Happy New Year!

Today marks the first Sunday of Advent, in addition to that meaning I am only three weeks from heading East, it also marks the beginning of the New Year in the western Church. With the start of this New Year, we are given the opportunity to prepare for Christ's coming - not only the memorial of His coming at Christmas, but also preparation for the time at which Christ will come again. As Fr. Dave reminded all those at St. Isaac Jogues in his homily this weekend, we all prepare for things in a different way, and the coming of Christ is no exception! The Church encourages us to use the season of Advent as a time of prayer, penitence, and thanksgiving as we prepare to memorialize Christ's first coming, and that time in which we will reach our salvation with Him. Even with these general guidelines, we will each experience and reach for God in different ways. In order to reach toward God, I belive it is sometimes necessary to set specific goals. Just as we make New Year's Resolutions on December 31st, I believe it is also necessary to set "spiritual resolutions." While we can - and should - set spiritual goals throughout the year, this first Sunday of Advent, and start of our New Year seem a perfect time to begin! Here are my spiritual resolutions, for the Church year 2010. 1.) Finally finish reading Armchair Mystic! I got this book almost three years ago, and have still yet to finish it! I was really frustrated with myself over this, until I reread the introduction, in which Fr. Thibodeaux states that we are not all or always ready to begin meditative prayer, I realise that I am now more ready to begin this type of prayer life than I was in the past. 2.) To read at least one non-Jesuit prayer/spiritual book. I have nothing against the SJs, I have just realised that almost all of my spiritual knowledge and education has been from the Jesuit perspective, and I believe that the more well rounded my spiritual education is the more well developed my spirituality will be as well. Suggestons (Catholic or otherwise) very welcome!! What are your resolutions this Advent?

Some more, "only in South Dakota"

For your entertainment pleasure, I have added to my previous only in South Dakota list.... the original list I posted is below, with the additions added in green.

*You see so many grasshoppers/locusts you begin to wonder if we're reliving the Plagues of Egypt.

*The busiest WalMart in the country is a few minutes from your house and you wouldn't dare shop there on the weekend.

*You see adorable kid in full cowboy gear in said WalMart, and instead of thinking "oh cute, he's dressed up," you just think "they probably own a ranch."

*Motorcycles are as plentiful as cars.

*You order a "medium iced" in a coffee shop and they assume you mean tea.

*Bars serve tequila with lemons instead of lime and ask if you want an olive in your beer.

*Students submit pre-planned absence forms for family hunting trips. (Pheasant hunting has proven most popular).

*Your school announcements include a reminder to seniors about scholarship opportunities for those with a turkey license.

*Unleaded plus gasoline costs LESS than unleaded regular, and is closer to regular grade gas in Massachusetts.

*Catholics do not make up the largest single Christian denomination (2nd to the Lutheran Church, when the ELCA, WELS, and LCMS are combined).

*It's not unusual for gas stations, restaurants, or strip malls to have a casino, and most of these could fit in your living room.

*The capital (Pierre) is not pronounced like a French man's name, but like a "pier" on the beach.

*Everything in the state is either "near Rapid City" or "near Sioux Falls," even if they are exactly in the state, and hours from either city. (Pierre is the only possible exception).