How to Return to Mass

THE CLASSICAL AND MODERN WORLD VIEWS (1st Paper submitted) (Catholic) Theology

The classical world view is a view that is cosmic centered and static. The modern world is dynamic. There is a foundational shift from one world view to another. This paper will provide the world view of the Classical and Modern world and explain why there is a shift from one to another. What will also be explained is how these worlds are present in my image of God, spirituality, prayer, theology, ministry and in my ways of living, feeling and interpretation. Static World vs Dynamic If a juggler has three balls it is important that they are each of equivalent weight. If not, the balance is affected and the balls fall. Think of three balls as one being the world, one being God, and the other being humanity. In theology one may understand our evolving state by utilizing this concept. We live in a developing universe. There was a time of nature gods, there was a mythology, but not a history and therefore a divine purpose could not be declared. By the time Christianity appeared, the Roman world would have been entirely familiar with the thought that the universe might have gradually come to be as it is. The biblical writers showed little if any interest in a causal explanation of natural process. The Greeks however were fascinated by it. Greek natural science attained its height with Aristotle. He created whole fields such as physics, theoretical astronomy, logic and biology. Aristotle foreshadowed evolution, "we should venture on the study of every kind of animal without distaste, for each and all will reveal to us something natural…Nature's works exemplify…the conduciveness of everything to an end, and the resultant end of Nature's generations is a form of the beautiful." (McMullin, p22) St Augustine (5th century) stated that if there is a conflict between a literal reading of Scripture and a well-established truth about nature, this is sufficient reason to take the scriptural passage metaphorically. There cannot be a contradiction between nature and Scripture since God speaks to both. In the mid 1200s, the natural science taught in universities, including theology students, was that of Aristotle (McMullin, p 27). Aristotelian cosmology and Christian theology were merged to form the medieval picture of the universe. Earth was the fixed central sphere surrounded by the spheres of the heavens. Man was unique and central in location and importance. This view would soon be challenged by science. Galileo (1564-1642) combined mathematical reasoning and experimental observation. Galileo formulated a new picture of nature, that as nature in motion. Galileo called mass and velocity, primary qualities. Galileo was a devout Catholic and found no conflict between his scientific and religious beliefs. He upheld the importance of scripture but claimed that it reveals not scientific facts but spiritual knowledge for man's salvation, truths that are above reason and could not be discovered by observation. Galileo put nature and scripture on the same level as avenues of God (Barbour, pp 23-30). In the year 1616, the Holy Office declared that the sun is the center of the universe, and consequently does not change place and that the earth is not the center of the universe and is not motionless, but is in motion as a whole and its daily rotation. We know with absolute physical certainty, that the stellar universe is not centred on the earth, and that terrestrial life is not centred on mankind Newton (1642-1727) invented calculus but he was also an ingenious experimenter in mechanics and optics. Newton's law of motion and gravity, a novel insight, was the idea that the earth's gravitational pull might extend to the moon. Newton believed and found time for God and the human spirit (Barbour, pp 34-37). The eighteenth century saw itself as the Age of Reason (Barbour, p57). Charles Darwin and the Church Darwin spent twenty-five years studying in detail the breeding of domestic animals, such as dogs where new breeds would be produced that never existed before from greyhound, to St. Bernard to Chihuahua. Here was evolution with human choice replacing natural survival. Darwin studied problems as diverse as hybridization of plants, comparative structure of embryos and the geographical distribution of animal and plant forms, both living and extinct. The range and magnitude of information he brought into correlation with his theory is staggering. After all this research, he published Origin of Species in 1859 (Barbour,p 86). By the close of the century, the fact of evolution was accepted by virtually all scientists, and by the vast majority of theologians. In 1951, an address of Pope Pius X11 cited with approval the views of several astronomers that the universe had a beginning in time. In general, it is maintained that the creation of both the universe and the first man and woman were historical events, but that the biblical portrayal of these events is figurative (Barbour p 374). The shift from the Classical World to the Modern World was a result of science. The weight of the juggling balls required to be balanced. What was once considered a static world where angels held the earth in place shifted because science provided a new reality that could not be dismissed. This view eventually was accepted by the Catholic Church, thus altering the theology of the Church. This has altered the theology of the church. Our world is dynamic and evolving. This shift is also seen as a shift from God-centered to man-centered. I believe that world views is a transcendence, a process, that of evolving towards God. This is achieved by keeping the juggling of the balls balanced. The classical and Modern World views are present in my image of God, spirituality, prayer, theology, ministry and the way I live feel and interpret. Spirituality My view of God is not of an old man with a cane often projected by the Classical world which continues to persist. I believe