A Tic In The Mind's Eye

The Best Day Ever!

2011-10-08T07:45:00.002-04:00

Most days start with the same flutter ...rise , pray, write, get the kids out of the door and pointed to the school bus, mug of coffee to jumpstart things and then off into the world of men. How could I have known this day would be so different...the best day ever?

One clue would have been that our 6 year old, who was feeling ill the night before, needed one more day. One more in a day filled with appointments and pre-made plans. It's seems life is like that...figuring out how to fit in that one more thing.

My wife had a full day scheduled, practicing her skills at the CNA classes she has been attending. In the mix was a maintenance Doctors appointment for me. So I was with Jake and his Mom at the school until the very last minute.

There is never a short cut in public transportation. I found myself in Downtown Minneapolis, trying to get to St. Louis Park. If you've ever been at the Nicolett Mall on a Thursday you know that there is a farmer's market there. It seemed everybody was out enjoying the crisp Autumn like air. One of my favorite features of downtown are the street musicians. As passed I scratched in my pocket for change to toss in the bucket, wondering what it must be like to "eek" out a living playing music on the street. I came up with 3 pennies. I thought, "is it worth it?" I tossed them in and walked to the bus stop. It was all I could do.

As I waited on my connection I noticed a homeless man with a tiny baby blanket trying to stay warm behind his money cup and cardboard sign. I felt bad because I had just given my last 3 cents to a trumpet player. Then it occured to me...I went over to this man, introduced myself and told him, "I have no money but you can have this.", sliding my favorite hoodie off of my back and wrapping it over his shoulders. It was as if someone had turned a light on in a dark room. "Really?!", he smiled. I said, "Yes! Really. Maybe you will be a bit warmer. It's all I can do...."

My doctor's appointment went without incident. It was like a tune-up. Hopefully not for winter storage (if you know what I mean. **wink wink**).

Winding my way back home, I get off the bus to make another connection, just as an extremely intoxicated man falls off the bench onto his face. Had it not been for his aviator glasses, there would have been blood. I picked him up with the help of some bystanders and sat him back on the bench. I put my hand on his shoulder, mostly to keep him there, and listened to his story. He was a political refugee who came to the U.S. only to lose his wife to death and wondering how his life got so shattered and if he would end up in hell. I reminded him to lean back, not forward. It would help him stay on the bench. And I said, "My friend it looks to me like you are already in hell". A man seated to the far end of the bench, looked on and agreed.

The drunken man, George, said he believed in God and Mary...that he was Catholica. I let him know that I was Catholica too. I told him, "look...if you believe in Him, you should talk to Him and not to a bottle, take your problems to Jesus and not to a bar." Far End Man agreed too. During our"conversation" he somehow speed dialed a friend AND had her on speakerphone as well. "Hello....Hello....". George was oblivious. So I suggest he "call a friend" to come get him. Far End Man laughed. George then reaches out to touch my chest. He slurs, "let me touch you..let me touch you...you are an angel." I tell him that if he truly knew me he wouldn't be saying that. Far End man laughs again.

After a few minutes I asked him, "Hey George, can I borrow your phone?". He gave it to me and I called the last number dialed. It turned out that this woman was his significant other, and that she wanted him either to go to a police station or into detox. I gave him back his phone and, though it pained me, I went to a pay phone and dialed 911. At least I knew they would get him off the street and to professional help at best,, or a lock up in the drunk tank for 72 hours at worst. It was all I could do.

I came home and posted to my Facebook wall...

(http://www.facebook.com/joe.speranzella/posts/10150819798815224)

"I gave my last three pennies to a street musician, gave my favorite hoodie to a homeless man in a blanket, and helped an extremely intoxicated man get up off the sidewalk and get into detox...I spent the day cold, poor,and human also. Some days are just amazing like that."

So I guess the old saying is true. "God doesn't need our ability...only our availability".

It's all I could do...

