View allAll Photos Tagged Discernment
My little songs of sorrow
seek the dreams
your silent language
brings me.
No consolation,
no passion,
no murmurs of discernment
in the healing rain.
Only the impossible
whispers of your
heart, impoverished
and empty,
wordless and deep
in the redemptive
determination of
your love.
----©Laura Sorrells 2014
all rights reserved
Some moments from this weekends Annual Vocation Discernment Retreat which welcomed almost 50 men looking to discern the Lord's loving call for them in their lives. Photos by George Martell - Archdiocese of Boston, BCDS.
on the holy cards lots of ESCARCHAS
it happened this morning 7/30/12 affter the 6am rosary
Scientific Study Claimed To Yield No Clue As To Composition Of Mysterious 'Glitter'
[In many parts of the world or at least the West, those involved in devotional and charismatic practices have asserted that at times a strange "glitter" falls, like decorative manna. This is a particularly difficult phenomenon to accept in the way of its strangeness and glitziness, although it was reported during the apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, during 1917 in an ephemeral form which soon vanished, leaving no material.]
The glitter reported in some parts of the world allegedly remains as a physical manifestation. While remaining open we warn that the materialization of any such thing can be occult, and so we place that as input for discernment. At the same time, Christians across denominations have been reporting both the glitter and "gold dust" during especially poignant spiritual moments. The alleged phenomenon is prevalent in South America, particularly Venezuela -- including the approved apparition site of Betania -- as well as the Miami area.
In Latin America it is known as "escarchas." Below we present an article translated by former monk Allan Weilart from a Spanish article entitled, "La Gracia de las Escarchas" or "The Grace of the Escarchas," including scientific tests of the "glitter." The article, from a while back, was translated from the official website of the convent at Carrizal, Venezuela where, along with all the houses of the same community in Venezuela, "escarchas" were said fall from "Heaven" during daily Mass. We submit it unedited for your strict discernment]:
"The Grace of Escarchas"
translated from the Spanish:
The theme of escarchas has become a controversial topic for certain people, some lend absolute credibility to them, believing they are a sign that shows the presence and aid of the Most Holy Virgin, just as she affirmed it that day February 9, 1993, to Sister Mary Carmen. Others reject such a possibility and doubt, laughing it all off.
It is important to precisely touch on this theme with a certain latitude by noting that escarchas from Carrizal have been studied twice in different laboratories of the Central University of Venezuela.
The first study was carried out by the petition of the Sister Mary Clara, superior of the Servants of Jesus in Carrizal and by the Chief Engineer who was the intermediary with the UCV, since was he graduated from that university in the Faculty of Engineering and could help in that sense. The Laboratory of Special Studies of the School of Mechanical Engineering accepted the assignment and proceeded with a thorough a scientific investigation.
This study was carried out September 21 -- October 14, 1993. The samples were taken of escarchas which appeared on different days within the dates mentioned, in the monastery of Carrizal, as well as a sample of the escarchas which appeared the day following the first apparition so that those also could be analyzed.
So once they separated and placed the samples in test tubes. They were sealed airtight, to prevent the possibility of fraud, by order of the Chief Engineer. He was likewise present during the majority of the hours of study dedicated to the investigation. In this manner and under these conditions, were the escarchas delivered to the laboratory of the UCV.
It is interesting here to allude to an event which happened September 22, when at 9:00 AM, a doctor came to the laboratory and related that the previous day having listened on the origin of the escarchas, and having access to the laboratory, had secretly taken two of these escarchas to his two small children who had suffered from chronic asthma for some years.
He related that after having taken the escarchas home, the children unexpectedly suffered a severe asthma attack and expelled phlegm by coughing almost all night. They were cured when they awoke; the asthma had disappeared!
The laboratory continued its scientific examination of the escarchas, submitting them to study and observation, by viewing them in the microscope without processing and in the electron microscope without processing.
Then they were studied again in the microscope and in the electronic one, but this time with processing chemicals.
They were then submitted to different mechanical actions and to other various chemical processing and incinerated in a burning flame. The results were similar to the ones found in the second more comprehensive and exhaustive study.
This second study was carried out, with the consent of the Sister Mary Clara, with a much more extensive sample of escarchas, including industrial glitter, manufactured by man, in order to know the difference between them.
From among the escarchas that appeared from the Virgin were chosen samples from other convents in Venezuela in which this phenomenon had also taken place, including some collected during a conference of the Marian Movement of Priests on March 2, 1992.
The colors of the religious escarchas chosen for this scientific study, so-called to distinguish them from manufactured glitter were silver, gold, green, red, aquamarine, pink, and transparent.
They took the shapes of squares, rectangles, and hexagons. Their size was between 1 and 2 millimeters.
There was also golden dust collected. The circumstances of these appearance of escarchas was related to some of these situations: moments of anguish and pain, dedication to the Virgin, moments of prayer, and even without any particular reason: simply they appeared.
Some escarchas had appeared on the hands, others on the face; there were also taken from various parts of the body, and even some collected off bedspreads, off the cloths of the altar, or off the pews of the church. As for type of people they had been collected from: children, youths and adults, religious sisters, as well as laymen of both sexes.
This second study was initiated in October of 1994 and was finished in May of 1995. The thesis of the experiment had this title: "INVESTIGATION OF THE PRIVATE MATERIAL OF VARIOUS COLORS AND ITS COMPARISON WITH INDUSTRIAL GLITTER"
The religious escarchas taken of the samples chosen of the places already mentioned were submitted to the same experimental processing that the other man-made glitter, in order to compare the physiochemical characteristics of both types and to compare likewise the effects produced by subjugation of both groups to mechanical actions, incinerations by flame, chemical
processing, and other means.
The chemical processing both types of escarchas (religious and industrial glitter) were submitted successively to nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, isopropol alcohol, to NITAL (mixture of alcohol and nitric acid), to hydroxide of sodium, to benzol, to benzene, and to flurohydric acid. After being submitted to these chemical substances for periods that oscillated between 60 minutes and several days, they were examined by electron microscope.
Selected for this experiment was the laboratory of Physics of the Faculty of Sciences of the Central University, in which was located one of the better electron microscopes in Venezuela.
The results were carefully scrutinized by three professors and continuously monitored by the Licentiate in Biology, Gillermo Strap, of the Laboratory of Physics of the UCV. The conditions of the experiments and strict measures of scientific character were carefully followed.
These results can be summarized thus:
A.- Simple observation can differentiate the religious escarchas from man-made glitter in the following way: the religious ones have greater quantity of tones in its color. For example in glitter, they came three types of green tone and in the religious to seven types of that tone of
color can be observed. The religious escarchas are thin, light, and shine with apparently their own brightness; they do not reflect light shined on them in the same manner as does glitter. The religious escarchas adhere to any surface and it is difficult to remove them. They present two faces or surfaces, as the plant leaves: a "top" and "bottom" side.
On the other hand, manufactured glitter is rough; it feels sandy, without its own brightness, it dazzles when any light shines on it; it is not as adherent as escarchas, and they present two equal surfaces.
B - Observation with optic microscope, without processing the following differences can be found:
In the religious escarchas is observed the presence of protozoans or of green or various algae and blue or of diverse fungi, bubbles of air, water, and crystals. These elements always remained static, without activity, they seemed like fossils.
In the man-made glitter it is observed that besides having the two equal faces lack protozoans, fungi, algae and they do not contain anything organic in them.
C - Of the observation with electron microscope without processing, can be appreciated the following differences:
The escarchas are not metallic -- it is impossible to see them without first covering them with gold (does not apply with silver escarchas), in order visualize them with the detachment of the necessary secondary electrons to be able to view them through the electron microscope. They show they have a laminated structure. The edges are solid.
Glitter possesses half of the thickness of the religious escarchas; they are of plastic material and the mark of the cut of the machine is observed at the same junction, as if were a fingerprint. The edges are not solid.
D.- Of the observation of the frosts submitted to various chemical processing and then analyzed by optic microscope, can be appreciated these differences:
No differences were found when both groups were submitted to nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and distilled water.
But with isopropyl alcohol, the religious escarchas were not bleached, but the glitter was bleached 75 percent. With NITAL the religious escarchas remained stable while the glitter
suffered total discoloration, they diminished in size and developed pores, tracks, and bubbles of air.
With hydroxide of sodium the religious escarchas did not suffer alterations, while the glitter was reduced of size.
The test of acid fluorohydric acid turns out to be highly significant: the religious escarchas remained stable while the industrial glitter disappeared completely.
This last experiment shows that the religious escarchas are not metallic, neither they are of plastic, nor mica, nor resins. Their composition could not be determined. With the oxide of propylene the same thing was shown, although through this chemical substance, glitter suffered corrosion by its industrial nature, but not the religious escarchas.
E.- Of the observation of the frosts submitted to thermal procedure of flames and combustion is obtained these differences:
The religious frosts are bleached a little, but they increase their shine and do not leave any residual odor. The glitter is bleached completely; they lose the shine and they leave an irritating odor, noxious to the eyes and the throat. This scientific differential analysis is presented in order to present a clear conclusion that the phenomenon of escarchas cannot be so easily dismissed, as some have done, even to the point of laughter and mockery.
One can sin by negligence or omission, not only by action. It is a fact that from 1993 the phenomenon of escarchas has constantly increased and has reached in Venezuela such proportions that it cannot be ignored. This study can help in the comprehension of the reality of this phenomenon connected with the presence of the Virgin, just as she declared on February 9, 1993. Since the escarchas have become a phenomenon of incalculable proportions, the same one, the Most Holy Virgin deigned to deliver to a priest who desires to remain anonymous, the meaning of their colors.
I have here the message of the September 23, 1999:
Revelation About the Meaning of the Escarchas
In these times in which men feel self-satisfied and far away from my Son the
Lord, I want to declare in a humbler way, the message that I want to deliver
to them and to declare to them the meaning of the escarchas. The ones who
live in my heart are those who have been bought by the blood of my Son.
Therefore, prayer, sacrifice, reconciliation, and penitence are the weapons
with which are going to fight in the battle against Satan.
I want to announce to them the meaning of the colors of my frosts:
-- The silver: in them I show you the magnanimity of my heart. Ask me what you
want.