that God is beyond my comprehension. God is neither man nor woman but so much more. God is all good which I sense in the beauty of creation and in my relationship with God. I do not fear God, as is common and was promoted in the Classical World. I cannot fear goodness. I certainly cannot fear anyone or anything close to my heart. However, I do fear evil. I believe that God is everywhere. In the Classical world it was common to believe that God dwelled in the heavens and demons were beneath the earth. I believe that demons are very much a part of our lives. I see this by living in the modern world. The classical World cannot be dismissed. Jesus came to us in the Classical world. Jesus came to us as God and teacher preparing us for future world-views. I also recognize evil transcending into the modern world. Spirituality requires careful examination. What is ethical in Modern society? Was it more ethical in the Classical world? Was it more spiritual? I say naught. Can ethics be separated from spirituality and prayer in our way of living, feeling and interpretation? Can it be separated from our ministry? Again I say no. Christian Spirituality and Theological Ethics defines ethics as “the critical of morality, namely, the direct, lived experience of human values and obligations. Ethics stands to morality as theology stands to spirituality, the lived experience of faith.” During the evening news, I watched in amazement as “500 tons of oranges” were being used in a “massive orange fight” [playful] for a medieval re-enactment of a revolt against a local tyrant in northern Italy. My thoughts went to the people of Haiti who had suffered so much from an earthquake and where there was an outpouring of love with support of medical care, food, and money to rebuild their country. My thoughts continued to sweep across the poor in Canada and the poor in the States and the poor in the rest of the world. I thought of the millions of people, more often women and sadly children who die from malnutrition and starvation. I saw all this as I viewed the vivid, colorful, images of hundreds of crates of oranges to be used in a mock fight. My spirit cried. This is the culture of our modern world. There is a shift arising because this tears at the hearts of men and women. A balance of the balls is required. Berry professes that “the first thing we must begin to teach our children (and learn ourselves) is that we cannot spend and consume endlessly. We have to save and conserve….An economy based on waste is inherently and hopelessly violent…” Where is compassion? “Compassion…helps us recognize what the suffering need and inclines us to meet that need.”(Spohn, p 275). Poverty was prevalent in the Classical World but now there is an expectation that we should know better. Technology permits us to view the world from our living rooms. The ease of travel permits us to live among others and return home at a moment’s notice. Then why are we not balanced? Spohn states that” …emotions can be educated. They are not blind instinctual reactions but learned behaviors” (Spohn, p 277). Therefore, in my spirituality, when I viewed the news and felt the emotions I was feeling, others may not, since they have learned differently from myself. This is also encouraging because it reveals that there is hope for the future through learning which was more restricted to the rich in the Classical world. Pope John Paul II visualized a renewal of conscience, “…in the last few decades some consoling signs of a reawakening of conscience have appeared: both among intellectuals and in public opinion itself.” This is the stirring of another shift to come for humanity. Berry states that “we accept uncritically the belief that technology is only good; that it cannot serve evil as well as good; that it cannot serve our enemies as well as ourselves; that it cannot be used to destroy what is good, including our homelands and our lives.”(Berry, p 1). Since the Classical World everything we created has been used for evil as well as good. Wars have never ceased. Now we have the technology to destroy massively while in the Classical World it was direct contact. Thus less were killed and only soldiers died in battle. Now a bomb can kill so many innocents. Darwin’s experiments continues to this day where tampering has become unholy. The British Parliament voted to allow the creation of human-animals. When Legislators vote 336 to 176 in favor of such a law we must question our respective governments who speak for us. That is another shift. Do we really trust our leaders to decide for us? Is there another system required to revamp what was considered democracy? How democratic is our society by the structures in place? But we cannot dismiss the good of technology and science. We are living much longer than ever before because of modifications in the treatment of health and medicine. We must keep in mind that life requires a balance. There is a polarity of extremes. There is good but there is evil. There is positive and there is negative. There is light and there is night. There is life and there is death. There is God and there is Satan. Some like to choose a particular extreme. Others choose to look at both sides and still others pick a point in the middle of what is available to them. This too at times may be bias and misinformed. “There is no need to seek Truth; only stop having views…The ultimate truth about both Extremes is that they are One Emptiness..Whether we see it or fail to see it, it is manifest always and everywhere…. Prayer I consider prayer powerful. For me prayer is a blanket which provides me with warmth and protection from cold and evil. Prayer connects me directly to God. Prayer engulfs me with grace. Prayer does this for me and so much more. Prayer is my protection. Jesus taught us prayer and Jesus taught us forgiveness. Prayer is being removed from our schools and government. Even here at Regis, I have only had three professors who began class with a prayer. But, there