Photina

Photina
n., An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain. v.intr., To rise to the surface, ready to flow; to rise or surge from an inner source. v.tr., To pour forth. adj., In a satisfactory condition; right or proper. interj., Used to introduce a remark, resume a narrative, or fill a pause during conversation; used to express surprise.dictionary.com

Friday, June 06, 2003

Today is the feast day of St. Norbert, lightening-encountering bishop.

posted by Heidi | 6.6.03

Thursday, June 05, 2003

Today is the feast of St. Boniface, bishop and martyr. Killed by pagans sometime around 754, we can still read the letters that he wrote.

The introduction to these letters says:
The more homely and affectionate side of his nature appears in his letters to nuns, his preoccupation with the education of his disciples and subjects in his letters to abbots and bishops in England; whilst the difficulties of conversion, of organization, of church reform and many other matters are the subject of his letters to the Popes. Nowhere else in this period do we find so vivid a picture of the discouraging conditions amongst which the missionaries laboured and died. But in spite of the moral degradation of the Frankish clergy whom he strove to reform, in spite also of the poverty, dangers, ostracism and opposition which he met, there is no echo in these letters of discouragement, self-pity or weariness. We see him forging patiently and with complete confidence the instruments by which Europe was to be converted-the establishment of convents and monasteries, the foundation of bishoprics, centres of education and schools, submitting all to the ever-watchful guidance of the Popes, to whose devoted and constant service he had pledged himself at the outset of his missionary career.

posted by Heidi | 5.6.03

Tuesday, June 03, 2003

A note from Sally Kresta, posted today:

Being overdue for an update, I would like to give our supporters more to pray for. Al is still recovering at home, receiving nursing care once a day and doing physical therapy. There still remains a wound that is healing from the last surgery which was done April 13th to clean out an infection in the leg. The wound has about 8cm "to heal in." Please pray for 8cm! He is unable to continue any work with a prosthesis until this wound is completely healed. It is requiring a lot of patience.

The second thing to pray for is effective management of the “phantom limb” pain. This is a very real phenomenon of pain in the leg and foot that are no longer there. The pain is significant and can be distracting. We are trying different medications to handle this.

The Krestas are doing quite well otherwise. We are very happy to have Al at home and to be a family again. Al and I are spending more time together than we have since B.C. (before children) and really loving it. We are actually able to attend daily Mass together. The kids are carrying on with their busy lives: James (13) is graduating from 8th grade; Evan (10) is absorbed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs; David (1½) is being a delightful little toddler, riding on Daddy’s lap; Nick (18) is the drummer in a Christian rock band and finishing up an associates degree in Culinary Arts. Alexis (21) and her fiancé John are moving back in June. The summer will be spent getting ready for their wedding day – September 20th. The big goal in Al’s recovery is to walk Alexis down the aisle. So please keep praying.

I am especially grateful for all your prayers. Without them I would, at this time, be without my life-partner, raising four boys on my own and sending my daughter down the aisle without her dad. We owe so much to all of you – the Body of Christ.

Praise God For The New Day!

posted by Heidi | 3.6.03

Today is the feast day of St. Charles Lwanga and the Martyrs of Uganda.

Bert Ghezzi's book
The Voices Of The Saints: A Year Of Readings records the last words of St. Charles Lwanga as he was burned on a pyre on June 3, 1866:

"Senkole said to Charles: ‘Let’s see whether Katonda (God) will come to deliver you from the fire.’

“Bearing his agony without a murmur, Charles said: ‘Poor, foolish man, you don’t know what you say. You are burning me, but it is as if you were pouring water on my body. I die because of the religion of Katonda. But you, you will see trouble. Katonda, whom you insult, will one day plunge you into real fire. Sir, if only you would also become a Christian.’”

Charles prayed quietly while the fire slowly did its work. Just before the end, he cried out, “Katonda wange!” (“My God!”) and died.

posted by Heidi | 3.6.03