A Busy VZ Week in July

Last week was a week of three different shows from the VZVBs.    Wednesday’s show featured Ramblin’ Ron Clark on bass, as Sparky claims he was in Weiser, Idaho.    Chris had other commitments on  Saturday before leaving for Finland, so Phil and Al played two shows, one at Maple Valley’s Farmer’s Market, then later at Cutter’s Pt. 

 

The Saturday night show was highlighted by a visit from our good friend Lee Stephenson, who is recovering nicely from injuries suffered last winter.   The evening was her first time out to hear us since then, and it was great to see her.    

 

This week, another trio of shows await.   

 

Wednesday night  (July 1):  A Rhapsody in Bloom from 7-9 PM.  Friends, its been slow out there, and there has been some talk about this great summer venue shutting down if things don’t pick up.  So let’s see if we can bring a big crowd in and have some fun in this wonderful outdoor backyard setting.   And maybe we can find out what Sparky’s REALLY been up to.

 

Friday (July 3):  Wesley Homes, Lea Hill.   This senior community will hear the VZVBs as part of their afternoon barbecue.

 

Saturday (July 4):  Enumclaw Fourth of July, 2-3 PM.   The VZs invade Enumclaw to help celebrate Independnce Day. 

 

On Friday and Saturday, the mandolin spot will be capably manned by Gregg Christenson, a longtime friend and great musician.   

 

We’re looking forward to a great time at these locations.   Come join in the fun!

 

The VZVBs

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The First Martyrs Of the Church of Rome

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome (d. 68)

There were Christians in Rome within a dozen or so years after the death of Jesus, though they were not the converts of the “Apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 15:20). Paul had not yet visited them at the time he wrote his great letter in a.d. 57-58.

There was a large Jewish population in Rome. Probably as a result of controversy between Jews and Jewish Christians, the Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome in 49-50 A.D. Suetonius the historian says that the expulsion was due to disturbances in the city “caused by the certain Chrestus” [Christ]. Perhaps many came back after Claudius’s death in 54 A.D. Paul’s letter was addressed to a Church with members from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds.

In July of 64 A.D., more than half of Rome was destroyed by fire. Rumor blamed the tragedy on Nero, who wanted to enlarge his palace. He shifted the blame by accusing the 9Christians. According to the historian Tacitus, a “great multitude” of Christians was put to death because of their “hatred of the human race.” Peter and Paul were probably among the victims.

Threatened by an army revolt and condemned to death by the senate, Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D. at the age of 31.

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First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome (d. 68)

There were Christians in Rome within a dozen or so years after the death of Jesus, though they were not the converts of the “Apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 15:20). Paul had not yet visited them at the time he wrote his great letter in a.d. 57-58.

There was a large Jewish population in Rome. Probably as a result of controversy between Jews and Jewish Christians, the Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome in 49-50 A.D. Suetonius the historian says that the expulsion was due to disturbances in the city “caused by the certain Chrestus” [Christ]. Perhaps many came back after Claudius’s death in 54 A.D. Paul’s letter was addressed to a Church with members from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds.

In July of 64 A.D., more than half of Rome was destroyed by fire. Rumor blamed the tragedy on Nero, who wanted to enlarge his palace. He shifted the blame by accusing the 9Christians. According to the historian Tacitus, a “great multitude” of Christians was put to death because of their “hatred of the human race.” Peter and Paul were probably among the victims.

Threatened by an army revolt and condemned to death by the senate, Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D. at the age of 31.

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Prayer Or Fish

Fishing on Sunday

A village pastor, known for his weakness for trout, preached against fishing on Sunday. 

The next day one of his members presented him with a fine string of fish and said, hesitatingly, "I guess I ought to tell you, parson, that those trout were caught on Sunday." The minister hesitated, gazed appreciatively at the speckled trout, and then said piously as he reached for his gift, "The fish aren’t to blame for that."

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Saints Peter and Paul

Sts. Peter and Paul (d. 64 & 67)

Peter: St. Mark ends the first half of his Gospel with a triumphant climax. He has recorded doubt, misunderstanding and the opposition of many to Jesus. Now Peter makes his great confession of faith: "You are the Messiah" (Mark 8:29b). It was one of the many glorious moments in Peter's life, beginning with the day he was called from his nets along the Sea of Galilee to become a fisher of men for Jesus.

