Post for September 30, 2009
Part of my role as Chairperson of the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism is that I am responsible to head up the Executive Committee. We were having a devil of a time trying to find a time to meet, so we settled on today at lunch at the Grand Seminary of Montreal.
Today’s meeting highlighed a particular and immediate need at the Centre: we need a webmaster. We don’t need someone to do the technical infrastructure — that we have. What we need is someone to add the actual content to our site, to make it useful for the end user. The job is more editoral than technical. Any readers out there know someone who believes in the cause and can help in this area? I’d do it myself, but I’m already a Director, the corporate Secretary, and Chairperson of the Board. I’ve got too many hats already.
The Centre is, I believe, at a turning point in its existence. The world desperately needs to be more skilled in inter-faith understanding and reconciliation, and the Centre is an acknowleged nucleus of expertise in this area. But it is a bigger boat than I expected, and turning it is taking time. Still, we have a plan for how to move the Centre forward for the next 5 years, and I am committed to staying on until my services are no longer required for that purpose.
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Post for September 29, 2009
Given the very busy weekend I had I took it easy today (everybody needs a day off a some point). Still, there was one invitation I could not resist: this evening I spent some time with a group of Salesian Cooperators (sort of a third order for the Salesian family of religious organizations). We spent the evening discussing the latest Papal encyclical Caritatis in Veritate. I gave the main presentation, which in many ways didn’t involve the encyclical so much as giving a general background on Catholic social teaching so that people could read the encyclical on their own. I hope it was helpful to people.
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Post for September 28, 2009
…a funeral.
Father Paul was away from Saint Brendan’s parish over the weekend and into today, so I had the honour of presiding the funeral and burial of Alexandre Beaudet, an elderly gentleman who lived most of his 89 years in that same parish. I remember seeing him regularly at mass, even though I didn’t know his name, so I was quite saddened when I visited his family at the funeral parlour. Still, as any priest can tell you, faith makes a huge difference. The atmosphere itself was very light, even joyful, during the whole funeral process (wake, mass, burial). It was the most fitting tribute to the man and his trust in the Lord Jesus.
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Post for September 27, 2009
I presided Stan and Mirella’s wedding a few years ago, and today I had the honour of baptising their first little one — baby Giulia! What a sweetie. The ceremony was followed by a delicious supper over at their place, and I must say I felt really at home. It is very special to be able to be part of my married couples’ lives in this way, and I already have an invitation to go back for a house blessing. And I have two more baptisms coming up in October as well! Yee haw!
UPDATE: A picture of the blessed event!
Can’t you just spot the Holy Spirit descending? 
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Post for September 26, 2009
I had the honour of presiding the wedding of these two this afternoon:
I had to arrive late for the reception due to a visit I needed to make to a funeral home, but I must say I was treated like royalty. Vic works in the restaurant business, so he knows how to make you feel right at a banquet, and it turns out some of the people who were at my table knew me from a previous pastoral assignment. We all had a really good time, and I wish my 41st couple well. We shall stay in touch!
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Post for September 25, 2009
Did I mention that video is hard? (See post of September 24 for the answer.)
Today I had the chance to interview Dawn Eden, the author of the book The Thrill of the Chaste and (former) blogger over at The Dawn Patrol. This wasn’t just for print, or even for audio: the Cardinal let me use his interview room at the Archdiocese and we had a genuine 3-camera setup. Many people came together to help make this happen, and I want to first say a public thank-you to Biagio, Vince, and especially Lisa, the director/camerawoman without whom I would have been TOTALLY lost.
The video will still need to be processed, as we had 1.5 hours of footage to fit into 3 10-minute clips — so stay tuned! But I have certainly come away from this with a new and awesome appreciation of the challenges of the video craft. Wow, it’s hard. On a purely technical level it’s hard, and I know that video is very unforgiving of even simple mistakes. But this is something I want to learn to do, and do well. It’s brutal, but that is kind of the point: if you can do it well, it really says something.
Many thanks to Dawn for coming to Montreal — it was a lot of fun to get to know her.
