In Search of My Beatrice

The Nativity Story

2006-11-05T13:42:00.000-05:00

Wow, yesterday I had the amazing opportunity to see a preview screening of the next major Hollywood film, The Nativity Story (New Line Cinema). A faithful, faith filled portrayal of the birth of Christ. While we are prohibited in giving a media review of this film (the media has not yet had a chance to view it),I can say it was very faithful to the nativity narrative, and the instances where the filmmakers took liberties, were in line with what is theologically and historically acceptable. Plus it was absolutely beautifully filmed.
I was participating in a catechical conference this weekend, when all of the participants were invited to be part of this very special preview screening. We were the first group of Canadian Catholics to review this film, also coincidentally yesterday was also the day when Pope Benedict XVI was given his own personal private screening.
Look out for the film in December it will be the prefect way to start off the Christmas Season, keeping the focus on the reason for the season.

Official Trailer

Teaser Trailer

ON THE SET WITH...Screenwriter Mike Rich

ON THE SET WITH...Director Catherine Hardwicke

ON THE SET: THE NATIVITY STORY...Production and Costume Design

Linda's New Blog

2006-09-30T17:25:00.000-04:00

My friend Linda now has her own "working" blog, Worship: the heart of life. This is her second attempt her first blog would only materialize to the select and fortunate few on her buddy list. Linda is an exceptionally bright and talented young lady, who will be an excellent addition to the Catholic blogging world. Linda is a revert to the Catholic Church after spending some time as an evangelical (even going to study at a bible college). Her experiences and studies, will bring excellent insight into our understanding of Catholic Theology. Also important to note, Linda is the Worship Leader of the BEATattitudes (who have a rocking bassist, lol).

UCC back at it

2006-04-23T01:05:00.000-04:00

The United Church of Christ is back at it, they have produced another ridiculous T.V. AD similar to their bouncer AD,insinuating that other Churches refuse entry to minorities. The commercial shows members of various minorities being ejected from a church, and then telling us that everyone is welcome in the United Church of Christ. None of the major networks are willing to air the commercials, and now UCC is claiming that is being discriminated against, because no one will help them in waging the own denominational war.

They even took a pot shot at Fr. Richard Neuhaus.

Fr. Tom is coming back

2006-04-22T19:22:00.000-04:00

Fr. Tom Dowd of Waiting in Joyful Hope is coming back to my parish, St. Thomas Ã Becket Parish. This is excellent news as Fr. Tom was very missed when he transferred to St. Luke's Parish last September.

UPDATE: Fr. Robert Clark the current chaplain of the Newman center and vocation director for the English-speaking sector of the Archdiocese of Montreal, and former Becket associate pastor, will be serving as our new pastor. Fr. Tom will be joining him as part time associate pastor, continuing his roll as chaplain at the Lakeshore Hospital, and Fr. Gilles will be leaving Becket to become associate pastor with Fr. Roger at St.Luke's Parish. All of this takes effect September 1st, 2006.

God or the Girl

2006-04-21T16:54:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the long delay in posting folks, but I'm back at it now. After having read Fr. Tom of waiting in Joyful Hope's blog post on the A&E series God or the Girl, I decided I should jump back into the Bloging fray to give my own opinions of the show. This documentary series is billed as to be about 4 young men discerning a vocation to become Catholic priests. I have to say this show is honest, it does not try to make these young men look crazy nor does it attempt to ridicule the Catholic faith. In stead it portrays 4 very real "normal" young men who are struggling with a very personal spiritual decision. The name of this show and it's tag line are too superficiality and cliche for the rest of the documentary series, which actual for the most part succeeds at portraying this complex subject. There is also an issues about how they are pushing a time frame on the young men, where they have to make a final decision in a matter of weeks, this is of course rather silly. Also I had some problems with one of the Mike's (one of the 4 young men) Spiritual Director, Father Pauselli's, approach. Fr. Pauselli is claiming that he knows for certain that Mike is called to the priesthood, and that he is disappointed that Mike is not making the right choice. I personally don't think that a spiritual director should be pushing someone they are directing one way or the other, but instead direct him in true discernment, so that he can be able to determine his calling. It also seems like the show has elevate the vocation of Holy Orders above marriage, and that to discern that if one is called to marriage, he is making an inferior choice. The show is excellent, but I do believe that producers are slightly misinformed on the concept of vocation.

