Back in circulation

So after about one year of absence, I am back to blogging again. A lot of things happened during the past year... I received a commission from the President as an officer (Chaplain) in the US Army, got transferred to a new parish as an "Administrator" (or pastor without the title and the stability of assignment), got out of teaching high school kids at Saint Edward's (freed up my time, but I miss teaching those kids, they are so good)...

Merits of the Fiddleback

Celebration of the Mass this weekend was a little bit more complicated than usual due to the crutches and "boots" I'm wearing. I had someone assist me in going up and down the sanctuary (which in my church is called "platform", some even call it the "stage"!) and that worked fine. However, the issue of my vestments getting in the way of the crutches was raised by some concerned individuals, so my solution was innovative, challenging, and absolutely radical -- the fiddleback!

Two things dawned upon me after celebrating two Masses wearing the fiddleback: 1) it's cooler (literally and figuratively), and 2) it's disabled-priest-friendly! Of course, not to mention it added Catholicity to the ambiance. Please look at the picture and see for your self. Surprisingly, I was never verbally or physically attacked by anyone or anything after both Masses were over!

Samaritans (Fil-Am) Picnic

Despite the downpour early this morning, the "Samaritans of the Far West Chicago Suburbs" (as we call our Filipino-American Community here in St. Charles, IL and environs) successfully held our annual picnic at Ferson Creek Park by the Fox River, here in St. Charles. Lots of food, games and entertainment - a common feature of every Fil-Am gathering. I had a wedding at 12:00PM so I came in to the picnic fashionably late (but still warmly received!). There were about 60 adults and kids there when I came. I don't know if the others left early.

Living Legend

While in Spring Grove, I had the wonderful opportunity to know Fr. Dietz, a saintly priest from the religious congregation Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the religious order of His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George, the Archbishop of Chicago. In fact, Fr. Dietz was one of the Cardinal's professors in the seminary. Educated at the Gregorianum in Rome, and assigned to different mission posts here and abroad, Fr. Dietz is wisdom and experience personified. He has been assisting at St. Peter's on a regular basis since he retired from active ministry. I also learned from Fr. Dietz that the Cardinal finished his theology degree from the same Roman university I graduated from - the Pontificia Universitas Urbaniana (Propaganda Fidei). I am so proud my university has produced at least one Cardinal (at least that I know of).

A day at the shooting range

I was able to reload some 600 rounds or so of ammunition (9mm, .40 S&W) during the past few days before my "freak accident", so with nothing to do, I decided to invite the parish seminarian Tim Landwair, to the shooting range. Tim hunts pheasants and rabits, but has never shot a pistol in his life, so after a crash course in pistol handling and operation, I gave him a choice: 9mm or .40 S&W. He preferred the milder kick of the 9mm and he was getting very proficient with my Springfield XD-9 after about 150 rounds. We finished off the range visit with a friendly competition using my "dueling pistols" (a pair of Ruger MK-II). Ok, we did not shoot each other with the dueling pistols, we decided to use paper targets for that.

Freak Accident

So, while Fr. Steve Lange is enjoying WYD 2008 in Sydney, Australia, I am in his parish in Spring Grove "vacationing" and helping out with Masses and other ministerial things. Things have been good so far...until last Wednesday. I was going to get some bottled water around 10:30PM when I fell from the stairs. I miscalculated the distance to the next step and I landed on the floor on my right foot and twisted my ankle. It was so painful! I was lying on the floor in pain for more than five minutes unable to stand up. I thought of calling 911 for help, but was afraid thery will just gonna laugh at me, so I finally found the courage to crawl to the kitchen and grab some ice for an improvised ice pack. To make the long story short, I tore some ankle muscles and was ordered by the doc to wear a removeable leg cast. She said it might take around 5-7 weeks to heal...