The New Testament clearly shows Peter as the leader of the apostles, chosen by Jesus to have a special relationship with him. With James and John he was privileged to witness the Transfiguration, the raising of a dead child to life and the agony in Gethsemane. His mother-in-law was cured by Jesus. He was sent with John to prepare for the last Passover before Jesus' death. His name is first on every list of apostles.

And to Peter only did Jesus say, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the nether world shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:17b-19).

But the Gospels prove their own veracity by the unflattering details they include about Peter. He clearly had no public relations person. It is a great comfort for ordinary mortals to know that Peter also has his human weakness, even in the presence of Jesus.

He generously gave up all things, yet he can ask in childish self-regard, "What are we going to get for all this?" (see Matthew 19:27). He receives the full force of Christ's anger when he objects to the idea of a suffering Messiah: "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do" (Matthew 16:23b).

Peter is willing to accept Jesus' doctrine of forgiveness, but suggests a limit of seven times. He walks on the water in faith, but sinks in doubt. He refuses to let Jesus wash his feet, then wants his whole body cleansed. He swears at the Last Supper that he will never deny Jesus, and then swears to a servant maid that he has never known the man. He loyally resists the first attempt to arrest Jesus by cutting off Malchus's ear, but in the end he runs away with the others. In the depth of his sorrow, Jesus looks on him and forgives him, and he goes out and sheds bitter tears.

Paul: If Billy Graham suddenly began preaching that the United States should adopt Marxism and not rely on the Constitution, the angry reaction would help us understand Paul's life when he started preaching that Christ alone can save us. He had been the most Pharisaic of Pharisees, the most legalistic of Mosaic lawyers. Now he suddenly appears to other Jews as a heretical welcomer of Gentiles, a traitor and apostate.

Paul's central conviction was simple and absolute: Only God can save humanity. No human effort—even the most scrupulous observance of law—can create a human good which we can bring to God as reparation for sin and payment for grace. To be saved from itself, from sin, from the devil and from death, humanity must open itself completely to the saving power of Jesus.

Paul never lost his love for his Jewish family, though he carried on a lifelong debate with them about the uselessness of the Law without Christ. He reminded the Gentiles that they were grafted on the parent stock of the Jews, who were still God's chosen people, the children of the promise.

In light of his preaching and teaching skills, Paul's name has surfaced (among others) as a possible patron of the Internet.

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Separation

Substitute at the Pearly Gates

"Oh, I've been doing pretty well since you died," her husband told her. "I married the beautiful young nurse who took care of you while you were ill. And then I won the lottery. I sold the little house you and I lived in and bought a big mansion. And my wife and I traveled all around the world. We were on vacation and I went water skiing today. I fell, the ski hit my head, and here I am. How do I get in?" 

"You have to spell a word," the woman told him. 

"Which word?" her husband asked. 

"Czechoslovakia."

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Fishing from the Ark?

Did Noah Go Fishing?

A Sunday school teacher was teaching her young students about Noah and the ark. She asked them what they thought Noah may have done to pass the time in the ark for forty years. After waiting a few moments, the teacher suggested, “Maybe he did a lot of fishing. How about that?”

One little boy gave her a funny look and said, “I don't think so. It’s kinda hard to fish with just two worms!”

Irish Rovers The Unicorn Song

A long time ago, when the Earth was green 

There was more kinds of animals than you've ever seen 

They'd run around free while the Earth was being born 

And the loveliest of all was the unicorn 

There was green alligators and long-necked geese 

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees 

Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born 

The loveliest of all was the unicorn 

The Lord seen some sinning and it gave Him pain 

And He says, "Stand back, I'm going to make it rain" 

He says, "Hey Noah, I'll tell you what to do 

Build me a floating zoo, 

and take some of those...

