The Human Experience - Dignity in the Midst of Poverty

Two young men from Brooklyn, New York set out to find out what it means to live the gospel in misery and poverty.  From the homeless in New York, to the forgotten orphans of Peru, to modern day leper colonies in Africa, we are presented with the powerful drama that is "the rest of the world".  The masses living on the outskirts of the comfort zone that we know as modern daily life. 

The creators of The Human Experience attempt "By spotlighting heartwarming stories from around the world, (to) show viewers that every single person, no matter his or her lot in life, is beautiful."

This award winning documentary is brought to us by Grassroot Films, which also produced Fishers of Men, to inspire vocations to priestly service and God in the Streets of New York City.   Grassroots Films strives to "make great films that inspire true change".  The Human Experience has won over 30 awards since its release last year and emphasizes this year's Catholic Campaign for Human Development theme:  Fight Poverty. Defend Human Dignity. 

A truly inspiring film for private or group viewing, highly recommended by Catholic Traveller's A Simple Catholic.

Fulton Sheen's Cause - Victim Of Another Bishops' Snafu?

Rocco Palmo's latest update to Whispers In The Loggia today, cites yet another incomprehensible move by our "hierarchy".  I can only hope that it is just a miscommunication that got out of hand.  According to the website for archbishop Sheen's cause for sainthood, the Diocese of Peoria is passing the buck for Sheen's beatification, because the Archdiocese of New York won't release Sheen's remains for reinterrment in his home diocese.  OH PULEEEZ!!  Are we little boys on the playground fighting over territory?  Do we need to stand in the corner until we can play nice?! 

Excuse my ignorant little backwoods version of common sense, but I think that the BIG BOYS need to talk it out and get back to the cause.  Fulton Sheen took Catholicism to the modern world even before Mother Angelica, through his writings and his television series "Life is Worth Living".  His humor and advice are still timely, and I think we deserve a modern day saint to inspire us. 

Now that I have had my rant, I truly hope that Archbishop Dolan (no relation) will take up the cause for Archbishop Sheen, and that we will soon have another official example of how to live for Jesus in the midst of this world's insanity.

Canticle of the Sun - Thoughts on Wind and Weather

"Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance."

I try to call to mind this verse of St. Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Sun when the wind is ripping shingles off my roof, or blowing sheets of dirt into my face and hair.  Meditating on it at these times helps calm my irritation as I accept that such winds are usually blowing gloomy weather away from my little homestead, or bringing nourishing rain and playful snow to it - depends on my perspective, doesn't it? 

When I am hiking in the wind, if I stand still and close my eyes, I can feel Brother Wind embracing me, Brother Air infusing my body with healing oxygen, sensuous scents of evergreen, rain or snow, and sweet musky fragrances of flowers and mosses.

There is an anecdote about John Muir, the great naturalist, who was said to go for one of his "walks" in a storm, climb a tree and swing from the branches, just to let the wind and rain buffet and refresh him.  In his own words, he felt "...free to take the wind into my pulses and enjoy the excited forest...I kept my lofty perch for hours, frequently closing my eyes to enjoy the music by itself, or to feast quietly on the delicious fragrance that was streaming past."  (John Muir, The Mountains of California). 

I too have had the hours pass swiftly as I sat upon a lofty peak (though not up in a tree!) feeling the wind wash me of my anxieties, cleanse me of my materialism and make me ready to face my human brothers and sisters again, with renewed tolerance, compassion and love.

All praise and glory to God, the awesome Creator!