mixing until firm.
Roll out onto a floured surface, cut with a cookie cutter.
Bake in 400F oven for 10-15 minutes until jut golden, watch closely.

I needed to lower the oven Temp to 375 & the cookies is baked in ~ 10min. Next time mayb I will lower the temp even more, so the cookies can stay longer in the oven & get crispy.

It said in the book that these spices help reduce bad humors, enrich the blood, and fortify the nerves. They help strengthen the five senses. They may remove hate from the heart, assure good intelligence, reduce harmful juices, and make one have a joyful spirit.

Anyway, so I bougrht a heart-shaped cookie cutter, named these cookies Joyful Hearts. Coinccidently, the Gospel Acclamation we are using is from the Mass setting "Joyful Heart". How appropriate for the Choir Bake-Sale!

Salute!

2008-09-08T01:23:00.000-07:00

This really happened. Nice, Clean Catholic Joke

---------------------------------------
So it was Thanksgiving Day, the whole family gather around the table, plenty of food, and the wine is flowing.

My aunt handed me a glass of red wine, which I really doesn't care much (sorry Bud, nothing personal), but I accepted it anyway.

As I sipped the wine, I said jokingly to my cousins, "I don't really like red wine much, I only drink it on Sundays, and only a sip."

My cousin Lawrence, who's in first year Dental School, immediately caught on. He continued: "and you only drink it at a particular time on Sunday, say… like around 9:30 am or 7:30pm. It's ALWAYS a big party in this big Club House, lots of benches to sit on. There is lots of good conversations & plenty of live music & sing-along, and there's bread to pass around to go along with the wine. There's even a guy in a robe who likes to talk a lot!!

It's a nice hymn list, if I must say so myself...

2008-09-08T00:25:00.000-07:00

Found a copy of the hymn hand-out in my Gather, this is for 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, for the Chinese Mass. All the hymns are sung in Chinese.
I remembered thinking -- the Organists & the Traditionalists would have like it~~

Processional: Alleluia, Sing to Jesus (Gather 853)
Offertory: The Church's One Foundation (Gather 661)
Communion: Jesus My Lord, My God, My All (Gather 480)
Recessional: Holy Holy Holy, Lord God Almighty (Gather 474)

I don't remember which Chant I did for Communion, it is either Pagne Lingua or Adoro Te Devote.

God's Timing

2008-09-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

A man from Norfolk , VA called a local radio station to share this on September 11th, 2003. is Name was Robert Matthews. These are his words.

"A few weeks before September 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first hild. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her.
Shortly after I said amen, we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very upset, we drove home.

I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight.

My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me. He was going to help. He said, "This is not something I can't just sit by for. I have to do something."

I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, "Take good care of my grandchild."

Those were the last words I ever heard my father say. He died while helping in the rescue effort.

My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say goodbye.

Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was.

He quickly grabbed my hand and said, "I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son."

He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her.
My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, "There is something else you need to know."

His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ.

I began sobbing at the news. Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves.

When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew in honor of the man who gave his life so that mother and baby could live.

This story should help us to realize two things. First that God is always in control. We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of Heaven, but God is always in control.

And second is that though it has been several years since the attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic memory.

Please take time to share this amazing story with those you love. You may never know the impact it may have on someone.

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

The Heart

2008-09-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

「明天早上我就會打開你的心臟。」外科醫生開始說…
「你會找到耶穌在那裡。」小男孩打斷醫生說。
醫生抬起頭，不耐煩地說：「我會把你的心臟打開，看一看損害到了什麼程度…」
「可是，你把我的心臟打開的時候，你會在那裡找到耶穌。」小男孩說。
小男孩的父母靜靜的坐在房間的角落，外科醫生看了他們一眼，對小男孩說：「了解損害到了什麼程度後，我會把你的心縫起來，然後再計劃該怎樣做。」
「可是，你會在那裡找到耶穌。聖經上是這樣說的，聖詠裡也都說祂是住在那裡的。我告訴你，你會在我的心裡找到耶穌。」小男孩說。
外科醫生聽夠了：「我告訴你我會在你的心裡找到什麼。我會找到損害了的肌肉，低血供應，還有薄弱的血管。我必須知道怎麼樣才可以把你治好。」
「你也會在那裡找到耶穌。他住在那裡呀。」
外科醫生離開小男孩的病房。
***********************************************
外科醫生坐在他辦工室內，記錄手術的筆記：「損壞了的主動脈，損壞了的肺靜脈，普及性的肌肉退化。移植機會極微，治瘉機會極微。療程：鎮痛劑，床上休息。判病結果…還剩下不到一年的時間…」
雖然還有很多筆記要做，外科醫生的手卻停了下來。「主啊，為什麼袮要這樣做？袮把這個小男孩生在這世界上，讓他受那麼多的痛苦，又要他年紀這樣小就離開這個世界。主啊，為什麼袮要這樣做？」
天主這樣回答說：「這個小男孩是我的羊，他並不會長久屬於你的。他永遠屬於我的羊棧。在我的羊棧當中，他不再會有痛苦，他所受的安慰是你不能想像的。他的父母終有一天會與這個小男孩在一起，他們將會得到平安；而我的羊棧將不停地成長。」
醫生聽了，哭了起來；但他仍然生天主的氣：「袮創造了那個小男孩，袮創造了那個心。他只剩下最後幾個月的生命。為什麼？」
天主回答說：「這個小男孩是我的羊，他會回到我的羊棧，因為他已完成他的工作。我把他放到你的羊棧中，不是為了把他丟掉，而是為了領回其他迷失的羊。」
聽了這話，外科醫生抱頭痛哭。
*************************************************
醫生坐在小男孩的床邊，他的父母坐在房間的另一角落。小男孩醒了，對醫生小聲的說：「你把我的心打開了嗎？」
「開了。」
「你找到什麼了？」
「開了。」
「我在那裡找到耶穌了。」

Author Unknown - Celebrate Jesus in 2005

The Joy in Loving

2008-09-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

Found this in the "article folder", so just sharing

不論任何種族或宗教背景，
我們的目的是
把天主以及祂的愛
送到貧窮中之最貧窮的人。
我們辨別施捨的準繩
是在於需要程度而不是信仰。
我們在工作中
為天主愛的臨在做見證，
如果一個天主教徒、新教徒、
佛教徒或是不可知主義者，
因此成為更完善的人，
我們就滿足了。
在天主的愛裡成長，
他們會更接近祂，
也會在祂的至善中找到祂。

致我的同工們：
我希望你們能更集中精力
在你們自己的區域裡，
全心地為窮人提供免費服務。
你們每一位都要留意去找到
那些孤獨的、遭遺棄的，以及殘障的。
可能只是一個微笑，一次上門探望，
為某人讀一份報紙。
統統是小事，是的，非常小的事。
可是那就是你把對天主的愛
付諸行動。
這種精神必須從你的心坎上
散溢到你的家庭裡、
你的鄰里之間、
你居住的城鎮、你的國家，乃至全世界。

The Joy in Loving, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

An Email from God,

2008-08-18T18:41:00.000-07:00

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE
This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help.

So, have a nice day. I love you.

P.S.
And, remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know! Now, you have a nice day.
God

Quilt of Holes

2008-08-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewi ng the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk a way, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'

Father, God bless my friends and family in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. Amen.