Green alligators and long-necked geese 

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees 

Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born 

Don't you forget my unicorns 

Old Noah was there to answer the call 

He finished up making the ark just as the rain started to fall 

He marched the animals two by two 

And he called out as they came through 

Hey Lord, 

I've got green alligators and long-necked geese 

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees 

Some cats and rats and elephants, but Lord, I'm so forlorn 

I just can't find no unicorns" 

And Noah looked out through the driving rain 

Them unicorns were hiding, playing silly games 

Kicking and splashing while the rain was falling 

Oh, them silly unicorns 

There was green alligators and long-necked geese 

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees 

Noah cried, "Close the door because the rain is falling 

And we just can't wait for no unicorns" 

The ark started moving, it drifted with the tide 

The unicorns looked up from the rocks and they cried 

And the waters came down and sort of floated them away 

That's why you never see unicorns to this very day 

You'll see green alligators and long-necked geese 

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees 

Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born 

You're never gonna see no unicorns 

[New Lyrics]

Now you might think this is the ending to the song,

But I'll have to tell you friends that in fact you're wrong

You see, Unicorns are magical, so when the rain started pouring,

They grew themselves some wings and they took to soaring.

You'll see green alligators and long-necked geese 

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees 

But if you're looking for the unicorns, don't be forlorn,

The second star to the right and straight on until morning.

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Why if.....

If Everyone with such big Michael Jackson fan why so many people needing go out and by his music. It they had  been fans wouldn't they already own it?

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St. Cyril of Alexandria

St. Cyril of Alexandria (376?-444)

Saints are not born with halos around their heads. Cyril, recognized as a great teacher of the Church, began his career as archbishop of Alexandria, Egypt, with impulsive, often violent, actions. He pillaged and closed the churches of the Novatian heretics, participated in the deposing of St. John Chrysostom and confiscated Jewish property, expelling the Jews from Alexandria in retaliation for their attacks on Christians.

Cyril’s importance for theology and Church history lies in his championing the cause of orthodoxy against the heresy of Nestorius.

The controversy centered around the two natures in Christ. Nestorius would not agree to the title “God-bearer” for Mary. He preferred “Christ-bearer,” saying there are two distinct persons in Christ (divine and human) joined only by a moral union. He said Mary was not the mother of God but only of the man Christ, whose humanity was only a temple of God. Nestorianism implied that the humanity of Christ was a mere disguise.

Presiding as the pope’s representative at the Council of Ephesus (431), Cyril condemned Nestorianism and proclaimed Mary truly the “God-bearer” (the mother of the one Person who is truly God and truly human). In the confusion that followed, Cyril was deposed and imprisoned for three months, after which he was welcomed back to Alexandria as a second Athanasius (the champion against Arianism).

Besides needing to soften some of his opposition to those who had sided with Nestorius, Cyril had difficulties with some of his own allies, who thought he had gone too far, sacrificing not only language but orthodoxy. Until his death, his policy of moderation kept his extreme partisans under control. On his deathbed, despite pressure, he refused to condemn the teacher of Nestorius.

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Blessing for the peas

Praying for Peas

Years ago when my two girls were small, they were taught how to say their blessing before eating their meal. One night as I was busy scurrying around the kitchen, I told them both to stay their blessings without me. I took a moment to watch them as they both squeezed their eyes tightly shut over folded hands. As my 4-year-old finished, her 3-year-old sister kept on praying.

Another minute or two passed before she lifted her head, looked at her plate, and in an indignant voice said, “Hey! My peas are still here!”

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9 July 2009 Jesse Case

Seattle Comedy Live

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2 July 2009 Tim Warner

Comedy Night

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7 July 2009 Rachel

Live at the Laughing Ladies Café

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Blessed Raymond

Blessed Raymond Lull (1235-1315)

Raymond worked all his life to promote the missions and died a missionary to North Africa.

Raymond was born at Palma on the island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean Sea. He earned a position in the king’s court there. One day a sermon inspired him to dedicate his life to working for the conversion of the Muslims in North Africa. He became a Secular Franciscan and founded a college where missionaries could learn the Arabic they would need in the missions. Retiring to solitude, he spent nine years as a hermit. During that time he wrote on all branches of knowledge, a work which earned him the title "Enlightened Doctor."

Raymond then made many trips through Europe to interest popes, kings and princes in establishing special colleges to prepare future missionaries. He achieved his goal in 1311 when the Council of Vienne ordered the creation of chairs of Hebrew, Arabic and Chaldean at the universities of Bologna, Oxford, Paris and Salamanca. At the age of 79, Raymond went to North Africa in 1314 to be a missionary himself. An angry crowd of Muslims stoned him in the city of Bougie. Genoese merchants took him back to Mallorca where he died. Raymond was beatified in 1514.

