Missed opportunity...
Let me start with today. Played name that team. I noticed the church parking lot filling up faster than normal. It was 8:40 and there were more cars than I expected. Of course I freak out that our seat will be taken. But it seems like whenever St. A's is in attendance they sit to the extreme... Chapel side. By their physique... I guessed soccer and I was right. Is this a new thing? It seems like a common hairstyle was a mop top. In the sense the sides are trimmed, but they had a head of curly hair on top. Anyway... I semi worried because it's been weeks since we had Fr. I at Mass, plus the deacon / his wife was in attendance, I thought maybe he'd preach. But then I thought... At least it will be... What do I want to say? Like at least he'll speak truths. Not that Fr. I doesn't. But like I said, he's not afraid to say true, but deemed controversial topics by today's society. And like I said, the HS kids were here. But no... Fr. I spoke. He even said it wasn't a homily and apologized, but it's his job to inform us on the state of the Parish and... In previous years he gave me hope. I mean... I didn't leave Mass being all depresso, but... I don't know. I guess the first thing that sticks in my mind. He brought up the amount of Masses and in turn the amount of people in attendance. Saying we have 3.3K families registered. Prior to the pandemic we had about 1500 people come weekly. Recently it's only been 700 to 800. Really? He then says that effects the money that comes in and this year we were at a deficit. He says it's due to the price of everything and unexpected expenses. One being the installation of hand rails to the steps after an " elderly woman" fell. Hmm... That the parish is aging. Then he added stained glass to the chapel side that also wasn't in the budget. Roof, that we're in the budget, also needed replacing. I mean... The parish is 60 years, it's expected. He then mentioned how initially we had 3 priests and a convent. Now only 1 and 2 deacons. In addition, the convent is being rented out to a private / special needs school. He mentioned the drop in faith formation, both in adults and children. There was an up tick in some sacraments, like baptisms / weddings compared to during the pandemic, which makes sense. We took on 3 more nursing homes.
Oh yeah... Remember I talked about that tree that showed up in the chapel. Well he explained it. Basically the one in the gathering space was used for the capital campaign in the 90s, so he felt like the contributors to this current campaign deserved recognition too. So... Mom has no recollection of donating, even when I mentioned her monthly payments... So next time I visit our candle I will see if her name is there.
He also mentioned the Grotto to Mary / the bricks. Basically he wanted someplace, that is seen to be a symbol we are Catholic and to be welcoming to outsiders. He once again said, "We should not be afraid to show that we are Catholic". Hahaha!!! He didn't see my instagram story of my #outfitoftheday with my CATHOLIC sweater.
I feel like I have a lot to do. Didn't get to do anything yesterday because we were out all day. Doing my laundry... Need to do my files. I want to fill out my passport papers and bring it to the post office along with this package I need to return. I want to update my SD cards.
Oh yeah... I saw a vid. I guess when they premiere the new season of The Chosen they are starting it with a song / vid by Matt Maher. HAHAHA!!! I've heard fans complaining that a lot of Mormons are on the production team. And now they have Matt Maher / a Catholic performing songs for it! HAHAHAH!!! Did I mention I got turned off because all the fans of the show were like celebrating the fact the producer was sharing the Gospel with Catholics, then others saying we're evil? Anyway, I tried to see if the song was included on the new album / bonus tracts. It is not. But then I noticed live versions of some of the songs I listen to are on it... So maybe I will give them a listen.
Anyway, went to PA to go to Sight and Sound. Met up with 7500centfish, etc. I had to wake up at 4 to do my prayers, shower, etc. We planned to leave at 6, but then Mom and I had a quick breakfast. I noticed the lights in the front on. Mom later said when I was heating up breakfast... She asked me to heat up the corned beef because she cooked it last night expecting Tita Carmen to come. She did not. We left at almost 6:30 when we were supposed to be at Shirley's house at 6:45. We then rode with them to Staten Island where the bus was picking us up. I ate breakfast before because in the past they just had like coffee and cookies and various Filipino deserts for breakfast. I found myself a seat in the dinning room and waited there till we left. Said hi to various people. People saying they've seen me all the time, yet don't know my name... Dra. E made a comment I'm like Michael... As in we're just the driver. Had lunch in a new "Amish" style buffet. People were saying it was better, but... I dunno... I was kinda turned off by the stuffing. I had a piece of chicken and a slice of ham. The potatoes were nothing special. A bit too starchy. I dunno. I don't have a refined pallet. Maybe 7500centfish thinks differently. Mom was gonna dump me with 7500centfish and asked for her ticket, but I was afraid she'd lose it. I then decided to just go with her. Good thing I did! I mean... Nothing happened. But... I don't know. *sigh* Where was I? After eating we spent an hour in this little shopping village we've been to in the past. We then went to the theater...