-- The golden: in them I incline toward the weak one; I am going to heal you
spiritually, physically, psychologically, morally.
-- The blue: in them I want to announce you my proximity. I am with you, I
have been present to you.
-- The green: they are a song so that open you to hope. I will act in the
favor of God. Hope in God.
-- The red: in times of trial you offer me a sacrifice; remember that I love
you.
-- The transparent: the road of humility is the path that leads to freedom. I
know those who are humble and simple
-- The aquamarines: is the road that is very treacherous and curved, I want
to tell you on that road, I will be with you.
To my children, who have been graced with my gifts, sprouted from the love
of my Son, and who are the sweetest fragrance of the Father, to all who
find shelter in His breast, I give my blessing in the name of the Father, of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
For your discernment only!
Zhong Xin is a preacher at a house church in Mainland China. He has believed in the Lord for many years, and has been suffering capture and persecution of the CCP. He hates the CCP deeply and has already seen clearly that the CCP is a satanic regime treating God as its enemy. In recent years, he has seen that the Chinese Communist government and the religious world have persisted in wildly condemning, capturing, and persecuting the Church of the Eastern Lightning. But the Eastern Lightning not only survives, but also continues to thrive and grow. He thinks it is unbelievable and starts to reflect: Is the Eastern Lightning the appearance and work of the Lord? Zhong Xin also finds that what the CCP and the religious world speak to condemn the Eastern Lightning are all rumors and lies. In order to find out the truth, he leads brothers and sisters to investigate the Eastern Lightning. After the fellowship of the preachers fromthe Church of Almighty God, most of them firmly believe that the words expressed by Almighty God are the truth and the voice of God. Almighty God is the return of the Lord Jesus. However, the Church of Almighty God is suppressed and condemned by the Chinese Communist government and is wildly opposed and condemned by the religious pastors and elders. Faced with this situation, some are confused: Since the work of Almighty God is the true way, why does it suffer the furious resistance and condemnation of those in power and the religious world? Through reading Almighty God's words and listening to the fellowship of the preachers from the Church of Almighty God, these brothers and sisters understand the source of mankind's resistance of God, and see clearly that why the road to the heavenly kingdom is so perilous. They have discernment in the truth-hating and God-opposing essence of the satanic CCP regime and the religious leaders. In the end, Zhong Xin and others free themselves from the control and bondage of Satan's influence without hesitation. They accept Almighty God's work in the last days and truly return before God's throne.
“野水孤舟”
# SML Translate
+ 野: wild, plain, open space
+ 水: water, liquid, river, aquatic
+ 孤: solitary, alone, isolated
+ 舟: boat, small ship
野水孤舟 (Yěshuǐ gū zhōu) [1] is a poem by poet 梁棟創 (Liáng dòng chuàng) in 宋朝 (Song Dynasty) [2]
前村雨過溪流亂，行路迷漫都間斷。
孤洲盡日少人來，小舟系在垂楊岸。
主人空有濟川心，坐見門前水日深。
袖手歸來茅屋下，任他鷗鳥自浮沈。
# Notes
1. Baike: 野水孤舟:《野水孤舟》是宋朝梁棟創作的一首七言律詩。有國畫題識：野水無人渡，孤舟盡日橫。 baike.baidu.com/view/5662435.htm
2. Wikipedia: ZH-HK: 宋朝（960年—1279年）是中國歷史上的一個朝代，根據首都及疆域的變遷，可再分為北宋與南宋，合稱兩宋。因國君姓趙，又為區別於南北朝時期之南朝宋（劉宋），故亦稱「趙宋」。又因五德終始說，宋朝為火德，故又別稱「火宋」、「炎宋」。宋時北方政權契丹和西夏以宋朝位處其南方，稱其為「南朝」；西夏又因宋朝位於其東南，特稱其為「東朝」。 zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/宋朝
2. Wikipedia: EN: Song Dynasty: The Song Dynasty (Chinese: 宋朝; pinyin: Sòng Cháo; Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao; IPA: [sʊ̂ŋ tʂʰɑ̌ʊ̯]) was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to nationally issue banknotes or true paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a permanent standing navy. This dynasty also saw the first known use of gunpowder, as well as first discernment of true north using a compass. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_Dynasty
# SML Data
+ Series: 寧 Serenity
+ Date: 2013-01-18 12:20:50 GMT+0800
+ Dimensions: 3249 x 4874
+ Color: Black and white
+ Exposure: 1/3200 sec at f/2.8
+ Focal Length: 70mm
+ ISO: 100
+ Flash: Did not fire
+ Camera: Canon EOS 7D
+ Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
+ GPS: 22°25'11" N 114°13'20" E (approximate)
+ Location: 中國香港馬鞍山沙田海 中国香港马鞍山沙田海 Sha Tin Hoi, Ma On Shan, Hong Kong SAR, China
# Media Licensing
Creative Commons (CCBY) See-ming Lee 李思明 / SML Photography / SML Universe Limited
# Related SML Universe
+ SML Flickr Set: Serenity: sml8.it/smlflickr-serenity
+ SML Photography Blog: Serenity: Part 1: photoblog.seeminglee.com/2012/10/serenity.html
+ SML Photography Blog: Serenity: Part 2: photoblog.seeminglee.com/2012/12/serenity-part-2.html
+ SML Serenity Tumblr: smlserenity.tumblr.com
+ SML Serenity Twitter: twitter.com/smlserenity
/ 寧 Serenity
/ SML.20130118.7D.20535.C23.BW.PS1
/ #寧 #Serenity #SMLSerenity #CCBY #SMLPhotography #SMLUniverse #SMLProjects #黑白 #BW #SMLBW #SMLFlickr
/ #山水 #landscape #攝影 #摄影 #photography SML:Projects=Serenity #海 #Sea #自然 nature #山 #mountains
/ 中國 #中国 #China #香港 #HongKong #馬鞍山 #MaOnShan 2013 201301 20130118
/ #Canon7D #Canon2470
My living room was recently transformed into a movie set. A friend of mine asked if he could borrow my loft for the day for an independent film he's shooting entitled "Discernment."
Sister Boram Lee has fun with puppets and children at a Salesian Sisters outreach display.
Photo courtesy of Sister Boram Lee
Read article at: issuu.com/visionvocationguide/docs/2018_vision/112
Lina Attalah
Marcela Pizarro
Sorious Samura
I giornalisti tendono a non gradire, a non credere e a respingere tutto quello che ritengono appartenga al mondo della teoria. Per molti, all'interno di dibattiti accademici e attraverso la ricerca si formulano spesso critiche, espresse con linguaggio incomprensibile, senza che siano proposte soluzioni. In un mondo 'sovraccarico di informazioni', uno degli imperativi per giornalisti e lettori è il discernimento strategico, lo scetticismo informato, l'occhio critico. Negli ultimi 10 anni, The Listening Post, una trasmissione di Al Jazeera English sul mondo dei media, si occupa di come vengono coperte le notizie. Perseguendo questo obiettivo, la redazione è profondamente influenzata da una serie di teorici dei media che forniscono lenti critiche attraverso cui imparare a interpretare i media come fossero testi da rileggere, contestualizzare e interrogare. Per colmare il divario tra teoria e pratica, questo panel discuterà il valore di alcune figure di teorici chiave che riteniamo debbano uscire dalla torre d'avorio per essere considerati più fruttuosamente dai giornalisti in erba e, soprattutto, dall'opinione pubblica. Organizzato in collaborazione con The Listening Post.
Journalists tend to dislike, distrust and dismiss what they perceive to be the world of theory. For many, academic debates and research often provide critique without solution, written in obscure language. But in a world of ‘information overload’, one of the imperatives for journalists and the news reading public – is strategic discernment, an informed scepticism, a critical eye.
video: media.journalismfestival.com/programme/2017/critical-fram...
Both Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium, have excellent second hand vinyl record stores, in fact, they exhibit the same discernment that allows forgotten or obscure American jazz and rock bands to flourish outside of their blindsided native cultures. On the other hand, that mother load of American musical styles dominates these stores. The Record Collector, in the heart of the touristy “old city” center of Antwerpen welcomes the crate digger, as, believe me, Antwerp and Brussels are a little off the beaten track (more Dutch tourists on a weekend jaunt than any other nationality). And dig you must, as this place has piles and piles of vinyl, hundreds of cardboard boxes of 45rpms of every type and star, crates of particular genres tucked under bursting shelves of the well recognized . . . until . . . you finally reach a final room crammed with the unwanted and useless (useless to who?).
on the holy cards lots of ESCARCHAS
it happened this morning 7/30/12 affter the 6am rosary
Scientific Study Claimed To Yield No Clue As To Composition Of Mysterious 'Glitter'
[In many parts of the world or at least the West, those involved in devotional and charismatic practices have asserted that at times a strange "glitter" falls, like decorative manna. This is a particularly difficult phenomenon to accept in the way of its strangeness and glitziness, although it was reported during the apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, during 1917 in an ephemeral form which soon vanished, leaving no material.]
The glitter reported in some parts of the world allegedly remains as a physical manifestation. While remaining open we warn that the materialization of any such thing can be occult, and so we place that as input for discernment. At the same time, Christians across denominations have been reporting both the glitter and "gold dust" during especially poignant spiritual moments. The alleged phenomenon is prevalent in South America, particularly Venezuela -- including the approved apparition site of Betania -- as well as the Miami area.
In Latin America it is known as "escarchas." Below we present an article translated by former monk Allan Weilart from a Spanish article entitled, "La Gracia de las Escarchas" or "The Grace of the Escarchas," including scientific tests of the "glitter." The article, from a while back, was translated from the official website of the convent at Carrizal, Venezuela where, along with all the houses of the same community in Venezuela, "escarchas" were said fall from "Heaven" during daily Mass. We submit it unedited for your strict discernment]:
"The Grace of Escarchas"
translated from the Spanish:
The theme of escarchas has become a controversial topic for certain people, some lend absolute credibility to them, believing they are a sign that shows the presence and aid of the Most Holy Virgin, just as she affirmed it that day February 9, 1993, to Sister Mary Carmen. Others reject such a possibility and doubt, laughing it all off.