德國的一張罰單

2008-07-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

錢是你自己的，但資源是全社會的

德國是個工業化程度很高的國家，說到賓士，BMW，西門子……沒有人不知道，世界上用於核子反應爐中最好的核心泵就是在德國的一個小鎮上產生的。

在這樣一個發達國家，人們的生活一定是紙醉金迷燈紅酒綠吧。去德國考察前，我們在描繪著、揣摩著這個國度。到達港口城市漢堡之時，我們習慣先去餐館，已在駐地的同事免不了要為我們接風洗塵。

走進餐館，我們一行穿過桌多人少的中餐館大廳，心裡犯疑惑：這樣冷清清的場面，飯店能開下去嗎？更可笑的是一對用餐情侶的桌子上，只擺有一個碟子，裡面只放著兩種菜，兩罐啤酒，如此簡單，是否影響他們的甜蜜聚會？如果是男士買單，是否太小氣，他不怕女友跑掉？

另外一桌是幾位白人老太太在悠閒地用餐，每道菜上桌後，服務生很快的幫她們分配好，然後就被她們吃光光了。

我們不再過多的注意她們，而是盼著自己的大餐快點上來。駐地的同事看到大家飢餓的樣子，就多點了些菜，大家也不推讓，大有「宰」駐地同事的意思。

餐館客人不多，上菜很快，我們的桌子很快被碟碗堆滿，看來，今天我們是這裡的大富豪了。狼吞虎嚥之後，想到後面還有活動，就不再戀酒菜，這一餐很快就結束了。結果還有三分之一沒有吃掉，剩在桌面上。

結完賬，個個剔著牙，歪歪扭扭地出了餐館大門。出門沒走幾步，餐館裡有人在叫我們。不知是怎麼回事：是否誰的東西忘記了？我們都好奇，回頭去看看。原來是那幾個白人老太太，在和飯店老闆嘰哩呱啦說著什麼，好像是針對我們的。看到我們都圍來了，老太太改說英文，我們就都能聽懂了，她在說我們剩的菜太多，太浪費了。我們覺得好笑，這老太太多管閒事！「我們花錢吃飯買單，剩多少，關妳老太太什麼事？」同事阿桂當時站出來，想和老太太練練口語。聽到阿桂這樣一說，老太太更生氣了，為首的老太太立馬掏出手機，撥打著什麼電話。

一會兒，一個穿制服的人開車來了，稱是社會保障機構的工作人員。問完情況後，這位工作人員居然拿出罰單，開出 50馬克的罰款。這下我們都不吭氣了，阿桂的臉不知道扭到哪裡去了，也不敢再練口語了。

駐地的同事只好拿出50馬克，並一再說：「對不起！」這位工作人員收下馬克，鄭重地對我們說：「需要吃多少，就點多少！錢是你自己的，但資源是全社會的，世界上有很多人還缺少資源，你們不能夠也沒有理由浪費！」我們臉都紅了。但我們在心裡卻都認同這句話。這個富有的國家裡，人們還有這種意識。我們得好好反思：我們是個資源不是很豐富的國家，而且人口眾多，平時請客吃飯，剩下的總是很多，主人怕客人吃不好丟面子，擔心被客人看成小氣鬼，就點很多的菜，反正都有剩，你不會怪我不大方吧。

事實上，我們真的需要改變我們的一些習慣了，並且還要樹立「大社會」的意識，再也不能「窮大方」。那天，駐地的同事把罰單複印後，給每人一張做紀念，我們都願意接受並決心保存著。阿桂說，回去後，他會再複印一些送給別人，自己的一張就貼在家裡的牆壁上，以便時常提醒自己。

錢是你自己的，但資源是全社會的，
很值得我們深深反省，
我們是否常有『花錢是爺的事』錯誤觀念？
從我們知識份子做起！飯局需要吃多少，就點多少！

夫妻

2008-07-19T12:26:00.000-07:00

她比他小20歲，嫁給他的時候，家鄉的人都以為她傍上大款。只有她知道，他到底是一個什麼樣的男人。

他只是一個普通的男人，又黑又醜，一口黃牙。媒人當初可沒這麼說，只說是個過日子的男人，就因為家裏窮給耽擱了，一直沒找上媳婦。那陣子，沒找上媳婦的都去山區找，有四川的、山西的、湖南的……花幾千元就可以找來。那男人也托人帶一個回來，這就是她，一個死了丈夫的女人。

媒人說男人富著呢，靠手藝吃飯。女人因為急於逃離那個家庭，問都沒問男人會什麼手藝就嫁過來了。過來後才知道，他的手藝就是在外面風吹雨淋地修鞋，再加上男人長得醜陋，讓她有種上當的感覺。回去，已無退路，婆家人叫她喪門星，說是她剋死了丈夫。

再婚後，男人很寵她，隔三岔五給她買些小玩意來，一盒粉餅，一支口紅，幾串荔枝……她長到30歲，從來沒有用過口紅，更不用說吃荔枝了，很快，她就覺得自己比楊貴妃還要幸福，吃荔枝的時候，男人不吃，只是傻傻地看著她吃。她說：'你也吃。'他說：'我不愛吃它，看著你吃我就高興。'後來，她偶然上街，隨口問了一下荔枝的價格，嚇一跳，竟然要20元1斤。她的眼睛一亮，他怎麼可能不愛吃荔枝?他是捨不得吃呀。

她更加疼他，早晨早早起來給他做飯，晚上做好熱乎乎的飯菜等他回來；冬天的時候，男人在街上修鞋，一天下來，凍得全身冰冷，女人就把男人的腳放到自己懷裏暖著。男人也很知足，說是上輩子修來的福才會娶到她，他為什麼50歲還沒有結婚，就為等她唄。說得女人心花怒放。

女人見男人每天那麼累很心疼，她說：'給我買台機器吧，我和你一塊修鞋去。'男人不答應，說他掙的錢足夠養活她，可女人認真了，偏要去。於是街上總能看到一對老夫少妻在修鞋，兩個人緊挨著，有鞋修的時候，兩個人就一起動手，空閒時，就有說有笑地聊著。冬天刮大風，女人的手都凍紅了，耳朵也凍得青一塊紫一塊，這時，男人買來一塊烤紅薯，紅薯散發著誘人的香味。男人剝開，用嘴吹著，卻不吃，
他把紅薯放到女人嘴邊，女人幸福地咬一口，又吹一吹，讓男人吃。他們一人一口地吃著，好像享受一頓美食，好像吃著愛情的聖塔。

有一天，男人對女人說：'總有一天，我會走在你前面。'女人就哭了，說：'那我和你一起去。'

男人說：'不行!'然後男人又說：'我們現在的錢還不夠很多，再掙幾年，給你養老應該沒問題。還有，我給你在地裏種了500棵樹，等有一天我去了，你也不能動了，那500棵樹也長大了，我相信它們能夠養活你。'

女人撲到男人懷裏哭了。500棵樹，那只是500棵樹嗎?這一輩子從沒有人替她這樣想過，可這個男人甚至為她想到老年，她覺得這輩子真是值了。現在城裏人興什麼夫妻樹、愛情樹，而她的男人給她種的樹要比那些樹珍貴一萬倍，那是一片夫妻同心樹。

You might be hardcore Catholic if...

2008-07-06T23:53:00.001-07:00

This is the [partial] description of a FaceBook group I joined~~

-you've accidentally genuflected at a place other than church ex. the movie theatre, school auditorium

-you have a "favorite" religious order
Benedictine. & I grew up going to school founded by the Canossan Sisters of Charity.

-you know that advent is the beginning of the new church year.
Why, of Course. Duh.

-You know at least five people named Mary
Yup. And probably a dozen or two Teresa / Theresa

-you're able to sit still for a full hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament

-you are discerning the religious life

-you often end disputes with, "Let's look it up in the Catechism."

-when watching star wars and hear "may the force be with you" you respond with "and also with you"
In Latin? Sung?