is also a positive note. Crucifixes are now in every classroom while at our prior school there were not. This too is improvement towards God. Spohn speaks of prayer which is my prayer, “when rightly done, liturgical prayer has significant moral consequences…Expressed in prayer and interpreted through preaching, ritual should help the congregation realize what God is empowering and requiring them to become. The complex affections shaped by Holy week ought to leave believers to take a definite moral stance toward their own culture and world ” (Spohn, p 280). This is another example of world views transcending into our modern time. The key words “when rightly done” is important because such harm can be harvested when it is not done right. Fundamentalists waving their bibles quoting the bible verbatim regarding hate can be used as an example. My spiritual director, as well as my studies have convinced me that reading the bible literally can be quite destructive. Interpretation through preaching is imperative in how we interpret the bible as we relate to others. And how is the community being affected by religion? “An estimated 20 % of adult Americans pursue spiritual experiences apart from organized religion…When, (however) spiritual pursuits are extracted from a community context of interpretation, they can easily become superficial or distorted” (Spohn, p281). This superficialness and distortion may also arise from religions which causes a person to seek spirituality elsewhere. What is positive is that there is a revival of spirituality and I argue that the spirituality renewal is a search for God in a quest for balance, another shift in perceptions and another world view. “In every era, Christian spiritualities mediate between religious tradition and the needs and challenges of a particular society” (Spohn, p 283) Ministry In my ministry I want to be a non-judgmental presence for people who come to me for counseling. People have come to me unhappy, discouraged, frustrated and confused about their relationship with others. Most need only to have their stories told in a safe, controlled environment. All have needed their feelings to be validated. I am preparing for my ministry which is a continuous transformation. I am in a position where I can take the time to study, think, read and pray. I have the opportunity to pause. I have choices as we all do, to sink into a world of negativity or to look at the options and do something good even if it is a small step. In our modern world most must focus on so many things in urban society that the self is lost in the process. But, I also believe that we are living in an amazing time with endless opportunities. Of course we are also living in a dangerous time. Wars kill more people, exploiting our planet has caused global warming, our rainforests are recklessly being stripped robbing us of medicinal opportunities. We are a people in trouble. Regardless of our scientific discoveries that continue to expand along with our technical and medical knowledge, we are still allowing people to starve in major portions of the world while we exploit our world in others. Hopefully we can continue to evolve intellectually as well as spiritually without destroying each other or our planet with our tampering. There is an end for all of us including our universe. As Catholics we should take our faith seriously, try to do something good for others and our world, even if it is in a small way. We need to understand the changes we are introduced to in science, economics and politics because we need to understand our faith in the context of a changing world. We need to maintain the balance of the three balls, of humanity, God and the world. We depend on our Catholic leaders to educate us, to enlighten us and to help us with our faith. We depend on our leaders to help us to help others. We depend on our leaders to guide us, nurture us and to help us understand God in our changing world. This is all being challenged and rightfully so. CONCLUSION In June 1988, in a message to a group of scientists and theologians, Pope John Paul 11 urged scientists and theologians to come to understand each other for their mutual benefit. Pope John Paul said, "Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes."(Korsmeyer, p20) I can only live as I know how on a balanced road toward God as I travel with others. Bibliography Barbour, Ian G. Issues in Science and Religion. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1966. CTV news, Toronto, Ont. 1800 hrs. 15 Feb 2010. Korsmeyer, Jerry. Evolution and Eden. New York: Paulist, 1998. Spohn, William. Ed. Holder, Arthur. The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality. “Christian Spirituality and Theological Ethics”, Massachusetts: Black, 2005. McMullin, Ernan. Ed. Evolution and Creation. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1985. New York Times. London. 18 Feb 2110. www.nytimes.com/2008/05/20. Novak, Philip. The World's Wisdom. New York: HarperCollins, 1994. Teilhard de Chardin. Christianity and Evolution. New York: Harcourt Brace Jamanovich, Inc. 1971. Vatican Translation. Letter To Families From John Paul 11. Sherbrooke: Paulines, 1994. Wildiers, N.M. The Theologian And His Universe. New York: Seabury, 1982. Windell, Berry. “Thoughts in the Presence of Fear.” Orion, Autumn 2001, www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/214. I would like to add here a prayer before going to sleep at night apart from the paper I have posted. I cannot remember my source. I actually took the notes for myself, but why not share. Before Sleep - Prayer What made me closer to God and what drew me further away today? 2. When angry and feel it ask for the Holy Spirit to help you. Don’t let emotions take control. When in bad mood - look at it. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you (maybe tired because not enough sleep and then God says sleep and don’t blame someone else). Next week, I shall return to Social Science.

