Author: Jim Bowman

Jim Bowman covered religion 1968-78 for the Chicago Daily News, since then has written books, articles, etc., mostly on corporate history but also on religion (Company Man: My Jesuit Life, 1950-1968), and more recently on politics (Illinois Blues: How the Ruling Party Talks to Voters -- Lulu.com, Kindle). Longtime Oak Park, Illinois, resident, he lives now on Chicago's North Side, where four of his and Winnie's six children live close by.

Mass complainer finds relief, somehow . . .

Looonnnggg song and organ recital between readings Sunday, 8:30 mass, we spectators caught in a web of musicality for a good ten minutes! Participation? Or obedient listening, waiting for the spirit to move us. Blah.

Followed by 2nd reading, slow and moony by soft-voiced woman. Then 8:50 the gospel, at long last. Followed by sermon, at-first slightly bookish but logically progressing — with, lo and behold (they say there is no grace), a sense for the listener that this was the dawning of a time of peace and good will towards his fellow-worshipers.

Look, you never know what’s going to work or when or quite how. But the elderly male worshiper found something new in mass this day. Along with his incurable woolgathering, of course, but that’s another story . . .

I Can’t Understand a Word My Priest Says – WSJ

The lady spells out the perils (and benefits) of Catholic universality, with emphasis on impaired diction.

For a partly negative view of this matter so well laid out for us, may I offer this? Sometimes, especially if the speaker has a soft, smoothing tone, it’s a blessing not to know what he’s saying. I’d say many worshipers zone out anyhow. So like the new priest for other reasons even if you can’t understand him, including this mixed blessing which I have discovered — and be thankful for any priest at all.

Source: I Can’t Understand a Word My Priest Says – WSJ

Anarcho-Tyranny Update: Mounting Proof That Alt Right Charlottesville Five Are Political Prisoners

Goes against the mainstream grain, does it not?

No rant, however, but carefully, thorough, documented reporting here from my friend Nicholas Stix does back up the headline, does it not?

Have a look.

And do not be befuddled, amazed, indignant or anything else by the phrase, perhaps new to you, “anarcho-tyranny.” If you are any of those things, I do not think you will be once you have taken yourself through this excellent piece.

San Juan Mayor Admits She Hasn’t Met With Federal Officials At Joint Field Office Over Hurricane Relief Efforts

Ditz of the week, pride of Puerto Rico:

Ditzy PR mayor

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, a Democrat, went on a tirade on Saturday, accusing President Trump of allowing Puerto Ricans to die because he just doesn’t care.

But now it turns out Cruz is not in the loop and hasn’t even bothered to participate in meetings with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or other federal agencies.

As told to former Clintonista Stephanopoulos.

Aren’t you glad we have a POTUS who knows how liars work and how to handle them? Remember how nice-guy GW took it smilingly on the chin throughout the New Orleans fiasco? Go Donald.