-you and friend friends ever played "Mass" instead of House, or Cops and Bad Guys.

-on the night before the first Sunday of Advent you and your friends have a Liturgical New Year's Eve party, and count down to the new Liturgical Year!!
Hmmm... good idea.

-You associate the smell of incense with major feast days.

-you point at your friends in line for confession calling them sinners and everyone laughs as you get to the end of line.

-The word "vocation" to you does not simply mean "job"(Thanks to Chris Whooley)
I never thought of the word as "job". vocation always means, VOCATION.

-You have a Rosary or Saint Christopher pin in your car

-You would rather get your picture with the pope then with a huge celebrity.

-You have contemplated being in a religous order at least once.

-Your one wish is to be able to ride in the Popemobile (Thanks to Kathleen Tarrant)

-You had competitions with your friends on Ash Wednesday to see who could keep their ashes on the longest.
I did. & I remember which year. It was 1996. Had Chamber Chorus rehearsal. Out of about 20 of us, 1/3 were secretely having the competition. :D

-You find yourself asking all the cute boys whether or not they've ever considered becoming a priest instead of asking them for their number

-You spend your Thursday nights at choir practice hanging out with people at least thirty-five years older than you in preparation for Sunday Mass (Thanks to Corrina Lansangan)
well... I was in the children's choir, then I was at Berkeley. & now, not 35yr older, some maybe 20yrs...

-You mentally correct every textbook use of "BCE" and CE" with "Before Christ" and "Anno Domini". You also mentally capitalize every written use of the word "God' and "Mass"

-youve ever thought it would be fun to read the CCC as if it were a novel (Thanks to Daniel Buttig)

-You plan what to wear based on the liturgical color of the day (Thanks to Brandon Kraft)
I have blouses in Purple, Red, Rose, & Blue bought for this reason. LOL

-You think getting a S.T.D. is cool... (Thanks to Brandon Kraft) (S.T.D.= Doctorate of Sacred Theology)

-When you hear the word Madonna, you think of the Blessed Virgin, not the song "Like a Virgin." (Thanks to CA McCauley)

-You know that "prostrate" is not a place where men develop cancer

-You look at this list and laugh really hard, b/c you know it's so true

qoutes about faith

2008-07-03T00:06:00.000-07:00

1. Give God what's right -- not what's left.
2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end! -- God's way leads to an endless hope.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma--but never let him be the period.
6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.
7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.
8. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.
9. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.
10. We don't change God's message -- His message changes us.
11. The church is prayer-conditioned.
12. When God ordains, He sustains.
13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.
14. Plan ahead -- It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.
17. Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord.
18. Never give the devil a ride -- he will always want to drive.
19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
21. He who angers you controls you.
22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.
23. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler.
24. Be ye fishers of men -- you catch them & He'll clean them..
25. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Can You Sleep When the Wind Blows?

2008-07-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Can You Sleep When the Wind Blows?

Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops. As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals.

Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him.

"Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him.

The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.

Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!"

The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied
down. Nothing could blow away.

The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

MORAL: When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life? The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm.

We, as believers in Christ, secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God. We don't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the midst of the storms.

Luke 8:22-25 One day Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Let’s go over to the other side of the lake? So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, He fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown! He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ‘Where is your faith?' He asked His disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.?

"Then comes the quiet of Christ to me"

2008-07-02T23:29:00.000-07:00

Father John Powell, a professor at Loyola University in Chicago, writes about a student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy:

Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith.

That was the day I first saw Tommy. My eyes and my mind both blinked. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders. It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long. I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn't what's on your head but what's in it that counts; but on that day I was unprepared and my emotions flipped. I immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange... Very strange.

Tommy turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course. He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father/God. We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew.

When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a cynical tone, "Do you think I'll ever find God?"

I decided instantly on a little shock therapy. "No!" I said very emphatically.

"Why not," he responded, "I thought that was the product you were pushing."

I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then called out, "Tommy! I don't think you'll ever find Him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!" He shrugged a little and left my class and my life.

Later I heard that Tommy had graduated, and I was duly grateful.

Then a sad report came. Tommy had terminal cancer. Before I could search him out, he came to see me. When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe. "Tommy, I've thought about you so often; I hear you are sick," I blurted out.

"Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It's a matter of weeks."

"Can you talk about it, Tom?" I asked.

"Sure, what would you like to know?" he replied.

"What's it like to be only twenty-four and dying?

"Well, it could be worse."

"Like what?"

"Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real biggies in life..

I began to look through my mental file cabinet under "S" where I had filed Tommy as strange. (It seems as though everybody I try to reject by classification, God sends back into my life to educate me.)

"But what I really came to see you about," Tom said, "is something you said to me on the last day of class." (He remembered!) He continued, "I asked you if you thought I would ever find God and you said, 'No!' which surprised me Then you said, 'But He will find you.' I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time.

"But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, that's when I got serious about locating God.. And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven. But God did not come out.

In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success? You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit.

"Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit. I decided that I didn't really care about God, about an after life, or anything like that. I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable. I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said: 'The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.'"

"So, I began with the hardest one, my Dad. He was reading the newspaper when I approached him. "Dad."

"Yes, what?" he asked without lowering the newspaper.
"Dad, I would like to talk with you."
"Well, talk.
"I mean . It's really important."
The newspaper came down three slow inches. "What is it?"
"Dad, I love you, I just wanted you to know that." Tom smiled at me and said it with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret joy flowing inside of him. "The newspaper fluttered to the floor.

Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me. We talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning. It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me."

"It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years.

"I was only sorry about one thing --- that I had waited so long. Here I was, just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to.

"Then, one day I turned around and God was there. He didn't come to me when I pleaded with Him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop, 'C'mon, jump through. C'mon, I'll give you three days, three weeks.'"

"Apparently God does things in His own way and at His own hour.

But the important thing is that He was there. He found me! You were right. He found me even after I stopped looking for Him."

"Tommy," I practically gasped, "I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize. To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make Him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love. You know, the Apostle John said that. He said: 'God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him.' Tom, could I ask you a favor? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now. Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them what you have just told me? If I told them the same thing it wouldn't be half as effective as if you were to tell it."

"Oooh.. I was ready for you, but I don't know if I'm ready for your class."

"Tom, think about it. If and when you are ready, give me a call."

In a few days Tom called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me. So we scheduled a date.

However, he never made it. He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class. Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed. He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined.

Before he died, we talked one last time.

"I'm not going to make it to your class," he said.

"I know, Tom."

"Will you tell them for me? Will you ... tell the whole world for me?"

I will, Tom. I'll tell them. I'll do my best."

So, to all of you who have been kind enough to read this simple story about God's love, thank you for listening. And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the sunlit, verdant hills of heaven --- I told them, Tommy, as best I could.

If this story means anything to you, please pass it on to a friend or two. It is a true story and is not enhanced for publicity purposes.

With thanks, Rev. John Powell, Professor, Loyola University, Chicago

Cell phone vs. Bible

2008-06-25T00:13:00.000-07:00

Remember, beginning of July 1, you must use a hand-free headset. & If you are under 18, NO cell phone use at all!!

Another note, I think this apply to internet as well? :p

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of an emergency?

This is something to make you go... hmmm... where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think "where are our priorities?" And no dropped calls!

Bless Me, Father, for I have sinned

2008-06-17T23:24:00.000-07:00

Found this on Christus Vincit Blog. That was me looking smut at the gas station: I drive a almost 10 years old (this Thanksgiving) Toyota compact that still gets about 30 miles per gallon. I drive less than 150 miles per week.

