Roseanne's Reflections

Osso Buco-Style Chicken: Recipe

2009-07-26T17:40:00.007-04:00

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

2009-02-25T16:02:00.003-05:00

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

2009-02-11T10:06:00.005-05:00

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

2009-02-08T13:10:00.002-05:00

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

2009-02-07T10:47:00.003-05:00

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

2009-02-06T17:21:00.003-05:00

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

2009-01-24T20:01:00.007-05:00

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

Learning Differences and Gifts: Implications for Ministry

2009-01-15T22:11:00.013-05:00

While Christ Church in Philadelphia dates back to colonial times, one of its current ministers, Rev. Susan Richardson, is studying learning differences and gifts with their implications for church ministry.

Recently the church hosted an event featuring speaker Robert A. Naseef, author of Special Children: Challenged Parents, who applied Elizabeth Kubler-Ross' steps to settings where learning differences and gifts, particularly autism, occur, with emphasis upon family life. The morning included fine powerpoint visuals and well-developed printed material for each participant. However, the high points were surely Naseef's own family journey with autism as well as the contributions of the participants.

Peachy Pork Chops: Recipe

2009-01-13T17:16:00.011-05:00

Combine 1/2 C peach preserves (or a substitute such as blackberry), 2T Dijon mustard, 1 clove finely chopped garlic, 1T reduced sodium soy sauce, 2T orange juice, 1/4 t crushed red pepper.

Sautée (med-hi heat) four lightly salted and peppered chops in 1T canola oil about 5 min on each side so that they are well cooked. Reserve chops in serving dish; keep warm.

Place combined ingredients in pan used for chops; simmer uncovered about 3 minutes until thick. Pour mixture over chops. Serve over cooked brown rice. Serves 4.

Recipe source: Make It In Minutes. New York: Hungry Minds, 2001.

Organizing from the Inside Out: Review

2009-01-12T12:55:00.009-05:00

Julie Morgenstern's Organizing from the Inside Out (1998) offers a distinct approach to the challenge and opportunity of doing just what the title suggests.

Noting that the roots to poor organization are to be found in lack of knowledge, external factors, or internal factors, Morgenstern proposes a threefold process: analysis, strategy and attack along with the use of an organizing log.

Providing many practical examples, Morganstern has clearly "been there" and "done that."

Sources: http://www.speaking.com/ , http://www.juliemorgenstern.com/

Compass Points: Brief Review

2009-01-10T19:24:00.012-05:00

Compass Points for A Spiritual Journey by Elizabeth Mary Strub with Mary Ann Buckley and Carmen Torres is based upon the life-story and spirituality of Cornelia Connelly (1809-1879).

Just as the directional markers on a compass enable the traveller to find a way, so the virtues in the life of Cornelia Connelly suggest a dynamic pathway to the one who wants to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

A recurring archetypal image is that of the contemplative-in-action who is both deeply rooted in God and radically in touch with the active center of the deepest global need.

The short work is available online and is well worth pondering and discussing. While profound, its approach is one of delightful simplicity.

Perhaps its charm lies in the fact that, without guile,

it invites the seeker to be one's true self,

to become more and more fully that true self,

to continue on the journey

in companionship with fellow travellers

and to find more deeply than ever before

God who lives within one's true self.

Compass Points: http://www.holychild200.org/home/documents/CompassPoints.pdf

Ending and Beginning

2009-01-10T18:31:00.005-05:00

As 2008 came
to an end,
and 2009 began,
this blogger
was silent...

walking the beach
along the Jersey shore,
laying the old to rest,
anticipating the arrival of the new...

Silently reflecting upon Compass Points,
and later sharing reflections
with others.

More on Compass Points in a future post,

but for today:

Happy and Blessed New Year,

Happy new semester,

A renewed United States,

Hope and a prayer for peace in the world,

and especially,

Deepened strength for those most in need of it.

Sunset on Seven Mile Island

(Sunset Over the Bay at Stone Harbor)

Image: wwww.flickr.com

Mary Assumpta Aamagr SHCJ

2009-01-09T16:07:00.007-05:00

Please remember Mary Assumpta Aamagr SHCJ who died along with three others in a traffic accident near Wa in Ghana earlier this week.

Information is scant since those involved either remain unconscious or also died. Liturgy is to be offered at Cape Coast.

Mary Assumpta is mentioned in a recent story on the church in Ghana: http://www.shcj.org/african/northernghana.html

On the same page is Nora Sweeney SHCJ,

an esteemed colleague

now living in the states.

The gift of life is a mystery.

Let us be grateful for it.

Let us reverence

and treasure it.

Image of village in Northern Ghana: www.travelblog.org/Photos/579735.html

Vigil of the Epiphany

2009-01-03T13:37:00.008-05:00

The image below depicts an elegance,
and draws attention to the majesty of God
who comes as a tiny babe.
Yet the image could cause some of us
to distance ourselves.
After all, we cannot identify
with such regal splendor.
Further, the reality at the manger
was very simple and inconvenient.

Let us remember that much of today's world lives in bare simplicity

and utter inconvenience.

Let us ask each day: "What one thing can I do today

to remember and to reach out

to those who strive to live

amidst deep poverty?"

