Moonlight

Wow! Two posts in a row not related to politics or religion!

I live in a room that my old man built in part of the shed out the back. It's a reasonable sized room with a reverse-cycle A/C so temperature isn't a problem. Anyway, I went outside to go into the main house at about midnight this morning and noticed the moon. I immediately noticed the moonlight shining in the garden. It was a clear sky last night and the moon was right above my head (straight up). So I took a photo with my new camera. I think the zoom is just about right. I can actually get up a bit closer but you lose some of the effect. In some way it resembles the photo I took, with a less quality camera, of the solar ecplise that passed over South Australia in December 2002. I was standing in the 100% eclipse zone (not the 99%). Maybe I'll scan it someday.And here is a pic of my room taken at exactly the same time. (Before you comment, my room is in the centre. To the left is the cubby house and to the right the rest of the shed.)

The semester ahead of me

Okay, I think we’ve all lost sight of my original point in the debate about morning Mass versus evening Mass. Maybe we can return to it in another form later.

Week 3 is about to end at uni to things are in full swing. ‘bout time I gave an overview of what my semester holds in terms of study.

Ethnic Cleansing and Genocide in Modern Europe: It’s the last history course of my Arts degree. A very interesting topic but the main lecturer is sick to the course won’t be its usual high standard. Never mind, I’m sure it’ll still be worthwhile. Only major issue I see is that my tutorial class consists of 6 of us. Now that’s a tiny class (usually about 15-20 for t his subject). The tutorial topics are structured in such a way that everyone has to take a side and stick with it. Thus every tutorial is a debate. A small class means everyone has to talk for much longer and have better arguments… Means it will be very hard to get away with not doing the readings! I can also only attend one lecture a week as the other clashes with another course.

Design and Communication: A level III engineering subject. It has no exam, rather just a small test, plenty of assignments and a major design project. My project group is designing a nano-satellite that will test an inflatable solar array. Should be interesting and I have a good group. The Communication aspect of this course is a joke. I can see the relevance to most engineering students – ie. teaching them how to communicate – but it’s terribly boring and useless for students also studying Arts. Therefore I’ve argued my way out of it. All I have to do is complete this online Q&A thingy about communication and also assess my own previous history essay to the lecturer’s criteria. (Seems silly as my history lecturer has already assessed it!) Anyway I’m glad to be out of it and means that it will be a slightly easier than expected load – a full-time load rather than an overload.

Dynamics & Control II: The Dynamics element is vibrations. An interesting area but we have a hopeless lecturer. He knows his stuff, but there is a language barrier and a soft voice and he blatantly refuses to wear a microphone. I think I’ll purchase the optional textbook and teach myself! Auto Control is very interesting and really a Mechatronic thing. It’s mainly about being able to model systems in matrices and differential equations to predict different things. This is very much an exam based subject.

Embedded Computer Systems: This is taught by the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The subject has an exam and a major group project. The project is to design a robot and write the software for it (something I’m not good at). It’s all about control but from a software and programming perspective.

St. Laurence

When arrested and bidden by the prefect of Rome to give up his the Church’s treasure, Laurence showed him a crowd of beggars, saying that their priceless gift of faith made them the true treasure of the Church, because they changed the alms bestowed on them into everlasting riches. He was slowly roasted to death on a grid-iron on August 10^th, 258. He must have had a great sense of humour saying to his executioner: “Turn me over now, that side is done.”

Collect: Grant us, we pray Thee, almighty God, to quench the flames of our vices; even as Thou gavest blessed Laurence grace to overcome his fiery torments.

Alleluia: Alleluia Alleluia. The Levite Laurence wrought a good work, who by the sign of the cross gave sight to the blind. Alleluia.

Communion: John 12. 26. If any man minister to Me, let him follow Me: and where I am, there also shall My minister be.

Sancte Laurénti. Ora Pro Nobis.

links

Touching post Praying for Bread from Whispers in the Loggia.

From my new friend The hermeneutic of continuity by Fr Tim Finigan. But I can't work out what's unusual about the missale.

And one for the the guys and gals at Dappled Things (not Fr. Jim's blog). They are a group of students who publish a Catholic literary magazine. I saw their site for the first time late last year when we (ACSA) were trying to do the same thing. We decided on a pdf vesion to start with then went for a html (online one) with edition three back to pdf because of time factors. I would, ultimately, like Sentinel to be both online (html) and printed. Printing requires money and html requires programming skills. If you know anyone (Australian) that would volunteer to work with the editor-in-chief on the webdesign we would greatly appreciate it. At the moment there is not sufficient donations to get professional assistance. It would suit a student with an interest in website design.

Vain Speck

"Now sit in the back and get a good shot of me as I come down the aisle."

I don't think anyone can accuse me of doing this. Well I sure hope not! It really captures the Speck character though.