It is important to precisely touch on this theme with a certain latitude by noting that escarchas from Carrizal have been studied twice in different laboratories of the Central University of Venezuela.
The first study was carried out by the petition of the Sister Mary Clara, superior of the Servants of Jesus in Carrizal and by the Chief Engineer who was the intermediary with the UCV, since was he graduated from that university in the Faculty of Engineering and could help in that sense. The Laboratory of Special Studies of the School of Mechanical Engineering accepted the assignment and proceeded with a thorough a scientific investigation.
This study was carried out September 21 -- October 14, 1993. The samples were taken of escarchas which appeared on different days within the dates mentioned, in the monastery of Carrizal, as well as a sample of the escarchas which appeared the day following the first apparition so that those also could be analyzed.
So once they separated and placed the samples in test tubes. They were sealed airtight, to prevent the possibility of fraud, by order of the Chief Engineer. He was likewise present during the majority of the hours of study dedicated to the investigation. In this manner and under these conditions, were the escarchas delivered to the laboratory of the UCV.
It is interesting here to allude to an event which happened September 22, when at 9:00 AM, a doctor came to the laboratory and related that the previous day having listened on the origin of the escarchas, and having access to the laboratory, had secretly taken two of these escarchas to his two small children who had suffered from chronic asthma for some years.
He related that after having taken the escarchas home, the children unexpectedly suffered a severe asthma attack and expelled phlegm by coughing almost all night. They were cured when they awoke; the asthma had disappeared!
The laboratory continued its scientific examination of the escarchas, submitting them to study and observation, by viewing them in the microscope without processing and in the electron microscope without processing.
Then they were studied again in the microscope and in the electronic one, but this time with processing chemicals.
They were then submitted to different mechanical actions and to other various chemical processing and incinerated in a burning flame. The results were similar to the ones found in the second more comprehensive and exhaustive study.
This second study was carried out, with the consent of the Sister Mary Clara, with a much more extensive sample of escarchas, including industrial glitter, manufactured by man, in order to know the difference between them.
From among the escarchas that appeared from the Virgin were chosen samples from other convents in Venezuela in which this phenomenon had also taken place, including some collected during a conference of the Marian Movement of Priests on March 2, 1992.
The colors of the religious escarchas chosen for this scientific study, so-called to distinguish them from manufactured glitter were silver, gold, green, red, aquamarine, pink, and transparent.
They took the shapes of squares, rectangles, and hexagons. Their size was between 1 and 2 millimeters.
There was also golden dust collected. The circumstances of these appearance of escarchas was related to some of these situations: moments of anguish and pain, dedication to the Virgin, moments of prayer, and even without any particular reason: simply they appeared.
Some escarchas had appeared on the hands, others on the face; there were also taken from various parts of the body, and even some collected off bedspreads, off the cloths of the altar, or off the pews of the church. As for type of people they had been collected from: children, youths and adults, religious sisters, as well as laymen of both sexes.
This second study was initiated in October of 1994 and was finished in May of 1995. The thesis of the experiment had this title: "INVESTIGATION OF THE PRIVATE MATERIAL OF VARIOUS COLORS AND ITS COMPARISON WITH INDUSTRIAL GLITTER"
The religious escarchas taken of the samples chosen of the places already mentioned were submitted to the same experimental processing that the other man-made glitter, in order to compare the physiochemical characteristics of both types and to compare likewise the effects produced by subjugation of both groups to mechanical actions, incinerations by flame, chemical
processing, and other means.
The chemical processing both types of escarchas (religious and industrial glitter) were submitted successively to nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, isopropol alcohol, to NITAL (mixture of alcohol and nitric acid), to hydroxide of sodium, to benzol, to benzene, and to flurohydric acid. After being submitted to these chemical substances for periods that oscillated between 60 minutes and several days, they were examined by electron microscope.
Selected for this experiment was the laboratory of Physics of the Faculty of Sciences of the Central University, in which was located one of the better electron microscopes in Venezuela.
The results were carefully scrutinized by three professors and continuously monitored by the Licentiate in Biology, Gillermo Strap, of the Laboratory of Physics of the UCV. The conditions of the experiments and strict measures of scientific character were carefully followed.
These results can be summarized thus:
A.- Simple observation can differentiate the religious escarchas from man-made glitter in the following way: the religious ones have greater quantity of tones in its color. For example in glitter, they came three types of green tone and in the religious to seven types of that tone of
color can be observed. The religious escarchas are thin, light, and shine with apparently their own brightness; they do not reflect light shined on them in the same manner as does glitter. The religious escarchas adhere to any surface and it is difficult to remove them. They present two faces or surfaces, as the plant leaves: a "top" and "bottom" side.
On the other hand, manufactured glitter is rough; it feels sandy, without its own brightness, it dazzles when any light shines on it; it is not as adherent as escarchas, and they present two equal surfaces.
B - Observation with optic microscope, without processing the following differences can be found:
In the religious escarchas is observed the presence of protozoans or of green or various algae and blue or of diverse fungi, bubbles of air, water, and crystals. These elements always remained static, without activity, they seemed like fossils.
In the man-made glitter it is observed that besides having the two equal faces lack protozoans, fungi, algae and they do not contain anything organic in them.
C - Of the observation with electron microscope without processing, can be appreciated the following differences:
The escarchas are not metallic -- it is impossible to see them without first covering them with gold (does not apply with silver escarchas), in order visualize them with the detachment of the necessary secondary electrons to be able to view them through the electron microscope. They show they have a laminated structure. The edges are solid.
Glitter possesses half of the thickness of the religious escarchas; they are of plastic material and the mark of the cut of the machine is observed at the same junction, as if were a fingerprint. The edges are not solid.
D.- Of the observation of the frosts submitted to various chemical processing and then analyzed by optic microscope, can be appreciated these differences:
No differences were found when both groups were submitted to nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and distilled water.
But with isopropyl alcohol, the religious escarchas were not bleached, but the glitter was bleached 75 percent. With NITAL the religious escarchas remained stable while the glitter
suffered total discoloration, they diminished in size and developed pores, tracks, and bubbles of air.
With hydroxide of sodium the religious escarchas did not suffer alterations, while the glitter was reduced of size.
The test of acid fluorohydric acid turns out to be highly significant: the religious escarchas remained stable while the industrial glitter disappeared completely.
This last experiment shows that the religious escarchas are not metallic, neither they are of plastic, nor mica, nor resins. Their composition could not be determined. With the oxide of propylene the same thing was shown, although through this chemical substance, glitter suffered corrosion by its industrial nature, but not the religious escarchas.
E.- Of the observation of the frosts submitted to thermal procedure of flames and combustion is obtained these differences:
The religious frosts are bleached a little, but they increase their shine and do not leave any residual odor. The glitter is bleached completely; they lose the shine and they leave an irritating odor, noxious to the eyes and the throat. This scientific differential analysis is presented in order to present a clear conclusion that the phenomenon of escarchas cannot be so easily dismissed, as some have done, even to the point of laughter and mockery.
One can sin by negligence or omission, not only by action. It is a fact that from 1993 the phenomenon of escarchas has constantly increased and has reached in Venezuela such proportions that it cannot be ignored. This study can help in the comprehension of the reality of this phenomenon connected with the presence of the Virgin, just as she declared on February 9, 1993. Since the escarchas have become a phenomenon of incalculable proportions, the same one, the Most Holy Virgin deigned to deliver to a priest who desires to remain anonymous, the meaning of their colors.
I have here the message of the September 23, 1999:
Revelation About the Meaning of the Escarchas
In these times in which men feel self-satisfied and far away from my Son the
Lord, I want to declare in a humbler way, the message that I want to deliver
to them and to declare to them the meaning of the escarchas. The ones who
live in my heart are those who have been bought by the blood of my Son.
Therefore, prayer, sacrifice, reconciliation, and penitence are the weapons
with which are going to fight in the battle against Satan.
I want to announce to them the meaning of the colors of my frosts:
-- The silver: in them I show you the magnanimity of my heart. Ask me what you
want.
-- The golden: in them I incline toward the weak one; I am going to heal you
spiritually, physically, psychologically, morally.
-- The blue: in them I want to announce you my proximity. I am with you, I
have been present to you.
-- The green: they are a song so that open you to hope. I will act in the
favor of God. Hope in God.
-- The red: in times of trial you offer me a sacrifice; remember that I love
you.
-- The transparent: the road of humility is the path that leads to freedom. I
know those who are humble and simple
-- The aquamarines: is the road that is very treacherous and curved, I want
to tell you on that road, I will be with you.
To my children, who have been graced with my gifts, sprouted from the love
of my Son, and who are the sweetest fragrance of the Father, to all who
find shelter in His breast, I give my blessing in the name of the Father, of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
For your discernment only!
The 1790 memorial monument of Beau Nash (1674-1761) the celebrated dandy and leader of fashion, Master of Ceremonies in Bath for 57 years.
Bath Abbey.
Adeste, O cives, adeste lugentes,
Hic silent leges
Ricardi Nash, Armig:
Nihil amplius imperantes
Qui diu et utillisime
Assumptus Bathoniae
Elegantiae arbiter
Ehue!
Morti (ultimo designatori)
haud indecore succubuit
Ann: Dom: 1761 Aet: suae 87.
If social virtues make remembrance dear,
or manners pure on decent rule depend
To his remains consign one grateful tear--
Of Youth the Guardian and of all the Friend.
Now sleeps Dominion. Here No Bounty flows,
Nor more avails the festive Scene to grace,
Beneath that Hand which no discernment shows,
Untaught to honour or distinguished place.
on the holy cards lots of ESCARCHAS
it happened this morning 7/30/12 affter the 6am rosary
Scientific Study Claimed To Yield No Clue As To Composition Of Mysterious 'Glitter'
[In many parts of the world or at least the West, those involved in devotional and charismatic practices have asserted that at times a strange "glitter" falls, like decorative manna. This is a particularly difficult phenomenon to accept in the way of its strangeness and glitziness, although it was reported during the apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, during 1917 in an ephemeral form which soon vanished, leaving no material.]
