The CatholiCity Message

Volume II, Number 14 – April 8, 1998

Dear CatholiCity Citizen,

We want to thank everyone who prayed and fasted for the recording we made in Indiana on April 3rd. Everything went remarkably well. You'll be the first to know when the audio goes into production, probably later this month.

1. EASTER HOMEPAGES
Our webmaster has worked hard to prepare several new CatholiCity homepages for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday, featuring the artwork and meditations of Michael O'Brien, author of the bestselling novel, Father Elijah. The new homepages will load automatically starting tonight (Wednesday) at midnight.

2. SKIP THIS
Now we've done it; you'll just have to read it now, won't you? A couple of weeks ago, there was a man who had four big trees cut down in his backyard. Starting last weekend he spent three days splitting 12 cords of wood using this huge, loud, rented, industrial strength hydraulic log splitter. Several of his friends came over to help with the dangerous, messy, labor intensive, sore-back kind of job. It was kind of like "moving" but it lasted for three days and there was a much greater probability of having one's limbs cut off. At times, well over a dozen of his and his friends' children roamed around (but not in) the job site, having a blast, getting mud all over the house (did we mention that it rained often during the project?). There was no big, profound lesson to be learned. Besides instilling a deeper respect (and a certain, good kind of envy) for folks who work with their hands and backs for a living, the man couldn't help but reflect upon how fortunate we are if we have friends. Sometimes living in the suburbs, as most of us do, we get socially insulated in our houses and jobs. By the way, the man told everyone he plans to use the wood to fuel his wood stove. In case any of this Great Chastisement stuff actually occurs, at least he'll be warm while he's starving.

3. FROM SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS
"We must love them both–those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject. For both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in the finding of it."

4. JOBLESS
We know a friend with a big family who is out of work. Despite all the news reports of how great the economy is going, many of us have friends and relatives in the same position. Let's offer part of our Good Friday up for this father and for all fathers who need jobs to provide for their families.

May the graces of Easter explode in your heart! See you next week, and thanks for being a part of CatholiCity.

Through, With, and In the Risen Jesus,

Your Friends at CatholiCity