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Post for September 24, 2009
…and it isn’t here yet. Why? Because video is HARD!!!
I had dinner over at the home of a former student this evening (September 24) — his wife cooked a delicious meal, and his daughter was just a delight. As a gift he gave me a DVD of a pontifical mass in the Syriac Catholic tradition, and I worked and worked trying to get it ready for YouTube to share with you, the readers of this blog.
What I didn’t realise was how long it would take to render the video. HOURS of processing time. And wow, the software is really complex too, especially when (like me) you don’t really know what you are doing. NTSC vs PAL with frame rates and LAME audio encoding at 44.1 vs. 48 and what the heck does this button do and oh no I think I screwed up a default setting and 24 hours later the image is all squished…
And to do it all over again might very well mean another 24 hours wait…trial and error at this pace is very frustrating…
So, no video just yet. It’ll get there, it’ll get there.
Many thanks again to Elias for the delicious meal and delightful company!
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Post for September 22, 2009
This evening I had a chance to attend an event organized by the Order of Saint Lazarus: a cocktail fundraiser with Marc Garneau, Canada’s first man in space, as the guest speaker. The event was held at the Mount Royal Club, which I had never visited before (and I must say, is quite a swanky joint). While Mr. Garneau is now a politician, he refrained from talking up his party — and given the election fever that was gripping Canada at this point, I must say I respect his self-discipline! I got the chance to ask the first question, so I asked his opinion on whether we should return to the Moon or simply start trying to head to Mars. He thinks Mars, and I have to agree with him. The tough part is escaping Earth’s gravity: once you’ve done that, going to Mars is not much harder than going to the Moon, just longer (see Mars Direct).
BTW, the cocktail was a fundraiser for palliative care, one of the key objectives of the Order of Saint Lazarus. Many thanks to Marc Garneau for helping the Order help others.
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Post for September 20, 2009
Today I visited my family in Ottawa, and brought with me my father’s birthday gift — a computer I had built for him. The system is very bare bones, but my idea was to recycle as many parts as I could from the old machine and swap them into the new. In particular, I wanted to transfer the hard drive, as that would make sure no data would be lost, although I suspected I might have a problem so I did make a backup first.
And yes, we had a problem.
You see, when Windows XP is first installed the system creates an installation code out of the product key and the serial numbers of some key system parts. This code is then registered with Microsoft to validate that the copy of XP is genuine. The process is called “Windows Genuine Advantage”, although it is only an advantage for Microsoft.
So what happened when I swapped the hard drive? The system, upon startup, detected that new hardware was present, and assumed that the copy of Windows that was being run was a pirate copy. In other words, every time I tried to get into Windows apart from Safe Mode, it was no dice.
“No problem,” I thought to myself, “all I need to do is redo the validation routine with Microsoft.” Except that doesn’t work. Safe Mode only worked if I didn’t have any networking drivers installed, so no Internet access. And while Microsoft does have a telephone mechanism for validation, the telephone menus did not include an option for the problem I was facing. I finally managed to find an option to be passed to an actual human being…and the system hung up on me.
@#$%!
So I did the only thing left to do: I completely reinstalled the operating system. In retrospect this really was my best option, and (unfortunately) I have enough experience reinstalling Windows that the system worked just fine. My parents now have a much faster PC, and I’m hoping that the automated processes at Microsoft won’t one day decide that my parents are pirates. AARRGGHH!!
» Filed Under Personal tidbits | 5 Comments
Post for September 19, 2009
Father Francis McKee, a brother priest here in Montreal, asked me to take over for him this morning for a study group he has been leading. This group has been going over the Catechism of the Catholic Church in a methodical way, in order to learn more about their faith. Father Francis likes for a priest to be there to help moderate the discussion, and I was honoured that he asked me to help him out. The section we were studying this morning had to do with our faith in God’s uniticy and almightiness, and that brought us into a tangent where we wound up comparing the Christian, Jewish and Islamic concepts of God.