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God's favorites

A Recently Spotted Bumper Sticker:

"God favors no group--only religions do that."

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saturday night - sunday morning

usic with Marc Smason  -  Summer      www.marcsmason.com

        Saturday   June 27      9 pm     Better World      Marc Smason    diva, Joanne Klein   Bruce Barnard    Ken Strong     Chris Jimenez         Poggie Tavern     4714 California S.W.    206 937-2165  

        Sunday   June 28     9 – 10:30 am     Alfonse Somebody & the Jr. Detectives     Sound Steps Half Marathon – Gasworks Park   2101 N. Northlake Way     http://www.agingkingcounty.org/IlluminAgeApps/calendarApp/files/F463D3C7C.pdf

       Wednesday     July 1       7 – 8:30 pm           Visor       Smason    Rosalynn DeRoos - clarinet     *Capitol Music Center      1032 N.E. 65^th     206 622-0171    www.capitolmusiccenter.com    

         Friday     July 3       7 pm           Better World     Smason    Klein     Barnard    Strong    Jimenez    *Columbia City Beatwalk @ Bookworm Exchange     4860 Rainier S.       206 722-6633    www.columbiacitybeatwalk.org     $5 joint cover

        1^st & 3^rd Mondays      9 pm      Jammin’ in the Junction!       Better World          Marc Smason    diva, Joanne Klein   Bruce Barnard    Ken Strong     Chris Jimenez    You      Poggie Tavern     4714 California S.W.    206 937-2165  Jam Session!

        2^nd & 4^th Mondays      9 pm     Jammin’ in the Junction!      Falingo Machaz    Marc Smason   Orrin Sand   Brian Flanagan   Ken Strong   Pavel Shepp    You     Poggie Tavern     4717 California S.W.     206 937-2165    Jam Session!

                  Seattle WA unless otherwise noted        * all ages        no cover unless noted       removal upon request, of course.                                                                           CDs, available - Hit reply or www.cdbaby.com  or  call  206 760-1764      “Traveler, there is no path. Paths are made by walking.” Antonio Machado     Make art, not war

 

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Saturday Twin Twin Bill

The rain showers brought us indoors, but failed to dampen our spirits at A Rhapsody in Bloom last night.   The VZVBs were joined by Rambling Ron Clark on bass, filling for Sparky who is, as they say, “In Weiser.”    Good tunes and good times, we’ll be returning there with Sparky in tow next week.

As Sparky continues to be away at “Weiser, Idaho” (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) and The Jette packs his bags for the Scandinavian country, Al and Phil press on this weekend as the VZ Valley Twins (fraternal, not identical).     They will play two shows this Saturday, June 27.

The first show will be at the Maple Valley Farmers Market, 25700 Maple Valley Hwy, from 11:15-12:30 (the campus of Rock Creek Elementary).

That evening the Twins play Cutter’s Pt in Covington form 6:30-9:00.   There will be some tunes you will recognize from the VZVB list, and a few surprises.    

Hope to see you at one place or the other, or both.   

The VZVBs

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Blessed Jutta of Thuringia

Blessed Jutta of Thuringia (d. 1264?)

 

   Today's patroness of Prussia began her life amidst luxury and power but died the death of a simple servant of the poor.

   In truth, virtue and piety were always of prime importance to Jutta and her husband, both of noble rank. The two were set to make a pilgrimage together to the holy places in Jerusalem, but her husband died on the way. 

The newly widowed Jutta, after taking care to provide for her children, resolved to live in a manner utterly pleasing to God. She disposed of the costly clothes, jewels and furniture befitting one of her rank, and became a Secular Franciscan, taking on the simple garment of a religious.

From that point her life was utterly devoted to others: caring for the sick, particularly lepers; tending to the poor, whom she visited in their hovels; helping the crippled and blind with whom she shared her own home. Many of the townspeople of Thuringia laughed at how the once-distinguished lady now spent all her time. But Jutta saw the face of God in the poor and felt honored to render whatever services she could.

About the year 1260, not long before her death, Jutta lived near the non-Christians in eastern Germany. There she built a small hermitage and prayed unceasingly for their conversion. She has been venerated for centuries as the special patron of Prussia.