Oh yeah, while we were sitting at the Buffet, 7500centfish asked if there is anything she should know before we see this. She meant other than the whole David and Goliath thing. Uh... I had seen the song list so I know it starts with that, but then goes to his lament. So I mentioned Bathsheba, not remember her name exactly, but her being Uriah's wife and David sending him off to war and having him killed. Like... I hope I didn't ruin it for anyone else at the table. Some other woman sat with us... I think I mentioned something else... Oh yeah, that Saul was trying to kill him because he was all jelly.
Anyway, the show... I had posted the meme "Your music saved me" and then mentioned praying the Psalms being life changing. I mean... The story of David itself is epic. But the music was lacking? But then again... I never felt any of the other S&S musicals to be catchy. Like I never went out and bought the cast recording or the DVD and the like. So in a sense, this is the same. I did like they made reference to the Psalms, more than the synopsis mentioned (Psalm 23 and 51). They kept referring back to Psalm 23 (The Lord is my Shepherd) multiple times. As always they need to bring Jesus in. So they mentioned Psalm 22 and had silhouetted images of the crucifixion. There were a few scenes I'd describe as Hippy / New Age. Like Saul is chasing David and he goes to Samuel and... They made it seem like it was like some drug induced trip and worship of God. I don't even remember what they did. But I remember a lot of stage smoke machines, staring off into space and "worshiping" God. Then there was a trippy scene where David is playing his harp and he's flying through the universe. Weird... Oh and... #ProtNonsense!!! They make reference to being cleansed from sin and being made white as snow, so initially it snows on stage onto David, but then at the end we are snowed on. Like... Is this some Prot equivalence to forgiveness of sins? Yeah, doesn't work that way. In addition to the songs being lacking, I didn't feel like there were a lot of show stoppers / songs that got a really being applause at the end. Then there was no scene like... In the Christmas one, when the angel goes around sparing the Jews and killing the 1st born (weird, I know), the audience is applauding the whole time. There are other scenes like that I can't seem to remember. I guess the killing of Goliath would have been the same, but this audience wasn't cheering the whole time. It was kinda anticlimactic. Maybe because we were sitting so close to the stage it looked fake? Yeah, so it had potential, but musically it didn't do anything for me.
Probably not a coincidence, but we were sitting next to Aunt Pitat who went on her own, well with her niece and fam, etc. During the intermission I caught she and Mom coffee klatching. The "Grandson" came back with a white girl and she whispers that's the girlfriend and I'm like, "escandelo?" "Yes!" HAHAHHA!!!
Then on the bus... I was semi asleep by that time. But they get this guy who is the groups resident Elvis impersonator and he was singing. At some point other people got up to sing. One woman wanted to share the Gospel with us. Uh...
Clerical beanies...
I officially read through the Bible. It took me 4ish years. As I said, I've been reading a chapter a day, started with the Gospel of Luke in Dec of 2018. I then went to Acts, the Pentateuch, the Psalms, then alternated between New and Old testament. I finished the NT before the old, so I'm actually rereading that. So I guess I could reread the OT? Except... I've been using the WOF bible. But the OT doesn't come out till next summer. So I don't know if I should do the Great Adventure Bible or just the bible I used in HS... Lol. Should I do my Children's bible to tide me over till I get the WOF Pentateuch? Should I finish reading the WOF NT and just read it straight through as well? I'm on the letters of Peter.
Too true!
I was about to close this off, but then I remembered I had notes!
