Ken Hallenius

Holiday shopping does not have to be stressful. Scratch that — stocking stuffer shopping does not have to be stressful! These low-stakes gifts can be funky, quirky, silly, and, best of all, cheap. They come in all shapes and sizes (see below for proof). The number-one rule of stocking stuffers is that there are NO rules. As long as whatever stuffer you choose fits in a giant sock that you hang on the mantel, you're good to go!

Here are our picks for the best, handmade, wallet-friendly stocking stuffers from a few of our favorite Etsy craftspeople.

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Consider what is entrusted to a bishop.

Consider how he, like everyone else, struggles with the world, the flesh and the Devil.

Consider that, though fortified with the graces of the sacrament of orders and defended by the holy angels, a bishop is hated and pursued by the forces of hell with a persevering malice that we humans can only imagine with vague analogy.

Consider his judgment before the Just Judge when it is his time.

Consider his final reward, forever and ever, will be as a bishop in whatever state he will be his, heaven or hell.

Consider the weight of the burden that a diligent, faithful bishop feels, which the ever-harried Augustine of Hippo described as a sárcina, the massive backpack of the Roman solider.

Consider too the vineyard into which the bishop is sent to tend, with its obstinate vines, vagaries of “weather” and pressing foes.

Did you know that Bishops must make a special oath before they are consecrated?   

Surely this oath, seriously considered, reflected upon by a man about to be consecrated, is intended to strengthen him in his ministry.  When resolve flags, should he remember his oath, a bishop under siege might remember himself and stand up ready to do what must be done.

The oath is meant to uphold his tired arms, as Aaron and Hur did for Moses during the battle.

For your edification and contemplation.

