Wednesday, November 19, 2008

"Though the law of every man's conscience be but a private court, yet it is the highest and supreme court for judgment or justice."-Henry VIII



This semester I am enrolled in the course "Lives of the Saints". I've thoroughly enjoyed the class. This afternoon I hand in a paper about a saint that a.) clashed with society, and b.) effected and changed culture and society by their presence in the world. I chose St. Thomas More. His life is pretty incredible...here's a little taste of why:

The Roman Catholic Church prides itself in the beautiful tradition of venerating its saints, that is honoring the deceased men and women who sincerely lived out the Catholic faith to the fullest and are now living their reward in heaven. These virtuous departed changed and shaped their culture, society, and history in a profound, unique way. The veneration of saints invites the faithful to pay respect and homage to those men and women who helped minister in the sanctification of humanity by their life and example and continue to do so by their intercession. By living out the Beatitudes, which always culminate in love of God and neighbor, the saints reflect the glory of God and aspects of His supernatural perfection. Often times, these men and women were perceived as a sign of contradiction to their societies and cultures. Yet these men and women genuinely changed the world by their beautiful presence. Saint Thomas More is an ideal example of such a person.
Thomas More, saint and martyr, was born in the year 1478 to Sir John More a barrister and judge, and his wife Agnes Graunger More in London, England. Thomas More received an education at Canterbury College in Oxford and later acquired a law degree at Lincoln’s Inn. Starting with entrance into the English Parliament in 1504, More began a series of promotions in the legal hierarchies that eventually led him to becoming the Chancellor of England, a position never before attained by a layman (Huddleston). More married his first wife Jane in 1505, whom he fathered four children with, his most beloved being his eldest daughter Margaret. More remarried in 1510 after the death of Jane (Walsh, ed. 189). More’s household was always one of charity, learning, warmth, and happiness. It was during this time that More embarked on fashioning his famous writings and letters, including his most eminent work Utopia (Ackroyd 184). More performed his duties as Chancellor faithfully, which included the laborious responsibility of enforcing laws against heretics, the most notorious being Henry VIII who had succeeded the English throne in 1509. Henry VIII sought to divorce Catherine of Aragon and establish himself as the “Protector and Supreme Head of the Church of England”. After refusing to recognize the King’s title because of its attack not only on the dignity of marriage but also on the Catholic faith, More was imprisoned in the Tower of London and was tried and found guilty of treason. More was beheaded on July 6, 1535 (Walsh, ed. 190). Thomas More, from the moment of his death, was honored by the faithful and was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1935 (Huddleston).
“The two cities, therefore, were created by two loves: the earthly by love of oneself, even to the point of contempt for God; the heavenly by the love of God, even to the point of contempt for oneself. The first glories in itself, the second in the Lord. The first seeks glory from human beings. God, who is the witness of the conscience, is the greatest glory of the other” (De Silva, ed. 1).These words written by St. Augustine reveal the essence of St. Thomas More’s life, namely his message of the supremacy of truth over human authority. More lived out the Gospel in such a way that he clashed with society, yet in the end that same society remained changed because of his presence. More’s message was ostracized by the secular world in which he lived. He believed in the weight of the “inalienable dignity of the human conscience” that, as the Church tells us is “the most intimate centre and sanctuary of a person, in which he or she is alone with God, whose voice echoes within them” (Pope John Paul II). Surrounded by political and moral corruption, More remained faithful to his ethical and religious values by promoting justice and peace, serving both country and God.
St. Thomas was a man revered by his contemporaries for his remarkable brilliance in the cultural, philosophical, theological, and classical arenas. Despite his broad intellectual knowledge and because of his earnest attitude towards Catholicism, More never compromised his moral and religious beliefs, even to the point of death. Under relentless psychological pressure during his imprisonment, More refused to take the oath of Henry VIII. The reason for his pious refusal is best explained in a prayer written by More, “Good Lord, give me the grace so to spend my life, that when the day of my death shall come, though I feel pain in my body, I may feel comfort in soul, and with faithful hope of thy mercy, in due love towards thee and charity towards the world, I may, through thy grace, part hence into thy glory” (More 80).
As a layman, More not only incorporated his faith into his household, but also deeply into his occupation as a politician. It would be impossible for More to separate the two, his faith life and occupation, because his faith was his life. He lived out his devotion to God daily, in every act and decision that he performed (Roper 30-31). The harmony between the natural and supernatural that More achieved helps define this great saint. His simplicity, humility, and good natured wit in the midst of an extreme public life is beyond laudable. More truly lived out the words of Pope John Paul II that were written centuries after the great martyr’s death, “The unity of life of the lay faithful is of the greatest importance: indeed they must be sanctified in everyday professional and social life. Therefore, to respond to their vocation, the lay faithful must see their daily activities as an occasion to join themselves to God, fulfill his will, serve other people and lead them to communion with God in Christ” (Pope John Paul II).
The ways in which Thomas More fundamentally changed his society and culture continue to resonate in our world today. More dealt with issues that humanity, and in particular every civil order, continues to contest at present, namely the rights and values of the moral conscience. In the world today, just as in the time of St. Thomas More, there is a desirous need for credible politicians who lead others on the path of truth. Today, more than ever, in an era that continually infringes upon the dignity of the human person, we need politicians who advocate the marginalized just as More so passionately did. More never wavered in his moral stance. By his actions, he demonstrated that government is above all an exercise of virtue, at the service to every human person, and should never be severed from morality (Pope John Paul II).
Just as with most great saints, Thomas More’s life changed society and culture. His presence in the world not only effected his own society, but ours today. This remarkable man, who is the patron saint of politicians and statesmen, proved that when following the call to truth, one’s conscience will steer his or her actions towards integrity. More is an example of a layman who lived out his vocation with passionate love for God and neighbor. He is a model for all of us here on earth to never negotiate truth, but rather live in it and for it.

