Not that I did anything spectacular, but I have to mention Oct 13 and 14 -- I led the music at two liturgies, one in Belleville for their annual Teachers Conference and the next day, a Mass at the Cardinal Rigali Center in St. Louis. Why do I have to mention it, you may ask? Well, it's a first, for me anyway, to have the honor of leading the music at liturgies with two different bishops on two consecutive days. That's what I call back to back!

On Friday, it was Bishop Braxton, who talked about the diginity of a teacher. He told a story of the great Thomas More, who offered a position of teacher to an ambitious power seeker named Richard the Rich (I think thats right). Anyways, the man increduously asked Thomas, "Who will know that I am teacher?" Thomas answered, "your friends, your family, your students, and your God, not too bad". He told it better than me.

Then on Saturday, Archbishop Burke gave an impassioned word on the dignity of life, especially in reference to Missouri Amendment 2. I'll just say the word again: Passion. I want to thank Archbishop Burke for delivering the word that so needs to be said and said with passion.

Every so often, something gets my blood boiling, and I have to say, this is one of them. Amendment 2 basically makes it a CONSTITUTIONAL right to clone human beings. Eggs are fertilized outside the womb, then destroyed for their stem cells. The supporters of this amendment are quite proud of themselves at how deceitful the wording of the amendment is. They troop out people on wheel chairs and who have terrible diseases. Look, I am very compassionate toward anybody dealing with life long diseases. But the problem is, these people then lie through their teeth about supposed cures and about cloning itself. They try to make this look like a technological issue, when its really all about financing their industry. Talk about big business, Ugh.

On one level, it's disgusting, but on another level, its scary because they MAY win, and it would make cloning another human being completely legal. In short, for the five people who read this blog, please vote NO.

It's an honor to honor an honorable man. That's what I was thinking yesterday at (Little) John Schweiger's surprise birthday party yesterday. And since his birthday is actually in August, trust me, it REALLY was a surprise. A nicer, more decent person you will not find the world over, and not to miss the obvious, but no one keeps better time.

I'm not a huge baseball fan, but it keeps the natives pretty happy, so I have to root for the home team Cardinals. Since most of the natiional media had the Tigers winning in three games (that's a joke, son), I guess its ok to gloat a little at winning Game 1.

In the midst of a busy week -- St. Catherine's is having our parish mission -- the priests who are ministering have been awesome -- and I am gonna have to pass on their names -- except they are from Illinois, are Vincentians and are TWINS. In any case, they would probably tell you that its more important to be open to the message anyway. Which is: Let the light of Christ shine in our lives, and discover what gives us life and light so we can share it. There's more, but that's the basics.

Tonight to Pillar for their junior high night "Extreme", then a busy weekend.

Finally, I wrote something on OYM's web site last week -- gonna post it here:

Your Prayers Saved My Life
By Karl Zimmerman on October 3, 2006 - 8:59am.

A teen approached me last week and told me she prays for me every day. A good friend and core member just sent me a text message and told me they prayed a rosary for me. My youth minister and I prayed together in the parking lot last week. Complete strangers walked up to me at the Steubenville conference and told me they are praying for me.

This blog is really a simple thank you. Thank you for your prayers.

It has taken me a long time to realize this. But I now know everything I do in music, heck my life, comes from God’s grace. Your prayers literally carry me through everyday.

Many times I feel overwhelmed by the worries of the day or by the work, or the ministry I have been called to do. Somehow, in the midst of it, a peace comes, and an assurance that God is leading and guiding me, revealing his love and mercy no matter how broken I feel. God can take our lives and make them holy and whole. Maybe I don’t do much that is extraordinary, but what little I do that is good is due to your prayers and God's mercy.

Prayer is the most generous gift you can give. When you pray, it’s like you are using unseen laser weapons to defeat the power of Satan. If you REALLY want to do something special for someone, pray. You may be literally saving their life.

So my simple request: Please keep praying for me. I'll pray for you too.