For those interested in reading the Catechism on their own, I’m happy to provide a study plan I once developed which, if followed, will bit by bit get you through the Catechism in a year. Feel free to copy it and pass it along.
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Post for September 18, 2009
I visited the Chinese Catholic mission today to continue the series of Bible study lessons I began with them over a year ago (today we took a look at 2 Thessalonians). At the end we went out for our usual dinner in Chinatown, but the end of the dinner had a special treat:
Surprise! Out comes a cake and the group bursts into song. Even better was a nice card I received with kind words from all who were present. And I had to admit, they had me totally fooled — I didn’t have a CLUE that this was going to happen. I was really touched!
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Post for September 16, 2009
I was recently asked to join the English Speaking Catholic Council, a non-profit organization that styles itself as the voice of English-speaking Catholics in Quebec. (I suppose it is, given that I don’t know of any other group that is claiming the title.) While I’ve heard about the Council for years, I never really knew what they did, but tonight I learned a great deal about the work of the council to promote an English Catholic presence in the health care and education fields. Some important leaders in the English Catholic community were around that table, and I’m pleased to see that while the body is (rightfully) a majority lay organization, there is an active desire to collaborate with the hierarchy to advance the cause of God. I’m not sure where it will all lead, but I see the Council as being an important mechanism to show voice specifically Catholic concerns in an increasingly secular environment.
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Post for September 14, 2009
I got up early today to head to Trois-Rivières, for a meeting of a special commission of the Assembly of Quebec Bishops that was to discuss the question of the Catholic presence in the health care system. I was a bit bummed that I had to go on my day off, but I had promised a colleague I would go in her place as she would be on vacation. Besides, having been a hospital chaplain I really believe in the importance of this part of the Church’s mission, so I wanted to make sure someone would be there.
On my way I called in to our department secretary for something from my car, and when I mentioned where I was going she asked me if I was travelling with our departmental director. “Umm, no…” I answered, “is he going too?”
“Sure,” she replied, “he’s sharing a ride with the Vicar General.”
So let me get this straight, I thought to myself, both the vicar general and an auxiliary bishop are already headed there, and I’m going because…?
Now I’m quite sure no one will ever accuse me of having a poor sense of self-esteem (ahem), but I like to think I’m not so self-important that I think I needed to be there to back up the two most senior clerics of the Archdiocese (after the Cardinal himself, of course). So I turned the car around, and headed back to Montreal. And as the Lord often does, he turned lemons into lemonade: a classmate of mine from seminary had his parish nearby, so I dropped in to visit him at his rectory in L’Assomption. It was a very nice visit, and since he’s really out in the boonies of our diocese he doesn’t get too many, so we both enjoyed ourseslves.
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Post for September 13, 2009
Well, we did it — the 6th annual “Father Tom married couples reunion” was a big success! It was a lot of work, and there were a few organizational mistakes on my part, but I am so grateful to all those who helped, as well as a special thank you to Corpus Christi parish and its pastor, Father Benoit Morrier, for the use of their facilities.
I’ve known Carol since we were twelve, and I had the honour of preaching at her wedding many moons ago.
One thing I love about this event is how the couples are becoming families. The little girl on the right was the first child to attend one of these reunions — in utero, mind you!
I just want to give a shout out to Lisa and Michael, and their little ones Jacob and Emma. Thanks for showing up so early to help set things up, and for staying late to help close things down.
Remember what I said about growing families? Congrats to (centre) Terri and Fred for little Josef, and to (far sides) George and Sonia for soon-to-be-seeing-the-light-of-day little Thomas. (Well, they haven’t actually yet decided to name him Thomas, but I’ve been encouraging them in that direction. )
We had a ton of food, and a good time was had by all. I’m looking forward to next year already, and by then my 40 couples will have grown to 43 (at least). I love all my couples, and pray for their happiness and success.
» Filed Under Marriage ministry | 1 Comment
Post for September 11, 2009
She turns 11 today. We celebrated a bit last weekend up at my parent’s cottage already, but hey, you only turn 11 once, right? No problem mentioning it twice, especially since she is the best birthday present I ever received! Happy birthday Alexandra!
