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October 12, 2007
St. Monica
When I was younger I often played St. Augustine to my mother's St. Monica, but as I've grown older and I now have a child of my own, St. Monica seems to be the more appropriate patron saint for my blog. By her kindness, love and patience, she wrought a complete transformation in her family. Had it not been for some very special people in my life, including Fr. Daniel Cahill who spent many years at St. Monica's parish in San Francisco, I would not have come back to my faith.
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My Favorite Charities
One of my best friends from college became a nun in the Little Sister of the Poor, which takes care of the sick, infirm and elderly poor.
This is a very worthy cause. This is the first Roman Catholic University to be built in the last 40 years in the United States of America. It will be centered around a beautiful church and will feature an orthodox, classic Catholic humanities education.
I recommend volunteering and donating at your local chapter. Mine is the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross and I know they do excellent work. It's the right thing to do. Better than giving your money to someone who will spend it you know not how, get involved! There are many ways you can be involved too.
There is a genocide going on now in Darfur. This is something we should be doing everything possible to stop. Here is a good organization that is doing what it can.
Another one of my college friends and her husband began this organization along with several other college friends who became priests. Mission Fides gives directed spiritual retreats based on the Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
This is a great charity! If you want to know how things are really going in Iraq and Afghanistan and in the War on Terror, support our troops. Send a package to a soldier. They really appreciate it and sometimes you even get a letter from your soldier!
Friends of my mother began this organization, which serves people living with breast cancer and their families.
Canyon Heights is a really great Catholic elementary (PK-8) school. They have one of the lowest tuitions of any private school in the area and they provide a superlative, integrated education.
I am a survivor. I walked in the Bay Area Angel Adventure on May 6, 2006, as a way to give back the many blessings and gifts that I received.What I'm Listening To
Barry Manilow: The Greatest Songs of the Sixties
Although I am a Barry Manilow fan, and although I enjoyed his first album in this series (Fifties), I just didn't care for this album. Unlike Rod Stewart, who has done a series of classics with an updated twist, the arrangements of the songs on this album still sound exactly like they did in the 60s. Remember eight track tapes, Burt Bacharach and backup choruses? It will come flooding back in all of its insipidness when you listen to this album. (**)Stardust... The Great American Songbook, Vol. III
Really fabulous! Love the duets with various people in these albums!Thanks For The Memory...The Great American Songbook IV
Who knew that Rod Stewart could sing the standards? Although I can't say that I enjoy Stewart's usual rock and roll much, this album is truly wonderful!Johnny Cash: At Madison Square Garden
Vintage Cash & friends! Live recording of the original 1969 concert. Wonderful! (*****)Barry Manilow: The Greatest Songs of the Fifties
I'm not ashamed to say that I was a fan when I was younger. His latest effort is quite good. His voice is remarkably clear for his age, although he appears to have lost some of his high notes. It's nice to see him back at #1! (****)
