Priesthood Ordinations and First Masses

Over the past weekend, I was privelaged to be able to attend the Priesthood Ordination Mass for Father Gerald Blessing of the St. Louis Archdiocese and Father Joseph Havrilka's first Mass (in the diocese of Belleville, Illinois). Both Masses were very inspring and uplifting occasions for my own vocational discernment.

As I witnessed Archbishop Burke place his hands on the head of Father Blessing (what a great name!), anoint his hands, and announce that he is a priest, I felt the Holy Spirit's presence in the Cathedral Basilica. And as I witnessed Father Havrilka's first Mass the next day (I was also the photographer!), I felt a deep reverence for the great gift of the priesthood given to His Church to sustain its members through the Sacraments, and most especially the Holy Eucharist! I cannot wait to start my next year in the Seminary, and I pray that I and my brother seminarians continue to persevere in our studies and the deepening of our faith.

Please pray for vocations, especially during the next week, when Kenrick-Glennon Seminary will be holding its annual summer camp ( Kenrick-Glennon Days) for kids in gradeschool and high school!

The Priestie Boyz Website [version 1.0]

Today, after discussing things with the Priestie Boyz, I worked on a website for them, aptly named www.priestieboyz.com. Note that it's still under construction (as of 5/30/05), so not everything is functional yet. Also, my picture is not yet up. But things will be redesigned and changed as time goes on, and it will be looking better quite soon.

And no, their name is NOT 'Priesty Boyz,' 'Priestie Boys,' 'Priesty Boys,' 'Priestly Boyz,' or 'Priestly Boys.' It's simply 'Priestie Boyz.' Soon some sound clips from their upcoming CD will be posted on their site, as well as a blog. I'll let you know more about that as time goes on.

Rubber Band Shooting Guide

Today, while glancing at a few different websites, I found this gem:

Guide to Shooting Rubber Bands

It brought back fond memories of my high school days of 'tweeter shooring' (everyone thought it was cool at the time...); shooting little pieces of folded paper with a rubber band using the 'Bazooka' method.

Free Desktop Picture! — "PRO LIFE" with Baby's Feet

Today I present the second in a series (to be released over a long time... I don't know how many I will do) of totally awesome Desktop Pictures/Wallpapers/Backgrounds by Jeff®. Today's picture, weighing in at 1024x768 pixels (for maximum compatibility) in the JPEG format (so both Mac and PC users can use it), was created entirely from Photoshop CS, using a scanned (and enhanced) picture of my little sister's feet at the time of her birth (three months premature, yet born and still thriving today!) and some creative prowess. I made the words 'PRO' and 'LIFE' a little faded so it's almost a subliminal message (simple because I thought that seemed cool).

Download the desktop background by right-clicking (Mac: control-click) on the thumbnail above, then selecting Download Linked File As... or Save Linked File As... in the menu that pops up. Then you can set it as your desktop background by going to the appropriate Control Panel (PC) or Desktop System Preference (Mac).

SW Episode III, Jeff's Computer Support, More...

As I stated last night, I watched Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith. It was well worth seeing, and I especially liked the way the relationships between Obi Wan and Anakin and Senator Palpatine and Anakin were developed (a much better job than I had expected). One of the main problems I thought would plague this film, that of tying up all the loose ends between Episodes II and IV, was dealt with very well. But I would not suggest allowing children under the age of 12 or 13 to see this movie, as there is a bit of violence and gore, especially in one or two scenes involving Anakin/Vader. Better to let the kids see the other Episodes first. Thankfully, Jar Jar Binks only appeared briefly twice in this third/sixth/last Star Wars movie.

Also, I am now starting my summer job as a computer/technology consultant in St. Louis, and the first part of that job is putting together my Computer Support and Technical Services Website: www.jeffscomputersupport.com. I work for a very reasonable rate of $20/hr (with transportation fees for those more than 12 miles away), and provide a variety of technical services. I will also be offering email support (for many issues), which will be free, but I ask that you 'donate' via PayPal if you receive a helpful answer.

In other news, I'll probably have a little time to post another desktop background in the next week or two.

Lots Going On; Star Wars III Tomorrow!

This week has been a blur so far, and I don't expect anything to change. From the time I wake up to the time I go to bed, I have things to do! I'm still working on setting up my computer repair/technical support business (I even have a preliminary website up!). Today I was sadly disappointed as my former high school's volleyball team was defeated in the State Semifinal volleyball match, but I was elated to shoot a 'birdie' at Eagle Springs golf course earlier in the day. Soon I might find time to write a nice, informative blog entry... but for now, I'll be preparing to watch Star Wars Episode III tomorrow with some seminarian friends!