So.. facebook

2008-06-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

That's lots of things to do on those page. I've seen some of my friends' pages filled with all these gifts & toys, etc etc etc. Some are interesting (I like creating the rooms), some not so useful. The feature I like the most is "the wall", which allows me to just write bits & pieces, versus composing a full email. I am also finding long lost friends, & some surprises -- like Fr. Paddy, who comes from Irland to our church during summer; my college professor (should I add her to my list?)

I'm fed up with bad church music

2008-06-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

I am now on Facebook (Long story, that will be another post). & this is a group I joined. The description is hilarious. I found myself nodding on many points (bold)

This group may be for you...

1. If you are of the opinion that Shine Jesus Shine, Here I Am, Lord, etc. are not the most beautiful church songs ever written.
2. If you think the "Mass of Creation" has had its day.

3. You actually kind of like the idea of singing chant and hymns. Gasp!

4. If you'd rather hear a pipe organ in church than a band or keyboard.

5. If you're dismayed that more than half of the music in many hymnals consists of uninspiring popular music.

6. If praise and worship music just doesn't do it for you.

7. If you think that "Polka Masses" and "Hip Hop Masses" are tacky.

8. If you get a kick out of a congregation trying to count all the sixteenth notes in "Be Not Afraid." I have someone in the CHOIR who does that!!

9. If you're a fan of the the St. Gregory Hymnal, the Hymnal 1940, the Hymnal 1982, "Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Canticles," the Australian Hymnal, the Adoremus Hymnal, or the Liber Cantualis.

10. If you love singing the psalms to Gregorian psalm tones or Anglican chant.

11. If you know what a neume is and can name several types. & most of my friends do as well. :)

12. If you're fed up with cantors drowning out the congregation. Being a cantor myself, I am fed up with people keep complaining I am not loud enough!!

13. If you want to play the chord of death when people cut early during the last hymn. What is "the Chord of Death"?

14. If you want to play the chord of death when the congregation won't sing the last hymn.

15. If you want to play the chord of death because the congregation won't sing ANYTHING.

16. If you know that the official "hymnal" of the Roman Catholic church is the Graduale Romanum, and not Gather. Gather is OK

Join our crusade to stamp out bad church music! No, we don't hate new music. Just bad new music. Let's keep our church music triumphant, sacred, awe-inspiring, worthy, and God-centered.

Lord of All Creations

2008-06-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yahweh our Lord, how majestic is your name throughout the world!
you have crowned him with glory and beauty, made him lord of the works of your hands, put all things under his feet, sheep and cattle, all of them, and even the wild beasts, birds in the sky, fish in the sea, when he makes his way across the ocean. Yahweh our Lord, how majestic your name throughout the world.

This woman found this lion hurt and about to die. She took him home and took care of him. When the lion was better she called the local zoo to come take care of him. This was the reaction she got when she visited the zoo and the lion saw her. It is beautiful.

Nun in garden

2008-06-09T16:50:00.000-07:00

For whatever reason, I really like this picture.

Name Changing!

2008-06-09T01:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I decided to change the name of the bloggs (double "g", or single?). plural because I also have one @ livejournal. Anyway... I thought, because this really isn't the offical blog or website for the SDCCC, & I am the only one around. The blog name & it's content should reflect the "non-official" status. In addition, this will give me more freedom to post whatever! Ha!

CHURCH HYMNS HUMOR

2008-05-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

A minister decided to do something a little different one Sunday morning.

He said "Today, in church, I am going to say a single word and you are going to help me Times; "

Whatever single word I say, I want you to sing whatever hymn that comes to your mind."

The pastor shouted out "CROSS."

Immediately the congregation started singing in unison,
"THE OLD RUGGED CROSS."

The pastor hollered out "GRACE."
The congregation began to sing "AMAZING GRACE, how sweet the sound."

The pastor said "POWER."
The congregation s ang "THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD."

The Pastor said "SEX"
The congregation fell into total silence.

Everyone was in shock.
They all nervously began to look around at each other afraid to say anything.

Then all of a sudden, way from in the back of the church,
a little old 87 year old grandmother stood up and began to sing "PRECIOUS MEMORIES."

Gotta Love Little Old Ladies.

Laugh... it burns calories.

Bread for the world

2008-05-26T23:51:00.000-07:00

I was just browsing the news tonight, and read these two article:
First one speaks of the World Food Program being cut for the children of Cambodia. That they will not receive breakfast at school anymore.
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080526/ap_on_re_as/food_crisis_hungry_children;_ylt=AkiStpBkppNZtmKG31Fi66FvaA8F

In the second article, from Catholic Online, Pope Benedict speaks of the call Catholics are called to end hunger: "Those who eat the Bread of Christ cannot remain indifferent before those who, even in our days, lack daily bread." www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=28060

Jesus among those who suffer

2008-05-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

至愛的主耶穌，你曾為你的好友拉匝祿的死亡而哭泣，
讓所有在場的人，都感動地說，你是多麼愛他呀！
我們知道你也深愛四川汶川等地區，因地震而遭受死亡和苦難的兄弟姐妹。
我們現在也像瑪利亞和瑪爾大一樣，感到苦痛和無助；我們只能將他們完全地交付給你。
主耶穌，你是我們的復活和生命，你曾為朋友心神感傷，
求你眷顧這些蒙難的兄弟姐妹，使他們雖然處身於死亡之中，
仍能得到你仁慈的幫助，在苦難中，能懷有希望；
並在你母親瑪利亞的陪伴下，早日走出苦難的陰影，終能分享你復活的喜樂！
你是天主，永生永王！阿門。
(內地一位司鐸撰寫)

Dear Lord Jesus, you had cried for your friend Lazarus' death. How you have loved him! We know that You also love those who had died and injured in the Sichun earthquake. Like Mary and Martha, with sorrow and helplessness, we put them into your care. Lord jesus Christ, you are our resurrection and life. You had grieved for your friend, have mercy on those who suffer, so that they may find hope and comfort in your love. With the Blessed Mother, may they overcome the shadow of the death, and finally share with you the joy of resurrection. You are our God, forever and ever. Amen. (written by a priest in China, from HK Diocese website, translated into english - me)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) , part of the Caritas Internationalis 〔國際明愛組織〕, is supporting the emergency response of our partner Caritas Hong Kong〔香港明愛〕in the wake of the powerful May 12 earthquake in China that has claimed more than 40,000 lives.
In and around the capital city of Sichuan, Caritas Hong Kong has assessment teams on the ground identifying the scale of devastation and loss, and the ways to best provide immediate and long-term support for survivors. The assessment team will look at reconstruction and rehabilitation needs and will, among other sites, visit collapsed and damaged schools in the area.
Given the trauma and grief that so many Chinese families are facing, Caritas Hong Kong is also coordinating a team of personnel to provide counseling.

http://crs.org/china/sichuan-earthquake/
Catholic Relief Services 228 W. Lexington St. Baltimore, Maryland 21201-3413 | 888-277-7575

向佘山聖母誦

2008-05-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

教宗本篤十六世親撰
普世教會為中國教會祈禱日 (五月二十四日)

至聖童貞瑪利亞，
降生聖言之母，又是我們的母親，
您在佘山聖殿被尊稱為「進教之佑」，
整個在中國的教會滿懷熱愛瞻仰您，
今天我們投奔您台前，求您護佑。
請垂顧這天主子民，並以母親的關懷
帶領他們，走上真理與仁愛的道路，
使他們在任何境況下，
都能成為促進全體人民和諧共處的酵素。

