Recent Events Roundup
Kasia July 9th, 2008
Mmm, where to begin…
I never told you how the sangria turned out. It was actually pretty good, and for a first effort I think it was outstanding - we used a recipe we found on the ‘net and modified it slightly to suit our tastes and what was on sale.
We used white wine - I didn’t even know you could use white wine for sangria, but there you have it - a big bottle, with a shot or two of Bombay Sapphire (Canuck’s gin of choice), some sugar, and a whole mess of fruit: strawberries, raspberries, lemons and limes. We’d bought oranges, but there wasn’t room in the pitcher for anything more. We let that marinate overnight, and by the next day, it was a yummy fruity treat!
One note - I strongly do NOT recommend adding club soda or tonic to the sangria for fizz. It was revolting. By the way, what IS the difference between the two? If I want fizzy sangria, I’ll add ginger ale or Seven-Up, thanks.
We went to see Wall-E, and it lived up admirably to all the positive reviews I’d heard about it. I highly recommend it.
The parishes in Chatham just had a massive personnel turnover - the Diocese of London is clustering, merging and closing parishes just like Detroit has had to do, and this July was the big change-over. The small Czech/Slovak parish we’d visited so many times, St. Anthony, is finally being closed; and of the five remaining parishes in town, there are now two clusters of two plus an ethnic (Polish) not-quite-a-parish.
Much as I’m sad to see restructuring, because of what it means more broadly, so far I’m pretty happy with the changes. We’ve only visited one parish so far since the changeover (obviously), but the priest seemed OK - didn’t set off any warning flags - which is especially nice because he’s the pastor of the closer cluster to Chez Mère de Canuque. I was dismayed to see that the parish was using GLASSWARE (ok, maybe it was crystal, but it’s still NOT acceptable as far as I know!) to distribute the Precious Blood, so I only received the Host and walked past the Blood. However, it was this pastor’s first week, so I can understand even if he sees the issue he probably hasn’t had a chance to take care of it yet; I am hoping that he will address it on his own. If it’s still going on by the end of the summer, I will write him a letter asking about it. The other cluster is now being pastored by a priest who worked with Mother Teresa at some point, so I do want to check them out…
In other news, my car turned over 260,000 miles today. Forty thousand more before my pride will allow me to replace the car. Hopefully both the car and my budget cooperate. 
I think you’re correct; in fact, I seem to remember that crystal was specifically listed as being too breakable.
1. I want that sangria recipe
2. crystal is a no-no because it’s breakable, as is pottery. The chalice must be something non-breakable (i.e., metal) and it must be a precious metal.
3. Yes, give the priest a chance to get his feet wet, and understand that there is a LOT of bad catechetics out there, so people get upset when “the new guy” makes changes (that are liturgically correct) that are different than the way “beloved Fr. Schmoe” always did it. Literally one priest I know moved his chair back up near the altar (where it belongs) and the people were FURIOUS, because the former priest had made this big deal about everyone being “equal” and on the same level. He never won the trust of the people, and they complained about him so much that he ended up being transferred very quickly. The people just never got over that. To that end, remember that clustering is a very emotional time for people - they are grieving, literally - and the priest may focus on behind the scenes stuff first (like auditing the books) to give the people a chance to get used to the change before he starts switching things around. Otherwise he becomes the lightening rod for their anger.
4. It’s really sad that you’re looking to get 300K out of your car, while I’m just hoping to get 200K out of my Ford. POC.
5. Soda water is the basis for sodapop. Tonic water has quinine in it. (A “tonic” for malaria, which tastes much better when mixed with gin!) Although the amount of quinine in there today wouldn’t actually prevent you from getting malaria.
TBS
Ok, from the “shiny new Catholic”…I never new that the chalice couldn’t be glass/crystal/anything breakable!! I still have soooo much to learn…maybe I’ll break out the Catechism soon….
When are you going to write a letter to the priest or bishop on the shameful way they’re dealing with victims of sexual abuse by priests?
Just wondering. Thought it might be more important than what the chalice is made of…
What kinda wheels do you have again? My Toyotas always clunked out at about 220K, and that’s good Japanese engineering.
Joe - I have a Subaru. But my old Camry went up almost to 250K, and it only died then because I didn’t check the oil frequently enough. I think longevity has a lot to do with how they’ve been maintained throughout the life of the car.
Joanne - Welcome - I don’t think we’ve met. With respect to your question…I trust that you’re in earnest, but it’s difficult to know how to respond, as the question does come across as more than a bit loaded. I will come back and respond in a day or so, OK?