Osso Buco-Style Chicken: Recipe

Heat 1 t. olive oil, add 1-1/2 lbs. skinless boneless chicken thighs, cook until browned on each side, about 5 minutes; transfer to plate. Add 1/2 C. chopped onion, 1 chopped celery stalk, 2 small chopped carrots, 1 chopped garlic clove to pan; cook about 8 minutes until veggies are very soft. Add one 14-1/2 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes with juice, 2/3 C. chicken broth, 1/2 C. dry white wine, 1 bay leaf; stir w. fork to break tomatoes.

Return chicken to pan, bring to boil, simmer until chicken is tender, about 15 min. Discard bay leaf. Just before serving combine 3T. chopped parsely, 1 t. grated lemon zest, 1 clove chopped garlic; sprinkle over chicken on each individual plate after serving. Internal chicken temp. 180 degrees F. May be served with brown rice and a green veggie. Serves 4. Bon appetit!

Source: Weight Watchers, Make It In Minutes. New York: Hungry Minds, 2001.

Discernment of Spirits: Conscience Formation

Discernment of Spirits is another of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola. While many fine resources relate to the Discernment of Spirits, a few of them are listed below. The homily from Holy Trinity Church shows how discernment of spirits is rooted in scripture.

Sources: http://www.prosanctity.org/library/spiritual/discernspirits.htm , http://www.holytrinity.gen.nz/Pages/sermons/discernmentofspirits.htm

Review of the Day: Conscience Formation

Review of the Day is an alternate form of the Consciousness Examen. It is on a website rich in resources for conscience formation and more.

Sources: http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/ . Click Review of the Day in the second box from the top on the right.

Examen of Consciousness: An Aid to Conscience Formation

Examen of Consciousness is one of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola which provides space and some direction to the person who wants to grow in the Christian life. It can allow for the kind of reflection encouraged by the bishops in their respective documents.

While a good bit has been written about the Examen, St. Xavier School has done well both in preserving the essence of Ignatius' writing, and in explaining Ignatius' thinking in ways that we would find accessible today. The Examen can take on more immediate meaning if one is able to maintain a brief journal of reflections based on experience with the Examen.

Sources: http://www.stxavier.org/s/106/stxavier.aspx?sid=106&gid=1&pgid=973 Also, George Aschenbrenner, "Consciousness Examen" in Review for Religious, vol. 31, no.1, 1972.

The American Scene: Conscience Formation

More recently the American Catholic Bishops issued Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. This document forms a sequel to the work of the Canadian Bishops in that it recalls key areas of Catholic social teaching and their importance on the contemporary American scene particularly in the areas of human life, family life, social justice and global solidarity. It reminds individuals of their responsibility and privilege to affect the quality of societal life. While the Canadian Bishops draw attention to the role of the magisterium, the American Bishops articulate some its content. Both documents are of perennial value.

Sources: www.aquinasandmore.com www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship/FCStatement.pdf

Raising Social Awareness: Conscience Formation

From time to time this blog will address the topic of raising social awareness by suggesting a resource or tool which may be helpful in developing one's moral consciousness. The first of these comes from the Canadian Catholic Bishops who in 1973 addressed the problem of confusion in society which in turn leads to confusion as to what is right.

Conscience is more than a "small voice inside." Indeed each person has the dignity and responsibility to form his or her conscience. Specific criteria enable an individual to weigh a situation in the process of making a moral decision. My students were particularly taken with "the presence of Christ" in one's life as an important moral guide. Other guides discussed include human balance, scripture and tradition, the teaching of the church, and the law.

Despite the fact that the document was formulated 35 years ago, it remains relevant.

Source: http://canada.omsoul.com/Statement_on_the_Formation_of_Conscience.pdf

The Inauguration

Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony McGil

(not shown, pianist Gabriela Montero)

While abiding meanings and memories of the Inauguration continue, perhaps Williams' arrangement of "Air and Simple Gifts" serves as a focal point, a moment of meditation, prior to the oath of office, with its message of simplicity and freedom. The rendition by consummate artists, with differing gifts, offered rich interpretation, a most appropriate setting for a sacred moment.

The video link and unsung lyrics from the old Shaker hymn are here to be savored once again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02Ao9jyq5Vk

"'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
"'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
"And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
"'Twill be in the valley of love and delight."

Sources: http://www.google.com/, www.youtube.com/, www.google.com/hostednews