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Ready?

Getting Ready For a Trip

A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station. 

Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump."Reverend," said the young man, "Sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip." 

The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."

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The Poker Game

The Poker Game

A rabbi, a minister, and a priest were playing poker when the police raided the game. Turning to the priest, the lead police officer said, "Father Murphy, were you gambling?" 

Turning his eyes to heaven, the priest whispered, "Lord, forgive me for what I am about to do." To the police officer, he then said, "No, officer; I was not gambling." 

The officer then asked the minister, "Pastor Johnson, were you gambling?"Again, after an appeal to heaven, the minister replied, "No, officer; I was not gambling." 

Turning to the rabbi, the officer again asked, "Rabbi Goldstein, were you gambling?" 

Shrugging his shoulders, the rabbi replied, "With whom?"

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Birth of John the Baptist

Birth of John the Baptist

Jesus called John the greatest of all those who had preceded him: “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John....” But John would have agreed completely with what Jesus added: “[Y]et the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28).

John spent his time in the desert, an ascetic. He began to announce the coming of the Kingdom, and to call everyone to a fundamental reformation of life.

His purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. His Baptism, he said, was for repentance. But One would come who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John is not worthy even to carry his sandals. His attitude toward Jesus was: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).

John was humbled to find among the crowd of sinners who came to be baptized the one whom he already knew to be the Messiah. “I need to be baptized by you” (Matthew 3:14b). But Jesus insisted, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15b). Jesus, true and humble human as well as eternal God, was eager to do what was required of any good Jew. John thus publicly entered the community of those awaiting the Messiah. But making himself part of that community, he made it truly messianic.

The greatness of John, his pivotal place in the history of salvation, is seen in the great emphasis Luke gives to the announcement of his birth and the event itself—both made prominently parallel to the same occurrences in the life of Jesus. John attracted countless people (“all Judea”) to the banks of the Jordan, and it occurred to some people that he might be the Messiah. But he constantly deferred to Jesus, even to sending away some of his followers to become the first disciples of Jesus.

Perhaps John’s idea of the coming of the Kingdom of God was not being perfectly fulfilled in the public ministry of Jesus. For whatever reason, he sent his disciples (when he was in prison) to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah. Jesus’ answer showed that the Messiah was to be a figure like that of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah. John himself would share in the pattern of messianic suffering, losing his life to the revenge of Herodias.

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Holy Animals

Muldoon Mourns his Mutt

Muldoon lived alone in the Irish countryside with only a pet dog for company. One day, the dog died, and Muldoon went to the parish priest and said, "Father, my dog is dead. Could ya' be sayin' a mass for the poor creature?" 

Father Patrick replied, "I'm afraid not. We cannot have services for an animal in the church. But there is a new denomination down the lane, and there's no tellin' what they believe. Maybe they'll do something for the creature."Muldoon said, "I'll go right away Father. Do ya' think $5,000 is enough to donate for the service?"

Father Patrick exclaimed, "Sweet Mary, Mother of Jesus! Why didn't ya' tell me the dog was Catholic?"

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VZ Valley Performances this weekend

Summer started yesterday, school is out today and things are really starting to heat up here in the valley.  There are 5 performances scheduled for this week, 4 next week, and 3 the week after.  In addition Jette is off to tour Europe on Sunday to play some Scandinavian Folk Festivals and Sparky is off to the Weiser Folk Festival on Thursday.  Man things are smokin'.  Come to see if we ignite:

 

Wednesday has The VZ Valley Boys at the Rhapsody in Bloom Coffee House  3709 6 Ave Tacoma from 7-9.  This is an original music only venue so we will be trotting new songs out about October Nights, Truck Drivin', Stories Been Told and more.

 

Friday night has Phil in a new venue at The Lindon Bookstore at 1522 Cole Street in Enumclaw from 7-10. He is readying some new solo material as well and is planning 4 or 5 new tunes this week.

 

Saturday morning Phil and Al will be representing the Valley Boys at the Maple Valley Farmers Market from 11:15-12:30 and in the evening from 6:30-9:00 at The Covington Cutters Point  Coffee in front of Fred Meyer just off Highway 18 in Covington.