The glitter reported in some parts of the world allegedly remains as a physical manifestation. While remaining open we warn that the materialization of any such thing can be occult, and so we place that as input for discernment. At the same time, Christians across denominations have been reporting both the glitter and "gold dust" during especially poignant spiritual moments. The alleged phenomenon is prevalent in South America, particularly Venezuela -- including the approved apparition site of Betania -- as well as the Miami area.
In Latin America it is known as "escarchas." Below we present an article translated by former monk Allan Weilart from a Spanish article entitled, "La Gracia de las Escarchas" or "The Grace of the Escarchas," including scientific tests of the "glitter." The article, from a while back, was translated from the official website of the convent at Carrizal, Venezuela where, along with all the houses of the same community in Venezuela, "escarchas" were said fall from "Heaven" during daily Mass. We submit it unedited for your strict discernment]:
"The Grace of Escarchas"
translated from the Spanish:
The theme of escarchas has become a controversial topic for certain people, some lend absolute credibility to them, believing they are a sign that shows the presence and aid of the Most Holy Virgin, just as she affirmed it that day February 9, 1993, to Sister Mary Carmen. Others reject such a possibility and doubt, laughing it all off.
It is important to precisely touch on this theme with a certain latitude by noting that escarchas from Carrizal have been studied twice in different laboratories of the Central University of Venezuela.
The first study was carried out by the petition of the Sister Mary Clara, superior of the Servants of Jesus in Carrizal and by the Chief Engineer who was the intermediary with the UCV, since was he graduated from that university in the Faculty of Engineering and could help in that sense. The Laboratory of Special Studies of the School of Mechanical Engineering accepted the assignment and proceeded with a thorough a scientific investigation.
This study was carried out September 21 -- October 14, 1993. The samples were taken of escarchas which appeared on different days within the dates mentioned, in the monastery of Carrizal, as well as a sample of the escarchas which appeared the day following the first apparition so that those also could be analyzed.
So once they separated and placed the samples in test tubes. They were sealed airtight, to prevent the possibility of fraud, by order of the Chief Engineer. He was likewise present during the majority of the hours of study dedicated to the investigation. In this manner and under these conditions, were the escarchas delivered to the laboratory of the UCV.
It is interesting here to allude to an event which happened September 22, when at 9:00 AM, a doctor came to the laboratory and related that the previous day having listened on the origin of the escarchas, and having access to the laboratory, had secretly taken two of these escarchas to his two small children who had suffered from chronic asthma for some years.
He related that after having taken the escarchas home, the children unexpectedly suffered a severe asthma attack and expelled phlegm by coughing almost all night. They were cured when they awoke; the asthma had disappeared!
The laboratory continued its scientific examination of the escarchas, submitting them to study and observation, by viewing them in the microscope without processing and in the electron microscope without processing.
Then they were studied again in the microscope and in the electronic one, but this time with processing chemicals.
They were then submitted to different mechanical actions and to other various chemical processing and incinerated in a burning flame. The results were similar to the ones found in the second more comprehensive and exhaustive study.
This second study was carried out, with the consent of the Sister Mary Clara, with a much more extensive sample of escarchas, including industrial glitter, manufactured by man, in order to know the difference between them.
From among the escarchas that appeared from the Virgin were chosen samples from other convents in Venezuela in which this phenomenon had also taken place, including some collected during a conference of the Marian Movement of Priests on March 2, 1992.
The colors of the religious escarchas chosen for this scientific study, so-called to distinguish them from manufactured glitter were silver, gold, green, red, aquamarine, pink, and transparent.
They took the shapes of squares, rectangles, and hexagons. Their size was between 1 and 2 millimeters.
There was also golden dust collected. The circumstances of these appearance of escarchas was related to some of these situations: moments of anguish and pain, dedication to the Virgin, moments of prayer, and even without any particular reason: simply they appeared.
Some escarchas had appeared on the hands, others on the face; there were also taken from various parts of the body, and even some collected off bedspreads, off the cloths of the altar, or off the pews of the church. As for type of people they had been collected from: children, youths and adults, religious sisters, as well as laymen of both sexes.
This second study was initiated in October of 1994 and was finished in May of 1995. The thesis of the experiment had this title: "INVESTIGATION OF THE PRIVATE MATERIAL OF VARIOUS COLORS AND ITS COMPARISON WITH INDUSTRIAL GLITTER"
The religious escarchas taken of the samples chosen of the places already mentioned were submitted to the same experimental processing that the other man-made glitter, in order to compare the physiochemical characteristics of both types and to compare likewise the effects produced by subjugation of both groups to mechanical actions, incinerations by flame, chemical
processing, and other means.
The chemical processing both types of escarchas (religious and industrial glitter) were submitted successively to nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, isopropol alcohol, to NITAL (mixture of alcohol and nitric acid), to hydroxide of sodium, to benzol, to benzene, and to flurohydric acid. After being submitted to these chemical substances for periods that oscillated between 60 minutes and several days, they were examined by electron microscope.
Selected for this experiment was the laboratory of Physics of the Faculty of Sciences of the Central University, in which was located one of the better electron microscopes in Venezuela.
The results were carefully scrutinized by three professors and continuously monitored by the Licentiate in Biology, Gillermo Strap, of the Laboratory of Physics of the UCV. The conditions of the experiments and strict measures of scientific character were carefully followed.
These results can be summarized thus:
A.- Simple observation can differentiate the religious escarchas from man-made glitter in the following way: the religious ones have greater quantity of tones in its color. For example in glitter, they came three types of green tone and in the religious to seven types of that tone of
color can be observed. The religious escarchas are thin, light, and shine with apparently their own brightness; they do not reflect light shined on them in the same manner as does glitter. The religious escarchas adhere to any surface and it is difficult to remove them. They present two faces or surfaces, as the plant leaves: a "top" and "bottom" side.
On the other hand, manufactured glitter is rough; it feels sandy, without its own brightness, it dazzles when any light shines on it; it is not as adherent as escarchas, and they present two equal surfaces.
B - Observation with optic microscope, without processing the following differences can be found:
In the religious escarchas is observed the presence of protozoans or of green or various algae and blue or of diverse fungi, bubbles of air, water, and crystals. These elements always remained static, without activity, they seemed like fossils.
In the man-made glitter it is observed that besides having the two equal faces lack protozoans, fungi, algae and they do not contain anything organic in them.
C - Of the observation with electron microscope without processing, can be appreciated the following differences:
The escarchas are not metallic -- it is impossible to see them without first covering them with gold (does not apply with silver escarchas), in order visualize them with the detachment of the necessary secondary electrons to be able to view them through the electron microscope. They show they have a laminated structure. The edges are solid.
Glitter possesses half of the thickness of the religious escarchas; they are of plastic material and the mark of the cut of the machine is observed at the same junction, as if were a fingerprint. The edges are not solid.
D.- Of the observation of the frosts submitted to various chemical processing and then analyzed by optic microscope, can be appreciated these differences:
No differences were found when both groups were submitted to nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and distilled water.
But with isopropyl alcohol, the religious escarchas were not bleached, but the glitter was bleached 75 percent. With NITAL the religious escarchas remained stable while the glitter
suffered total discoloration, they diminished in size and developed pores, tracks, and bubbles of air.
With hydroxide of sodium the religious escarchas did not suffer alterations, while the glitter was reduced of size.
The test of acid fluorohydric acid turns out to be highly significant: the religious escarchas remained stable while the industrial glitter disappeared completely.
This last experiment shows that the religious escarchas are not metallic, neither they are of plastic, nor mica, nor resins. Their composition could not be determined. With the oxide of propylene the same thing was shown, although through this chemical substance, glitter suffered corrosion by its industrial nature, but not the religious escarchas.
E.- Of the observation of the frosts submitted to thermal procedure of flames and combustion is obtained these differences:
The religious frosts are bleached a little, but they increase their shine and do not leave any residual odor. The glitter is bleached completely; they lose the shine and they leave an irritating odor, noxious to the eyes and the throat. This scientific differential analysis is presented in order to present a clear conclusion that the phenomenon of escarchas cannot be so easily dismissed, as some have done, even to the point of laughter and mockery.
One can sin by negligence or omission, not only by action. It is a fact that from 1993 the phenomenon of escarchas has constantly increased and has reached in Venezuela such proportions that it cannot be ignored. This study can help in the comprehension of the reality of this phenomenon connected with the presence of the Virgin, just as she declared on February 9, 1993. Since the escarchas have become a phenomenon of incalculable proportions, the same one, the Most Holy Virgin deigned to deliver to a priest who desires to remain anonymous, the meaning of their colors.
I have here the message of the September 23, 1999:
Revelation About the Meaning of the Escarchas
In these times in which men feel self-satisfied and far away from my Son the
Lord, I want to declare in a humbler way, the message that I want to deliver
to them and to declare to them the meaning of the escarchas. The ones who
live in my heart are those who have been bought by the blood of my Son.
Therefore, prayer, sacrifice, reconciliation, and penitence are the weapons
with which are going to fight in the battle against Satan.
I want to announce to them the meaning of the colors of my frosts:
-- The silver: in them I show you the magnanimity of my heart. Ask me what you
want.
-- The golden: in them I incline toward the weak one; I am going to heal you
spiritually, physically, psychologically, morally.
-- The blue: in them I want to announce you my proximity. I am with you, I
have been present to you.
-- The green: they are a song so that open you to hope. I will act in the
favor of God. Hope in God.
-- The red: in times of trial you offer me a sacrifice; remember that I love
you.
-- The transparent: the road of humility is the path that leads to freedom. I
know those who are humble and simple
-- The aquamarines: is the road that is very treacherous and curved, I want
to tell you on that road, I will be with you.
To my children, who have been graced with my gifts, sprouted from the love
of my Son, and who are the sweetest fragrance of the Father, to all who
find shelter in His breast, I give my blessing in the name of the Father, of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
For your discernment only!
Psychosis is portrayed by an impeded association with reality. Furthermore, it is a side effect of genuine mental issue. Individuals who are insane may have either mind flights or dreams.
Fantasies are tangible encounters that happen inside the nonattendance of a real jolt. For instance, a man having a sound-related mind flight may hear their mom shouting at them when their mom isn't around. On the other hand somebody having a visual mind flight may see something, similar to a man before them, who isn't really there.