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Post for September 11, 2009
Yes, today is my 39th birthday. My Facebook account + email inbox(es) are flooding with messages, and my cell phone was ringing off the hook this morning. Many thanks to all who are thinking of me — say a prayer for me too, ok? Believe me, I can use all I can get.
» Filed Under Personal tidbits | 1 Comment
Post for September 10, 2009
I spent most of today running between government offices. Wow, it’s amazing what hoops we must jump through to get papers and forms…
Why? A brother priest did not have the right immigration document. So first, we had to go to the Canada/US border, try to enter the USA, be refused, re-enter Canada, and get the paper. This is apparently a fairly standard procedure called the “Buffalo shuffle” — border guards on both sides were aware of the process. Hats off the the Americans, I might add: they were courteous and efficient, exactly what we needed.
Then, upon making it back to Montreal, we ran between different federal and provincial departments to try and get other papers — social insurance number, health insurance card, and so forth. It took the whole day, but at last (almost) everything is in place.
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Post for September 9, 2009
I spent most of this evening calling my couples, to remind them of the BBQ on the weekend and to see what they could bring (appetizer, salad, dessert). It looks like it will be a smaller group this year, but that’s ok — in many cases it is different people who are coming this time, so I’m delighted nonetheless. Look for pictures in an upcoming post!
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Post for September 8, 2009
For those who don’t know, Dawn Eden is coming to Montreal to give some talks on chastity, based on her book Thrill of the Chaste. I asked the organizers if I could interview her for this blog, and she graciously agreed. I’m looking forward to it.
Today I met with a former parishioner of mine who was a communications student and who knows her way around a video camera. The Cardinal is letting us use his library/meeting room as an interview location, so I wanted her to see the layout, the lighting, and so on. There are still some more technical details to work out (i.e. we need a third video camera, we need portable mikes, and so on) but everything seems to be coming together. The end product will go on the Adventus website (as well as this one), and the Archdiocese will be promoting it as well. Be sure to look for it!
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Post for September 7, 2009
My niece’s birthday is coming up, and this being a long weekend I visited with her + the family up at my parent’s cottage. I gave her an early birthday gift: a copy of the Ars Magica game that I contributed to. I think she found it cool to know that her uncle had helped make a game, and of course she wanted to play it. So she, I, and my brother sat down and adventured through a fairy land where the sun never sets and where an evil wizard seeks to extend his nefarious influence.
For me, role-playing games are about creating a story together. Alex’s character was a girl who dreamt of tigers, and who (upon arriving in the fairy world) discovered she could turn into one (which has since gotten her character out of a few scrapes). Her pet dog came with her, and was changed into a wolf. Together they must now do their best to discover how to rescue everyone from being taken over by the evil wizard.
Yep, it was lots of fun. And the story is not over yet!
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Post for September 4, 2009
I had the privilege of being a special guest at an Iftar dinner this evening. Iftar is the name of the meal held at the end of the day during the Muslim month of Ramadan. As devout Muslims don’t eat anything at all during the day, the eat “breakfast” (literally, the meal that breaks the fast) once the sun goes down. It is meant to be a time of joy and celebration, lived with family and friends.
This particular Iftar was organized by the Canadian Muslim Forum. The Cardinal was invited to attend, but as he could not make it he asked me to go in his place and offer his greetings and friendship. I was honoured! The meal was held at the Nuits de mosaique restaurant (albeit without the belly dancers!), and the food was delicious. I also had a chance to meet a number of very interesting people, such as the mayor of Brossard (I sat next to him throughout the meal), as well as a number of other political representatives and candidates.
One particular guest across from me was Sheikh Said Youssef Fawaz. He is a local Imam, and the Canadian representative of the Ligue Islamique Mondiale (in English, the Muslim World League), a key islamic missionary organization. This organization is heavily supported by the Saudis and therefore is likely heavily influenced by the Wahabist interpretation of Islam. I’d be very interested to hear his sermons.