您在納匝肋順從主旨，說了「是」，
讓永生天主子在您貞潔的母胎中取得肉軀，
使救贖工程從此在歷史中展開，
您又懇摯地奉獻自己協助這工程，
讓痛苦的利刃刺透您的心靈，
直到最後的重要時刻，在加爾瓦略山上，十字架下，
當您聖子犧牲自己，使世人獲得生命時，
您佇立在祂身旁。

從那時開始，為一切在信仰中追隨您聖子耶穌
並跟著祂背起十字架的人，
您以一種嶄新的形式，成了他們的母親。
希望之母，您在聖週六的黑暗中，
仍懷著堅定不移的信心，迎接復活節的黎明，
請將這分辨的能力賞給您的子女，
使他們在任何處境中，即使是最黑暗的時刻，
仍能見到天主親臨的標記。

佘山聖母，請援助那些在日常勞苦中，
仍繼續相信、希望、和實踐愛德的中國教友，
使他們永不懼怕向世界宣講耶穌，
並在耶穌跟前為世界祈禱。
您以塑像的形態，矗立於佘山聖殿頂，高舉張開雙臂的聖子，
向世界展示祂對世人的深愛。
請幫助天主教友常作這大愛的可信見證人，
並使他們與教會的磐石伯多祿結合在一起。
中國之母，亞洲之母，現在直到永遠，請常為我們祈求。
亞孟。

TO OUR LADY OF SHESHAN

2008-05-25T00:54:00.000-07:00

PRAYER OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
FOR THE CHURCH IN CHINA (24 MAY 2008)

Virgin Most Holy, Mother of the Incarnate Word and our Mother,
Venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan under the title "Help of Christians",
the entire Church in China looks to you with devout affection.
We come before you today to implore your protection.
Look upon the People of God and, with a mother’s care, guide them
along the paths of truth and love, so that they may always be
a leaven of harmonious coexistence among all citizens.

When you obediently said "yes" in the house of Nazareth,
you allowed God’s eternal Son to take flesh in your virginal womb
and thus to begin in history the work of our redemption.
You willingly and generously cooperated in that work,
allowing the sword of pain to pierce your soul,
until the supreme hour of the Cross, when you kept watch on Calvary,
standing beside your Son, who died that we might live.

From that moment, you became, in a new way,
the Mother of all those who receive your Son Jesus in faith
and choose to follow in his footsteps by taking up his Cross.
Mother of hope, in the darkness of Holy Saturday you journeyed
with unfailing trust towards the dawn of Easter.
Grant that your children may discern at all times,
even those that are darkest, the signs of God’s loving presence.

Our Lady of Sheshan, sustain all those in China,
who, amid their daily trials, continue to believe, to hope, to love.
May they never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world,
and of the world to Jesus.
In the statue overlooking the Shrine you lift your Son on high,
offering him to the world with open arms in a gesture of love.
Help Catholics always to be credible witnesses to this love,
ever clinging to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built.
Mother of China and all Asia, pray for us, now and for ever. Amen!

Music List for Corpus Christi

2008-05-20T23:23:00.000-07:00

Processional: O Lord, See Us About Your Altar
Responsorial: Ps147
Offertory: Gift of Finest Wheat
Communion: Lord, I am Not Worthy
Recessional: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

IF there were chinese Mass this week...

2008-05-15T00:49:00.000-07:00

This would be the hymn list:

Introit: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name verses 1 & 3
Responsorial:
Offertory: Ubi Caritas (chant)
Communion: The King of Love My Shepherd Is (ST. COLUMBA)
Recessional: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty

Vespers

2008-05-15T00:31:00.000-07:00

Vespers is the evening prayer service in the Roman Catholic, Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox, liturgies of the canonical hours. The word comes from the Greek εσπερινός and the Latin vesper, meaning "evening." The term is also in limited use in some Protestant (especially Lutheran and Seventh-day Adventist) denominations to describe evening services, and in some Anglican circles is used unofficially to refer to Evening Prayer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespers

Rachmaninov's Vespers is written in Church Slavonic.

If he looks like a piano teacher & moves like a piano teacher ...

2008-04-17T16:28:00.000-07:00

... he probably IS a piano teacher.

I found this picture on the SToC Music ministry homepage. Doesn't it look like Viktor is giving Michael a piano lesson? :D

Speaking of music, I found these on YouTube, these are the two pieces (excerpt) StoC Choir is working on. I think I have mentioned them before. Enjoy.

Henryk Gorecki "Totus Tuus", which means "totally yours":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3qOBQ1ZkQM

John Rutter "Gloria":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvFVFg06pfg