Power - Male Violence - Man and Masculinity (Social Science) notes continues

Every abuse of power (physical, emotional) comes from a sense of powerlessness. There are three steps Does something - Interpret (might be accurate or might not) < React. Power - position / personal. Power - Over/With - eg party. Respect - dignity. Power - Ability to act. Authoritorian/Authority < people subjected know what it is. Masculine terms and values - social science. Physical < men more comfortable. Emotional < women more comfortable. Spiritual. Power - Offensive and Defensive. Children know what buttons to push - Cry - getting dressed - power < due to powerlessness and then causes powerlessness. Abusing father may be beating son so he does not grow up to be like him. Probably came home with liquor on his breath the first time. Video - Among Equals - Groups - Boys - Share reading. Abusive childhood, same as most of the others in the group. If parents abused you, then the child will grow up to be comfortable and feeling loved in an abusive relationship. Powerless to be able to love in a challenging way, so interact in a way that is safe. Boys chase girls and pull off their tuque etc…to get attention from the girls because they like the girls. This is their expression because they feel powerless and when grabbing they feel the power. The girl feels victimized because he has power over her. Say no to a man asking to dance with you may cause the man to feel rejected. One man remarked that he felt rejected and unwanted by his parents and so he feels rejected again when a woman says no to dancing. Sexuality and Spirituality are related. Violating sexually is a deep attack. Intimate relationships are scary because it is the core of who we are. Boyhood- Fantasy - defiance/ action - extra privileges/ physical - rough/ violence - noise/unrestricted - adventures/hero/wildness (without hurting)/rude - natural body noises/competitive - independence/constructive-destructive. Male/Sports - Anticipatory participation - Team work (Sports prepare men for adulthood), competition, physical discipline (physical discomfort) socializes, morality both defined and non-defined; how to behave in the workplace, how to meet objectives in sports = objectives in work place. You don’t create your own play in sports; gives you ability to argue about trivial things: = politicians - man will talk about sports but there is also another level that is indirect. Is this management material? Can I trust this man? (men will build you things and not tell you they love you. Safety thing? 1. Why is so much money spent on sports? What functions to sports play? - Socialization, especially for males. 2. Social Control - entertainment in general. If public gives attention to one thing, it does not concentrate on something else. There is a certain amount of attention, sometimes good and sometimes not. Sports has been seen has having that type of control. A young person focusing energy on sports rather than other things. Focuses on aggression. It becomes part of the culture. It is allowed to happen - How to interact with others. You can act out negative feelings. Difference of spectators and players - Male aggression after super bowl (fan-atic). Europe is more mature than North Americans - a theory. Oppression never works unless oppressors allows it. Next week will continue with theology notes and then back to Man and Masculinity - Erotica and porography. Please be aware that there is a difference between psychology and social science.

