Monday, July 07, 2008

Take Courage


I finally saw Master and Commander last night, as part of an ongoing attempt to watch the movies that people tell me I just have to watch (also taking advantage of a free Blockbuster Online trial membership). I must say, that was an awesome movie! It was awesome because it was extremely manly. For Captain Jack Aubrey and the seamen aboard the Surprise, constant courage was a way of life and cowardice not an option. They constantly faced death as part of their daily duty. Moreover, they lived out their fortitude in obedience--without obedience, they could not survive. Besides the theme of courage, there were many other examples of virtue in the movie: true and difficult leadership for the common good as exemplified in Aubrey, camaraderie among men pursuing the arduous good, unflinching perseverance towards a nearly impossible goal, respect for authority, guidance for boys becoming men. I can definitely see why Dr. Fahey watched this movie with Christendom guys in Ben's.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Promotion for Archbishop Burke

Did you see the news? Archbishop Burke of St. Louis--a man from Richland Center, WI, and my former bishop in the diocese of La Crosse--has been promoted. He will now serve as the prefect of the Apostolic Signature, the Church's supreme court.

This is so incredibly cool. I served Mass for this man on at least three occasions and I received confirmation from him. I saw some of the hard lines he drew while back in Wisconsin, and I saw how effective they were. He really is an incredible man.

He also was the one who offered the Mass for Christendom's 30th anniversary, and I have heard that he was almost our graduating speaker in 2007.

God Bless Archbishop Burke!