Hope you are all getting excited for Thanksgiving, I know I am!!!-C

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

malone new york makes npr

here is the link for the npr story on malone new york
november 17, 2008

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97105427

Sunday, November 9, 2008

This is me with my medal. Most likely my favorite pic of me of all time.















Here I am shaking hands with one of my many rivals. This one is also my friend and I trained with him over the summer today he beat me, but earlier in the season I beat him. As you can see friendly rivalry.










In this image I prepare to break the speed of sound.















Here my team watches as I receive my metal. I have come in 20 place in my district.












As you can see my coach is a classy irishman. He enjoys to golf, play cards, and of course coach cross country. His name is Scotty Watt. When he takes us to the track to do a work out, on the way home he drives his car next to us and plays bagpipe music while blocking cars. This has earned him the name Coach Scotland. He is a god amidst mere mortals and is as old as the hills.
In this picture I have just told him that I have made it to the Pennsylvania state meet for xc. He is deeply proud. That he can once again go to the state meet and actually see one of his runners in it.



Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Monday, November 3, 2008

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill





A very active and busy past week, to say the least. Bernie and Joan decided to come to Malone to visit. What they did not expect was the unexpected snowstorm that hit New York north of Syracuse throughout Malone IN OCTOBER! That's the earliest storm that I've seen in my 27 years up here. Perhaps after these many years it could have brought some fond memories for Bernie. One of those fond memories is sleeping in a van with Joan in the Walmart parking lot in Watertown, waiting for the storm to blow over. Thankfully, it did, and they arrived in Malone.


The girls and Bernie decided to put the snow to a much better purpose. Literally for hours upon end, the girls showed Bernie that snow can be a fun thing, too. In Riverside, CA, I am sure it was not the 30 degree weather that we experienced in Malone. I can reassure you that the weather in Malone tomorrow and for the rest of the week will be in the 60's and perhaps a balmy 70. The snow is going for now but obviously we have not seen the last of it this season!













Paul, John and I (along with Claire and her roommate Meagan and friend Sarah travelled to Niagara Falls as Kathleen, Veronica and Magdalene travelled to Lake Placid and Tupper Lake and as Joan and Bernie travelled to Littlestown, PA. One of the things I love about travelling with the boys is along the trip we take the time to get to know each other and talk and talk and talk. I must admit it must be my engaging way of talking to Paul and John that engenders such interest at my every word. Here, Paul is enraptured my my discourse on how tough it was growing up in the North End in Niagara Falls while his mother's family basked in a privileged life while living in DeVeaux, home of the rich and famous. (By the way, I get a similar reaction when I talk to any Sauvageau about the tough life I had living in the 'Hood in Niagara Falls.


Of course, no trip to Niagara Falls would be complete without stopping off and staying with Phil and Sandy. However, with Medicaid reimbursements at an all-time low, Phil and Sandy have had to cut back on extras, like clothing for their children. Actually, Andrew and Rachel are doing their Johnny Weissenmuller/Maureen O'Sullivan imitation.
































Natalie partied it up all weekend with trick or treating and a sleepover at a birthday party. It was reported to me that she and her middle school friends stayed up until 3:00 a.m. In other words, Natalie stayed up later than Claire, Meghan and Sarah, who went to Canada to party it up the same night.

From left to right, Magdalene, I and Veronica enjoy some time together on the farm. I have an itch on my forehead that Veronica is helping out with.


Actually, Kathleen took the girls apple picking in Canada and got the cafe a lot of home made apple pies from the place. I had to stay behind the fence so that I would not eat all the pies that they bought.


Congratulations to Christopher on his State standings in running.


An apology is in order to Colyn. I misspelled his name when I made a comment on his excellent blog. One of my donkey moments...