Conclusion of the New Missal notes: included from Middle ages - Theology notes

Since it has been a while, I have included my notes from the Middle ages to the conlusion of these notes. Sorry for the delay for those who were interested. The New Missal (From the Middle Ages continues to the Italian Renaissance) - my notes The late Middle Ages goes to the Italian Renaissance and so we move away from cosmic. Rome and Italy is taking leadership again. This humanistic shift is rural to urban, from universe to human. Awareness of human achievement is giving praise to God. There is a return to a sense of the significance etc…- music - complexity. In Gothic there is a window to God. Here the surface needs to fill up. Art and music are dialogue for you - an aesthetic sense. The Reformation - Culture and the scandal of the wealth and politics. The rest of Europe is experiencing the plaque. The show and birthing of culture. Luther - needs to divorce. The Catholic response - Arrival of Trent - 25 sessions over 18 years. Trent is the first council that they need theologians. First having theologians consulting, in order to recover early forms of the mass. If it is going to overcome what led to Protestants Luther separation. We need to go to what was before. This is going to lead to the Trinitarian mass. What comes out of Trent? Suppress physical barriers to the altar. You create a very open church (no pews). You create a church that is back to the original - open, bringing people closer to the altar by moving the choir to the balcony. Emphasize the connection of the ritual to the cross and sacrifice as human participation in God’s saving labours. (It is interesting that in my own church the choir has moved from the balcony to the front and the Creed from Trent is recited rather than the apostles creed) Connect the ritual through scripture, and architecture and the communion of saints as members are now of God’s reign. No longer cosmic. Jesuits design their churches so that you can have a religious play before mass. The importance of preaching in vernacular for catechesis - (that is why they broke away). The mass of Pius V is basically the mass of 1000. There is a new form of education. You take a mystery of faith and music - theme of music - liturgy; Articulating it separately. Make the church a home for people so people feel comfortable. It had great promise. But it is an unfinished reform. There was limited use of the vernacular. The protestants used it and it did not want to be too protestant. Then comes the Enlightment and the French Revolution. The Church all of a sudden takes a defence against the world. We reached out and this is what we got. This is reflected in the architecture - negative retrieval, fortress like, imposing and heavy. Neo-Byzantine, neo Romanis and new Gothic. We get the introduction of the pews. Pews are part of the reformation. In Roman Catholic worship there is a level of passivity. It re-establishes the separation. The pew is terrible. The pew does not make sense in RC liturgy. Sit and watch - passive-. We have now compensated for that. At the time it really destroyed something. It was not designed for that. Vatican II - Sacrosanctum Concilium. The USA and Canada did not experience WW11 like the rest. RC’s fought for country for the first time. Also the American progress- WWII, North America protected in Latin mass. So they were against change. They needed Latin mass for identity. So in Vatican II not so well prepared. Not responding as elsewhere. No terms of reference. A very different situation. It would have been better for someone to articulate better. Vatican II - a renewal in behaviour and orientation, a new ethos, a coherent embodiment of graced living in God’s reign. Third part - After 40 years, we didn’t quite get it right. We needed to better preserve. Chapter 1 - Eucharistic Celebration - unity of meal sacrifice and thanksgiving. Priest first - just off the table, show people outward and last raising high. Lay Ministry - very clear to take up roles, and not as assistant to Father. - Open up sacred time (through silence) so can come back to communal moment. Eucharistic Ministry - like the role of a meal. The role of the presider is facilitator. Choir - support for the assembly voice. Only one place solo during communal procession. Vatican II is clear in teachings. It is the Bishop who knows his, best. Have to be free from local changes. From now on final approval lays on the congregation. This challenges the individual churches. What we have is the exact wording for all over the world. This happened because text was changed very badly sometimes. All Bishops in the English speaking world, who consult in whatever way they wish. So each Bishop of an archdiocese does differently - some of their own. Others call in theologians; others with everyone including Parishioners. God is neutral - father eliminated. Overall more inclusive language - not all.

Bringing you up to date, Seniors, pandemic and moving on to regular notes next week.

