Quick Takes #86

1. Like much of the country it was hot here this week ~ like triple digit even in the shade hot, like so glad I found this link full of suggestions:

Faith & Family Live! : Iced Coffee

2. Have not yet had the chance to try any of the recipes out yet, but will mostly likely very soon have coffee ice cubes cool in my freezer.

3. Announcement regarding new Archbishop made with the usual amount of leaking and the mainstream press only occasionally misrepresenting that Cardinal Rigali was stepping down due to grand jury issues as oppose to retiring due to age.

4. Another favorite link from the week is a short story by an author, Paige, I happen to know from the blog-o-sphere whose first book I reviewed here. Love the message of storing up memories of the simple everyday moments of loving our kids at all their various ages and stages.

5. For example last evening when Lisbeth being her typical toddler self declined to eat her mac&cheese, Liam being the adventurous new eater (and good brother) ate them instead.

6. Pick and enjoyed my first tomato last night! Some creature enjoyed a few tomatoes a couple of nights ago!

7. It is really hot ~ have a wonderful weekend!

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New Archbishop!!

Official announcement from the Archdiocese:
ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M., CAP.
NAMED ARCHBISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA

Cardinal Justin Rigali will hold a news conference this morning to announce that Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M., Cap. as the 13th Bishop and 9th Archbishop of Philadelphia. Archbishop Chaput will be Installed on Thursday, September 8, 2011, the feast of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 2:00 p.m. The Holy Father has also appointed Cardinal Rigali as Apostolic Administrator with all of the responsibilities of Archbishop until the Installation of Archbishop Chaput.

Archbishop Chaput, who is 66, is a member of the Order of Friars Minor, Capuchin. He was ordained a priest in 1970 and became a bishop at the age of 43. At that time he became the Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota. Since 1997 he has served as Archbishop of Denver. A member of the Prairie Band Potowatami Tribe, Archbishop Chaput is the second Native American to be ordained a Bishop in the United States and the first Native American Archbishop.

May God grant him the wisdom, and humility to heal the wounds and guide us forward.

Quick Takes #85

1. Wonderful visit with my brother last week as he paused on his thru-hike of the Appalachian trail. Having already done it once, this time he quote him ~ he is less worried about logistics and keeping to a schedule, and having fun taking his time.
2. As usual matters of faith came up, were gently debated and a plot was hatched for a mini book club after his hike with us both reading C.S Lewis Screwtape Letters and Mark Twain's Letters from the Earth and then exchanging thoughts and ideas.
3. I will not be headed out to see the final Potter movie (have not been in a theatre in about three years) but hopes everyone who is has a blast! I did very much enjoy the book and look forward to catching it on DVD someday.
4. Not many responses to my Wondering Wednesday ~ is everyone as confused as me or am I just behind and changing the order of sacraments makes sense to everyone but me?
5. What is it about July that gets people feeling all independent: Canada ~ July 1st, USA ~ July 4th, France ~ July 14th, Belgium ~ July 21st??

6. Greets from the new (as of Wednesday) ten month old in the house!!

7. Have a wonderful weekend!!

Please visit Conversion Diary hosted by Jen to enjoy the rest of this weeks Quick Takes

Wondering Wednesday: Order of Sacraments

Reading Bishop Aquila article has me thinking about the order of sacraments and when one is ready to receive. I understand what the article is saying about receiving the graces of the sacrament of Confirmation ~ but what of the commitment. At their confirmation the recipient states that they "believe and profess all that of the Catholic Church believes, teaches and proclaims to be revealed by God". I worry that is a lot to ask of an eight year old who is just entering the age of reason.

Reconciliation -sure: Right/wrong, asking forgiveness and making amends.

First Eucharist - probably: joining the community at the table, welcoming Christ into your body, your heart, your life. Of course my understanding of trans-substantiation has grown as I have matured ~ so perhaps that is the sacrament to receive in young adulthood with Confirmation coming earlier.

Disclaimer: I loved my Confirmation prep ~ I had wonderful teachers (a married couple) who took us phrase by phrase through the Apostles Creed and spoke with love and devotion of full membership in the Catholic Church so that at my Confirmation as I received the last of the Sacraments of Initiation and professed the creed I was so happy and proud to claim this Church as my home.

Can an eight year old take hold of that? I wonder?

Happy 4th of July!!

From the parade route

to you ~ however you are celebrating

With special thanks to those standing watch in the protection of

the freedoms we enjoy!

Quick Takes #84~ Favorite Black&White Movies

Letting my mind wander as I rocked a tired teething boy I began thinking of favorite movies and then thought to focus on older ones; so in no particular order except #1 my all-time favorite.

1. The Philadelphia Story ~ Does it really get any better than Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart all at their best as they fight and flirt ~ personally I don't think so.

2. Roman Holiday ~ Audrey Hepburn in her first film and Gregory Peck fall in love and share a

day in Rome.

3. Gentleman's Agreement ~ Gregory Peck is amazing as a journalist who pretends to be

Jewish to expose anti-semitism. The movie is tough, touching and funny. I especially like

Celeste Holm's performance.

4. The Catered Affair ~ Bette Davis and Ernest Borgnine are amazing as an older couple trying to give their daughter a nice wedding and discern the state of their marriage as the nest

empties.

5. Lilies of the Field ~ Sidney Poitler plays a wanderer who stops because his car is overheating

and ends up helping build a church. Beautifully shot and as funny as heartwarming.

6. It's A Wonderful Life ~ Jimmy Stewart as a hard-working dreamer who shows how very

important a life well lived can be. A must watch every Advent/Christmas!

7. Woman of the Year ~ Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey's first movie together where

love at first sight gives way to figuring out the day to day details of building a life together.

Please visit Conversion Diary for the rest of this week's Quick Takes

*Don't know why the format is so choppy ~ sorry*