The individual encountering psychosis may likewise have considerations that are in opposition to real proof. These considerations are known as hallucinations. A few people with psychosis may likewise encounter loss of inspiration and social withdrawal.
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These encounters can unnerve. They may likewise bring about individuals who are encountering psychosis to hurt themselves or others. It is essential to see a specialist immediately on the off chance that you or somebody you know is encountering indications of psychosis.
Section 2 of 10: Symptoms
Perceiving the manifestations of psychosis
Promotion
Manifestations
Manifestations of psychosis include:
trouble concentrating
discouraged mind-set
resting an excessive amount of or insufficient
nervousness
suspiciousness
withdrawal from family and companions
hallucinations
mental trips
complicated discourse, for example, exchanging themes inconsistently
wretchedness
nervousness
self-destructive musings or activities
Section 3 of 10: False substances
What are dreams and mind flights?
Daydreams and mental trips are two altogether different manifestations that are both regularly experienced by individuals with psychosis. Fancies and mind flights appear to be genuine to the individual who is encountering them.
Fancies
A fancy is a false conviction or impression that is solidly held despite the fact that it is repudiated by reality and what is ordinarily viewed as genuine. There are hallucinations of neurosis, vainglorious fancies, and substantial dreams.
Individuals who are encountering a hallucination of suspicion may believe that they are being taken after when they are not, or that mystery messages are being sent to them. Somebody with a pompous dream will have a misrepresented feeling of significance. Substantial fancy is the point at which a man trusts they have a terminal sickness when as a general rule they are sound.
Fantasies
A fantasy is a tactile discernment without outside jolts. That implies seeing, hearing, feeling, or noticing something that isn't available. A man who is fantasizing may see things that don't exist or hear individuals talking when they are separated from everyone else.
Section 4 of 10: Causes
Causes
Every instance of psychosis is distinctive, and the correct cause is not generally clear. There are, in any case, certain sicknesses that cause psychosis. There are likewise triggers like medication utilize, absence of rest, and other ecological elements. What's more, certain circumstances can prompt to particular sorts of psychosis to create.
Sicknesses
Sicknesses that can bring about psychosis include:
cerebrum maladies, for example, Parkinson's ailment, Huntington's infection, and some chromosomal issue
cerebrum tumors or blisters
Likewise a few sorts of dementia may bring about psychosis, for example,
Alzheimer's illness
HIV, syphilis, and different diseases that assault the mind
a few sorts of epilepsy
stroke
Section 5 of 10: Risk elements
Hazard components for creating psychosis
Chance Factors
It's not as of now conceivable to definitely distinguish who is probably going to create psychosis. Notwithstanding, explore has demonstrated that hereditary qualities may assume a part.
Individuals will probably build up an insane issue in the event that they have a nearby relative, for example, a parent or kin who has a maniacal issue.
Youngsters conceived with the hereditary transformation known as 22q11.2 erasure disorder are at hazard for building up an insane issue, particularly schizophrenia.
Section 6 of 10: Types
Sort 1
A few sorts of psychosis are brought on by particular conditions or conditions that incorporate the accompanying:
Brief maniacal issue
Brief maniacal issue, infrequently called brief responsive psychosis, can happen amid times of extraordinary individual anxiety like the demise of a relative. Somebody encountering brief responsive psychosis will for the most part recoup in a couple days to half a month, contingent upon the wellspring of the anxiety.
Medication or liquor related psychosis
Psychosis can be activated by the utilization of liquor and unlawful medications, including stimulants, for example, methamphetamine and cocaine. Psychedelic medications like LSD frequently make clients see things that are not by any stretch of the imagination there, however this impact is brief. Some physician endorsed drugs like steroids and stimulants can likewise bring about side effects of psychosis
Individuals who are dependent on liquor and certain medications can encounter crazy side effects in the event that they abruptly quit drinking or taking the medication to which they are dependent.
Natural psychosis
A head harm or a disease or contamination that influences the cerebrum can bring about side effects of psychosis.
Section 7 of 10: Psychotic issue
Insane disarranges
Crazy issue can be activated by stress, medication or liquor utilize, damage, or disease. They can likewise show up all alone. The accompanying sorts of disarranges may have insane side effects:
Bipolar turmoil
When somebody has bipolar confusion, their temperaments swing from high to low. At the point when their state of mind is high and positive, they may have manifestations of psychosis. They may feel greatly great and trust they have extraordinary forces.
At the point when their state of mind is discouraged, the individual may have insane manifestations that make them feel irate, dismal, or startled. These side effects incorporate supposing somebody is attempting to mischief them.
Capricious confusion
A man encountering fanciful confusion firmly puts stock in things that are not genuine.
Maniacal gloom
This is significant gloom with insane indications.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a long lasting malady that is for the most part joined by insane manifestations.
Section 8 of 10: Diagnosis
Conclusion
Psychosis is analyzed through a psychiatric assessment. That implies a specialist will watch the individual's conduct and make inquiries about what they are encountering. Therapeutic tests and X-beams might be utilized to figure out if there is a basic ailment creating the side effects.
Diagnosing psychosis in youngsters and adolescents
A large portion of the manifestations of psychosis in grown-ups are not indications of psychosis in youngsters. For instance, little youngsters frequently have nonexistent companions with whom they talk. This equitable speaks to creative play, which is totally typical for kids.
Be that as it may, on the off chance that you are stressed over psychosis in a kid or pre-adult, depict their conduct to a specialist.
Section 9 of 10: Treatment
Treatment of psychosis
Treatment
Treating psychosis may include a mix of solutions and treatment. The vast majority will encounter a change in their side effects with treatment.
Fast sedation
Now and then individuals encountering psychosis can get to be distinctly upset and be at danger of harming themselves or others. In these cases, it might be important to quiet them down rapidly. This strategy is called fast sedation. A specialist or crisis reaction faculty will direct a quick acting shot or fluid medication to rapidly unwind the patient.
Medications and pharmaceutical
Side effects of psychosis can be controlled with prescriptions called antipsychotics. These prescriptions lessen mental trips and daydreams and help individuals think all the more unmistakably. The kind of prescription that is recommended will rely on upon the side effects.
Much of the time, individuals just need to set aside antipsychotics for a short opportunity to get their indications under control. Individuals with schizophrenia may need to remain on drugs forever.
Intellectual behavioral treatment
Intellectual behavioral treatment implies meeting consistently to chat with an emotional wellness advisor with the objective of changing deduction and practices. This approach has been appeared to be powerful in peopling roll out perpetual improvements and all the more adequately deal with their disease. It is regularly most accommodating for insane indications that don't totally resolve with drugs.
Section 10 of 10: Outlook
Entanglements and standpoint of psychosis
Recuperation
Psychosis does not have numerous restorative difficulties. Nonetheless, if left untreated, it can challenge for individuals encountering psychosis to take great care of themselves. That could bring about different sicknesses to go untreated.
The vast majority who encounter psychosis will recoup with legitimate treatment. Indeed, even in serious cases, medicine and treatment can offer assistance.
June 22, 2021 – Bishop Gregory Parkes presented 13 people with a Certificate in Lay Leadership Ministry at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. In an evening prayer service, the Bishop congratulated and commissioned these students to serve in ministry leadership throughout the diocese. The Bishop remarked on their courageous commitment not only to ministry leadership, but to their four years of study in the program. Bishop Parkes also congratulated and thanked their spouses, family members and friends for their support and encouragement over the four years of the program.
The graduating class represented 10 parishes from around our diocese. Graduates completed one year of discernment and three years of academic and spiritual preparation.
Those who were commissioned and their parishes are:
Susan Lynn Arcand, St. Paul (Tampa)
Tom Barrett, Nativity
William L. Brown, III, St. Stephen
Theresa V. McCain Cole, St. Clement
Christine DeLieto, St Vincent DePaul
Ophelia Hinton, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Elizabeth L. Huetteman, St. Stephen
Paula M. Hurlock, St. Clement
Dale P. Kennedy, St. Lawrence
Christina Marie Kijanka, Espiritu Santo
Paul J. Laurence RN, Holy Family
Carol J. Ritter, St. Ignatius of Antioch
Scott Samuels, St. Paul (Tampa)
Three individuals also received certificates from Bishop Parkes for completing Level 1 of the Southeast Pastoral Institute Escuela de Ministerios (SEPI). They are:
Leila Castellanos – Nativity Parish
Theresa Hernandez – Most Holy Redeemer Parish
Felicia Westbrook – Incarnation Parish
Thank you to Dana Rozance for graciously taking and sharing these photos with us! #courageouslyliving
This photo shows the back of the piece along with the triskele design on the base.
Birds are often used as symbols of freedom – there is an international human rights symbol which is a stylised bird. To earthbound humans, the ability to fly has led to the imagery of being ‘as free as a bird’. This piece tries to take the imagery a bit further by having a bird escaping from some form of captivity or restraint. It is also stylised.
This piece is the exception to the rule that I don’t do carvings on commission. Asked by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties to do a piece for a human rights award, it took a process of discussion and discernment to agree doing something. With a plaque added to the front (which is why there is no design on it there) it was presented to Liam Cunningham for a Lifetime Contribution Award in March 2020 concerning his work for human rights at home and abroad. See www.iccl.ie/awards/liam-cunningham-lifetime-contribution-...
The base is Lough Neagh basin bog oak; bog oak is generally black inside (there are some flecks of brown on this piece) because the iron in the water where it lies interacts with the tannins in the wood to turn it black. This is a block of bog oak cut from a larger piece. The bird is bog pine from Co Mayo and is actually the roots, and start of the trunk, of a pine sapling which never grew big. As to why it did not grow more, there are a number of possible answers including growing on stony ground with very poor nutrition, climate change, flood or wind causing it to be uprooted. Spaghnum moss can also kill trees by causing waterlogging.
The pine is 3,500 years old or more – pine basically died out in Ireland at this time. It is a ‘natural miracle’ that this small piece of pine survived, thanks to anaerobic conditions in a bog. The oak is also likely to be 3,000 – 5,000 years old. However without carbon dating it is impossible to be more exact on the age of the wood.
