Sports, Politics and Religion

OK, so here's an observation...
At today's church service there was a woman wearing a Dallas Cowboys jersey. My critical self thought, "Why would anyone wear that jersey to church?" Now, there were several people in clothes w/ sports logos on them at church today - but Dallas? On the day the 'Skins really need to beat Dallas?

My next thought was that I wouldn't have questioned someone's right to wear a political pin supporting any candidate or issue. We are a welcoming parish, after all! But a Dallas jersey, now that was just poor form. :-)

***Update: Wearing the jersey didn't help her team. I should have worn my 'Skins Santa hat.
Dallas - 6
Washington - 27

In the Spirit of... It's Christmas 'til Epiphany!

There are lots of reasons to display creche sets in your home. They are inspiring during the frantic moments leading up to gift opening and over-eating. I imagine the love that goes into the creation of the figurines. I appreciate the craftsmanship of nativity sets from around the world. I marvel at the sense of unity the story of Jesus' birth brings to Christians.

It's been a year since Progressive Pragmatist posted a link to the Cavalcade of Bad Nativities, opening my eyes to the true breadth of nativity artistry. Now, for your post-Christmas pleasure, check out the newest installment: Cavalcade of Bad Nativities II.

There's a "B-Side"???

Long, long ago, one of my Christmas gifts was a really cool little record player. I remember having records that were yellow and one that was even clear red! I'm not sure what songs or stories were on the records, but I know I listened a lot. Unlike today's CDs which have one side... the bottom! ... those old records had two sides - the one everyone wanted and the one the recording company hoped you'd want after they gave it to you!

These days, I listen to B-Side Radio, a podcast that currently features Rene Gutel (see the Roller Skate Jams link) telling the story of buying her husband John's Christmas gift - luckily it's not a gift of the Magi story, but it's got a great ending. Life on the flip side sounds really good!

How Big Is Hannah? Sooo Big!

She crawls, she stands, she has teeth (if you look closely)! No, she doesn't read... yet!

We are all looking forward to Hannah's first Christmas. Her mom bought a play pen to keep the tree safe. Her aunts are delighted with their gift for Hannah. Grammy knows that the paper and boxes will be the most fun of all.

Update On Eme's Bathroom Project

In October I wrote about Eme's Peace Corps project. When I checked the donations web site today, I was thrilled to see that she's down to $641.23 still needed to finance her project! Yippee!

****Update... Eme now needs $389!!

Dede Mirabal

This news item caught my eye today...

Last Mirabal Injured In Fatal Crash (from the DR1 website)
"Belgica de la Cruz Mirabal (Dede), the last surviving Mirabal sister, and mother of former Vice-President Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal, has been injured in a crash that left one person dead and another injured. The accident occurred on the highway between Nagua and Cabrera. Fernandez Mirabal was driving a vehicle that hit a small motorcycle driven by Justo Cruz Guarionel Paredes, 46. Motorcycle passenger Noelia Norberto Ramos, 22, was killed as a result of the crash. According to the national press, Dede Mirabal suffered a broken wrist and other injuries, which, at her age, 83, can be considered serious. News reports say that the accident occurred when the moto driver abruptly turned to retain a fallen baseball cap, not noticing a vehicle was behind him."

I have traveled to the Dominican Republic several times over the past eight years. One of the most profound experiences of my visits - indeed, of my life - has been the opportunity to meet and spend time with Dede Mirabal. We were lucky enough to sit with her and chat on fine summer afternoon in Ojo de Agua. Her sisters, known as "The Butterfly Sisters," were part of the movement to oust the Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. Their story is chronicled in Julia Alvarez' novel In the Time of the Butterflies. Trujillo gave the order to assassinate the sisters and thus gave energy to the groups who brought about the overthrow and assassination of Trujillo himself. In many parts of the world, Nov. 25, anniversary of the day the sisters were killed in 1960, is known as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Salcedo, the province in which they lived in the Dominican Republic has been re-named this year to Hermanas Mirabal Province.

Please pray for Dede. She has an amazing sense of peace and grace about her. May God lay His healing hand upon her, today and each day.

Read Julia Alvarez' In The Time of the Butterflies and
Mario Vargas Llosa's The Feast of the Goat.