FORMULA Iurisiurandi fidelitatis ab Episcopis praestandi	FORMULA Of the oath of fidelity to be performed by Bishops
Ego, ___, ad sedem ___ promotus, catholicae Ecclesiae atque romano Pontifici, eius supremo pastori, Christi vicario beati Petri apostoli in primatu successori et collegii Episcoporum capiti, semper fidelis ero.	I, ___, promoted to the See of ___, will always be faithful to the Catholic Church and to the Roman Pontiff, her Supreme Pastor, Vicar of Christ, Successor in primacy of the blessed Apostle Peter and the Head of the College of Bishops.
Libero exercitio primatialis summi Pontificis potestatis in universa Ecclesia obsequar, Ipsiusque iura et auctoritatem mihi curae erit provehere ac defendere. Praerogativas quoque atque munera romani Pontificis Legatorum, quippe qui personam gerant supremi pastoris, agnoscam atque observabo.	I will submit to the free exercise of the primatial power of the Supreme Pontiff in the Universal Church, and I will take pains to advance and defend his rights and authority. I will also acknowledge and respect the prerogatives and duties of the legates of the Roman Pontiff, for they act in the person of the Supreme Pastor.
Apostolica munera Episcopis commissa, nempe populum Dei docendi, sanctificandi et regendi, in hierarchica communione cum collegii episcopalis capite atque membris, summa diligentia exsequenda curabo.	I will take with the greatest diligence that the apostolic duties committed to Bishops, namely of teaching, governing and sanctifying the people of God in hierarchical communion with the Head and the members of the College of Bishops, be carried out.
Universae Ecclesiae unitatem tuebor, ideoque studiose incumbam, ut depositum fidei inde ab Apostolis traditum purum et integrum servetur ac veritates tenendae et moribus applicandae, prouti ab Ecclesiae magisterio proponuntur, omnibus tradantur et illustrentur. Errantibus vero in fide paternum animum pandam atque omni ope adnitar, ut ad plenitudinem catholicae veritatis perveniant.	I will protect the unity of the universal Church, and, therefore, I will zealously see to it that the deposit of faith handed down through time by the Apostles will be preserved pure and undiminished and that the truths to be held and the moral teachings to be applied will be handed on and explained just as they are proposed by the teaching authority of the Church.  I assuredly will extend a fatherly spirit to those who are straying in the faith and I will strive with every effort that they arrive at to the fullness of catholic truth.
Ad imaginem Christi, summi et aeterni sacerdotis, respiciens, pie sancteque agam ac ministerium mihi commissum ita adimplebo, ut, forma factus gregis ex animo, fideles in christiana perfectione adipiscenda confirmare valeam.	Carefully looking to the image of Christ, the High and Eternal Priest, I will behave dutifully and religiously and will fulfill the ministry entrusted to me in such a way that, having from my soul been made an example for the flock, I may be able to strengthen the faithful in the pursuit of Christian perfection.
Disciplinam cunctae Ecclesiae communem fovebo et observantiam omnium legum ecclesiasticarum, earum imprimis quae in Codice Iuris Canonici continentur, sollerter insistam, semper advigilans, ne mali usus irrepant praecipue circa ministerium verbi et sacramentorum celebrationem.	I will foster the common discipline of the whole Church and I will insist skillfully upon the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, first and foremost of those that are contained in the Code of Canon Law, always being vigilant lest any evil practices slither in, especially concerning the ministry of the Word and the celebration of sacraments.
Diligentem curam in temporalibus Ecclesiae bonis administrandis ponam, iis potissimum quae ad divini cultus exercitium, ad cleri aliorumque ministrorum honestam sustentationem, necnon ad sacri apostolatus et caritatis opera collata sunt.	I will put diligent care into the administration of the temporal goods of the Church, most especially those goods that are designated for the exercise of sacred worship, for the worthy support of the clergy and of other ministers, and for works of the sacred apostolate and of charity.
In explendo mandato mihi commisso omnes Presbyteros et Diaconos, ordinis episcopalis providos cooperatores, necnon Religiosos et Religiosas unius eiusdemque operis participes, peculiari dilectione prosequar. Itemque de sacris vocationibus provehendis maximam curam habebo, ut spiritualibus necessitatibus in tota Ecclesia convenienter consulatur.	To fulfill the mandate entrusted to me, I will with special affection attend to all of the Priests and Deacons, provided as coworkers of the episcopal order, as well as male and female religious, participants in one and the same work. Likewise, I will take the greatest care to promote sacred vocations, so that spiritual needs in the whole Church will be properly looked after.
Laicorum dignitatem propriamque ipsorum in Ecclesiae missione partem agnoscam et proveham. Opera vero missionalia ad gentium evangelizationem fovendam peculiari sollicitudine curabo.	I will acknowledge and promote the dignity of lay people and their own mission in the Church. I will, by all means, take care with particular solicitude to foster missionary works for the evangelization of the nations.
Ad Concilia ceterasque legitimas actiones collegiales vocatus, nisi impediar, ipse adero vel opportune respondebo.	Once called to Councils and other lawful collegial activities, I will personally attend or opportunely respond unless I am impeded.
Statutis temporibus vel occasione data Apostolicae Sedi rationem de pastorali meo officio reddam, eiusdemque mandata atque consilia simul obsequenter accipiam ac maximo studio perficiam.	At the appointed times or at a fitting moment, I will give an account of my pastoral office to the Apostolic See, and I will compliantly give careful attention to its mandates and measures, and, with great effort, will carry them out with the greatest application.
Sic me Deus adiuvet et haec santa Dei evangelia, quae manibus meis tango.	So help me God and these Holy Gospels of God, which I am touching with my hands.
(SUBSCRIPTIO ANTISTITIS)	(SIGNATURE OF THE BISHOP)
Ego infrascriptus testor praefatum Anstistitem iusiurandum ut supra in manibus meis dedisse hac die	I, the undersigned, testify that the aforementioned bishop above gave the oath (as written) above into my hands on this day
____ ____ ____ ____	____ ____ ____ ____

So, there’s the text.

This forces the honest person to reflect deeply on our bishops. It might force the honest BISHOP to reflect deeply on his work.

It would be a good exercise to take each of these paragraphs and, over time, bring them to Holy Mass and pray before the Blessed Sacrament precisely for the sake of your bishop.