Some thoughts and your comments needed

I had a conversation this evening with a dear friend from interstate. The conversation began by a comment of mine regarding Catholics partying on a Saturday night. My view is that if I can't get up for Sunday morning Mass, say 9.30 (and be able to serve/sing), then I went out too late or drank too much etc. This is regardless of the fact that I may have risen in enough time to attend 11am or an evening Mass.

The discussion immediately transformed into a debate about morning Mass vs evening Mass. I argued that if you are normally a morning mass goer (as the great majority are) it is pure laziness if you don't get up for the morning Mass simply because you don't want to. It's inexcusable. Her argument, in my opinion, was sound but weak. Effectively that Mass is Mass is Mass and it's all about Jesus. (Yes my friend is charamatic - really don't know why this person bothers with me!)

I'd like your opinions and wisdom. Is morning Mass better for your soul (especially for young Catholics)? Should everyone aim to be a morning Mass goer or is it fine to get into the habit (for no genuine reason like work) of going to 5pm Mass?

Bl. Mary McKillop

Bl. Mary McKillop

Fr. Julian Tenison Woods (now there is a cassock!)

I nearly went through the whole day without mentioning Bl. Mary McKillop. It’s her feast day today for those of us in Australia. She is the only person in Australia’s history close to being canonised. I’d find some readings or something but the only Novus Ordo missal I have lying around was printed prior to her beatification.

If you Google you’ll be sure to find more stuff but I can’t find anything really good without a decent search (New Advent has nothing). In short (from my memory) Mary founded the Sisters of St. Joseph prior to the turn of last century with the help of Fr. Julian Tension Woods with the intention of them being an educational order. Mary was excommunicated by the local bishop before being re-instated.

How things have changed in the order! Here is the Sisters' website. Like the rest they have turned, let's say, weird. And another lot here. You can play "spot the habit"!

Deano sacked over 'terrorist' jibe

On ya Deano! Don't hold back now! Not sure exactly where this is from as a mate sent it to me. If it's true I'm sure it'll be in the Australian news tonight.

From Telford Vice in Durban, South Africa
August 08, 2006

FORMER Test batsman Dean Jones has been sacked from his job as a TV commentator, after referring to South Africa's Muslim batsman, Hashim Amla, as a "terrorist".

Jones, who admitted making the comment and apologised, was on a commentary team covering the second Test between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo.

According to a statement issued by Cricket South Africa, viewers heard Jones say, "the terrorist has got another wicket" when Amla took the catch that dismissed Kumar Sangakkara.

Amla is a devout Muslim who wears a beard for religious reasons and has successfully negotiated with the South Africa team's main sponsor, SA Breweries, not to wear the Castle Lager logo on his playing and practice gear.

"We take the strongest exception to this comment, and we will lodge an official complaint with the host broadcaster, Ten Sports, that employs him," CSA chief executive Gerald Majola was quoted as saying.

"We will be asking for his immediate suspension and a full apology."

The match is being broadcast live in South Africa, which has a significant Muslim community.

"The switchboards of both CSA and SuperSport, that takes a feed of the broadcast to South African audiences, have been jammed with calls from some very angry people," Majola was quoted as saying.

"I'm gone, I'm on the 1am flight," Jones told reporters in Colombo where he issued a statement apologising for his comment.

links

Rocco has a post on the Pope doing the interview with the German Press. It's quite funny.

Female priest has first Mass. I think Mass should have been in inverted commas.

From Town Hall we get a great piece on Mel Gibson and Politics of Bigotry.

And something liturgical from TNLM. It's a review of Mass and Parish in late Medieval England: The Use of York. I believe my Warrane correspondant has one on order.

And the political as Turnbull "Lost touch".

Yuck!

Philip Blosser has a short post on atlar girls (whom I prefer to call serviettes). But check out the photo. Yuck! Nice thurible, from what I can see nice vestments, and a well-presented priest. But a girl holding the thurible. Not even the pretty face makes up for anything.

Pell attacked in the Oz... again...

I can’t find it in the online pages of The Australian but it’s there in the printed version: Critical mass targets Pell on condoms is the title. I will type out some of it for you.

CARDINAL George Pell was repeatedly criticised during mass yesterday in Redfern for saying that handling out syringes and condoms was not the way to help the Aboriginal community.

The Archbishop of Sydney made the comments to The Weekend Australian in support of the parish’s conservative clergy, now at loggerheads with their turbulent congregation with its strong liberal Catholic tradition.

Liberal Catholic tradition??? An oxymoron? Please!

prayers, prayers, prayers

"Aren't you supposed to have those prayers memorized?"

The facial expressions are just sensational! But look, they aren't preparing for Mass, rather vespers or something like that.

Howard’s South Park Conservatives

I’m still, slowly, reading The Howard Factor – printed by The Australian for the 10th anniversary of John Howard’s Prime Ministership. (I read one chapter a time on the occasion night before bed).

Nearing the end is a chapter by Caroline Overington on Howard’s South Park Conservatives. It looks at the voting trend of the youth.

