"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." Saint Francis De Sales

Friday, March 6, 2015

A Parish Retreat, the Two Katie's and Monopoly.



1. On Sunday afternoon we had a “Lenten Parish Retreat” at our Church of the Epiphany. There was singing, scripture readings, prayer, witness speakers and small group sharing. Dee was one of the speakers and did an excellent talk. Deacon Arthur, his wife Kathie and Deacon Steve with his wife Kathy put together the program. It was well attended with Father John in support and providing the closing blessing.

2. Last December I wrote about a young woman, Katie, who attends Ave Maria University. She spoke at our men’s group and “her talk was uplifting, like a spark igniting our faith journeys.” She wrote an article on the “Concerned Woman For America” website. The title is, “Unplanned Parenthood: How One Woman’s Bravery to Choose Adoption led to a Legacy of Love.” Her writing brings light and love to a world that is faced with conflict. Read the article here.

3. The “other” Katie, our missionary at Harvard, sent Dee and I an update on how things are going. 
“In December, 32 students joined her group for SEEK 2015. Their Discipleship Program has grown from 18 students to 31 students. And, 13 students are now leading weekly bible studies.”

Katie has asked that we add the following to our prayer intentions.

“For our mission trip to the United Nations, that we may be successful in advocating for Pro-Life Humanitarian standards internationally.”

“For our 30+ students in Discipleship, that they may will God to be at the center of their lives, that they sat faithful to Him and continue to grow in Faith, Hope and Love.”

“For increased faithfulness and sacrifice during the Season of Lent, that God may unite our fasting to His Cross and draw us ever closer to His Most Sacred Heart.” 

4. The Byrds - “Hey Mr. Tambourine Man.”



5. Roger Lowenstein of “The Wallstreet Journal” wrote an interesting book review on “The Monopolists” by Mary Pilon. A book about the game of Monopoly. I don’t know how many hours I spent playing this game, but it was worth the time and effort. A great strategy game of becoming a “Captain of Industry.” My favorite tactic was to own all of the railroads. I then concentrated on getting the properties of St. James, Tennessee and New York. From there it depended on how I rolled the dice. It didn’t always work, but I enjoyed the challenge, especially trying to coerce others who landed on these properties to sell to me.

Roger’s book review is excellent. Here is something he wrote that I didn’t know.

“Monopoly was actually inspired by the “Landlord’s Game,” the creation of a turn-of-the-century feminist who was also an inventor, writer and single-taxer, Elizabeth Magie (1866-1948). Single-taxers were followers of the political evangelist Henry George, who advocated a “single” tax on land, a leveling of social inequities and an end to monopolies. George had a cult following in the 1880s and ’90s. He never won office or instituted a tax, but Magie, the daughter of an abolitionist, kept the faith for decades.”


6. On March 5, 1963, the Hula-Hoop was patented by Arthur "Spud" Melin. He and Richard Knerr invented the Hula-Hoop in 1958. Dee is excellent at using the "Hoop" and has won many contests at parties and family gatherings.


7. We were visited by winter storm Thor last night, although his hammer did not hit us as hard as other locations. Still, my car is iced this morning and I'm unable to open any of the doors. By noon the sun should free up the locks and I'll be able to join my friends for Friday lunch.


Read other "Takes" at "This Ain't the Lyceum."






No comments:

Post a Comment