I've Got The Working Man's Shoes

2010-04-05T12:57:00.001-04:00

As they determined on the sitcom "Cheers", the meaning of life is a comfortable pair of shoes. For me, mine are my work shoes... Not that my work is all that comfortable or that my feet don't hurt after a long day. But they do the job and they cost next to nothing at the Island's Opportunity Shop run by the United Methodist Church. Cheap and for a good cause. They do the "job" all the way around!

much peace @nd love. bro joe

Boycott Fresh Pride

2009-12-07T11:10:00.004-05:00

Ok. I'm a pretty nice guy to a point.

I've kept to myself the injustice of losing my job after a doctor ordered my daughter to the hospital for diabetes. My manager was so panicked about filling the holes left in the schedule due to CAMELLIA FOOD STORES, INC cutting staff down to less than a skeleton crew , that she did not hear what I clearly said and left me on the schedule on the third day of my three day request. There wasn't the expected "how is your daughter?" that would come from a normal "friend". Instead there was yelling and unbecoming ignorance of what is and is not expected of her as a manager. She even blamed me that another worker happened to be on vacation that weekend. I even kept my peace when they displayed the corporate lackeys they are when I tried to make my case against this manager. Even when the store manager asked me "how do you know you said three days?". What?! (FYI I work two jobs and I told my other job exactly the same thing- they got the memo...)

And now I can not even get a simple piece of paper signed saying that I was terminated by CAMELLIA FOOD STORES, INC without delays and hoop jumping by everyone invoved. It is a part of a hardship case that resulted for my other daughters college.

I had privately determined two things. Number One I don't have time for people who do not genuinely care about me or my family. And Number Two as far as I can help it I will not buy another thing from Fresh Pride. I have wavered a bit on the last one because they are the only grocery on the Island and, sometimes, like during the N'oreaster, it is dangerous or impossible to get to my new favorite store Food Lion.

I have figured that in the course of a year my family spent close to $10,000 or more at Fresh Pride. As of today they will not get another penny from me. They purport to be a "local" and "friendly" food store. In reality, on a personal level, management there are fakers who like you only when things go their way and when it covers their a** to do so. They are fear from being local when any question you have for them must be passed through "corporate" on their terms.

They can't be humane because in doing so they are afraid they will break some corporate rule and end up fired themselves. To them it's "better you than me". This is why I can't get my "friends" there to write a note confirming that they let me go.

So I ask you as my readers and friends to simply do as I do. Don't spend money at a store that will fire someone for taking their child to a hospital and don"t waste your time on people who don't give a rip about you.

Crazy Days

2009-11-24T12:45:00.001-05:00

i've been long overdue with this blog post. There have been some crazy days of late and my ability to post regularly to this and my Examiner articles.

Somedays the drama can be followed better at http://www.facebook.com/joe.speranzella and on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Catholic_Examin .

I wish you all a happy thanksgiving week.

All Saints Day

2009-11-01T11:40:00.001-05:00

This post is to wish everyone a great All Saints day.

Regardless of your religious stripe today would be a great day to reflect on the heroes of the faith. Whether you are drawn to the great martyrs or the doctors or the virgins, we have a wonderfully great cloud of witnesses from which to be inspired.

Peace to you.

I Will Seek Thee In The Morning

2009-09-23T07:38:00.001-04:00

Looking out my window on this cool autumn morning, I cannot help but lift my heart in praise to God.

In the morning...Before the rush of the day...When prayer is sweet and not pained by stress and worry of the day... This is when the exaltation, honor and High praises of God is most clear and untouched by me and my troubles.

Early wilI l seek thy face O LORD, in clarity and hope. Blessed be your name.

-pax et bonum

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Twitter keeps reseting my password.

2009-09-12T22:34:00.001-04:00

Not that i have anything really to say but i miss my tweeples. I can't reset it via mobile so i'm out till morning...(

Which makes a good case for following me also on Facebook. It's http://facebook.com/joe.speranzella . :)

There's always an upside!