The bird has been left quite stylised; the wings and body were shaped a bit and the head significantly. One wing (originally root) is longer than the other and it has been left this way as a bit of artistic licence – it preserves more of the sapling’s shape. The colour of bog pine inside is like a modern pine only more pink, and it goes a darker golden brown when oiled, as here. Neither piece of wood has been coloured beyond being oiled and painted with a clear varnish.
The base was finished at the front to have a flat surface for the plaque. However I wanted to have some ornamentation on the base so I carved a triskele on the back but sufficiently small not to detract from the overall piece; the triskele is a symbol from Celtic and many others cultures. The gash at the front from where the bird is emerging has been enlarged from what was much smaller. I chiselled and drilled a hole in the oak to hold the pine bird in place. The highest point of the carving is about 34 cm, the base itself is about 20 cm high and 19 cm at its widest.
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Requirements For Lasik Eye Surgery Requirements for Lasik eye surgery are simple to understand. It is generally understood by many that Lasik is an excellent vision improvement surgery and alternative option to wearing glasses. Glasses and contacts can be an inconvenience to many during daily activities. The following points are outlined for anyone interested in getting lasik eye surgery. Your Eyes Must Be Healthy and Balanced You will need to wait till any of your eye related problems are solved before having Lasik. If you have any kind problems detected by your Michigan Lasik eye surgery specialist that could influence how your eyes react to the surgical procedure or recover you cannot undergo Lasik eye surgery. Preventative eye conditions include chronic dry eye disorder, conjunctivitis (pink eye), glaucoma, infections and also any kind of eye injury. If you have been experiencing relentless dry eyes, where you do not create sufficient tears to maintain your eyes oiled state, LASIK could further intensify this problem. Typical signs and symptoms of dry eye syndrome consist of a painful or sandy feeling in the eye, minimized resistance to wind, recurring blurred vision, as well as an occasional flood of tears. Be certain to review everything with your physician or Lasik surgeon prior to the surgical procedure if you have or have had in the past, some of these signs and symptoms. Your optometrist will better determine if you truly have dry eye syndrome at your preoperative examination as well as how to could effectively deal with the problem so you could enjoy the benefits of Laser eye surgery. Feasible therapies for dry eye syndrome consist of fabricated splits, tear duct plugs, medicated eye drops, flaxseed or fish oil supplements, or a mix of these methods to ensure proper maintenance of the eyes oil levels. 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Making use of a femtosecond laser rather than a microkeratome could allow your Lasik specialist to create a much thinner corneal flap and therefore perform a standard Lasik treatment on your eyes. If you’re still not an excellent prospect for LASIK or PRK, regardless of technological innovations as well as strategies, an alternative refractive surgical procedure known as implantable lenses (phakic IOLs) is another sound option. Your Pupils Size Is Important Too If your pupils are excessively large as if they are dilated, you sit at an increased risk of experiencing some negative effects from Lasik such as Halos, Flashers, Floaters, Starbursts and also issues seeing in reduced light settings. This can be dangerous, especially when driving at night. Your Prescription Must Fall Within Certain Limits If your degree of refractive error is extreme, whether because of astigmatism, nearsightedness or farsightedness, your Michigan Lasik Eye surgery specialist might recommend you undergo a similar procedure known as Lasek in which a flap is not created on the cornea at all. The typical outcome of LASIK for those with really high degrees of refractive error are much less foreseeable than the average candidate, creating a much higher risk procedure which is not often recommended by doctors. For example, a high degree of nearsightedness, might call for elimination of excessive corneal cells placing you at enhanced danger of vision problems. If you have a serious refractive error, an alternative procedure known as phakic IOL implantable lenses or a clear lens exchange is recommended by most Michigan Lasik eye surgery experts. You Must Meet Age Requirements Some laser eye treatments need you to be 18 yeas of age while others, 21. Individuals below these ages may still undergo Lasik at the discernment of their Michigan LASIK eye surgery doctor as well as proper approval from the individual’s parents or legal guardian. There is no official age limitation to Lasik & PRK, although when you strike your 40s, you might still require eye glasses after Lasik. For this reason, your Michigan Lasik eye surgery expert will most likely recommend undergoing a clear Lens exchange as opposed to Lasik or PRK. Your ophthalmologist might additionally consider you a prospect for refractive correction of presbyopia such as monovision LASIK, which could boost your near vision without the need for corrective eyewear such as contacts or glasses. Ladies are more at threat for experiencing dry eye syndrome after going through menopause and males have a higher threat for experiencing dry eyes later on in life as their metabloisms begin to slow down in speed. As states earlier, a chronic dry eye problem such as dry eye syndrome ought to be dealt with prior to having LASIK or PRK. You Must Have a Stable Vision Prescription Young adults and commonly experience continuous modifications in their glasses and contact lens prescription when visiting their optometrist from year to year. It’s crucial for any and all refractive error to be 100% stabilized for a minimum of 1 year prior to LASIK in order to ensure lasting results. Teenagers and young individuals are bad prospects for Lasik up until their eyes have stabilized at one prescription for at least a year. Your Michigan Lasik eye surgery specialist will further determine whether or not your eyes are stable enough for Lasik. You Must Be in Good Overall Health Health conditions that may place you as a high risk candidate for Lasik consist of type 1 diabetes, unrestrained degenerative problems or autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren’s disorder, autism, rheumatoid joint inflammation and AIDS (exceptions do apply). If your body has difficulty with recovery, you will certainly be at much higher likelihood of experiencing an unsuccessful LASIK procedure. Point of views differ amongst different Michigan LASIK eye surgery experts pertaining to which conditions are complete disqualifiers for Lasik candidacy as well as which ones may increase risk factors in particular situations. Specific drugs could also create threats and risk factors connected with LASIK. Immunosuppressant drugs could conflict with post-op recovery as well as medications such as isotretinoin (Accutane) which might may increase the chances up experiencing a dry eye disorder after Lasik. You Should Delay Surgery if You Are Pregnant LASIK is also not ideal if you are expecting or nursing. The hormone modifications occurring could change the form of your corneal surface, resulting in momentary adjustments in your vision. If you are nursing, Lasik should not be performed until your hormonal agents as well as your vision have fully returned back to their natural state, often months after delivery. Those who are nursing or expecting often experience dry eyes, which is an additional factor implying that you should delay LASIK several months after delivery and maternity. Some medicines that would generally be utilized prior to or after Lasik such as anti-biotics and hormonal steroids might be high-risk for your infant, whether expecting or nursing. Do You Have Realistic Expectations? While the bulk of LASIK patients experience superb results, you ought to be totally knowledgeable about the feasible side effects ad complications of Lasik prior to your decision to undertake to visit a Michigan lasik eye surgery clinic. A highly trained Michigan LASIK eye surgeon will certainly encourage you to correct your vision, whether you are an excellent prospect for Lasik, or may need to undergo an alternative procedure such as implantable contact lenses.
The post Requirements For Lasik Eye Surgery appeared first on Top Michigan Lasik Eye Surgery | Yaldo Eye Center | (248) 553-9800.
The theme of this year’s General Assembly is With Glad and Generous Hearts. This past year, a design team was established to work with the General Assembly Office to plan the 2018 event. Team member the Rev. Dr. Patricia Dutcher-Walls shares that “sitting through an Assembly can be both inspiring and tiring,” so the team “imagined ways to help accomplish the business of the Assembly, while creating more spaciousness of timing and a more humane schedule.” This includes time for mini-breaks, table discussion groups, and sessions that include visuals and sound to appeal to different learning modes. A consensus decision-making model will create a more inclusive process of discernment. When Presbyterians gather together with glad and generous hearts, much can be accomplished!
Presbyterians Sharing brings Presbyterians together at General Assembly.
A spray-painted cross on a Mexican road. Read article at www.digitalvocationguide.org/vision/2012#pg136.
One of the first, & probably the most prominent of the pioneer settlers of this country, was the subject of this sketch. He was a Virginian by birth, but emigrated to Kentucky at a very early date, where he remained until the spring of 1815. At that time he removed further west, & settled, at what was then a small French Village-now the great city of St. Louis, Missouri. Possessed of a clear & vigorous intellect, great energy of character, a generous nature, & a remarkably fine physical constitution, Mr. Bates soon distinguished himself among the inhabitants of the village of St. Louis, Missouri. Possessed of a clear & vigorous intellect, great energy of character, a generous nature, & a remarkably fine physical constitution, Mr. Bates soon distinguished himself among the inhabitants of the village of St. Louis. As a mark of their confidence & respect they elected him, unsolicited, sheriff of St. Louis county. He was the first native born citizen of the United States who had ever been here accorded so great distinction. Being spirited & industrious, Mr. Bates resigned the subaltern duties of the office, & engaged in the lumber business on an extensive scale, being the first person who ever engaged in that industry in St. Louis. Under his supervision many of the finest buildings which adorned St. Louis were constructed.
Endowed with penetrating discernment, Mr. Bates perceived the advantage of pushing forward toward the upper Mississippi, where there were then but few settlers. Purchasing a keel-boat, he loaded it with goods, & went up the "Father of Waters" to Galena, Illinois, where he, in conjunction with a nephew, David G. Bates, established a lead-smelting furnace.
For several years Mr. Bates made voyages up & down the river. The site where the thrifty & prosperous city of Hannibal now stands, early attracted his attention as a point likely to concentrate the trade of this locality. So he determined to lay off a town here, & in connection with Gen. Rector, began, in 1819, to clear up & locate its boundaries, cutting away brush & undergrowth with his own hand, in the course of establishing the future great city of the upper Mississippi. Here Mt. Bates opened a store-house. The Indians were at this time quite trouble-some & sometimes he & his associates found it necessary to resort to fire arms for defense.
Mr. Bates brought from St. Louis a large assortment of dry goods & groceries & became the first merchant of the new town. In the meantime Missouri had thrown off her territorial effeminacy, & became a member of the great & growing North American confederacy of States. This all engendered great political & personal strife among those citizens ambitious of distinction & fame. Mr. Bates had but little relish for political dissension, & was often called upon to interfere with & adjust controversies growing out of this cause, for which he seemed to possess a happy faculty. He never instigated any trouble, but bore a conspicuous part as pacificator.