The other day my friend Kevin Phelan, who knew Bp. Morlino for some 40 years, told online a terrific story about Morlino on the night before he was to be consecrated bishop and this very oath.  HERE

 

Since I was on the ceremony crew the other day for the Pontifical Mass at St. Peter’s I couldn’t get any photos.  But, before Mass I found some interesting sights to record and share.

This is inside the sacristy of the chapter of canons of St. Peter’s.  Our vestments are laid out.

This is what I had for the Mass.  Before you ask, yes, it was both heavy and warm.

In the little chapel off the sacristy, it seems that some canon or other is saying the traditional Mass.  As it should be.

This altar was consecrated by Henry Card. Stuart.

A real plus was a chance to spend time with the glorious wooden 13th c. Crucifix which I wrote about the other day.  I had taken note that the it was displayed in the sacristy of the canons.  I had hoped that they hadn’t yet removed it.  They did, but into an adjoining room… and they left the door open!

The Cross was clearly carved by a master who had deep faith and who prayed.

Another wooden point of reflection.  The door to my old cupboard in the hall off the main sacristy.  I said Mass in the basilica every day for years.  I had my own niche for my personal gear for Mass.

Highlights of a meal.

Artichokes have been around, some from Brittany (so so) and new ones from S. Italy (much better).

On Sunday, Archbishop Alexander King Sample of Portland sang the Mass at Ss. Trinità dei Pellegrini for Christ The King.  Before Mass…

During the sermon, a young server had a hard time focusing.

Later in the day, I said Mass for the intention of my benefactors.  Thank you, all of you.  I am very grateful.  It is my pleasure and duty to keep you in my prayers.

The image of Mary over the altar.

Many relics are on the altar at St. Trinità in anticipation of All Saints.

The big busts are Augustine and Ambrose and Pius V and Gregory the Great.  The smaller are Matthew, Luke, Peter and Paul.  In the center is the co-patron of Rome and certainly patron of this church, St. Philip Neri.

And now for something completely different.  Who knows what this is?

The spiffy poster for the All Souls Mass at the aforementioned church.

I popped in for a visit at the little church of St. Bridget on the Piazza Farnese.

Packing and sleep to follow.  I barely managed to get the case closed, having introduced a large new reliquary for my fragment of the Cross back home.

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Ari Levy, reporting for CNBC:

Plagued by counterfeits and unauthorized selling on the online shopping site, the sandals company will no longer supply products to Amazon in the U.S. starting Jan. 1. Additionally, Birkenstock won’t authorize third-party merchants to sell on the site, according to a letter the company sent to several thousand retail partners on July 5.

The memo, from Birkenstock USA CEO David Kahan, was obtained confidentially by CNBC.com.

“The Amazon marketplace, which operates as an ‘open market,’ creates an environment where we experience unacceptable business practices which we believe jeopardize our brand,” Kahan wrote from the company’s U.S. headquarters in Novato, California. “Policing this activity internally and in partnership with Amazon.com has proven impossible.”

Amazon has a real problem on its hands.

Spirit Airlines via ShermansTravel offers Spirit Airlines Roundtrip Flights to Mexico from select cities in the U.S. with prices starting at $154.48. (On the ShermansTravel landing page, click on "Spirit.com" in the main paragraph to see this sale.) That's the lowest current rate we could find for select routes by $12. This price is valid on flights departing from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, (FLL) with arrival in Cancun, Mexico, (CUN) on September 20 and return on September 28. This travel deal applies to flights from September 1 through November 30. Click here to see more routes.

From Apartment Therapy → Genius Kitchens: Space Saving Details for Small Kitchens

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Some garlicky notes for this Holy Week.

First, at BBC an ancient recipe made new.