Good Story to Share: 丟了翅膀，他仍是天使

2008-04-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

Shu-Ching sent this story to share~~

當在外地出差的我坐飛機趕回來時，十個月的兒子新新已經被推出搶救室。醫生說持續的高燒也許損傷了腦神經，我要有心理準備接受可能的後遺症。
老公兩天后才從國外回來。出院後，我們常常測試新新的聽力和視覺，沒有發現任何異常。我們終於放下忐忑的心。可漸漸地，我發現他開始瞪著無神的眼睛發呆，或者呈現一種令我不安的笑容。當和新新一般大的孩子開始邁著步子，清脆地喊著爸爸媽媽的時候，新新依舊呆呆坐在那裏，傻傻地笑著。抱著他四處求醫，結論同出一轍：新新的智力將會停留在幼兒期，除非發生奇跡。
那是段痛不欲生的日子，抱著孩子尋找各種可能的奇跡，秘方、偏方，甚至針灸。那長長的針如同刺在我的心尖，汗和淚伴著孩子淒厲的哭聲一起落下。我多麼希望這只是一場夢，夢醒後充滿靈氣的新新在對我甜甜地笑。我開始幻聽，總感覺新新在喊媽媽。
我深深自責為了事業沒有照顧好兒子，卻不敢留在家裏面對。每天下班後沉默地摟著他，日復一日，淚流盡了，心也似乎麻木了。老公也因為家裏氣氛沉悶，漸漸變得很少回家吃飯。
婆婆來看我們，說把新新帶走，讓我們再要一個孩子。我不假思索斷然拒絕，我不能那樣做！他沒有選擇地來到這個世界，又因為我的疏忽變成這樣，已經夠不幸了！把新新緊緊摟在懷裏，我不要別人分享對他的！
新新兩周歲生日那天，我才驚覺老公已經不再陪我們一起吃飯了，怕失去他的恐慌開始噬咬著我，使我覺得難以呼吸。直至深夜，一身酒氣踉踉蹌蹌的老公才踏進家門，我已經荒蕪的淚水終於又奔湧出來。老婆，我們再要一個孩子好嗎?我狠狠點著頭，與他緊緊相擁，抵死纏綿……
我又懷孕了！撫著逐漸隆起的小腹，有些苦澀的甜蜜。我仿佛比誰都期待這個孩子，卻又在內心裏抗拒這個孩子。看到新新向我伸來的手臂，我的心又湧起巨大的痛楚：新新，這個世界，除了媽媽誰還能愛你！
我終於下定決心打掉這個孩子，可檢查結果使我震驚：我竟然懷了雙胞胎！
2002年的夏天，一對漂亮的小女孩陽陽和月月降臨了。滿月以後，那對粉雕玉琢的小人，總是甜甜地笑，很少哭鬧。只要我一說話，頭就隨著我的聲音轉，讓我充分享受到做媽媽的喜悅。我已經顧不上新新，無論我多麼約束自己，潛意識裏我已經開始忽略新新，只把他交給保姆，甚至開始討厭他那傻傻的樣子。
轉眼，陽陽和月月會走了。新新一般不注意什麼，只是對這兩個妹妹格外敏感，常常注視她們的一舉一動，似乎帶著極大的興趣，而且不同于平時的眼神。我是不允許他接近她們的，他只能那樣在一邊望著，可我控制不住陽陽和月月蹣跚邁向新新的腳步，她們同樣對新新表現出極大的興趣。而我卻捨不得強迫她們什麼，只是一次又一次嚴厲地對新新說，記住，不許碰妹妹!不許碰妹妹！漸漸地，他對我有了怯意，我卻絲毫沒覺得有何不妥。
一天，孩子們在午睡，保姆出去買菜，我去儲物間整理衣物。突然聽到孩子的哭聲，我連忙跑進臥室，看到新新正從床的欄杆間縫向外拉月月的兩根手指，手指被卡住，新新還在用力向外拉。我一把拉過新新，照著他的手，狠狠拍打，不是告訴你不許碰妹妹，不許碰妹妹嗎！看你以後還碰不碰妹妹！我越打越生氣，似乎在發洩對他積累的厭惡。我瘋了似的尋找可以用來打他的東西，直到看見鏡子裏自己魔鬼一樣的臉。我終於聽到孩子們的哭聲，終於看到蜷縮一團哭泣的新新，還有女兒們的喊叫聲……
保姆回來了，抱起新新，看著我餘怒未消的臉想說什麼，我擺擺手讓她抱新新回自己的房間。我哄著陽陽和月月，突然看到床上有幾塊動物餅乾，陽陽的手裏還握著一塊要喂我。我連忙到月月那邊，果然月月那邊床下有幾塊餅乾，已經被我踩碎了。新新最喜歡吃動物餅乾，原來他拉妹妹的手是要給妹妹餅乾。我的心被刺痛了，連忙到他的房間，他已經被保姆哄睡了，可還在睡夢裏抽搐著。我不禁泛起一陣酸楚，我這是怎麼了？我還是他的媽媽嗎？
一天，我和女兒們玩著擁抱的遊戲。我拍拍手，她們就喊著媽媽，張著小胳膊爭先恐後向我跑來，然後我們緊緊擁抱。這麼簡單的遊戲，她們卻樂此不疲，一遍又一遍。忽然，新新也張開他的胳膊，向我跑來，含糊地說著，媽媽，媽媽。我簡直不相信自己的耳朵！我的兒子，自從來到這個世界，從沒開過口!緊緊摟住撲到懷裏的新新，我哭了。已經對他沉睡的母愛被重新喚起，兒子，媽媽有多久沒摟過你，媽媽對不起你！
我終於開始認真思考我的孩子們，我有一個與眾不同的家庭，我竟然有三個孩子！他們正漸漸長大，將來要有他們自己的人生。等我離開這個世界時，只有他們之間才能互相照顧。尤其新新，他需要好多好多的愛。
我不再分隔他們，而是常常告訴女兒們，要好好愛哥哥，因為沒有他，就沒有她們。我知道她們聽不懂，我只希望她們會記住我的話。
我每天陪三個孩子做遊戲，唱歌，跳舞，為他們講故事。而新新，越來越有靈氣，不但會叫爸爸、妹妹了，還會含糊表達自己的需要，而且會隨著節奏跳些簡單的舞步。看著並成一排熟睡中的孩子們，我終於相信這個世界上有奇跡，那就是愛，愛可以創造一切！
陽陽和月月到了上幼稚園的年齡，我也該上班了。為了減少我的負擔，婆婆來商量著把新新接走。我猶豫再三，其實按新新現在的情況，勉強可以上幼稚園，可他畢竟和別的孩子不一樣，我害怕來自外界給他的傷害。
新新被帶走的那個晚上，女兒們不肯上床睡覺，一定要等哥哥回來。她們閃著漂亮的大眼睛問我，哥哥什麼時候回來?為什麼哥哥不上幼稚園？我的心一凜，回答她們，哥哥生病了，要好長時間才會好。她們又問。他會想我們的，為什麼我們不照顧他呢？快讓哥哥回來，我們會照顧他的。我的心緊了又緊，你們要乖乖的，只要你們聽話，哥哥就會回來。她們終於乖乖睡下，而我在黑夜裏掛念著新新。兒子，你好嗎？
女兒們只去了三天幼稚園，就說什麼也不肯去了，告訴我幼稚園裏有好多好玩的玩具，還有好多的小朋友，還學習新歌，認字，英語，她們要等哥哥回來一起去。她們充滿期盼的眼睛望著我，還帶有小小的挑釁。我訝於她們的執拗，耐著性子哄著她們，可她們卻怎麼也不肯答應。我沉下臉一手抱著一個，她們哇哇哭起來，媽媽騙人，說只要我們乖，哥哥就會回來，我們都聽話了，可哥哥還是沒有回來！
我的心猛地僵住了！壓抑的眼淚再也控制不住，你們的哥哥，他和別人不一樣，他永遠學不會那些東西！女兒們為我擦著淚，會的，會的，媽媽，哥哥能學會的，我們會幫助他的！看著她們，我感到了做媽媽的歉疚，我只會一味逃避，以為自己很愛新新，卻不如孩子們充滿信心去面對。
門鈴響，竟然是婆婆送新新回來了！幾天不見，新新瘦了好多。婆婆無奈地說，這幾天新新幾乎沒吃東西，也不肯睡覺，只一直哭，喊著妹妹，妹妹。她看了心裏實在難受，不得已就送回來了。
女兒們興奮起來，拉著新新的手，開始講幼稚園的事情，還催促我為新新換最漂亮的衣服，他們要一起去幼稚園。
我找到園長，請求她讓我的孩子們在一起。因為按照新新的年齡應該上大班，可他的智力水準還不如小班的孩子。當看到我的女兒們一邊一個拉著兒子的手，並揮手和我再見的時候。我相信這個決定是對的，愛會為我們創造更多的奇跡。
每天從幼稚園回來，陽陽和月月都幫助新新復習一天學過的東西，而且不許我插手。我的女兒們是班裏最出色的孩子，學什麼都特別快，而且記得牢。我知道那是因為她們要教哥哥，所以格外用心去學習。從沒看過比她們還有耐心的孩子，輪流一遍又一遍教著笨拙的新新，一個單詞往往要重複好多好多遍，甚至夢裏還在喃喃。每次新新學會了，她們就會歡呼起來，然後學著幼稚園老師的樣子翹起大拇指說，哥哥你好棒，哥哥你真棒！而我的兒子，就看著妹妹，傻傻憨憨地笑著。
老師要求每個孩子學習寫自己的名字，這對新新來講簡直是不可能的事情。可一個月後的一天，女兒們興奮地拉著兒子跑來告訴我，哥哥會寫自己的名字了！
我將信將疑地看著兒子在紙上歪歪扭扭地寫下兩個大大的[新]字，尤其敖看到他們練習的本子，我小小的女兒們，竟然知道把哥哥的名字拆成筆劃來教，好幾個本子寫著他們循序漸進的過程，我再一次被女兒們的耐心折服得淚流滿面。一天，我去接他們。走到教室門口，聽到有個孩子喊著，你們的哥哥是個傻孩子！我一驚，連忙走進去。我示意正要阻止的老師，決定讓孩子們自己去面對。只見陽陽憋紅了小臉對那個孩子說，我的哥哥不是傻孩子，他是天使，他丟了翅膀，來到我們家，變成一個世界上最好的哥哥，他只不過還沒習慣人間的生活。孩子們發出'哇'的驚歎聲，你們的哥哥竟然是天使哎！
老師含著眼淚摟過陽陽，對孩子們說，新新是我們班的天使，他會愛我們每個小朋友，還教會我們如何去愛別人。
回家的路上，我的心被女兒編織的故事激蕩著。我問她們為什麼那麼愛哥哥，她們一起回答，因為沒有哥哥就沒有我們啊！忽地淚又盈滿我的眼，原來她們已經牢牢記住了我的話，那麼小，就學會了愛和感恩。他們是上天賜給彼此的天使，也是上天送給我最珍貴的禮物。因為他們，我才知道，做媽媽是那麼值得驕傲和幸福！

Totus Tuus

2008-04-01T02:01:00.000-07:00

Speaking of Viktor (prior post), just got some new pieces (& the not-so-new Tallis "If You Love Me") from last choir rehearsal. One of them is Rutter Gloria, it has some crazy organ work. SWEET!