The Christmas Season

2008-12-26T16:23:00.007-05:00

Gentile da Fabriano's Adoration of the Magi

"They offered Him gifts:

gold, frankincense and myrrh."

The artist incorporates us into the actions

of seeking and finding the One to come,

of offering oneself,

and of receiving.

Image source: www.katapi.org

Quotation source: Matthew 2:11

Additions to this blog will continue after the Epiphany.

Christmas Day

2008-12-25T08:57:00.004-05:00

Tintoretto's Nativity

"His name shall be called Wonderful,
Counselor,
Mighty Father,
the Prince of Peace..."

May the reality of God become human

take new meaning in our world

this Christmas.

Image Source: http://www.joyfulheart.com/

Quotation Source: The Book of Isaiah

This Day's Gospel

2008-12-23T11:50:00.005-05:00

Fra Angelico's Naming of St. John the Baptist

The lives of Elizabeth and Zechariah

bespeak potentiality for life and grace,

nourished by God-given wisdom.

Elizabeth and Zechariah speak

of faith, discipline, and hope,

into the future.

Gustavo Gutierrez says,

"Hope is a gift, but you don't receive that gift,

if you're not creating resources for it."

Image source: www.artbible.info

Quotation source: http://ncronline3.org

Prayer of Holy Mary, from Luke 1

2008-12-22T15:44:00.006-05:00

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed;
the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.
He has mercy on those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm
and has scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
to remember his promise of mercy,
The promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Gospels for Today

2008-12-21T12:05:00.007-05:00

Tintoretto's The Visitation

Gospels for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and for December 21 (Luke 1:26-38, 39-45) deepen the earlier invitation of the Annunciation to contemplation and commitment. Also, they point up the Annunciation in its fullness as a call to care for others in action-oriented service. Tintoretto shows Holy Mary at the end of her journey to care for her older cousin. Each reaches out in reverence to the sacred life carried within the other. Joseph and Zechariah are present, each looking on from behind his spouse in silent wonder. The artist has shown scriptural links among Samson, John the Baptist and Jesus.

Contemplative rest leads to commitment and care.

How does this three-fold invitation

find echo in my life?

(Image source: www.artinthepicture.com )

Cardinal Dulles recalled for brilliance, simplicity, kindness

2008-12-21T11:42:00.010-05:00

...“I think everybody has to ask why they’re alive and what they can best do with this limited time they have on earth in order to attain the goal for which they’re made,” Cardinal Dulles told The Catholic Standard & Times in July 2001. “That requires some serious reflection. I’ve tried to help people make that reflection. My work is circled very much around the problem of faith. Can one believe? Should one believe? What should one believe? I think that implicitly answers everything else about what one should do and love and so forth.”...

(Quotation source: http://www.cst-phl.com/ , "Cardinal Dulles", 12/18/08)

Today's Gospel

2008-12-20T14:53:00.011-05:00

Tintoretto's The Annunciation

Luke 1 tells the story of the Annunciation to Mary of Jesus' birth. Tintoretto points out two moments in "annunciation." Below, in the earlier Annunciation to the Wife of Manoah, the angel invites the viewer to gaze upon the beautiful wife who has made her silent "fiat" and is preparing to speak to her husband. Above, in the later Annunciation, the angel is lost in wonder at Holy Mary's spoken "fiat" and the coming of the Holy Spirit; the angel's example invites the viewer to contemplate the mystery of the Word-made-flesh.

How will the mystery of the Word-made-flesh

take root in my life this Christmas?

Image source: http://www.commons.wikimedia.org/

Today's Readings

2008-12-19T15:44:00.009-05:00

Tintoretto's Annunciation to the Wife of Manoah

The Book of Judges 13 and the Gospel of Luke 1 speak of the "inbreaking" of God upon human history.

How, O God, are You breaking in

upon human history today?

In what ways is Your "inbreaking"

entering my life this day?

May I see, listen, take in, respond.

(Image source: http://www.museothvssen.org/ )

More on Dulles

2008-12-19T09:46:00.007-05:00

Today's Philadelphia Inquirer carries a nice article:

One Last Thing: A particular American life
Cardinal Dulles died last Friday,

with faith and intellect still sustaining him

See link below for full text:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/36429564.html

Avery Dulles

2008-12-18T10:39:00.014-05:00

On Tuesday I went up to New York for the funeral liturgy of Avery Dulles. I made the trip out of respect and in appreciation for the life and work of this Presbyterian turned agnostic whose search for integrity while a student at Harvard brought him to Jesus Christ, to prayer, to teaching and scholarship, and to a life of dedication to these tasks in community for the sake of God and God's purposes.

I recommend some of his books: A Testamonial to Grace, Models of the Church, Models of Revelation, and The Craft of Theology: From Symbol to System.

(Image source: http://www.traditioninaction.org/)

Sunrise

2008-12-15T10:58:00.002-05:00

From Numbers 24

"I see Him, though not now;

I behold Him, though not near."

From Psalm 25

"Your ways, O Lord, make known to me.

Teach me Your paths...

Guide me in Your truth and teach me...

Remember that your kindness

and compassion are from of old."

May I listen to Your word.

Take it, take You, into my heart.

May I live Your word into deeper life.

May Your life and mine become more deeply one.

(Image source: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/ )