Dream! I was in a hotel. And... I just remember discovering Matt Maher was having an affair with some... Was it Candice Owens? But then it was someone he was working with musically and not Candice Owens exactly, just looked like her. But then I remember praying. Like I was saying the Rosary in my sleep. Worried his career would be ruined because he's a Christian artist. That his latest album would be his last and not that his marriage is ruined and the effect it would have on his kids. But then I was also thinking... We are Christians and believe in redemption unlike being "canceled" by society where you are blacklisted forever. I then remember getting into an elevator, but it was like $5 to ride and... I don't even remember what I was doing like what the alternative was, but I was weighing if it was worth the cost to ride the elevator at $5.
I need to make a "travel checklist" like I do when I go on vacay for the S&S trips. Like... I wasn't sure if they had a 12v car socket or usb hubs or plain plugs on the bus. FYI, they had both the usb and regular sockets. I then need to remember my USB "data" cable for Mr. Matthews. I think I need to bring a ziplock bag for all the snacks they give us. I did remember to bring an extra bag for all the stuff I was unloading to leave on the bus. But they didn't have hooks this time. I think previous years they had wifi, but I asked the driver directly this time. They did not.
Fr. I is faving my posts again...
Oh yeah... Remember I talked about that tree that showed up in the chapel. Well he explained it. Basically the one in the gathering space was used for the capital campaign in the 90s, so he felt like the contributors to this current campaign deserved recognition too. So... Mom has no recollection of donating, even when I mentioned her monthly payments... So next time I visit our candle I will see if her name is there.
He also mentioned the Grotto to Mary / the bricks. Basically he wanted someplace, that is seen to be a symbol we are Catholic and to be welcoming to outsiders. He once again said, "We should not be afraid to show that we are Catholic". Hahaha!!! He didn't see my instagram story of my #outfitoftheday with my CATHOLIC sweater.
I feel like I have a lot to do. Didn't get to do anything yesterday because we were out all day. Doing my laundry... Need to do my files. I want to fill out my passport papers and bring it to the post office along with this package I need to return. I want to update my SD cards.
Oh yeah... I saw a vid. I guess when they premiere the new season of The Chosen they are starting it with a song / vid by Matt Maher. HAHAHA!!! I've heard fans complaining that a lot of Mormons are on the production team. And now they have Matt Maher / a Catholic performing songs for it! HAHAHAH!!! Did I mention I got turned off because all the fans of the show were like celebrating the fact the producer was sharing the Gospel with Catholics, then others saying we're evil? Anyway, I tried to see if the song was included on the new album / bonus tracts. It is not. But then I noticed live versions of some of the songs I listen to are on it... So maybe I will give them a listen.
Anyway, went to PA to go to Sight and Sound. Met up with 7500centfish, etc. I had to wake up at 4 to do my prayers, shower, etc. We planned to leave at 6, but then Mom and I had a quick breakfast. I noticed the lights in the front on. Mom later said when I was heating up breakfast... She asked me to heat up the corned beef because she cooked it last night expecting Tita Carmen to come. She did not. We left at almost 6:30 when we were supposed to be at Shirley's house at 6:45. We then rode with them to Staten Island where the bus was picking us up. I ate breakfast before because in the past they just had like coffee and cookies and various Filipino deserts for breakfast. I found myself a seat in the dinning room and waited there till we left. Said hi to various people. People saying they've seen me all the time, yet don't know my name... Dra. E made a comment I'm like Michael... As in we're just the driver. Had lunch in a new "Amish" style buffet. People were saying it was better, but... I dunno... I was kinda turned off by the stuffing. I had a piece of chicken and a slice of ham. The potatoes were nothing special. A bit too starchy. I dunno. I don't have a refined pallet. Maybe 7500centfish thinks differently. Mom was gonna dump me with 7500centfish and asked for her ticket, but I was afraid she'd lose it. I then decided to just go with her. Good thing I did! I mean... Nothing happened. But... I don't know. *sigh* Where was I? After eating we spent an hour in this little shopping village we've been to in the past. We then went to the theater...
Oh yeah, while we were sitting at the Buffet, 7500centfish asked if there is anything she should know before we see this. She meant other than the whole David and Goliath thing. Uh... I had seen the song list so I know it starts with that, but then goes to his lament. So I mentioned Bathsheba, not remember her name exactly, but her being Uriah's wife and David sending him off to war and having him killed. Like... I hope I didn't ruin it for anyone else at the table. Some other woman sat with us... I think I mentioned something else... Oh yeah, that Saul was trying to kill him because he was all jelly.