Along with the same thought, I FINALLY ordered the CD for Olivier Messiaen "Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jesus". A 2-hour long concert piece for piano. I heard that live years ago, played by my piano teacher at Berkeley, Jacqueline Chew. I have been thinking about the piece since the new piano rolled into the santuary more than a year ago. The Messiaen piece uses those extra lowest keys on this piano. I did mention that to Viktor once. (hope he won't kill me for that!) It's a breath-taking piece. Amazing.

p.s. I've learnt that Ms. Chew became an Oblate because of her study of this music.

And there's the excerpt from the piece call "Totus Tuus". It's written for John Paul
2's visit to Poland. I think it means "Totally Yours", a phrase JP2 used as the devotion to BVM. Such a prayerful work.

I will check out if there's recording for this piece.

Faure Concert Podcast

2008-04-01T00:54:00.000-07:00

Juse writing to let everyone knows, that the Recording for the Faure Concert is up on the SToC music ministry homepage. Just follow the link to St. Therese Website, then to Music ministry page, then Recording. I don't know why, but Vicktor's Solo piece is not there.

addedum: Viktor's Solo was not there, because he wanted to re-record it. I wonder why. :( I fwd him the Poem his piece was based on (it's originally a Melodie -art song). & afterward, he told he he would have play it differently if he had known beforehand. :p I didn't know the title of his Solo piece until the day of concert. So...

慈悲主日 Divine Mercy Sunday

2008-03-31T16:44:00.001-07:00

先教宗若望保祿二世在二千禧年，頒訂了復活期第二主日為「救主慈悲主日」，指出慶祝救主慈悲的奧迹，是對逾越節三日慶典和復活節八日慶期的滿全。因著天主無比的聖善和慈悲大愛，無罪的基督以聖死為我們罪人作了永恆的祭獻，從祂聖心流出的血和水，使我們享有源源不絕的恩寵。水，救贖和淨化我們；血，賦予我們祂的生命和愛情，只要我們投奔救主愛的汪洋中，我們便可得到慈悲和憐憫的豐厚恩寵，這是我們何等的福分哩！而根據宗座聖赦院於2002年頒布的法令，虔誠參與救主慈悲主日敬禮的信友，滿全教會所訂的條件，更可獲得全大赦。這實在是主賜的大慈悲，我們應好好珍惜這恩寵，全心信賴救主，棄絕罪惡，與主修和，善領聖體，懇切祈禱，力行愛德，尤其是遵行基督愛的寶訓，透過行為、言語和祈禱，將救主的慈悲帶給近人。

1935年指示波蘭傅天娜修女：神聖慈悲敬禮，當在復活節後第一主日隆重慶祝。那天是復活後第八天，天主賜給了宗徒們赦罪的權柄，建立了告解聖事。耶穌向聖女傅天娜說：「我的女兒，妳要告知全世界有關我的無限慈悲。我希望這節日是所有靈魂！尤其是那些可憐罪人們的靈魂的避難所和庇護。在那天，我要開啟我慈悲的深淵，我要向那些投奔到我慈悲泉源的靈魂傾注大量的恩寵。」耶穌希望每天三時正，他在十字架上的聖死都會得到恭敬。耶穌教導傅天娜修女說：「你要盡力在這個小時內拜苦路，但要你本份容許。如果你沒法拜苦路，最少也要走進聖堂逗留片刻，在至聖聖體前，朝拜我滿載仁慈的聖心。即使你沒法走進聖堂，那麼在你身處的地方，把自己沉浸在祈禱之中吧，即使只有片刻也足夠了。」耶穌許諾說，在這個小時內，「你可以為自己和其他人求得一切。」「我不會拒絕因我的苦難向我求恩的人。」我們在這個時間的祈檮，應指向耶穌，我們的祈求也應訴諸他悲慘苦難的功勞。

神聖慈悲時刻經文(下午三時整唸)

主耶穌，
你的聖死為靈魂流出生命之源，也為普世開啟了慈悲的海洋。
啊！無限神聖慈悲的生命之源，傾盡你的恩寵，流注我們及普世。從主耶穌聖心流出的血和水，你為我們是慈悲的泉源，我信賴你！至聖天主，至聖強有力者，至聖長存者，求你垂憐我們及普世。亞孟(三次)。主耶穌，慈悲的君王，我們信賴你！

神聖慈悲串經：可用普通的玫瑰珠來唸、開始時先劃十字聖號。

唸「天主經」、「聖母經」和「信經」各一遍。
在每粒大珠上唸：『永生之父，我把你至愛之子，我們的主耶穌基督的聖體、聖血、靈魂及天主性奉獻給你，以賠補我們及普世的罪過。』

在每粒小珠上唸：『因他的至悲慘苦難，求你垂憐我們及普世。』

結尾唸三次：『至聖天主，至聖強有力者，至聖長存者，求你垂憐我們及普世。』

有關神聖慈悲敬禮及聖女傅天納可參考 http://www.catholicworld.info/divinemercy/

Easter Morning Meditation

2008-03-20T16:31:00.001-07:00

One of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius is a meditation on the meeting of Jesus and Mary on the morning of the resurrection. The retreatant is encouraged to let delight and love of this encounter permeate her entire being. This poem is an effort to put into writing the result of such a prayer experience.

She lay unsleeping in the pre-dawn darkness, pondering, pondering in her heart that long and heavy day. All through the night she had relieved her life with him. She ached with memory, who, she questioned, was this son, and who the God whose will he had so bravely come to do?
She thought again about his friends – Ashamed, confused, and frightened. Had they slept, she wondered. Would they ever laugh again? What would she say to comfort them when morning came?
Across the room she heard the other women stir. “It’s almost day,” they whispered. “Come with us. We’re going to the tomb.”
“You go,” she said, I’ll stay and start the bread. The brothers will be hungry when they wake.”
But when the other women left, she knew there was another reason she had stayed behind. She knew – and yet she did not know she know – They would not find his body in the tomb.
She sat alone beside her bed, and thought again of Jesus, Hearing in her heart again the echoes of his dying words:
“I thirst … This day you will be with me … Father, Why … Forgive, they know not … Here, your mother …
“Woman, here I am. Your son.” She heard the words aloud! His voice! Her son alive and standing in the doorway! “Woman, peace, “he said, and took her hands in his and raised her to her feet. “My mother, peace.” He held her tired body gently in his arms.
She stood in silent wonder, Slowly letting truth come home. “My son,” she said at last.
“My son,” Her lips were trembling with her unshed tears, and tenderly she touches his face to let her fingers tell her once again, that he was really with her. “Jesus! Son!” She took his hand and kissed the open wound.
He sat beside her on the window seat. “At times I didn’t think I’d make it, Mother.So much anguish. So much fear. I did not think my love was strong enough.” “But, Jesus, you kept praying for them all, kept calling to your Father …” “And I really was afraid He didn’t hear.” He shook his head as if to shake his fear.
“You suffered so,” she said, “and there was nothing I could do for you. I felt so helpless, Jesus!”
“Mother, you were there,” he said. “I needed that. I needed you to be there. So did John.”
She sat up suddenly. “The brothers, Jesus! Do they know? The women don’t. They left here early, just before you came. They took the oils to anoint your body…” Then she wept. The joy, the grief, the tiredness. The love swept through her body in great aching sobs. He held her, calming her with strength.
She spoke at last: “We lost one, Jesus.”
“Yes” he said, “I know.”
“If only he had come to me like Peter did.”
“So Peter came here, Mother. That was good.” He smiled then and stood to leave.
"I must go find them all," he said.
"The women will have reached the tom by now," she said.
"The brothers slept together in the supper room."
He kissed her gently on the cheek. "Shalom," he said. "Shalom." And he was gone.
She leaned against the doorframe drinking in the sun, Not knowing how to think or feel.
He was alive! Her son alive!
He lives, he lives, he lives, she thought,
The joyful message pounding in her blood.
She stopped and folded back the bed. "I'd better get some breakfast made, " she said aloud. "The brothers will be hungry when they wake."
Awake, awake, awake, the woman chanted, Grinding out her wheat with ancient grace. And what a waking this new day would bring!

