It has been pointed out in recent articles about Pope Benedict XVI how he was previously the "stern defender of Church dogma," the "Vatican's doctrinal watchdog," a conservative who even went so far as to call other religions deficient. This is contrasted with his statements since becoming pope where he courteously pledges to reach out to other ( Read more... )

A few weeks ago I was offered a job teaching physics/science at Providence Academy. I'm very excited! This is probably my dream teaching position. The school is PK-12 all in one building, and it is growing after its recent founding in 2000. I'll be teaching 11th grade physics, 8th grade science and some kind of industrial tech/science class ( Read more... )

Here is the first address by Pope Benedict XVI.

Excerpt:

In this moment, I go back in my memory to the unforgettable experience we all underwent with the death and the funeral of the lamented John Paul II. Around his mortal remains, lying on the bare earth, leaders of nations gathered, with people from all social classes and especially the young ( Read more... )

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, former Dean of the College of Cardinals, has been elected to the throne of Saint Peter, assuming the name Pope Benedict XVI!

This came as a surprise to me, since I expected some unexpected Cardinal to be chosen (not that I have any real insights to offer, this being the first conclave of my life). It is a comfort to ( Read more... )

Ok, it's been a while since I last posted. And ... sorry, this won't be a very comprehensive description of my life. Amy will be out of town this weekend, so the lack of a housemate will surely drive me to write some more.

Related to my last post, here are two more Jewish viewpoints about Mel Gibson's The Passion.

Author and radio host, Dennis ( Read more... )

A preview of Mel Gibson's, "The Passion".

Pope John Paul II has performed at least two exorcisms since becoming pope. The second was as recently as 2000.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this ( Read more... )

Ok, I am now online from Amy's and my new house. The floor repair/refinishing was a success, albeit an imperfect one. The replaced floorboards don't precisely match, since the floor is 100 years old and the new boards ... well, aren't! Sanding was done with a 4-disc orbital-type sander. It was quite fun, and it even sucked up all the dust. The ( Read more... )

Ok, I'm still working on our floorboards! It's slow, but at least everything is proceeding just like the pictures in my Home Depot flooring booklet. :) They were removed just fine, however not having tools at the house causes problems. I have to drive 20 minutes to my kind in-laws' in order to modify the boards. One has been replaced and the ( Read more... )

Well, the house modifications are now showing progress. Amy and I decided to refinish the hardwood floors on our ground level before moving in at the end of September. However, this first required ripping up carpet in the living room and linoleum tile in the dining room (it's really just one long room, but artificially subdivided by the flooring ( Read more... )