Layton and Duceppe call for Abdul Rahman's release

2006-03-24T18:06:00.000-05:00

Jack Layton leader of the New Democratic Party and Gilles Duceppe of the Bloc Québécois have joined the chorus of voices calling for the release of Abdul Rahman, and respect for his human rights. Together with Prime Minister Stephen Harper , all of the leaders of Canadian political parties, except Liberal (the official opposition) have now spoken out. The Liberals still remain silent on the matter.

Welcome Amal & In the Heart of God readers

2006-03-24T17:36:00.000-05:00

I would like to extend a warm welcome to the readers of Amal & In the Heart of God, And thank Marie-Linda for her wonderful introduction. You can find the meaning of my blog title and a t of my blogging philosophy in my first post. I'm currently devoting some of my blogging time to the fate of Abdul Rahman, but the main purpose of this blog is accompany me on my pilgrimage life, as I discern what I'm called to do.

President Karzai assures that respect for human and religious rights will be upheld

2006-03-22T15:28:00.000-05:00

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has just issued a press release regarding Abdul Rahman:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement after the conclusion of his telephone call to Afghanistan President Karzai.

"I called President Karzai today to express my deep concerns regarding theRahmanm case and the issue of freedom of religion in Afghanistan.

President Karzai listened to my concerns and we had a productive and informative exchange of views.

Upon the conclusion of the call, he assured me that respect for human and religious rights will be fully upheld in this case."

I don't know if this is just diplomat speakch, but this seems to be a very good sign. President Karzai's response is probably motivated by the attention in the Wes,t now being focused on him, With Amnesty International, now speaking out:

Amnesty International today called on the Afghan authorities to urgently commit themselves to judicial reform and the upholding of international standards as Abdul Rahman, 41, reportedly faces calls for his execution in connection with his reported conversion from Islam to Christianity.

And as Dawn Eden reported, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns, speaking out on behalf of the U.S., asserted that "people should be free to choose their religion and should not suffer any severe penalties, certainly not death."

Afghan facing death penalty for being Christian

2006-03-20T18:10:00.000-05:00

Abdul Rahman is a 41 year old Afgan, who is currently facing charges of converting from Islam to Christianity, the punishment for this crime under Sharia law is death by hanging. He has commited no other crime other than becoming Christian, we have to do something to stop this persecution.
Dawn Eden Has published on her blog a letter sent to the Ambassador of Afghanistan to England, from the Metropolitan of Glastonburyof the Brtish Orthodox Church. This give me the idea to contact our leaders in Ottawa, especially now with aprox. 2250 Canadian Peacekeepers active in the region. Please contact the Prime Minister & Foreign Affaires Minister, aswell as the leaders of the oposition and their foreign Affaires Critics:

The Right Hon. Stephen Joseph Harper, P.C., B.A., M.A.
Prime Minister
House of Commons
Ottawa,
Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-4211
Fax: (613) 941-6900
E-Mail: Harper.S@parl.gc.ca

The Hon. Peter Gordon Mackay, P.C., B.A., LL.B.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-6022
Fax: (613) 992-2337
E-Mail: Mackay.P@parl.gc.ca

The Right Hon. Paul Martin, P.C., Hon. B.A., LL.B.
Leader of the Oposition
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-4284
Fax: (613) 992-4291
E-Mail: Martin.P@parl.gc.ca

The Hon. Stéphane Dion, P.C., B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Foreign Affairs Opposition Crtic
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 996-5789
Fax: (613) 996-6562
E-Mail: Dion.S@parl.gc.ca

The Hon. Jack Layton, P.C., B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Leader of the NDP
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 995-7224
Fax: (613) 995-4565
E-Mail: Layton.J@parl.gc.ca

Alexa McDonough, B.A., M.S.W., D.C.L.
Foreign Affairs Critic NDP
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: 613) 995-7614
Fax: (613) 992-8569
E-Mail: McDonough.A@parl.gc.ca

Gilles Duceppe
Leader of the Bloc Québécois
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-6779
Fax: (613) 954-2121
E-Mail: Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca

Francine Lalonde, B.A.
Foreign Affairs Critic BQ
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 995-6327
Fax: (613) 996-5173
E-Mail: Lalonde.F@parl.gc.ca

Busy Weekend

2006-03-20T12:40:00.000-05:00

I had a very busy weekend, with both helping run a lenten retreat and going to St. Paddy's Day festivities. So I haven't been on top of my blog postings, but don't worry i will back post for this weekend (as soon as I can figure out how).