Working at the car wash

2009-09-10T17:32:00.001-04:00

Ok. not really but when I look out the window, it is raining like one of those touch free car washes. Except there is no dryer at the end....

Since last we blogged...

2009-09-06T17:47:00.001-04:00

Has been a pretty good week all around. I was blessed with a new Franciscan crown rosary from my friend Mary at http://battlebeads.com, all of our kids had they're open houses and for the most part are ready for school to start. My daughter is adjusting well to her new life at St. John's University in Queens NY.
Also had a great meeting and jam with a praise and worship group last night. We are praying and working tward forming an ecumenical praise and worship band to share music at various youth groups here on the island and also provide itinerary ministry as well. Our "worship band" ministry comes and closer closer to a reality as we submit to God and worship Him with our all.

-pax et bonum

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

follow me at http://twitter.Com/Catholic_Examin .

also on Facebook at http://facebook.com/joe.speranzella .

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The Love Chapter

2009-08-31T22:10:00.001-04:00

While rummaging through my wallet turning up artifacts like abone digger in a tar pit, I uncovered a tidbit from my past. It was a laminated heart with a cross in it I got from www.Stjudeshrine.Org. It has the "love chapter" printed on the back. I kept it knowing one day I would need it somehow.

I Corinthians 13:4-8 is the declaration of all that love is and the indictment of how miserably we fail to do it.

I was in an angered state over a perceived wrongdoing I had suffered. I was not patient, nor kind. I was too busy taking into account the wrong. I bore nothing, hoped nothing, endured nothing.

It dawned on me that God IS Love. He is all the things in the love chapter...All the time.

I was humbled, and quieted. If God can be all these things to me...A chief among sinners myself, I can make the effort heroic or not to seek such virtue toward those I should love.

I'm sorry God. I may fail... but You, who is Love, do not.
~~~~~~~~~
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Sorry for spelling...

2009-08-30T10:43:00.001-04:00

Sorry for the spelling errors in the last post. It was sent via mobile and could not be corrected. I know you all are both intellegent and forgiving...

thanks :)

-pax et bonum

~~~~~~~~~~

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What renders a man impure?

2009-08-30T10:24:00.001-04:00

"All these evils come from within and render a man impure."

There are plaes in scripture where one could begin an examination of conscience. The ten commandments is one place and Mark chapter 7 is another.

The list is long and includes adulterous conduct, greed, arrogance, maliciousness, and folly. All thing which we can easily find ourselves if we are not careful.

And care must be taken as all these sins come from our hearts. Sure there is some help from the world and the devil, but our flesh and primarily our heart is the culprit. It is so imortant to fix our minds upon the things of God in order to guard our hearts.

May God and his angels protect you today and help you in you quest for holiness and purity. AMEN.

~~~~~~~~~~~

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The Money Hand

2009-08-21T18:30:00.001-04:00

I've been itching for something lately. Really, the hand I busted up in my bike crash has been driving me crazy. At three in the morning my hand just starts itching like I have never known before. It was so bad I rubbed a blister on my hand.

As far as I can tell it is either tendons healing, nerve damage, or, as a friend said, I'm in for a load of cash.

I'll take door number....?

-pax et bonum

~~~~~~~~~

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Shameless Plug!

2009-08-17T13:59:00.001-04:00

Ok...This is pretty shameless. But it is also painless and harmless and might do us both some good!

So go ahead...Check out my articles at:
http://www.Examiner.Com/x-8048-norfolk-catholic-examiner

and follow me on twitter:
http://twitter.Com/Catholic_Examin

come on...Ya know ya want to! :)
-pax et bonum

~~~~~~~~~~

Achtung Baby

2009-08-17T10:04:00.001-04:00

I was sitting at a table this morning, enjoying a psuedo-cafe breakfast of Starbucks frappicino and Poptarts with my wife. The store employee was sweeping and mopping when I noticed the wet floor caution marker had "achtung" on it. I thought that was kind of unusual. I mean where, aside from the ocassional album title do you ever hear that used.

Is this some form of extreme political correctness? Out here on the shore you are probably more likely to warn of wet floors in Russian than German. I don't get it...But it definitely got my "attention"!
-pax et bonum

~~~~~~~~

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Beautiful Sunday at our Domestic Church

2009-08-16T13:05:00.001-04:00

We spent part of our morning as a family speaking of today's second reading:

Be filled with the Holy Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and inspired songs. Sing praise to the LORD with all your hearts. Give thanks to the God the Father always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. -Eph. 5:15-20.

