2008 January archive at Being Frank

Archive for January, 2008

Jan

Just can’t help myself…

By The Captain 10 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

I’ve always had a rage about the disparity between the haves and the have-nots, and it’s fair to say I haven’t always (and in many cases probably still don’t) expressed this in the most effective of ways. But that’s just youth, inexperience and ignorance more than anything, I would have thought…

Anyway, one of the offshoots of this has always been a generally despising attitude towards the world of celebrity but a couple of interesting things have happened lately that have caused me to rethink this.

A very liberal friend of mine went on a spiel recently about how there should be an organisation set up to help and protect celebrities. I pointed out to him that celebrities choose their way of life and they have to accept that “the glare of the spotlight” is part and parcel of the deal. He reckons that’s irrelevant and your human rights are your human rights, no matter what you’ve done before.

When he put it like that, I had trouble arguing. Which I don’t like, but that’s another story altogether.

Then for Christmas, a friend bought me one of those chainstore T-shirts with “Save Britney” emblazoned across it. As a rule, I don’t like T-shirts with messages on them – I think they have a nasty, insincere feel to them but I happily wear this T-shirt because I do honestly think someone needs to help the poor girl. She is clearly surrounded by evil sycophants, far removed from anyone who truly loves and cares for her. My parents wouldn’t allow me to fall to the stage she has – somebody save her PLEASE!

Then, of course, the tragic death of Heath Ledger yesterday. Alone in an apartment on the other side of the world from his family (including his young daughter). No doubt as the weeks and months pass, all sorts of things will come out – one of them already being shown is a pretty awful interview he gave recently in which he was clearly under the influence of something. He talked about death and being able to live on through his daughter and rambled incoherently about other nonsense.

Again, there was obviously something wrong. And look how it’s turned out.

I am now firmly of the belief that something needs to be done. But what? On the one hand I loathe the industry and what it’s doing to people, and on the other I read the mags, I click on the websites, I watch the E channel.

Should I be taking more responsibility for my part in it? This is already a long enough post but I have plenty to say on this issue so I may need to blog about it again next week – bet you can’t wait!

Jan

Liturgist or Terrorist?

By Tuppence 65 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

I heard a joke the other day which kinda ticked me off a bit…

“What’s the difference between a terrorist and a liturgist?…At least you can negotiate with a terrorist…”

With a joke like that, you suggest that the liturgist is the one calling the shots, and that they do so dictatorially. However their personality may come across, when did we start accusing people of being faithful to the “sacred action par excellence” of the Church? (CCCC 219)

I mean really, would you want to muck around with the “the summit toward which activity of the Church is directed and likewise the font from which all her power flows”? (CCCC 219)

I think at the centre of it all must flow awe for the beauty of the mass. If you can’t see the mass as beautiful…can’t visualize the choirs of heaven and earth singing Holy Holy…can’t imagine that in every moment somewhere in the world, people are celebrating that Paschal mystery…can’t contemplate, however inadequately, the incomprehensible paradox of the Glorious Saviour giving His flesh and blood to us right there in the greatest act of love…then there comes a liability to dress the mass up to create excitement.

“Through the exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ the liturgy manifests in signs and brings about the sanctification of humankind.” (CCCC 218)

It’s way too exciting for us, as human vessels, to be ‘innovative’ and ‘progressive’ in liturgy. We’re participating in that which is already taking place…

What more excitement do you need? That is the most exciting story of all time – the most dramatic – it’s salvation history folks, it’s a whole other level to a U2 concert. And trust me, U2 concerts are pretty impressive…

Seriously…we’re all prone to forgetting the depth of what happens at mass each day/week…but that doesn’t mean our liturgy should be forgetting too. That is why the components of the liturgy are as they are…to help us to enter into the mass amid the mundane.

Jan

No one says it better than the Pope!

By The Dumb Ox 27 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

Why post a comment when you Pope Benedict has already said it for you?

The following is an article that was published in December:

The Pope condemns the climate-change scaremongers
December 11, 2007

By Simon Caldwell, The Daily Mail

Pope Benedict XVI has launched a surprise attack on climate-change prophets of doom, warning them that any solutions to global warming must be based on firm evidence and not on dubious ideology.

The leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics suggested that fears over man-made emissions melting the ice caps and causing a wave of unprecedented disasters were nothing more than scare-mongering.

The German-born Pontiff said that while some concerns may be valid it was vital that the international community based its policies on science rather than the dogma of the environmentalist movement.

His remarks will be made in his annual message for World Peace Day on January 1, but they were released as delegates from all over the world convened on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali for UN climate change talks.

