21. That's the number of clocks in my house. Ten of them re-set themselves automatically (computers, cell phones, and my clock radio), but the others required reaches and ladders, and one is a finer clock that can't be wound backwards. A small cross, this daylight savings stuff, but I like getting more daylight in the Spring and I enjoy the extra hour of sleep in the Fall.
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A simple question regarding Mass: Is there a trend in American Catholic churches to make sure the weekend Mass lasts at least one hour? Before I was Catholic (and attended Lutheran services that were always 60-90 minutes long), I remember teasing my Catholic friends about the length of their non-wedding Masses: "Did you guys actually have to sit there more than 45 minutes? That must've been hard." When I first converted 15 years ago, it seems the Masses lasted about 50 minutes. Now, Masses are consistently running 60 to 75 minutes. Is it a change, or is my perspective of the Catholic Mass length 15 to 30 years ago wrong?
A more complicated question: Ought all weekend Catholic Masses be at least an hour? I'm open to different opinions, but here's my half-baked opinion: No. If your parish offers more than one Mass, give parishioners options. Those who want the 70-minute music-fest should have it. Those who prefer a 40-minute bullet approach should have it.
I realize a parish priest is the shepherd of souls. Such a metaphor implies that parishioners are sheep and can't be trusted with such choices. That's a serious concern. Then again, I'm not suggesting that parishioners be given the choice of attending or not attending, attending a heretical Mass or an orthodox one. I'm simply suggesting that they ought to be given the option of attending a length of Mass that (i) is orthodox and meets all the rubrics, and (ii) best suits the individual parishioner's needs. Although an individual often doesn't know what best suits his needs, he sure as heck is more likely to make a good choice in such matters than a priest will make by adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
Bottom line is, I think an approach that gives options shows respect. It tells the parishioners, "You're a big person now and can make up your mind on such things." And if the parishioner chooses wrongly, it's no big deal. He's still attending an orthodox Mass.
(Important note: This is not a shot at my parish priest. I think some of my fellow parishioners read this blog. I'd hate for them to think I'm taking a shot at a man who's doing a pretty good job at reviving a moribund church community.)
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Something technologically wild:
After designing tools using Flickr to edit your photos, another team at the University of Washington (UW) is using our vacation photos to create 3D models of world landmarks. But recreating original scenes is challenging because all the photos we put on Flickr and similar sites don't exhibit the same quality. Anyway, with such a large number of pictures available, the researchers have been able to reconstruct with great accuracy virtual 3D model of landmarks, including Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Statue of Liberty in New York City.
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The rude cell phone talker is inviting retaliation: cell phone jamming technology. It's supposedly illegal, but good luck finding six guys on a jury that would convict.
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Just heard on ESPN Radio: Alex Rodriquez's total requested salary exceeds the entire value of the Pittsburgh Pirates by $75 million.
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I met my wife 21 years ago today in an Ann Arbor bar. Seven children later, I still haven't made it to Manhattan (my anticipated grad school and first job destination), not even for a visit.