About this time Col. John Miller, subsequently Governor of Missouri, & for many years member of Congress from this State, formed a partnership with Mr. Bates for the purpose of speculating in government lands. They brought up some of the best tracts in this section of the country. Mr. Bates was always noted for his energy & industry, & he was largely instrumental in advancing the interest of the State, & particularly of Marion County. He was a useful citizen, a sincere friend, benevolent, just to all men, & an affectionate husband & father. He died very suddenly, at the present residence of his son, Moses D. Bates, Jr., in Miller township, in Marion County, August 18, 1857, yet still lives in the memory of the people as a good & honest man. His widow, Martha (Gash) Bates, to whom he was married February 22, 1821, is now living in Marion County.
Katia linking the beef juices from the board. She didn't spare so much as an investigative glance at the olives pits, bread crumbs or bits of lettuce.
There is a song that I remember from childhood called "Abiding Love". While I was creating this papercut, I kept thinking of that song, but inserting "A-budding" in place of "Abiding". So... I suppose it is a pun of sorts. :-)
I have been thinking about youth, love, and that time of growth. I am watching young adults around me pass through what I have already passed through. The struggles to know "what is REALLY right or best for my life?" There are those on the way to marriage, or those just starting relationships and in the middle of deep puddles of doubt. There are those beginning new careers, moving away from families, finding new jobs or new homes, preparing for college, ending one chapter of life to begin another.
Change is not easy. And, for me, it seems that my life really does represent the quote, "Anything worth having is worth fighting for." The best things of my life have not come easily by any means. I mean, NOTHING. I was really discouraged about it yesterday, as I scanned through my life and observed how "struggling, stretching, tottering, bending, trudging" have been constants in my journey.
Today I feel better, but I feel heart sore. I know that all of those challenges have caused me to build endurance, grow in faith, and to lean more on God. I am grateful to see how much I have grown, but... Sometimes I wish I could have some things come easily.
Yesterday I was looking at the photostream of some of a friend's art, and I saw that he had a series of three cards representing a flower bud growing. I sat staring, reflecting. One seemed to be ready to soar into the sky, exciting and ready to just be let go to grow. Another seemed as if inching along gradually, up, up, up, but still reaching and wanting. And the last seemed to be going even more slowly, still piled on top of itself and just beginning to show bravery to lean away from what it has always known.
This papercut card, here, represents the couple, the differences in upbringing, location, thought process, and so many other things; but what I really want to be represented is the SUN. It is big and the bud grows towards it because it wants to soak up the light. That is how we each, individually, should ideally be with Jesus, the SON, so that we can soak up His goodness, blessing, and have His direction, guidance, wisdom, discernment, etc... when making life's many tough decisions.
I can attest, personally, to God's faithfulness to guide me and direct me. I prayed often about most issues in my life. I remember feeling at a loss of what to do, many times. I remember feeling overwhelmed, ready to break, stressed out. I remember lots of different emotions, but through them all God was, and is, always in control. As I leaned on Him, and still do lean on Him, as I sought Him for His perfect will in my life, He has always given me an answer- Yes, No, or Wait. As I have obeyed Him, I have seen His perfect will and perfect way. Yes, I have made mistakes, but... He has also helped me to get back up after I have fallen. What a faithful and loving God He is.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
Note: The color of the sun is a little off in the scan. It is more of a light orange... Perhaps other colors are also not exact, but that was the most noticeable.
This project is part of the Ars Electronica Garden Seoul, Garden of Third Life.
Since April 2019, composer WONWOORI has been studying cochlear implant users and various methods to transmit sounds and music to them through the WOW-LOG project. He intends to develop playful media and create music by recreating the audio world of cochlear implant users, using electronic instruments. The composer tried to understand this world of different sounds through musical interactions, and to study the fundamental elements of music for human beings. As a result of finally being able to enjoy music, cochlear implant users could ultimately “develop sound discernment and a sense of hearing .”
For further information please visit:
ars.electronica.art/keplersgardens/thirdlife/
Credit: WONWOORI
The Queen of Pentacles © September 22, 2009 (Fall Equinox) by Donna L. Faber, is the first in a tarot card series (that I may or may not finish). It is done on Strathmore Bristol 300 Series Vellum with Staedler pigment liner pens, Prismacolor premiere markers, and good old fashioned Crayola Pip-Squeaks. She’s been cut out, assembled from three separate pieces, and will be mounted for framing.
This was a very inspired piece that came quickly and precisely through my pen, as though she was eager to emerge, as though she had something to prove. Perhaps she does.
The Queen of Pentacles is one of four minor arcana queens in a typical 72 card tarot desk used for divination. Each of the Queens has certain characteristics indicative of the suit they’re in. They can be, and often are, symbolic of a specific person when they appear in a reading. I’ve gotten in the habit of providing a narrative for new works of art, as each come from a personal place of intense inspiration. I’ll do the same for this piece. You’ll note that in ways this narrative may differ from the standard Queen of Pentacles description.
Who is the Queen of Pentacles?
The Queen of Pentacles is a mature woman who is pragmatic and appreciates the value of hard work. She may not be the Queen of a kingdom, but she is certainly the Queen of her family. She demonstrates a practical awareness that empowers her and others; shares her gifts abundantly, but uses discernment and savvy in their distribution. She has a keen, logical mind, goes about her work quietly, but in the stillness of her thoughts can solve the most confusing dilemmas. She always seeks a solution. Her meditation is found in the garden with her hands in the dirt surrounded by blooming flowers, butterflies, hummingbirds, and busy bees. These sacred messengers are all part of nature’s bounty, synonymous with the Queen's bounty, all of which she is in tune with quite naturally. She also embodies the attributes of earth, and like earth, cannot and will not be moved unless she wills it. The Queen of Pentacles expresses her love through hard work and provision, and wants to share everything she has with her children, whom she loves very much. She has an appreciation for the finer things in life, but it is because she’s earned them, not because they were handed to her. She has purposefully instilled that value in her daughters.
Her smile is genuine, and when she willingly and genuinely bestows it upon you, or throws her head back in laughter, she is radiant. Like the light of a hundred suns, the Queen’s beauty emanates from deep within. This renders her quite breathtaking, although she is not what is typically considered beautiful. Beneath the softness and pliancy of mature skin are muscles and bones made of steel, hard and durable, forged from years of hard work, good food, and physical fitness. This strength and endurance serve her well now. As the world changes and economic times are increasingly tenuous, she knows she can count on her physical strength to carry her through. This is her quiet pride. She is not vain, but she is proud.
The Evolved Queen of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles has experienced dark nights of the spirit. She has stared the Dark Mother in the eyes; at times in terror, and in other times, acceptance. Her eyes, in fact, have seen great sorrow, but still retain their luster. Her personal pain is reformed but not forgotten, symbolized by a single dark tear on her cheek. She no longer punishes herself for short comings, and what was once anxiety no longer holds sway over the health of her emotional body. A radiating spiral on the other cheek acknowledges the magic inherent within her, the natural force she was once uncomfortable with, but now embraces. In the wisdom of maturity, this Queen forgave herself the sins heaped upon her (by herself and others) in order to claim her worthiness and happiness. She did not stop to ask anyone’s permission but her own.
This queen acknowledges and accepts all aspects of herself (although some aspects remain very private), leading to increasing realization of the multi-faceted Goddess within.
********************
She is your mother, grandmother, aunt, sister or friend.
Perhaps she is simply a special acquaintance.
In her practical, well groomed and well tailored way, she is a force to be reckoned with.
She is also a very inspired piece of art.
She is the Queen of Pentacles.
The muse dances and I must create.
Lei ha ispirato questo pezzo. Sono molto lieto che abbiamo incontrato. La ringrazio per la continua a ispirare me in tanti modi.
So much love,
D~
The Kafsokalyvia Skete, a dependency of the Great Lavra, is located about three hour's travel away from the Great Lavra. The Kafsokalyvia skete was founded by the Venerable Akakios the Younger. He is remembered on April 12.
The main temple (Kiriakon) of the skete was built in 1745 and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The skete has thirty five monks who live in a like number of cells (kellion) and huts (kalyvae}. Elder Porphyrios (Bairaktaris), who was noted for his spiritual discernment, served for many years at the skete, living in the Cell of St. George, before his repose in 1991.
The library of the skete holds twenty three codices (manuscript books) and several hundred prints
At the Masonic Lodge in Hamilton, Montana.
Wikipedia says:
"As Freemasonry is non-dogmatic, there is no general interpretation for . . . any Masonic symbol . . . that is used by Freemasonry as a whole."
From the top down, the symbols may mean:
1) The Square and Compasses (or, more correctly, a square and a set of compasses joined together) is the single most identifiable symbol of Freemasonry.
Both the square and compasses are architect's tools and are used in Masonic ritual as emblems to teach symbolic lessons. Some Lodges and rituals explain these symbols as lessons in conduct: for example, Duncan's Masonic Monitor of 1866 explains them as: "The square, to square our actions; The compasses, to circumscribe and keep us within bounds with all mankind"
As measuring instruments, the tools represent judgment and discernment.
In English speaking jurisdictions the Square and Compasses are often depicted with the letter "G" in the center. The letter is interpreted to represent different words jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Among the most widely accepted interpretations are that: [G] stands for God, and is to remind Masons that God is at the center of Freemasonry. In this context it can also stand for Great Architect of the Universe (a reference to God).
In a different context, the letter stands for Geometry, described as being the "noblest of sciences", and "the basis upon which the superstructure of Freemasonry is erected."
June 22, 2021 – Bishop Gregory Parkes presented 13 people with a Certificate in Lay Leadership Ministry at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. In an evening prayer service, the Bishop congratulated and commissioned these students to serve in ministry leadership throughout the diocese. The Bishop remarked on their courageous commitment not only to ministry leadership, but to their four years of study in the program. Bishop Parkes also congratulated and thanked their spouses, family members and friends for their support and encouragement over the four years of the program.
The graduating class represented 10 parishes from around our diocese. Graduates completed one year of discernment and three years of academic and spiritual preparation.