The 80-year-old Pope said the world needed to care for the environment but not to the point where the welfare of animals and plants was given a greater priority than that of mankind.

“Humanity today is rightly concerned about the ecological balance of tomorrow,” he said in the message entitled “The Human Family, A Community of Peace”.

“It is important for assessments in this regard to be carried out prudently, in dialogue with experts and people of wisdom, uninhibited by ideological pressure to draw hasty conclusions, and above all with the aim of reaching agreement on a model of sustainable development capable of ensuring the well-being of all while respecting environmental balances.

“If the protection of the environment involves costs, they should be justly distributed, taking due account of the different levels of development of various countries and the need for solidarity with future generations.

“Prudence does not mean failing to accept responsibilities and postponing decisions; it means being committed to making joint decisions after pondering responsibly the road to be taken.”

Efforts to protect the environment should seek “agreement on a model of sustainable development capable of ensuring the well-being of all while respecting environmental balances”, the Pope said.

He added that to further the cause of world peace it was sensible for nations to “choose the path of dialogue rather than the path of unilateral decisions” in how to cooperate responsibly on conserving the planet.

The Pope’s message is traditionally sent to heads of government and international organizations.

His remarks reveal that while the Pope acknowledges that problems may be associated with unbridled development and climate change, he believes the case for global warming to be over-hyped.

A broad consensus is developing among the world’s scientific community over the evils of climate change.

But there is also an intransigent body of scientific opinion which continues to insist that industrial emissions are not to blame for the phenomenon.

Such scientists point out that fluctuations in the earth’s temperature are normal and can often be caused by waves of heat generated by the sun. Other critics of environmentalism have compared the movement to a burgeoning industry in its own right.

In the spring, the Vatican hosted a conference on climate change that was welcomed by environmentalists.

But senior cardinals close to the Vatican have since expressed doubts about a movement which has been likened by critics to be just as dogmatic in its assumptions as any religion.
In October, the Australian Cardinal George Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney, caused an outcry when he noted that the atmospheric temperature of Mars had risen by 0.5 degrees celsius.

“The industrial-military complex up on Mars can’t be blamed for that,” he said in a criticism of Australian scientists who had claimed that carbon emissions would force temperatures on earth to rise by almost five degrees by 2070 unless drastic solutions were enforced.

Jan

Pope not welcome here

By James the Least 18 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

Wow.

Very interesting read on the NZ Catholic website last week that I just managed to read over the weekend. Basically, the article explains that the Pope has cancelled his planned visit to Rome’s Sapienza University, where he was to give a lecture/address to open the new school year, because 67 professors signed a letter and a bunch of students threatened to protest if he showed up.

Amazing.

Turns out that we have a pope who is “hostile to science” and the scientists thought it hypocritical for someone of Pope Benedict XVI’s character to speak at a university. “This pope,” the spokesman stated, “has always had a closed, even hostile, attitude toward science”. I didn’t think that was the case, but shows what I know. :) I find this even more interesting considering the university in question was originally founded by a pope – Pope Boniface VIII in 1303. And all of this in Rome! Talk about the prophet not being recognised in his own town!

This whole article made me reflect on how it must be a tough job to be the pope. Seriously – think about it. Think about the pressure and the stress that comes with “the job” and with trying to fulfil everyone’s expectations of you. You represent 2,000+ years of teaching and Tradition, you are an extremely public figure, everyone expects you to be holier than everyone else on the planet, and you’re a Head of State as well! Not to mention all the thinking, praying, teaching, praying and thinking you need to do. Talk about the shepherd earning his pay – except he doesn’t get paid. Servant of the People…literally!

Oh well…at least he gets a nice car. ;) And there’ll be a couple hundred thousand young people to remind him that there are still at least a few hundred million who think he’s a pretty neat guy when he comes to Sydney in July.

But maybe you can take a moment today to offer a prayer for Pope Benedict XVI? And maybe a prayer of thanks that you weren’t called to that vocation…? :)

Jan

Called

By eyeWitness 47 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

Wow I just saw we have a new sponsor?? (after Beardy’s somewhat pessimistic comment that we would only ever attract the one!).

Catholic Matchmaker NZ… I haven’t actually looked at the site yet and don’t really know much about it to tell you…but it looks like a good way to meet people and it also made me think about a very good talk I heard on vocations recently at Hearts Aflame.

I can’t remember everything that was said. I’m sure it was much more profound than this will be – but I do remember that the process of discerning your vocation involves a lot of prayer and a lot of time spent in the presence of God and His Holy Spirit.