1,000-year-old onion and garlic eye remedy kills MRSA

A 1,000-year-old treatment for eye infections could hold the key to killing antibiotic-resistant superbugs, experts have said.
Scientists recreated a 9th Century Anglo-Saxon remedy using onion, garlic and part of a cow’s stomach.
They were “astonished” to find it almost completely wiped out methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, otherwise known as MRSA.
Their findings will be presented at a national microbiology conference.
The remedy was found in Bald’s Leechbook – an old English manuscript containing instructions on various treatments held in the British Library.
Anglo-Saxon expert Dr Christina Lee, from the University of Nottingham, translated the recipe for an “eye salve”, which includes garlic, onion or leeks, wine and cow bile.
Experts from the university’s microbiology team recreated the remedy and then tested it on large cultures of MRSA.
[…]

Oh those medieval types were soooo stupid.

And now from the great blog Pass The Garum an even more ancient recipe made new.

Moretum – Cheese, Herb and Garlic Spread

Moretum is a cheese, garlic, and herb spread mentioned in a wonderful little poem, also called Moretum, allegedly by Virgil. The poem tells us about the farmer Symilus and his morning meal. Waking up early, he lights his lamp and visits his grain stores. After spending some time milling the grain, Symilus has just enough flour to bake a loaf of bread. However, the farmer soon notices that he has no meat, and worries that the bread might not be tasty enough on its own, so he sets about making some moretum to go with it. Seeing as our bread could use a little lift, I’m going to follow this Roman farmer’s example and make some of this cheese spread. The whole poem, which really is worth a read, can be found by clicking here. It’s too long to post in full, so I’ve summarised the important bits here:

Symilus gathers four heads of garlic (!), celery, parsley, rue, and coriander seeds.
He grinds the garlic in his mortar and pestle, and adds salt and cheese.
He then adds the celery, rue, parsley, and coriander seeds.
The smell is so strong that it makes his eyes water!
Finally, he adds some olive oil and vinegar, finishes off the mixture, and slaps some on his freshly baked bread.

So, what to make of this? Well for one there is far too much garlic; Symilus might have been able to work alone in his field without his breath offending anyone, but most of us don’t have that luxury. I’ve toned it down a bit and used just half a clove. Secondly, Virgil mentions a bitter herb called ‘rue’ which I don’t have access to at the minute, so that’s been left out.

[…]

You’ll have to go over there to see the recipe. I have to try this stuff.  Maybe tomorrow.

I need some rue, and not from a bottle of grappa.

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From Apartment Therapy → 10 Great Printables for Household Planning: Meals, Cleaning & Organizing

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Best Deals: Our favorite SSD, the Samsung 840 EVO 250GB, has matched its lowest price at $120 with a code (from $140). [Expired]

I’ve been having fun shooting panos — panoramas — with my phone. While the one above isn’t especially artful, it does show off what can be done if you let the subject move while you stand still. In this one I’m looking toward the opposite platform in a New York subway station.

This has to be done when the train is going slow enough: when it is starting to depart, or finishing an arrival. My son also pointed something else out: you have to move too, just a tiny bit, so the accelerometer in the phone thinks you’re shooting a normal pano.

Most cameras in new phones have the pano feature. Mine is an iPhone 5s. You just bring up the camera and choose the pano format. It’s the one all the way to the right. Then you can choose panning left to right or right to left. (It reverses when you tap it.) Pretty easy. Play around and have fun with it.

Ooh, I really like the idea of this smartphone card game on Kickstarter: Game of Phones.

One player picks a card and gets to judge that round. They read the prompt to everyone else. Something like 'Find the best #selfie' or 'Show the last photo you took'. Everyone finds something on their phones and shows the judge, who gets to choose a winner for that round. First to win 10 rounds is the overall winner.

This is pretty much what people do when they get together anyway, why not make it a game?

Tags: games   telephony

Freedom Industries, whose chemical spill last week in West Virginia tainted the drinking water of more than 300,000 residents in and around Charleston, is seeking Chapter 11 protection.

The scene you'll find at Christmas Cats TV is a unique one. A woman sits in a den that includes a Christmas tree, a hearth, and some presents — and lots of cute cats, some of which are wearing holiday sweaters.

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Begin is a tough-as-nails to-do list that helps you manage the tasks in your life that are due right away. You are allowed a single list of tasks and each item in your list has three options -- do it today, do it tomorrow or mark it as done. It's simple, but effective.