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2006-03-17T17:02:00.000-05:00

Erin go Braugh,

I want to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day, in lieux of this day I am posting "The complete Lorica of St. Patrick" also known as Brest Plate of St. Patrick (the more popular short form is bolded)

I arise today
Through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels, In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven, (God the Father)
Light of sun, (God the Son)
Radiance of moon, (Our Blessed Lady)
Splendor of fire, (God the Holy Ghost)
Speed of lightning, (Saint Michael)
Swiftness of wind, (Saint Gabriel)
Depth of sea, (Saint John the Baptist)
Stability of earth, (Saint Joseph)
Firmness of rock. (Saint Peter)

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and all evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise.

Christ in the heart and mind of every one who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me or to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me or my works,
Christ in every ear that hears me or hears of me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Amen.

St. Paddy's without the Corned beef

2006-03-16T18:29:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, but it is also a Friday in Lent, a day where Catholic are obliged to abstain from eating meat. Some dioceses in the United States have given a dispensation from abstaining when St. Patrick's day falls on a Friday, such as the Archdiocese of Boston and the Archdiocese of New York. Unfortunatly I have serched everywhere and its seems that Archbishop Turcotte has not granted a dispensation, so tomorrow will be a day without cornbeef hash and Irish stew.

The Rest of the Music

2006-03-15T18:19:00.000-05:00

You can find the rest of the WYD Worship Teams music here. (please remember that this is not the best recording setting, only one mike hanging from the ceiling, and the vocalists have had only one practice together, and the band had only two.)

Turn Me Around

2006-03-15T17:59:00.000-05:00

Take a listen to one of the songs we are working on for WYD 2006, this is a rough recording of a song that Linda has written, Turn Me Around.

Technical Difficulties

2006-03-15T00:39:00.000-05:00

I've just spent the last couple hours tring to post a bunch of mp3 of thw WYD 2006 worship band which I just got from Linda, but I'm running into a wall. It's getting late now and i have to work early, but I will try again tomorrow.

Back to the Grind Stone

2006-03-13T16:55:00.000-05:00

Well today was my first day back to work after spring break. It wasn't too difficult though because they decided to let us ease back into the grind with a ped day. I got some photocopying done and filed my class's IEPs, while the teacher was in meetings in the morning. This would have been a lot easer if the all the filing cabinets were kept in alphabetical order, but instead I found myself searching for 2 students' files which for some unknown reason were inserted randomly (this may not seem like much but we have over 400 students meaning over 400 files to check through), this would have tried even the patience of Job, but instead of getting too frustrated, I offered it up as a Lenten penance. For lunch I joined three of my co-workers for a relaxing break at a Chez Lien a nearby Vietnamese restaurant. Unfortunately for me, my three co-workers all smoke, while I just broke my pack a day addiction 6 days ago (I started smoking in elementary school and I'm now 23), needless to say my list of Lenten penances were increasing exponentially.

My bass has a name

2006-03-12T22:53:00.000-05:00

Some of you may know that I am a bassist for a worship team created to play at the Catechism part of Word Youth Day 2006 in Montreal. Today I was at a band pratice and I was asked by one of the worship leaders if I had decided on a name for my bass yet. After thinking about it I decided on... can you guess.... Beatrice. While I don't know if music is going to become the passion for me that bring me to the divine, as Beatrice was for Dante, I do believe that if I use "my Beatrice" to give glory to God, then that is one forward step on my pilgrimage.

My First Post

2006-03-11T22:36:00.000-05:00

Wow I'm excited my very own first post. I was actually inspired by my friend Linda who just started her own bog, with a wonderful post on the origins of famous Montréal Challenge/WYD quotes.

In Search of My Beatrice??????
What an odd title for a blog, you must think, who is the Beatrice and why should I search for her?
The Beatrice that I'm referring to is found in Dante Alighieri’s La Vita Nuova (The New Life), and Divina Comédia (Divine Comedy). I know what you’re thinking... the Divine Comedy isn't that that book about hell? What sort of person is this Colin creating a blog about someone from hell? Well the Divine Comedy is actually an Italian epic poem or canticle consisting of three cantiche: Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise). Beatrice is Dante's allegory for Love. Dante in La Vite Nouva, falls in love with Beatrice and his infatuation in Beatrice develops into a love so pure that Dante claims that "She has ineffable courtesy, is my beautitude, the destroyer of all vices and the queen of virtue, salvation." Latter Beatrice takes over from Virgil and becomes Dante’s guide in the Divina Comédia leading him into Paradise.

This is what I seek the Love that transforms me and leads me into paradise. And this blog will contain my mussing, as I continue to seek and journey with that transforming Love.

N.B. I believe this William Blake illustration of "Beatrice Addressing Dante" to be in the Public Domain, please contact me if you are the copyright holder and I will remove it.