The one statement that really stood out most for me is that when you discover and live your vocation you will truly be living as yourself and who you as an individual are called by God to be. This should result in you truly be content, purposeful and peaceful in the way you’re living your life.

Do you believe that? I think if you’re in something where you feel you’re compromising who you truly are then you’re probably in the wrong place – kind of like choosing a partner or friends with whom you feel you have to change yourself or put on an act.

That statement was refreshing and rung so true. I’m sometimes afraid to completely put myself in the hands of God because what if he makes me live in poverty with no food in the middle of some desert?

So I sneakily only half listen to what He might be saying and slyly make my own backup plans. But really why would God make me do something my personality and gifts aren’t suited to? Why would he put me in a situation He knows I can’t handle? I don’t think He would.

And I also don’t think we’ll ever be satisfied or find what we’re looking for until we do test out the trusting God thing…

Jan

Pampered Pets

By Filia Day 2 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

Well I was doing a little research on hotels on Google, and I have to be completely honest: curiosity got the best of me yesterday. Google definitely is not my strong point when it comes to searching for something I actually need to find – I tend to go on massive topical tangents and then realise half an hour later that I have not even come close to finding what I am looking for. Yesterday was one of those days. All for the good nevertheless as I wouldn’t have found this beauty of an article.

Apparently, it has not only become quite common to take pets away on holiday to resorts but some like to give their pets “star” treatment. The below is an excerpt from this article (for all those who have trouble restraining themselves from linking to an article, then another article on that page and completely loosing your train of though in the process.

“ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. – With 45 percent of Americans taking Fido along for vacation, the Don CeSar Beach Resort, a Loews Hotel, proudly announces its pet-friendly policy in conjunction with the Loews Loves Pets program. The Don CeSar, located on St. Pete Beach, aims to keep four-legged guests as pampered as their human companions by adding a full line of “Pampered Pet” massage body work. Tired terriers or run-down retrievers are spoiled with eight different spa treatments from Swedish massage to acupressure. Pooped-out pet owners are not left in the doghouse — The Don offers a massage and daily breakfast for owners looking to join pets in relieving tension. Rates for the “Posh Pets” getaway — including a two-night stay and a day of dog and master beauty — start at $768. “Pampered Pet Massages” begin at $65, with room rates as low as $134*.”

I personally don’t have anything against people who have a special affinity with their pets or anything, yet this seems a little absurd and extravagant for my liking! Consider this: there are millions of people who struggle to make ends meet, yet one can justify spending 65 (US) pampering a dog. Clearly these resorts wouldn’t advertise if there wasn’t some kind of demand right?

Funnily enough, earlier in the week I was having a smoke with my boss and we touch on the topic of pampered pets. He relayed to me that his cat refuses to eat anything but the best pet food (none of that crunchy whiskers stuff apparently). It costs his $3 a day to feed his cat. Looking at the World Vision website, that could feed two children!!!!!!!

Food for thought…. (pun completely intended!)

Jan

Maybe Tomorrow

By Methuselah's Beard 4 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

Let me tell you about a fantastic experience I had last year. It was so great I told myself I would definitely do it again.

It was the Feast of the Assumption and the only Mass I could make it to that day was in the morning. 7am to be precise. Now I know that doesn’t sound very early to most people (especially those that have kids) but when you’re used to rolling out of bed at 7.15, it’s plenty early. Now some would call me lazy and I wholeheartedly agree. But that’s another story.

Anyway, even though I woke up quite early to attend Mass, I found it to be invigorating and really set me up well for the rest of the day. At first I thought it was the really strong coffee but no, it was definitely being able to make a visit with Christ that really got me going that day. It was such a great experience that I resolved to do it more often. While overseas a few years ago, I used to attend Mass every day early in the morning, and thought that would be most agreeable if I did so again. Maybe once a week to start off with, then more regularly.

Well to date I have been to morning Mass a grand total of zero times since that day.

It’s the same when I promise myself that I’ll read some more religiously grounded books not titled ‘The Da Vinci Code’. Maybe even some Papal encyclicals. But I have such trouble getting through the first few paragraphs, let alone the book. After a few pages I want to go back to reading the neverending series of the ‘Wheel of Time’ or some such book involving swords and fictional characters. It’s such a test of willpower and stick-to-it-ness.

So this year, I resolve to make it to morning Mass at least once on a day that’s not a holy day of obligation, and to make it through at least one religiously grounded book not titled ‘The Da Vinci Code’ or the first Book of Maccabees (which incidentally includes lots of battles and is a great read).