 

Sunday has Phil solo at the Mandolin Cafe 3923 S 12 Tacoma from 3-5 PM.

 

Monday morning we are up early and getting ready to perform for the 3 Fourth of July Celebrations we have scheduled, but let me save that for our next newsletter.

 

Hope to see you this week or next.

 

Blessings from the Valley;

Phil, Al, Jette, Sparky

The VZ Valley Boys

360-825-5363

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I do affirm that God comes first.

St. Thomas More (1478-1535)

  His belief that no lay ruler has jurisdiction over the Church of Christ cost Thomas More his life.

  

  Beheaded on Tower Hill, London, July 6, 1535, he steadfastly refused to approve Henry VIII’s divorce and remarriage and establishment of the Church of England.

  Described as “a man for all seasons,” More was a literary scholar, eminent lawyer, gentleman, father of four children and chancellor of England. An intensely spiritual man, he would not support the king’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon in order to marry Anne Boleyn. Nor would he acknowledge Henry as supreme head of the Church in England, breaking with Rome and denying the pope as head.

  More was committed to the Tower of London to await trial for treason: not swearing to the Act of Succession and the Oath of Supremacy. Upon conviction, More declared he had all the councils of Christendom and not just the council of one realm to support him in the decision of his conscience.

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St. Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591)

St. Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591)

The Lord can make saints anywhere, even amid the brutality and license of Renaissance life. Florence was the “mother of piety” for Aloysius Gonzaga despite his exposure to a “society of fraud, dagger, poison and lust.” As a son of a princely family, he grew up in royal courts and army camps. His father wanted Aloysius to be a military hero.

At age seven he experienced a profound spiritual quickening. His prayers included the Office of Mary, the psalms and other devotions. At age nine he came from his hometown of Castiglione to Florence to be educated; by age 11 he was teaching catechism to poor children, fasting three days a week and practicing great austerities. When he was 13 years old he traveled with his parents and the Empress of Austria to Spain and acted as a page in the court of Philip II. The more Aloysius saw of court life, the more disillusioned he became, seeking relief in learning about the lives of saints.

A book about the experience of Jesuit missionaries in India suggested to him the idea of entering the Society of Jesus, and in Spain his decision became final. Now began a four-year contest with his father. Eminent churchmen and laypeople were pressed into service to persuade him to remain in his “normal” vocation. Finally he prevailed, was allowed to renounce his right to succession and was received into the Jesuit novitiate.

Like other seminarians, Aloysius was faced with a new kind of penance—that of accepting different ideas about the exact nature of penance. He was obliged to eat more, to take recreation with the other students. He was forbidden to pray except at stated times. He spent four years in the study of philosophy and had St. Robert Bellarmine as his spiritual adviser.

In 1591, a plague struck Rome. The Jesuits opened a hospital of their own. The general himself and many other Jesuits rendered personal service. Because he nursed patients, washing them and making their beds, Aloysius caught the disease himself. A fever persisted after his recovery and he was so weak he could scarcely rise from bed. Yet, he maintained his great discipline of prayer, knowing that he would die within the octave of Corpus Christi, three months later. He was 23.

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The closing argument

At the end of the year teaching reading the Bible in a year, the teacher pauses before walking out of the door for the final time turns around and announces those class, "you have now read and studied the minimum required for starvation. Is that all you want to give God is the minimum?"

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Ex-police detective vampire

What did the ex-Police Detective.  Vampire say when after century they pulled a wooden stake out his heart?

"100 years on a stakeout is a long time!"

-- 

Scott D Ritchie
www.posterous.com/scottyr

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St. Paulinus of Nola

St. Paulinus of Nola (354?-431)

Anyone who is praised in the letters of six or seven saints undoubtedly must be of extraordinary character. Such a person was Paulinus of Nola, correspondent and friend of Augustine, Jerome, Melania, Martin, Gregory and Ambrose.

Born near Bordeaux, he was the son of the Roman prefect of Gaul, who had extensive property in both Gaul and Italy. Paulinus became a distinguished lawyer, holding several public offices in the Empire. With his Spanish wife, Therasia, he retired at an early age to a life of cultured leisure.