Guide to Making Knot/Cord Rosaries

While growing up, I've tried a variety of craft projects, and one of my favorites has always been making knot Rosaries. I find making knot Rosaries to be very condusive to silent prayer and reflection, and you can do many great things with the Rosaries you make.While growing up, I've tried a variety of craft projects, and one of my favorites has always been making knot Rosaries. I find making knot Rosaries to be very condusive to silent prayer and reflection, and you can do many great things with the Rosaries you make.

Knot Rosaries are very durable (when made properly), they feel great while praying the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet or other devotional prayers on them, and they look very nice. So far, none of the Rosaries I've made and given away or sold have had any problems falling apart, even after a few years of use! As an additional benefit, they are not very hard to make, and the supplies you will need do not cost very much at all!

Click here to read the whole Journal entry on my Seminary Website.

If you have any comments/suggestions/questions, feel free to ask via email or comments.

Silent Retreat Over; Summer Break Begins

A wave of relief washes over me; the year is completed!!!

In the next few weeks, I'll be sure to spend a little more time on a few good blog entries, as I'll have a little (actually, a lot) more free time. This summer, if you live in St. Louis, you can take advantage of my computer support service; email computer_support@mac.com for more information (rate: $20/hr.).

In other news... Be sure to sign up a group for the Cardinal Glennon College's Trivia Night on July 30th. If you can make it, it will be a night to remember, with prizes and fun for all. I'll be the 'tech coordinator' for the night. For In other news... Be sure to sign up a group for the Cardinal Glennon College's Trivia Night on July 30th. If you can make it, it will be a night to remember, with prizes and fun for all. I'll be the 'tech coordinator' for the night. For more information, visit the Cardinal Glennon College website.

Planned Parenthood: When a Baby's Not a Baby

I was completely dumbfounded when I read the following statements from Planned Parenthood's website (hat tips to The Dawn Patrol and LifeSite):

"When does being a person begin?" Most medical authorities and Planned Parenthood agree that it starts when a baby takes its first breath...

She [chooses what to do with her 'pregnancy'] based on her own needs, ethics, and religious belief about when being a person begins. It would be wrong to force her to observe someone else's religious belief.

This is sickening.

Imposing religious beliefs?

This ain't a religious belief. This is cold, hard fact. There's a human person inside that womb.

Someone may argue that the 'blob of tissue' (scientific term: 'fetus') isn't a person until a couple weeks into pregnancy, when the heartbeat and brain waves begin, or later in the pregnancy, when there is evidence of sensory perception in the fetus.

But even this is stretching it, because there must be a certain time when human life begins, for the sake of determining whether or not abortion or abortifacents are morally and ethically acceptible. The most logical time would be the moment of conception. From conception onward, the fetus looks more like a 'normal' human by degree only; the human DNA, the genetic makeup of what makes a human a human, is fully defined and translated into every new cell in this fetus' body. Once the sperm and egg cells meet, there is no chance that a dog, or a flower, or a rock will be produced. No—this is a developing human. Once outside of the womb, the baby is still not fully able to support himself; he still needs protection, milk, and comfort (and, sometimes, a little extra medical attention).

To say that the fetus isn't a person until he is completely outside of the womb and takes his first breath is a completely ridiculous claim!

My little sister was born 3 months premature, via a cesarean section, and she was quite fully alive at the time of her birth (despite being only 1 pound, 6 ounces). You cannot claim that a fetus/baby is not a person until it is breathing outside the womb. That is wrong.

Presidential Judicial Nominees & Other News

From PriestsforLife.org: Call your Senators today to urge that the President's nominees receive an up-or-down vote, and that there be no more filibusters on judges. The Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121. Your Senators need to hear from you!

In other news: today is my last day of exams (my final final is at 12:00 today!). This means that school, as I know it, during the 2004-2005 year, is over as of 1:50 p.m. today. This also means that my summer vacation is soon to begin. During the next week, myself and my fellow College Seminarians will be on a silent retreat, away from the Seminary, so I don't envision updating my blog for a time, nor will I be able to answer emails. I will continue to post updates here over the summer vacation, starting May 14 or so.

Finally, if anyone is in need of Mac or PC support, and lives in St. Louis, I'll be available this summer as a computing consultant. Services include: Mac and PC hardware and software support and repair, Web design and maintenance, event photography, VHS --> DVD transfers, video editing and filming, and general networking consulting. Email me for more info.