Those who were commissioned and their parishes are:
Susan Lynn Arcand, St. Paul (Tampa)
Tom Barrett, Nativity
William L. Brown, III, St. Stephen
Theresa V. McCain Cole, St. Clement
Christine DeLieto, St Vincent DePaul
Ophelia Hinton, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Elizabeth L. Huetteman, St. Stephen
Paula M. Hurlock, St. Clement
Dale P. Kennedy, St. Lawrence
Christina Marie Kijanka, Espiritu Santo
Paul J. Laurence RN, Holy Family
Carol J. Ritter, St. Ignatius of Antioch
Scott Samuels, St. Paul (Tampa)
Three individuals also received certificates from Bishop Parkes for completing Level 1 of the Southeast Pastoral Institute Escuela de Ministerios (SEPI). They are:
Leila Castellanos – Nativity Parish
Theresa Hernandez – Most Holy Redeemer Parish
Felicia Westbrook – Incarnation Parish
Thank you to Dana Rozance for graciously taking and sharing these photos with us! #courageouslyliving
Lu Xiu’en was a preacher of a house church in China. Believing the rumors and notions spread by the pastor, she insisted that man’s sins had been forgiven by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus, that man was saved by faith and didn’t need to receive any other salvation. As a result, she resisted and rejected Almighty God’s gospel in the last days many times…. However, an unexpected experience made her see the true face of the pastor, and thus she had some discernment of him and her heart began to awaken. Just at that time, Almighty God’s gospel in the last days came upon her. This broke her imaginations and notions about God’s work and gave her a brand new knowledge of salvation and full salvation. And then she accepted Almighty God’s gospel in the last days without hesitation. However, the pastor didn’t stop disturbing her, and this caused her great distress. Under the watering of Almighty God’s word, she saw clearly the ugly face of the pastor and his deceptive tricks. She awakened resolutely….
June 22, 2021 – Bishop Gregory Parkes presented 13 people with a Certificate in Lay Leadership Ministry at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. In an evening prayer service, the Bishop congratulated and commissioned these students to serve in ministry leadership throughout the diocese. The Bishop remarked on their courageous commitment not only to ministry leadership, but to their four years of study in the program. Bishop Parkes also congratulated and thanked their spouses, family members and friends for their support and encouragement over the four years of the program.
The graduating class represented 10 parishes from around our diocese. Graduates completed one year of discernment and three years of academic and spiritual preparation.
Those who were commissioned and their parishes are:
Susan Lynn Arcand, St. Paul (Tampa)
Tom Barrett, Nativity
William L. Brown, III, St. Stephen
Theresa V. McCain Cole, St. Clement
Christine DeLieto, St Vincent DePaul
Ophelia Hinton, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Elizabeth L. Huetteman, St. Stephen
Paula M. Hurlock, St. Clement
Dale P. Kennedy, St. Lawrence
Christina Marie Kijanka, Espiritu Santo
Paul J. Laurence RN, Holy Family
Carol J. Ritter, St. Ignatius of Antioch
Scott Samuels, St. Paul (Tampa)
Three individuals also received certificates from Bishop Parkes for completing Level 1 of the Southeast Pastoral Institute Escuela de Ministerios (SEPI). They are:
Leila Castellanos – Nativity Parish
Theresa Hernandez – Most Holy Redeemer Parish
Felicia Westbrook – Incarnation Parish
Thank you to Dana Rozance for graciously taking and sharing these photos with us! #courageouslyliving
Jonathan Grey-Rabbity is the gentle and kind guardian of his very best friend. Jonathan Grey-Rabbity is loved so much for his unwavering discernment and reassurance regarding dark shadows at bedtime. His worth is immeasurable. His sharp rabbity eyes can tell what each dark figure is right away, be it a chair or blanket left piled upon the floor...
June 22, 2021 – Bishop Gregory Parkes presented 13 people with a Certificate in Lay Leadership Ministry at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. In an evening prayer service, the Bishop congratulated and commissioned these students to serve in ministry leadership throughout the diocese. The Bishop remarked on their courageous commitment not only to ministry leadership, but to their four years of study in the program. Bishop Parkes also congratulated and thanked their spouses, family members and friends for their support and encouragement over the four years of the program.
The graduating class represented 10 parishes from around our diocese. Graduates completed one year of discernment and three years of academic and spiritual preparation.
Those who were commissioned and their parishes are:
Susan Lynn Arcand, St. Paul (Tampa)
Tom Barrett, Nativity
William L. Brown, III, St. Stephen
Theresa V. McCain Cole, St. Clement
Christine DeLieto, St Vincent DePaul
Ophelia Hinton, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Elizabeth L. Huetteman, St. Stephen
Paula M. Hurlock, St. Clement
Dale P. Kennedy, St. Lawrence
Christina Marie Kijanka, Espiritu Santo
Paul J. Laurence RN, Holy Family
Carol J. Ritter, St. Ignatius of Antioch
Scott Samuels, St. Paul (Tampa)
Three individuals also received certificates from Bishop Parkes for completing Level 1 of the Southeast Pastoral Institute Escuela de Ministerios (SEPI). They are:
Leila Castellanos – Nativity Parish
Theresa Hernandez – Most Holy Redeemer Parish
Felicia Westbrook – Incarnation Parish
Thank you to Dana Rozance for graciously taking and sharing these photos with us! #courageouslyliving
June 22, 2021 – Bishop Gregory Parkes presented 13 people with a Certificate in Lay Leadership Ministry at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. In an evening prayer service, the Bishop congratulated and commissioned these students to serve in ministry leadership throughout the diocese. The Bishop remarked on their courageous commitment not only to ministry leadership, but to their four years of study in the program. Bishop Parkes also congratulated and thanked their spouses, family members and friends for their support and encouragement over the four years of the program.
The graduating class represented 10 parishes from around our diocese. Graduates completed one year of discernment and three years of academic and spiritual preparation.
Those who were commissioned and their parishes are:
Susan Lynn Arcand, St. Paul (Tampa)
Tom Barrett, Nativity
William L. Brown, III, St. Stephen
Theresa V. McCain Cole, St. Clement
Christine DeLieto, St Vincent DePaul
Ophelia Hinton, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Elizabeth L. Huetteman, St. Stephen
Paula M. Hurlock, St. Clement
Dale P. Kennedy, St. Lawrence
Christina Marie Kijanka, Espiritu Santo
Paul J. Laurence RN, Holy Family
Carol J. Ritter, St. Ignatius of Antioch
Scott Samuels, St. Paul (Tampa)
Three individuals also received certificates from Bishop Parkes for completing Level 1 of the Southeast Pastoral Institute Escuela de Ministerios (SEPI). They are:
Leila Castellanos – Nativity Parish
Theresa Hernandez – Most Holy Redeemer Parish
Felicia Westbrook – Incarnation Parish
Thank you to Dana Rozance for graciously taking and sharing these photos with us! #courageouslyliving
...I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”
— Mary Oliver
June 22, 2021 – Bishop Gregory Parkes presented 13 people with a Certificate in Lay Leadership Ministry at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. In an evening prayer service, the Bishop congratulated and commissioned these students to serve in ministry leadership throughout the diocese. The Bishop remarked on their courageous commitment not only to ministry leadership, but to their four years of study in the program. Bishop Parkes also congratulated and thanked their spouses, family members and friends for their support and encouragement over the four years of the program.
The graduating class represented 10 parishes from around our diocese. Graduates completed one year of discernment and three years of academic and spiritual preparation.
Those who were commissioned and their parishes are:
Susan Lynn Arcand, St. Paul (Tampa)
Tom Barrett, Nativity
William L. Brown, III, St. Stephen
Theresa V. McCain Cole, St. Clement
Christine DeLieto, St Vincent DePaul
Ophelia Hinton, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Elizabeth L. Huetteman, St. Stephen
Paula M. Hurlock, St. Clement
Dale P. Kennedy, St. Lawrence
Christina Marie Kijanka, Espiritu Santo
Paul J. Laurence RN, Holy Family
Carol J. Ritter, St. Ignatius of Antioch
Scott Samuels, St. Paul (Tampa)
Three individuals also received certificates from Bishop Parkes for completing Level 1 of the Southeast Pastoral Institute Escuela de Ministerios (SEPI). They are:
Leila Castellanos – Nativity Parish
Theresa Hernandez – Most Holy Redeemer Parish
Felicia Westbrook – Incarnation Parish
Thank you to Dana Rozance for graciously taking and sharing these photos with us! #courageouslyliving
June 22, 2021 – Bishop Gregory Parkes presented 13 people with a Certificate in Lay Leadership Ministry at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. In an evening prayer service, the Bishop congratulated and commissioned these students to serve in ministry leadership throughout the diocese. The Bishop remarked on their courageous commitment not only to ministry leadership, but to their four years of study in the program. Bishop Parkes also congratulated and thanked their spouses, family members and friends for their support and encouragement over the four years of the program.
The graduating class represented 10 parishes from around our diocese. Graduates completed one year of discernment and three years of academic and spiritual preparation.
Those who were commissioned and their parishes are:
Susan Lynn Arcand, St. Paul (Tampa)
Tom Barrett, Nativity
William L. Brown, III, St. Stephen
Theresa V. McCain Cole, St. Clement
Christine DeLieto, St Vincent DePaul
Ophelia Hinton, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Elizabeth L. Huetteman, St. Stephen
Paula M. Hurlock, St. Clement
Dale P. Kennedy, St. Lawrence
Christina Marie Kijanka, Espiritu Santo
Paul J. Laurence RN, Holy Family
Carol J. Ritter, St. Ignatius of Antioch
Scott Samuels, St. Paul (Tampa)
Three individuals also received certificates from Bishop Parkes for completing Level 1 of the Southeast Pastoral Institute Escuela de Ministerios (SEPI). They are:
Leila Castellanos – Nativity Parish
Theresa Hernandez – Most Holy Redeemer Parish
Felicia Westbrook – Incarnation Parish
Thank you to Dana Rozance for graciously taking and sharing these photos with us! #courageouslyliving
During the evening of her first vows ceremony, the new Sister Marie Protectrice de la Foi visits with her best friend, Rachel Scott, and her parents, Jean and Greg Marcantel.
Photo by Noel Marcantel
Read article at: issuu.com/visionvocationguide/docs/2018_vision/118