In our little "domestic church" the impact of giving thanks in ALL things is becoming a a recurring theme. Today we knelt together and thanked God for the difficulties and disappointments that we face and forget to be thankful for. After all God is in control and makes all things work together for the good of those who love the LORD (Rom 8:28).

It was precious and funny as we thanked God for literally ALL things good and bad. This is God's will for us (I Thess 5:16-18). So we do it. And expect God to work for our good and the good of all the Church...Big and small.
-pax et bonum

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On being NOT Funny

2009-08-12T09:16:00.001-04:00

God must be serious about St. Francis' 21st admonition...The part about cracking jokes. Mind you a good sense of humor is an asset...Yet sometime it can be misunderstood.

Yesterday the topic of a good night's sleep came up. I jokingly suggested a coma inducing drug, noting that it was possible that-like Michael Jackson-it may be a prolonged sleep. Normally the parties involved can handle things like that. But on this day I was being corrected for "not having the right to talk about someone I don't know". The way I see it is if you wear a "kick me" sign in public expect to be kicked.

The tirade continued and no amount of logic or philosophy could illuminate the discussion. And as usual, when things get tough, they call my Christianity into question. FYI: judge not lest you be judged? Sure but don't forget we will know them by thier fruit.
Being a fruit inspector, some things are just funny...Err I mean some things are NOT funny...I think.

-pax et bonum

~~~~~~~~~~~

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Why I Tweet

2009-08-11T09:43:00.001-04:00

Twitter is a world phenomena. Having made the cover of Time magazine and every Tv network and entertainment outlet, business and blog in the world it is a very big thing. Not too shabby for 140 words per post!

I had used Twitter myself as a tool to update my Facebook through my blogs and my phone. Sort of marketing, sort of not, since many of my articles are personal experience I consider them to be 'status' updates.

I then was studying St. Francis' Admonition 21. It speaks in taking no pleasure or joy in anything but holy conversations, and the words and deeds of the LORD. I find that on Twitter I can connect with and converse with those of like mind in short instant message-like dialogue. I can reply to them, direct message them, and share with retweets. This is something I can do with only a few on Facebook. Twitter to me hones down the search for a spiritual community. Some bishops claim FB and Twitter dehumanize community. Maybe so but it has helped me.

~~~~~~~
-pax et bonum

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St. Lawrence's Ribs

2009-08-10T15:26:00.001-04:00

I've been celebrating the feast day of deacon and martyr St. Lawrence. He was famous for being "cooked" on a grill. Having been on it for a while he finally had to say to his torturers, "I think I'm done on that side...You can turn me over now"! Being a humorist myself, Lawrence's is one of my favorite saints.

So on my way to work I'm thinking about how I might be a witness at work. It just kind of happened. I am working at a deli and I started with set up this a.m. Inadvertently my manager/co-worker left some barbequed ribs in the oven too long. They were a little dark...As if charred on a grill. So we put them out.

A little while later it occurred to me that we could sell them as "St. Lawrence's Ribs"! Vicky, busted out laughing, knowing the story of the saint, and promptly handed me a marker and a sign. And of course it had a sale price on it.

We sold it all! Way to go Lawrence!
-pax et bonum

~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Something Fishy Here

2009-08-06T01:07:00.001-04:00

I've been reading a funny blog http://seesomethingfishy.Wordpress.Com .

I have decided to refrain from adding to the comedy of the Whitehouse snitch program described here: http://whitehouse.Gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-Things .

