Argument of the Month Club - South Saint Paul, MN

A few nights ago, I had the opportunity to take a trip with friends up to St. Augustine Catholic Church in South Saint Paul, MN for the Argument of the Month (AOTM).  Lemmie tell ya, these guys got it.  After being told to go to this for several years, I finally took the plunge- after being lured in with promises of meat, wine, desert, more meat, more desert, and great apologetics.  Everything I was promised was there.  (Except the wine - legal thing, I guess - but they have plenty of beer)  You start by giving the folks $12.00 for the night, then you find a seat, get some hors d'œuvres, grab a beer or soda pop and talk with other Catholic men who actually care about their faith.  Novelty.  Then after a bit you get in line with 300-400 other men of like faith and morals to feast on whatever manly meal they have planned.  This specific event was pulled and Jamaican Pork, beans, coleslaw, and cornbread.  All totally unhealthy and gloriously prepared.  It was very much like a firehouse meal.  Then ya grab another beer or sodie, and eat.  Onto the presentation that is given, in this case, by a very intelligent Father Keating from the University of St. Thomas.  (and he was actually Catholic - I know - another novelty.) Then a break, beer, desert, and a Q and A session.  Great night, just a great night.  I have wanted to so something like this (on a smaller scale) for years.  Get authentically Catholic men together and learn more about the faith, eat well, and just be men to build each other up.  Can't rave about this enough.  Go, for goodness sake, GO.  You will not be disappointed.  Some links below.  OH by the way - I hear tell that a certain Michael Voris will be the guest speaker one month next winter.  Yeah - going for that one for sure.

http://www.aotmclub.com/

http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/mens_groups_come_of_age/

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/69993082.html?source=error

Past and Present - After thoughts of the retreat

 Past.....................

And present......................................................

                                                                                                                                                                         

Different types of Battle....perhaps the same war. Thanks to Fathers Martin, O'hara, and Burish for all they do.

Religion in the Modern World

I think the Badger Catholic has this sweater in his closet.


HT - S.H. in Lincoln

The Badger Catholic - A rare and scary sighting

Beer snob NO MORE.

2010 Retreat at Devils aka Angels aka Our Lady's Lake

Hey Everyone.... I made it back to the Desert without difficulty.  This year, as far as I can tell, was a great success.  No one was hurt, no Priest was required to give Last Rites, all went home safe....all in all a good trip.  A short summery.
Wednesday was HOT
Thursday was HOT
Friday included torrential downpours, shopping, and a great dinner at The Barn.
Saturday was a great blessing, the weather was perfect
Sunday, more of the same
Monday, well one could not ask for more perfect weather

Thanks to everyone that came, you guys make it possible.

All together we had a total of 10 guys show up over the course of the week.  Three Priests, and not that many raccoons. 
They say a picture is worth a thousand words so...... (link to all pics at bottom)

2010 Devils Lake aka Angels Lake aka Our Lady's Lake Retreat in full

2009 Devils Lake aka Angels Lake aka Our Lady's Lake Retreat in full

I'm packed up and ready to go

That's right!!! Tomorrow morning (Praise the Lord) I'm on the road, heading for some relaxing, retreating, verso laltoing, campfire, cooking, living the dream time. And I have everything packed in the JEEP. O!!!!O

For those of you who are coming, c u there.  For those of you who aren't...well....... you're missing a great time.  C U in a week.  And yes, I had plenty of room I tell you, plenty.