The trend has obviously been toward Howard with, by 2004, less than 50% of young voters supporting Left candidates. This is particularly true of young males in the 18-24 bracket with 49% voting Liberal (remember generally conservative here is Oz) compared to 28% for the Labor Party (becoming more and more trendy and progressive). In the 25-30 year old age group, 62% voted for Howard. Our country's youngest voters are now the second biggest block of conservative support after the over 50s.

If I was writing something more detailed I would look at demographics, economics etc etc much more becuase it's not just Howard that is swinging them Right. But here is a fantastic quote from Overington: “Howard’s new constituency, the ‘young fogies’, adore him the way their parents loved to smoke dope.”

Howard’s policies are stereotyped to suit young people, young people are adapting to the world as it is today. They welcome the creation of more jobs and agree with much of Howard’s social conservatism. Even a Democrat survey showed that family was the most important issue to young people.

The Labor Party has missed the boat completely. Here is an example. In the middle of the 2004 election campaign star recruit Peter Garrett was brought to the Uni Bar at Adelaide University. Despite advertising (and the fact that people were going to be in the bar anyway), he only attracted 50 students and many of us were there to stir.

Goes to show the old saying – If you’re not a Socialist at twenty you have no heart, but if you still a socialist at forty you have no brain – is well and truly in its grave.

PS. Who first coined that phrase? I'm led to believe Churchill used it but wasn't the original.

Redfern again

Oh dear. More on Redfern, this time it's politics. The SMH has this story on Anthony Mundine the politician.

FORMER world boxing champion Anthony Mundine is set to run for Parliament as an independent at the state election in March.

"The Man" will contest the inner-city seat of Marrickville, which is held by Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt, rated the most popular minister in the Iemma Government.

Mundine's move from the boxing ring to the political stage has been motivated by fury within Redfern's Aboriginal community over the establishment of a cultural and training centre in memory of Pemulwuy, the legendary Aboriginal warrior of the early 19th century.

...

Mundine is expected to announce his protest candidacy at a public meeting on Thursday night. The Bishop of Gippsland, John McIntyre, who served as Redfern's priest for years before moving to Victoria, will be there to support him.

Survivor

The Ox Files has just completed the third installment of Survivor - Liturgy Island.
Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

First Mass

My little brother John, who turns nine on Tuesday, served Mass for the first time this morning. It was a low Mass and he handed the priest the water & wine at the offertory and then carried the lavabo bowl. I watched from the pews and noticed his head turning to the side here and there but altogether he did a fine job. He's trying to learn the Confiteor and the other prayers said at the foot of the altar by heart.

Welcome John to that fine class of Catholics. No-longer laity but not clergy either.

The Transfiguration of Our Lord

This is the second day for the liturgical year that the Transfiguration is commemorated with the first being the Second Sunday in Lent. Pope Callistus III extended this feast to the whole Church in 1457 to commemorate the stemming of the tide of the Mohammedan invasion in the Battle of Belgrade.

Introit: Ps. 76. 19. Thy lightnings enlightened the world: the earth shook and trembled. Ps. How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord.

Gradual: Ps. 44. 3, 2. Thou art beautiful above the sons of men: grace is poured abroad in Thy lips. v. My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak My works to the King.

Epistle: 2 Peter 1. 16-19 ... For He received from God the Father honour and glory; this voice coming down to Him from the excellent glory: This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him. ...

Communion: Matt. 17. 9. Tell the vision you have seen to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.

Postcommunion: Vouchsafe unto us, we beseech Thee, almighty God, by the intelligence of a pure mind to attain to the understanding of thy most sacred mystery of the Transfiguration of Thy Son, which with solemn worship we venerate.

Readers Poll

After much thought I'm launching a Readers Poll to assist me in what I choose to write about (and I'm generally interested).

Free polls from Pollhost.com

What is your Mass preference?

Charasmatic Tridentine Rite (includes Dominican Rite) Novus Ordo -- Ad orientem in latin Novus Ordo -- Ad orientem in the vernacular (English) A "normal" everyday parish Mass Another Christian service I don't attend anything

Free polls from Pollhost.com

Why do you read Indolent Server? (can select multiple answers)

Because I know the author I like the Speck cartoons I like the posts on the mass of the day I'm interested in knowing what young Catholics get up to This is my first visitOther

Free polls from Pollhost.com

What is your age?

<18 18-25 26-35 36-5051-70 >70

I am:
	Male
	Female
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Thankyou for your time. Feel free to add suggestions, comments and abuse.

Disclaimer: I probably won't take any of this into account when posting, but thanks anyway! I've never been one to bow to public opinion. If the poll is well recieved I may continue with more and publish the results.

Teeth update

Feeling much better now. I'm easing myself of the paracetamol slowly but will be on the antibiotics for a fortnight – that means no beers until then (or maybe one or two). Swelling nearly disappeared and I’m eating solids but nothing terribly chewy yet. I satisfied my craving for meat with some simple sausages today. I managed to attend uni on Friday afternoon and started some study this morning catching up on missed lectures and tutorials. This is the last post on my teeth (unless something drastic occurs) sparing you of further detail!