Well maybe just a little. I'm not a fan of Mr. Obama and I think he is ruining the US in so many ways I don't know where to start first. Maybe we could start with the first amendment to the constitution... All the rhetoric about "scary" e-mails are really a matter of perspective. Frankly any Democratic talking point from any source sends me into wild fits of terror. But that aside the simple request to "flag" american citizens is a far more telling act of socialism than the remarks to Joe the plumber ever was.

But hey...it was the Hollywierds who as Jay Leno has shown, can't tell you who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue but know who lives in a pineapple under the sea, who put them in office...Read them your rights at flag@whitehouse.gov .

~~~~~~~~~~~

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Who's At The Beach?

2009-08-04T19:47:00.002-04:00

Hope your having a blast!!!

Where Does Your Taste Take You?

2009-08-04T19:13:00.004-04:00

This post is for my Canadian readers. Your favorite world cuisine can land you in their country of origin! Stouffers-panini is having a contest with daily and weekly prizes and a chance for one of three 10.000 prizes amd a dream vacation trip ! The contest is for promotion of the launch of 4 new varieties: Bistro Meatballs & Peppers, Bistro Chicken Souvlaki, Lean Cuisine Grilled Vegetables & Goat Cheese, Lean Cuisine Mango Chicken Tikka.

Just head over to their site and pick your favorite panini- Italian, French Spanish, or Indian and see where your taste takes you.

- 3 Grand Prizes: Choice of India, Greece, Italy and France destinations ($10, 000 Gift Card)

- 1 of 12 Secondary Prizes: Sony Digital Camcorders (Value of $500)

- Daily Instant Prizes: Free Stouffer’s Product coupons

- The registration process allows you one free entry
- One unique UPC code entry per day
- Offer is available to Canadian residents only

Simply visit Stouffers-panini today to find out more. Or you can register here.
Happy travels!

Catholic Dads Blog

2009-08-02T23:46:00.002-04:00

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the fine folks at the Catholic Dads Blog for accepting me as a member and contributor.

The blog exists because, as the byline declares, "we can use all the help we can get"! It is a great place to share and learn about being a Catholic dad. But you don't have to be Catholic to see these men and thier devotion to Christ and to thier families.

So visit the site...Bless and be blessed by it.

-pax et bonum

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Catholics don't read the bible...But if they did...

2009-08-02T11:44:00.001-04:00

...here are ten points on better bible reading from the USCCB.

http://usccb.org/mr/mediatalk/bible_catholics.shtml

When I returned to the Catholic Church after a long protestant detour, I was amazed at the fears my friends had that I might suddenly stop reading the bible. It is as if I decided that the bible was no longer neccesary because I now had the Pope.

I crack up at the thought because daily all Catholics have Old and New Testament, Psalm and Gospel readings in our mass. This in my experience is a much more systematic approach to scripture than most protestant sermonizers. And the argument that the church is interpreting scripture for you gets muted when you realize your pastor- via John Calvin, Martin Luther and/or an exotic blend of others- is doing it to you.

My advise is to read and heed. Read the bible. Heed the message given you through it and the shepherd God has appointed you. Trust God to guide by both.
-pax et bonum

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Charity in Truth: Vocation of the heart

2009-07-26T11:25:00.001-04:00

From Pope Benedict XVI's new encyclical.

"Charity rejoices in the truth (1 Cor 13:6). All people feel the interior impulse to love authentically. Love and truth never abandon them completely, because these are the vocations planted in the heart and mind of every human person.

The search for love and truth is purified and liberated by Jesus Christ from the impoverishment that our humanity brings to it, and he reveals to us in all it's fullness the initiative of love and the plan of true life that God has planned for us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God has put his law in everyone's heart. Purified by Christ, the impulse to love is brought supernaturally to it's full potential, if we are so willing to love. It requires truth as it's guide and shield. Our love is always bound by truth even as the earth is bound by the pull of the sun. The two belong to each other; gifts given to all by the Father.

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