A recent update (version 1.5) softens the app by increasing the amount of time a task can stay on your list from two to five days. You don't have to do things "right away"; you just have to do them in the next few days. One of the biggest improvements is the ability to edit a task by simply double-tapping on an item.

There also are a few new UI tweaks to make it easier to find and tally up your uncompleted tasks. Last but not least, Begin adds a new in-app purchase that unlocks an optional full-screen mode, new typefaces and the ability to disable reminders over the weekend.

Begin is available for free from the iOS App Store. The in-app purchase to unlock additional features will cost you US$0.99 and is free for customers who already purchased the "Themes" option.

Minimalist task manager Begin adds tap-to-edit, new full-screen mode originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 20 Nov 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bitcoin’s emergence has brought a field of competitors. One payment system, Ripple, serves as a platform for currencies both digital and real.

Low and slow was the name of the game this week. We had recipes to help you get your slow cooker into action, like savory Boeuf Bourguignon and super cheesy "baked" rigatoni with spinach and mozzarella, as well as plenty of recipes that just need a pot and a place to put it, like lamb korma and hearty Colombian Ajiaco soup. This weekend, why not slow down and let dinner simmer for a while — meals like these are worth the wait.

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Almost three years after the April Fool's Day blogs (mine and the original French spoof) about Pernod bringing back the original Pernod Fils, it looks like this - or something like it - may eventually be happening. On March 5th, 2013, the TTB issued their approval of the following labels:



Absinthe lovers will note the inclusion of the words "The Original Recipe," the fact that Pernod clearly states that their 1805 distillery is France's first absinthe distillery (and not the first absinthe distillery in the world which was in Switzerland a few years earlier), the mention of plants being distilled in wine alcohol, and the disappearance - at last - of the artificial colours that have been in Pernod Absinthe up to now.

I, for one, am delighted that Pernod have at last removed the artificial colours. Several other high volume absinthes still use artificial colours, and maybe this will force them to ditch them too. Artificial colours are a short-cut that provides a cheaper cost and a sub-standard product. Companies using them have had an unfair cost advantage over those companies that have chosen to make traditional absinthe in the original way.

In fact, I tasted what I was told was the new Pernod product a few weeks ago, and it was clearly a significant improvement on the current product.

Pernod's new, old recipe may well herald improved standards globally in the category and the consumer is the ultimate winner!

UPDATE: July 5, 2013.

I wrote above: "I, for one, am delighted that Pernod have at last removed the artificial colours. Several other high volume absinthes still use artificial colours, and maybe this will force them to ditch them too. Artificial colours are a short-cut that provides a cheaper cost and a sub-standard product."

And now (surprise, surprise), the first French post-ban absinthe becomes the first to copy Pernod in ditching its artificial colours.

One wonders what took them so long ...

All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated; God employs several translators; some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice; but God's hand is in every translation, and his hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again, for that library where every book shall lie open to one another ...

John Donne, Meditation XVII

This comes from the famous "ask not for whom the bell tolls ... no man is an island" meditation. As you can see from the excerpt above there is richness throughout the whole thing, which is fairly short. Do go read the it all.

Today’s iPhone 5S/5C event went spookily close to the predictions. The phones look fine, and I think the colors will actually help. I’m excited about the future potential of fingerprint identity, payments, and whatever else it may someday enable.

The real question, though — since we are talking about Apple’s most important product, by far — is whether Apple will be able to keep up with demand. Now that new iPhone launches happen so close to the holidays, the two demand forces crash into each other, and Apple has struggled to keep up.

“We sold every iPhone we could make” is only a “good problem to have” to a certain point, and then it suggests that you should probably do a better job at making more iPhones. (Then again, Tim Cook is supposed to be the best in the world at this, so maybe the real limitation is reality. Still.)

I’m planning to sit out this year’s updates, so one of you can have my place in line. But this is definitely one of the things I’ll be keeping an eye on this year: Has Apple gotten better at making more iPhones, faster?