The two were baptized by the saintly bishop of Bordeaux and moved to Therasia’s estate in Spain. After many childless years, they had a son who died a week after birth. This occasioned their beginning a life of great austerity and charity, giving away most of their Spanish property. Possibly as a result of this great example, Paulinus was rather unexpectedly ordained a priest at Christmas by the bishop of Barcelona.

He and his wife then moved to Nola, near Naples. He had a great love for St. Felix of Nola, and spent much effort in promoting devotion to this saint. Paulinus gave away most of his remaining property (to the consternation of his relatives) and continued his work for the poor. Supporting a host of debtors, tramps and other needy people, he lived a monastic life in another part of his home. By popular demand he was made bishop of Nola and guided that diocese for 21 years.

His last years were saddened by the invasion of the Huns. Among his few writings is the earliest extant Christian wedding song.

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party

Music with Marc Smason  -  Summer      www.marcsmason.com

          Friday    June 19      7 pm     Smason 58^th Birthday Jam/party - RSVP    *Laughing Ladies Café     17551 15^th N.E. – Shoreline     206 362- 2026    http://www.laughingladiescafe.com       

        1^st & 3^rd Mondays      9 pm      Jammin’ in the Junction!       Better World          Marc Smason    diva, Joanne Klein   Bruce Barnard    Ken Strong     Chris Jimenez    You      Poggie Tavern     4714 California S.W.    206 937-2165  Jam Session!

        2^nd & 4^th Mondays      9 pm     Jammin’ in the Junction!      Falingo Machaz    Marc Smason   Orrin Sand   Brian Flanagan   Ken Strong   Pavel Shepp    You     Poggie Tavern     4717 California S.W.     206 937-2165    Jam Session!

          Thursday    June 25      9:30 pm      Tits & Brass – (horny band)    Sinner & Saints Burlesque – Noc Noc Club      1516 2^nd Ave.  #104     206 223-1333    www.clubnocnoc.com       $15

        Saturday   June 27      9 pm     Better World      Marc Smason    diva, Joanne Klein   Bruce Barnard    Ken Strong     Chris Jimenez         Poggie Tavern     4714 California S.W.    206 937-2165  

       Wednesday     July 1       7 – 8:30 pm           Visor       Smason    Rosalynn DeRoos - clarinet     *Capitol Music Center      1032 N.E. 65^th     206 622-0171    www.capitolmusiccenter.com    

         Friday     July 3       7 pm           Better World     Smason    Klein     Barnard    Strong    Jimenez    *Columbia City Beatwalk @ Bookworm Exchange     4860 Rainier S.       206 722-6633    www.columbiacitybeatwalk.org     $5 joint cover

Seattle WA unless otherwise noted        * all ages        no cover unless noted       removal upon request, of course.                                                                           CDs, available - Hit reply or www.cdbaby.com  or  call  206 760-1764      “Traveler, there is no path. Paths are made by walking.” Antonio Machado     Make art, not war

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Venerable Matt Talbot (1856-1925)

Venerable Matt Talbot (1856-1925)

   Matt can be considered the patron of men and women struggling with alcoholism.

Matt was born in Dublin, where his father worked on the docks and had a difficult time supporting his family. After a few years of schooling, Matt obtained work as a messenger for some liquor merchants; there he began to drink excessively. For 15 years—until he was 30—Matt was an active alcoholic.

   One day he decided to take "the pledge" for three months, make a general confession and begin to attend daily Mass. There is evidence that Matt’s first seven years after taking the pledge were especially difficult. Avoiding his former drinking places was hard. He began to pray as intensely as he used to drink. He also tried to pay back people from whom he had borrowed or stolen money while he was drinking.

   Most of his life Matt worked as a builder’s laborer. He joined the Secular Franciscan Order and began a life of strict penance; he abstained from meat nine months a year. Matt spent hours every night avidly reading Scripture and the lives of the saints. He prayed the rosary conscientiously. Though his job did not make him rich, Matt contributed generously to the missions.

   After 1923 his health failed and Matt was forced to quit work. He died on his way to church on Trinity Sunday. Fifty years later Pope Paul VI gave him the title venerable.

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One hell of a choice

An Atheist’s Hell

A young lady came home from a date looking rather sad. She told her mother, "Arthur proposed to me an hour ago."

"Then why are you so sad?" her mother asked.

"Because he also told me he was an atheist. Mom, he doesn't even believe there's a hell."