A plea to our Bishops - The Vortex

The more I read and listen to lately I am convinced that our Bishops do  indeed have one of the most difficult "jobs" in the world.  Shepard the souls that belong to the Lord - quite the task.  Like biological fathers, they are responsible for what is entrusted to them.  They have much on their plates.  We may wonder why they are soooooooooooooooooooooo silent regarding matters of Faith and Morals nowadays, and I can only offer one of MANY possibilities.  The laity not praying enough for their courage, fortitude, sincerity, peace, and on and on and on.  Surely they need to be held accountable for their deafening silence on soooooooooooooooooooooo many issues that have cause scandal, hurt, damage - both physically and mentally to countless numbers, to the state of the Catholic Church in America.  However, before we head hunt the Bishops we must pray for them so as to be as Christ like as possible when we set out to call them to be worthy of their Office.  Thanks to my wife for pointing out to me that you can't just complain about things without having even more time in prayer for the folks you have in mind.  Don't misunderstand me, I have no problem calling a spade a spade - we are, after all,  a "justified by works, no just faith" kinda people.  We can't just sit around, hold hands, sing a Haugen tune and hope all will clear itself up.  We must act.  We must hold others accountable to Truth.  We must not cower, hoping others will do something.  But first we must check ourselves, motives, and dirty laundry.  By all means call our Bishops to greatness and holiness, but first, pray for them.  Everyday.  Sacrifice.  Pray some more.  Sacrifice.  Pray some more.  Then act.


P.S.    A BIG thank you to the Bishops who take the devil head on everyday.  God Bless you, we are behind you.

Diocese of Green Bay Vocations Video The Calling

Not long ago, I blogged about Fr. Quinn Mann and Catholic Youth Expeditions.  While bouncing around today, I happened upon Fr. Q's blog and (relatively new) Vocations video - nice job Padre.  Here it is.

Diocese of Green Bay Vocations Office

Father Quinn's Blog

Verso L'alto at the YMCA

Believe it or not the desert does have a few advantages, notice I said a few, that is few.   OK, now that is stated clearly I can get on with the post.  We found out that the Cooper YMCA in Lincoln has a climbing wall, which is used for top roping only, but hey in the desert you take what you can get.  They make you take a class to show you the basics, then turn you lose.  I went with Our Daughter, who in the blog world goes by "Perpetua" as in St. Perpetua.  We paid The Man, who taught us how to tie a rope, put on a harness, and hold onto a hand hold and pull up.  No, it wasn't that bad, actually a pretty good little class.  I learned how to belay with a ATC, until now I have just used a rescue 8, so this is a good thing.  Her first couple climbs were with the instructor as her Belay, then I took over.  She was taught the proper terminology to speak prior to getting on the wall:  On Belay, Belay On, Climbing, Climb On, Ready to be lowered, Lowering, On the Ground, Off Belay  

All good stuff every 6 year old should know.  She made it almost the whole way up, about 3/4 - I think in the next 2-3 times she'll complete the ascent.  She did a great job, I am quite proud of her.  Anyhow here are some pics.

Her first figure 8, can I get a tissue?

Figure 8 Follow through

And now.......Verso L'alto!!!!!!

  

Bishop Edward J. Slattery celebrates Mass ad orientem

How would you like this man as a Bishop??????? 

When Bishop Slattery celebrates Mass at his Cathedral he celebrates ad orientem..........every time.


An innovation with unforeseen consequences.

In the last 40 years, however, this shared orientation was lost; now the priest and the people have become accustomed to facing in opposite directions. The priest faces the people while the people face the priest, even though the Eucharistic Prayer is directed to the Father and not to the people.  This innovation was introduced after the Vatican Council, partly to help the people understand the liturgical action of the Mass by allowing them to see what was going on, and partly as an accommodation to contemporary culture where people who exercise authority are expected to face directly the people they serve, like a teacher sitting behind her desk.  Unfortunately this change had a number of unforeseen and largely negative effects. First of all, it was a serious rupture with the Church’s ancient tradition. Secondly, it can give the appearance that the priest and the people were engaged in a conversation about God, rather than the worship of God. Thirdly, it places an inordinate importance on the personality of the celebrant by placing him on a kind of liturgical stage.

Bishop Edward J. Slattery

Read the whole article

Retreat at Devils Lake aka Angels Lake Baraboo WI

RESERVATION DETAILS

Campground: DEVILS LAKE STATE PARK

Site: 198

Site Type: STANDARD NON ELECTRIC

Loop: N Lts 104-123,150,163-246,703

Arrival Date: Wed Aug 11 2010
Departure Date: Mon Aug 16 2010
Length of Stay: 5
# of Occupants: 6
Equipment: # of Vehicles: 2

Check-In Time: 3:00 PM

Check-Out Time: 3:00 PM

 
Officially the Retreat will begin in Thursday, August 12th, whatever time you like to arrive.  End date is Monday, August 16th with a kick us out time of 3:00pm.
 