Anyway, the show... I had posted the meme "Your music saved me" and then mentioned praying the Psalms being life changing. I mean... The story of David itself is epic. But the music was lacking? But then again... I never felt any of the other S&S musicals to be catchy. Like I never went out and bought the cast recording or the DVD and the like. So in a sense, this is the same. I did like they made reference to the Psalms, more than the synopsis mentioned (Psalm 23 and 51). They kept referring back to Psalm 23 (The Lord is my Shepherd) multiple times. As always they need to bring Jesus in. So they mentioned Psalm 22 and had silhouetted images of the crucifixion. There were a few scenes I'd describe as Hippy / New Age. Like Saul is chasing David and he goes to Samuel and... They made it seem like it was like some drug induced trip and worship of God. I don't even remember what they did. But I remember a lot of stage smoke machines, staring off into space and "worshiping" God. Then there was a trippy scene where David is playing his harp and he's flying through the universe. Weird... Oh and... #ProtNonsense!!! They make reference to being cleansed from sin and being made white as snow, so initially it snows on stage onto David, but then at the end we are snowed on. Like... Is this some Prot equivalence to forgiveness of sins? Yeah, doesn't work that way. In addition to the songs being lacking, I didn't feel like there were a lot of show stoppers / songs that got a really being applause at the end. Then there was no scene like... In the Christmas one, when the angel goes around sparing the Jews and killing the 1st born (weird, I know), the audience is applauding the whole time. There are other scenes like that I can't seem to remember. I guess the killing of Goliath would have been the same, but this audience wasn't cheering the whole time. It was kinda anticlimactic. Maybe because we were sitting so close to the stage it looked fake? Yeah, so it had potential, but musically it didn't do anything for me.
Probably not a coincidence, but we were sitting next to Aunt Pitat who went on her own, well with her niece and fam, etc. During the intermission I caught she and Mom coffee klatching. The "Grandson" came back with a white girl and she whispers that's the girlfriend and I'm like, "escandelo?" "Yes!" HAHAHHA!!!
Then on the bus... I was semi asleep by that time. But they get this guy who is the groups resident Elvis impersonator and he was singing. At some point other people got up to sing. One woman wanted to share the Gospel with us. Uh...
Clerical beanies...
I officially read through the Bible. It took me 4ish years. As I said, I've been reading a chapter a day, started with the Gospel of Luke in Dec of 2018. I then went to Acts, the Pentateuch, the Psalms, then alternated between New and Old testament. I finished the NT before the old, so I'm actually rereading that. So I guess I could reread the OT? Except... I've been using the WOF bible. But the OT doesn't come out till next summer. So I don't know if I should do the Great Adventure Bible or just the bible I used in HS... Lol. Should I do my Children's bible to tide me over till I get the WOF Pentateuch? Should I finish reading the WOF NT and just read it straight through as well? I'm on the letters of Peter.
Too true!
I was about to close this off, but then I remembered I had notes!
Dream! I was in a hotel. And... I just remember discovering Matt Maher was having an affair with some... Was it Candice Owens? But then it was someone he was working with musically and not Candice Owens exactly, just looked like her. But then I remember praying. Like I was saying the Rosary in my sleep. Worried his career would be ruined because he's a Christian artist. That his latest album would be his last and not that his marriage is ruined and the effect it would have on his kids. But then I was also thinking... We are Christians and believe in redemption unlike being "canceled" by society where you are blacklisted forever. I then remember getting into an elevator, but it was like $5 to ride and... I don't even remember what I was doing like what the alternative was, but I was weighing if it was worth the cost to ride the elevator at $5.
I need to make a "travel checklist" like I do when I go on vacay for the S&S trips. Like... I wasn't sure if they had a 12v car socket or usb hubs or plain plugs on the bus. FYI, they had both the usb and regular sockets. I then need to remember my USB "data" cable for Mr. Matthews. I think I need to bring a ziplock bag for all the snacks they give us. I did remember to bring an extra bag for all the stuff I was unloading to leave on the bus. But they didn't have hooks this time. I think previous years they had wifi, but I asked the driver directly this time. They did not.
Fr. I is faving my posts again...