I hope you are healthy as you read this. Today one of my universities asked us as alumni to say something to present students. I provided a blurb, called a sibling to see if it did sound good and sent it. I am always amazed at how the universities I went to, reach out to us. I loved university. I have attended two more webinars since I wrote you last as well as my weekly self and client care. I also reached out to a Seniors community centre to offer group work pro bono. I reached as well to a homeless shelter for the same. I quickly heard from the Senior Centre because seniors are suffering so much in isolation. This is my way of giving back. One of our associations asked us to volunteer as Emergency Response for disasters etc…and I did think about that. It involved providing three sessions pro bono and then recommended a price for ongoing treatment or we could offer our full rates. I did not choose to go that route. I feel a sense of responsibility to my clients. When I started practising I was asked by a church to provide free sessions as part of a draw for funds needed by the church. I thought about this and then went to an Association I belonged to and asked if this was ethical. They provided me with some ideas to think about and I did. I finally said no to the church. If I would give three sessions let’s say for free what happens when there are a lot of issues to deal with and the recipient needs more care? I have an obligation. Do I just say that’s it? What happens if the person cannot afford therapy, etc……That was the motivating factor for saying no to the emergency response. During these times of crises there is money for that with the government and charity organizations. That is why I did not volunteer for that. What this pandemic has taught me is that there is a great need for seniors. Retirement homes were the hardest hit. When the military was sent to retirement homes to assist, that spoke volumes to me. Not all aged homes who could have asked for help did. One thing may have been culture. Some people came here from countries where they have suffered abuse from their own police and military. They would fear our military in their homes. They have been traumatized in their countries of origin. That is only one factor that I am suggesting. I have known for years that seniors suffer in homes for the aged. I don’t know how many w 5 or 60 minutes type of shows have brought attention to that. Seniors who have provided so much to society are now suffering neglect. How did we allow this to continue for so long? Some are now saying that Senior homes should not be for profit. In Quebec there was so much negligence in one private home that during an investigation, a nurse went from viewing what was happening, to return to her vehicle to cry. That alone is so upsetting. Not all homes have suffered from the pandemic and perhaps that should be examined. Why are some homes free of the pandemic and others so bad that one, that I know of had to be closed down? What went so wrong? I hope that people can learn from this pandemic. I hope that we can open our eyes to see where work needs to be done and improved. Our premier Ford just the other day on the news was so mad at greedy corporations who are refusing to give tenants/businesses a break that if they don’t he is coming for them. The language didn’t surprise me. I also found it comforting. It is the right thing to do. Our government is also helping so why can’t they do their part. So many people are not working right now. Someone told me just yesterday how fortunate I am to be working. It takes me back to my Ethics course last December before this all started. My colleagues from that Association mainly work in hospitals and are so overworked, one told me how luck I am to have a private practice and to make my own decisions of how many clients I should have. They were very right and now I wonder how everyone is faring. They are the ones that people turn to. How do they maintain their own self care? My associations have been wonderful, especially the Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. I am at awe at how hard they worked to try to make deals with corporations of different platforms authorized to use and more. I did check with the American Association of Family Therapists legal team for ethics regarding providing therapy for Americans. The response was that it was doubtful because I would have to check with each State and be registered with that State etc…….I informed the lawyer that I would not renew my association. It is not with spite, it is just too costly. They too are providing free webinars but aside from the one when I first examined an online platform I have already attended or studied from their perspective. I need new. I am not altogether in letting this option go. I am a Registered Psychotherapist and that is another route I can examine in the future. For now I shall drop the AAMFT and select another Association which consists of a range of psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists etc…….. I think this would be a better choice for me right now and for my clients. However, I shall wait until this pandemic is over. I will miss AAMFT. However, the cost is much to high especially with the state of our dollar right now. It is now practical. The lawyer suggested I stay for the option of attending the conferences. As you know I cannot leave my pets for more than two nights. They grieve each time I leave and are not friendly with others. I rescued them and they do not feel comfortable with others. They are now 19 years old but are so happy and healthy that they might just hang in there. As you know Holy Terror is the star in “The Internet Murders” www.silvaredigonda.com . I also belong to the Sisters of Crime and I have been very pleased with the two webinars they provided. One was at the end of the day on Tuesday where I could barely keep my focus since it was a long day. The other was on Saturday night and I was wide awake and keen. That is the one with the Forensic Psychologist. Initially, she began with the differences between a psychologist and psychiatrist and I thought it was going to be boring as so many webinars have been for me simply because I already know all that. However, that did not stay long. She was riveting. Her lecture covered two of my careers. She has written about 60 books non fiction, and is teaching at an American University. She is also providing a two day on line course. If I wasn’t so busy, I would definitely be interested in doing a PHD in Forensic Psychology at that university. However, I am just one person and I cannot simply do it all. She deserves a full blog and I will provide that. For now I think I have brought you up to date. If you are bored you can buy one of my three books. Keep yourselves safe and please listen to the infectious- disease doctors even if some politicians think they know better. Be able to distinguish opinions from experts in the field. I have decided to continue self isolating and see what happens to the statistics in two weeks. Stay safe and God bless. What do you think? I will like to continue with my theology and psych notes. If you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

Why are people still having problems with social distancing during this pandemic? Why not….