» Filed Under Archdiocese of Montreal | 2 Comments
Post for September 3, 2009
As Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism, one of my duties is to call meetings of the Executive Committee and make sure that all our various action items are being accomplished. We were supposed to have a Board meeting this evening, but I decided to postpone to be able to have a preparatory Exec meeting instead. I have to say, it was very positive. The Board of Directors passed a 5-year budget plan at its June meeting, which gives us a strategic planning structure for the mission-critical activities of the Centre. Therer are a lot of challenges ahead, but from what I could hear, we are once again getting a grip on what needs to happen.
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Post for September 2, 2009
I began teaching at the Grand Seminary of Montreal again today — my fourth year in a row. Once again, the course is Liturgy and Sacramental Theology (albeit in French). And once again, my course is being developed as a group project for the whole class.
The concept is simple: I want to develop the best Catholic sacramental theology textbook in the entire world. Am I out of my league? You bet. I am fully aware that I could not possibly do such a thing — alone. That’s why I’m not going to even try doing it alone.
How many of us have written multiple papers for our university classes, only to never look at them again after we get our grade? Think of all those hours of labour, useful for our own education but only indirectly useful for anyone else. But what if all that intellectual labour could be harnessed into something useful for others beyond the classroom?
I’m not developing a textbook: I’m putting in place a textbook process. It’s like a blog: a blog is not a fixed text, it is an evolving series of texts united by a theme and a process.
Phase 1 was to create an outline and produce the raw data to be developed into text. This was accomplished in the creation of a course outline and initial audio.
Phase 2 was to have the raw data transformed into a more detailed breakdown of topics, with accompanying texts. This was accomplished in the development of Powerpoint slides and high-quality student course notes.
Phase 3 is where we are now. The course notes have been assembled into a common course pack, and are being edited by yours truly. The students are being given research assignments for subject areas within the course pack topics that require greater development. In other words, what at present is a more “catechetical”, conversational document is being beefed up so that someone who was, say, doing an M.A. in sacramental theology would find the text to be a useful starting point. I figure this phase will take a couple of years.
Phase 4 will come as the text is released into the field. Because it will be distributed for free, under an open license, it will be possible to avoid the looooong development cycle that a book published in the traditional manner might take. A second edition won’t take 10 years to come out; updates would be possible on a yearly basis, based on the comments of colleagues and the lived experience of teachers, students and alumni.
The way I see it, once a stable version of the document is ready, it will be the centre of a set of articles and other publications meant to explore the various topics more deeply. In a sense, I’m writing the book like it was a piece of software. The book itself is the result of the main development branch. The comments of users are the equivalent of bug reports and feature requests. Supplementary materials are the “plugins” that expand the features of the book. Finally, any articles or publications serve as developments to help build a version 2.0.
Like I said, I know I could never write a world-class university-level textbook on the subject of sacramental theology. I just don’t have the knowledge, and even if I had a doctorate in the subject my know-how would be out of date relatively quickly. But others do have that knowledge, at least in part. My hope is that, by providing a process to put those pieces together, something of supreme quality and usefulness can result, for the sake of the building of the Kingdom of God.
» Filed Under Grand Seminary of Montreal | 1 Comment
Post for September 1, 2009
I thought I’d share a few stats regarding my offer of mass intentions. To date, I have received 49 requested intentions, and have celebrated masses for almost all of them. Each mass intention request has been answered with an audio file (usually of the Eucharistic prayer) and a PDF mass card, suitable for printing.
While it is impossible to tell, of course, what the Holy Spirit is choosing to do with this ministry, if we really believe in the power of the Eucharist (and I do) then he must be doing something wonderful. I have received some beautiful emails from people who have requested masses, such as this one (posted with permission):
[Thanks to the mass intention] I feel the connection with Jesus at this most painful time of my life and I see the difference this connection makes in my life. I could not have done on my own and I would not have wanted it to be otherwise.
I have to admit, an email like that just makes my day. I do not know where the Holy Spirit will take this next, but I’m willing to wait on the Lord and see.
» Filed Under Pastoral work | 1 Comment