復活節清晨的默想

2008-03-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

依納爵神操其中一個題目是默想耶穌和聖母瑪利亞在復活那天早上的會面。這個練習鼓勵我們讓這喜悅的經驗充分滲入我們的心思意念，讓我們分享聖母瑪利亞的喜樂。這首詩是愛爾蘭一位修女默想以後寫下來的。
~~x~~x~~

她躺在晨羲前的黑暗中，心裡不斷沉思著。回想著那漫長沉重的一天。整個晚上她思念不斷回到與他一起渡過的一生。她的回憶充滿著愛、痛苦，和憂傷。我的兒子，你是誰呢！你勇敢地聽從祂的旨意的天主又是誰呢？
她想到他的朋友－他們所感到的羞愧、困惑、害怕。他們昨晚有休息嗎？她想。我會再次看到他們的笑容嗎？我要能怎樣做才能安慰他們呢？
屋子另一邊傳來其他婦女細細碎語。她們來到她跟前說：「天要亮了。來，我們到主的墓穴去。」
「你們去吧。我留在這裡做早點。弟兄們起來時要肚子餓了。」她說。
當其他婦女離開以後，她心裡知道她留下來是另有原因。她心裡知道－但她並不明白－她們在墓穴裡不會找到他的軀體。
她坐在床邊，想念著耶穌，心裡再次響起他臨終的話：
我渴…　我的天父，為何…　寬恕他們吧！因為他們不知道…　看，你的母親…
「女人，是我，你的兒子。」她聽到了他清切的聲音。
她的兒子活生生的站在門邊！「女人，祝妳平安！」他把雙手放在她手裡，徐徐地她站了起來。
「母親，祝妳平安！」他把她疲倦的身體擁在懷中。
她靜靜地站著，容許這個事實慢慢地記錄於腦海中。
「…兒子…」她終於說。
「…兒子。」她的唇發著抖，她的眼充滿著淚光，她的手溫柔地撫摸著他的面頰。像是要證明他實實在在的站在她面前。「耶穌！兒子！」
她親吻了他手心的傷口。
他領她到窗前的座位，「有幾次我也沒有信心完成這個任務。多麼大的痛苦，多麼深的恐懼，我不知道我的愛夠不夠堅強。」
「但耶穌！您不停地為他們祈禱，不停地向天父祈求…」
「我真的很怕祂沒有聽見。」他搖搖頭，像是要把心中的恐懼搖掉。
「你受苦了，我又沒能為你做什麼。那感覺是多麼無助！」
「母親，您一直伴在我身旁，那是我最需要的。若望也需要妳在那。
她突然想起。「弟兄們！他們知道了嗎？瑪大肋納她們大清早到墓穴去了。她們帶了香料去為你的身體傅油…。」說到這裡，她終於哭了。
她所感受的喜悅、悲傷、疲勞；她感到主的愛充滿在她身上，不禁痛哭了起來。他把她擁在懷裡，安慰著她。
過了一段時間，她說：「耶穌，我們失去了一個。」
「是，我知道…」
「要是他像保祿一樣來找我… 」
「保祿來過了…那很好…」他站起來笑了笑，我要去把他們都找回來。」
「婦女們應該到墳墓了。弟兄們昨晚都在飯廳睡了一睡。」
他在她臉上親了一下。「平安，平安。」就出去了。
她依在門邊，浴在晨羲的日光裡，她的心思意念不斷的轉來轉去。
他復活了！她的兒子復活了！
他復活了！他復活了！
喜悅的訊息充盈著她心中。
她回到床邊，把棉被疊起來。「我要開始做早點了。弟兄們起來時肚子會餓。」她說。
醒來吧！醒來吧！她一邊唱起歌來，一邊磨著麥子。
醒來吧！這是上主所造的新一天！一個歡欣喜悅的一天！

translation © maykuo

Art Work & Meditation for Holy Week

2008-03-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

I found this Religious Artwrok website.
The Following is the main page for Holy Week Meditation

http://www.biblia.com/jesusm/passion.htm

和好聖事 The Scarament of Reconciliation

2008-03-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

The Duck & the Devil

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching!

Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day Grandma said, 'Sally, let's wash the dishes.' But Sally said, 'Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen.' Then she whispered to him, 'Remember the duck?' So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, 'I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.'
Sally just smiled and said, 'Well, that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help.' She whispered again, 'Remember the duck?' So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer.

He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, 'Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.'

Thought for the day and every day thereafter?

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is...You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven.

He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.

The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.

Go ahead and make a difference in someone's life today. Share this with a friend and always remember: God is at the window!

When Jesus died on the cross; he was thinking of you!

If you are one of the 93% who will stand up for Him, forward this with the title 'I'm in the 93%'.

Would you believe 7% of people won't forward this?

Holy Week Faure Requiem Concert

2008-03-04T02:13:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

I want to invite you to a concert that the St. Therese Choir is presenting on Wednesday of Holy Week, March 19th, at 7 O'clock in the evening.

Faure's Requiem was first written and performed in 1888 for the church choir & chamber orchestra. The original intent was a small intimate setting. The orchestra is a little unusual, with no upper string except a solo vioin.

The piece is light & airy. It has simple elegance, haunting beauty. Not full of anguish & despair, like many other settings of Requiem one might have heard.

Throughout the piece Faure expresses a quiet confident of afterlife in heaven. The Requiem is very peaceful & meditative. And it would be a holy way to lead us into Easter Triduum.

大家好！

2008-02-14T02:17:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

This is May. I was a little bored (although I should have been sleeping...), so I thought to create a Blog for SDCCC. How's that for dedication?!

Ah... but not as much as those people working on St. Therese's website.
Have you been visiting the Church website? It's quite addictive.

Have you notice the colour scheme of the website? It recall that of the Beautiful Sanctuary. (Lovely picture on the front page). And what I like the most, is the colour "beams. arches" on the left side -- see how the light & dark redwood colours alternate? It is almost the same like that of the Altar, the Ambo, & the Priestn's Chair (not sure of the proper name... will research)... Those designers did such a great work, paying such attentions to smallest details, to honor God. Isn't that amazing?

The website is addictive because it is constantly updating, with new information, news, etc. Have you check the Music Ministry homepage? We got mp3 of Viktor playing postlude at the 9am Mass. What a treat!

Anyway, go check it out if you haven't. As for this little space, I will post the SDCCC introduction in Chinese. But unless someone will join me at the little blogging space, I will post in English only.