I will be arriving on Wed, August 11th in the afternoon to get our wood from the wood seller guy - see this for more info.  My family may also be joining me for the evening - that is still up in the air though.  As I last heard we have several Priests joining is us for the weekend, so Praise The Lord for that great blessing!  

 
Activities?  Much like last year; prayer, Mass, food, bouldering, more food, swimming, biking, climbing, hopefully rappelling, watching someone climb rocks in odd and compromising positions, hiking, communal prayer, FIRE, stories, cigars and pipes, and general building up one another for the Kingdom - with some good ribbing built in for character.  Sound OK?  Want something different, let me know or send a comment for all to see.  In case you forgot here are some pics from previous years.

Still need more info, let me know.

Devils Lake (Angels Lake) Baraboo WI

Memories

Sorry, TB

Who can forget this???????????



More to come

WI state parks and firewood

You are receiving this e-mail because you have reserved a Wisconsin DNR campsite through Reserve America.

As of June 1, 2010, anyone visiting any DNR property is prohibited from bringing firewood to that DNR property that was harvested from a distance greater than 25 miles OR from locations outside of Wisconsin. Firewood from counties quarantined for the emerald ash borer is also prohibited from entering state lands outside the quarantined areas. Prohibited firewood will be confiscated and violations of federal or state quarantines could result in a citation and/or a fine. This change affects all state-operated campsites. Firewood that has been certified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection as treated to kill invasive insects and diseases is allowed onto any state property regardless of location. (A list of certified dealers can be found at the DATCP website at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/arm/environment/insects/firewood_restrictions/index.jsp.)
The state is making this change to provide a greater degree of protection for state parks, forests and wildlife lands from potential infestation by a number of invasive pests and diseases that are moving on firewood. Where an invasive pest has become established in Wisconsin, like the emerald ash borer, it becomes even more important to limit the movement of the primary means of introduction, firewood.

To avoid problems that could impact your camping experience, buy your firewood locally from the park or state forest or from a nearby dealer. Most state campgrounds have firewood available on site. For firewood availability and hours at your campsite contact the park or state forest directly. (Phone numbers to call can be found at http://www.wiparks.net under the heading "Camping in the State Parks".)
Campers from out-of-state should be aware of firewood quarantine laws. Moving firewood across state lines from Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and some other states is a federal violation and could result in a substantial fine.

Thank you for your help in protecting Wisconsin parks and forests.

What does this mean for us as we camp - paying for firewood which is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves.  Buying wood to burn, the thought makes my head spin, but it does go for a good cause.  Time with friends, spiritual enrichment, prayer, food, joy, cigars, the good life, life away from the desert.  Peace out dogs.

Graduation Pipes

I am not allowed to post too much regarding the desert, but this is pretty unidentifiable, at least from a visual perspective. Enjoy the pipes, they are awesome - I may join. AAAAAAAYYYYYYYYHHHHHHHHHH Pound Pound

The video was taken sideways, but the sound is still upright.  AAAAYYYYYYYYYHHHHHH

Eiger Nordwand - Eiger North Face

A movie I would highly recommend watching. True story about the attempts to reach the Summit of the Eiger North Face.

Verso L'alto indeed.



(The movie is in German, however has English subtitles and is quite easy to follow.)

I dare not say more as to spoil the movie, should any watch it.

To the Heights......

God is good for allowing us to enjoy (and climb) his created beauty.

Bl Pier Giorgio Frassati died a little over a decade before the time frame of this film.

Braveheart - Favorite scene

Men don't follow titles, they follow Courage. AAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGG

Best movie line?

Comin' Back to Sconnie Land for a short while.

Although not for the best circumstances -(ill family member)- My family and I are heading back to the place of happiness, friends, family, aahhhhhhhh yes. Eau Claire for a few days, La Crosse for a bit......it shall be good.