Her mother replied, "Marry him anyway. Between the two of us, we'll show him how wrong he is."

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St. Joseph Cafasso

St. Joseph Cafasso (1811-1860)

Even as a young man, Joseph loved to attend Mass and was known for his humility and fervor in prayer. After his ordination he was assigned to a seminary in Turin. There he worked especially against the spirit of Jansenism, an excessive preoccupation with sin and damnation. Joseph used the works of St. Francis de Sales and St. Alphonsus Liguori to moderate the rigorism popular at the seminary.

Joseph recommended membership in the Secular Franciscan Order to priests. He urged devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and encouraged daily Communion. In addition to his teaching duties, Joseph was an excellent preacher, confessor and retreat master. Noted for his work with condemned prisoners, Joseph helped many of them die at peace with God.

St. John Bosco was one of Joseph’s pupils. Joseph urged John Bosco to establish the Salesians to work with the youth of Turin. Joseph was canonized in 1947.

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Who's Duck Is This Anyway?

Don't Step on the Ducks

Three guys die together in an accident and go to heaven. When they get there, St. Peter says, "We only have one rule here in heaven: Don't step on the ducks!"

So they enter heaven, and sure enough, there are ducks all over the place. It is almost impossible not to step on a duck, and although they try their best to avoid them, the first guy accidentally steps on one.

Along comes St. Peter with the ugliest woman he has ever seen. St. Peter chains them together and says, "Your punishment for stepping on a duck is to spend eternity chained to the ugly woman!"

The next day, the second guy steps accidentally on a duck, and along comes St. Peter, who doesn't miss a thing, and with him is another extemely ugly woman. He chains them together with the same admonishment as for the first guy.

The third guy has observed all this and not wanting to be chained for all eternity to an ugly woman, is very, VERY careful where he steps. He manages to go months without stepping on any ducks, but one day St. Peter comes up to him with the most gorgeous woman he has ever laid eyes on: a very tall, tan, curvaceous, sexy blonde. St. Peter chains them together without saying a word.

The guy remarks, "I wonder what I did to deserve being chained to you for all of eternity?" 

She says, "I don't know about you, but I stepped on a duck!"

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St. John Francis Regis

St. John Francis Regis (1597-1640)

   Born into a family of some wealth, John Francis was so impressed by his Jesuit educators that he himself wished to enter the Society of Jesus. He did so at age 18. Despite his rigorous academic schedule he spent many hours in chapel, often to the dismay of fellow seminarians who were concerned about his health. Following his ordination to the priesthood, he undertook missionary work in various French towns. 

  While the formal sermons of the day tended toward the poetic, his discourses were plain. But they revealed the fervor within him and attracted people of all classes. Father Regis especially made himself available to the poor. Many mornings were spent in the confessional or at the altar celebrating Mass; afternoons were reserved for visits to prisons and hospitals.

  The Bishop of Viviers, observing the success of Father Regis in communicating with people, sought to draw on his many gifts, especially needed during the prolonged civil and religious strife then rampant throughout France. With many prelates absent and priests negligent, the people had been deprived of the sacraments for 20 years or more. Various forms of Protestantism were thriving in some cases while a general indifference toward religion was evident in other instances. For three years Father Regis traveled throughout the diocese, conducting missions in advance of a visit by the bishop. He succeeded in converting many people and in bringing many others back to religious observances.

  Though Father Regis longed to work as a missionary among the North American Indians in Canada, he was to live out his days working for the Lord in the wildest and most desolate part of his native France. There he encountered rigorous winters, snowdrifts and other deprivations. Meanwhile, he continued preaching missions and earned a reputation as a saint. One man, entering the town of Saint-Andé, came upon a large crowd in front of a church and was told that people were waiting for "the saint" who was coming to preach a mission.

   The last four years of his life were spent preaching and in organizing social services, especially for prisoners, the sick and the poor. In the autumn of 1640, Father Regis sensed that his days were coming to a conclusion. He settled some of his affairs and prepared for the end by continuing to do what he did so well: speaking to the people about the God who loved them. On December 31, he spent most of the day with his eyes on the crucifix. That evening, he died. His final words were: "Into thy hands I commend my spirit."

He was canonized in 1737.

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