I have been taking this pandemic very seriously. Quite simply I don’t want to get it. I love life. There is much I want to do. My life has always sped quickly and during this phase it is not slowing down. So, I have much to live for. I love the beauty around me. I love nature. I love good company. I love good food even though I have become a vegetarian. I love animals and I respect it all. Many of us knew it was a matter of time before we would have this pandemic. Many of us know that global warming soon will not be reversible,,,,,,,,,And so the story goes. With some, unless there is a knife at their throat, do not see any danger. There are still those who believe that the world is flat. I think one is a politician. If that person got elected than he is not alone in his thoughts. However, because I love life so much, I do expect others to stay six feet away from me. I have my faults. When my neighbour’s pet comes to me, I will give him a treat and it is anticipated that I will. Others keep their pets away from me as if I have the bubonic plaque. I understand. I know pets can get Covid 19, even if they cannot transmit it to humans. However, with humans I make no exception at this moment in time to come near me. I have been good. I have only gone out for groceries. I am happy that yesterday I was able to have Krispy Kreme delivered to me. I had a discussion with a friend yesterday that when this is over, she can come over for a nice dinner. I haven’t seen her since September. She has it all planned out how to maintain social distancing while dining, I would like to wait until this is more down the road. Today they opened the store fronts; parks are now open. I am hoping to get a long walk in but what if I have to go to the bathroom? Maybe I should take my car, limit my coffee drinking, but how do I leave the house without drinking at least two cups of coffee? I almost did it today. I almost went out to my car to drive to my lovely High Park which has just opened. If you haven’t read my second book, you won’t know that when I went to high school, I would skip classes to go to High Park. I have always loved the outdoors. It must be in my second book. I have to read it again (www.silvaredigonda.com). But, then the snow began to fall and to continue to fall. I already stored away my winter clothes including my head coverings. I watched people walk along outside my window in their parka’s with their hoodies up, taking their faithful dogs for a walk. It is a new week, with a new beginning. The hardware stores are open. I have some projects planned but not until I have something done first. The insurance company said I need a new roof. It is not because I need a new roof. Insurance companies now dictate what they want you to do because they can. If you don’t do what they say, then they will eliminate coverage for whatever ……. So, I shall do that because I have other priorities. Then when it is more convenient, I shall drop them and get another company which may ask for other things. My insurance company has not decreased my rates though I have used my car once each month since the pandemic. Others had done so on their own accord and I shall go to them for insurance in future. It may be just good business but it is working for me. I loathe greed, especially during these times. I want to also help the little businesses but again this past Saturday, only two days ago, I went to a local store and I was impressed that all were maintaining social distancing. The owner also began telling a man off who was not maintaining his distance behind me or at least I think she was berating him. It wasn’t in the English language but it was not said with a smile. And then it happened. It was my turn to go to cash and wouldn’t you know it a man came beside me, he faced me and looking down at me barely two feet apart if that, he said “sorry.” Sorry???? I sprang away from him and blurted out “Six feet.” I have been so good, staying at home, walking away from people to stay six feet away and depriving myself of my freedom so I don’t get this horrid virus and then I go to get milk and bread, to have a man hovering over me and saying he is sorry. Not only that but the milk expires tomorrow. Now for sure I am not returning to that store. I know the poor owner was probably tired of raising her voice at people to maintain their distances but the area is not partitioned at all. So, until this pandemic is over, it is over, and I am back at the big stores because they have areas partitioned. They have six feet distances marked. They have their cash registers partitioned off for the safety of their employees and for me. Maybe the city needs to do spot checks throughout the city to ensure that minimum requirements are met. I know that people are demonstrating that they want everything to open, they want to get their hair done, their nails done and some don’t believe there is a pandemic. Well if you still have people believe that the world is flat, the holocaust never existed and scientists don’t know what they are talking about than why not have difficulty staying six feet away from someone? So, I will go to a park very soon and I hope that people don’t congregate because if they do, than the city will be forced to close the parks again and the stores. We can get through this pandemic but only if we work together as a team. Let’s do this. This pandemic does not discriminate. It attacks us all. You may have no symptoms at all and be a carrier. Think about that. And please stay six feet away from me so I can continue to love life and all those in my life including those I serve.

And how was your weekend?

I had an excellent weekend and my foot is still back there. I am quite apt at amusing myself. I awoke once with my pet, Mr attitude purring on my pillow beside my head. He had managed to take the entire pillow, while I had none, but the purring was nice to wake up to. I am pleased that my pets are so happy. As I mentioned last week I was to attend three webinars and almost missed one because it was on a Saturday evening but I remembered an hour before it started and am pleased that I did. My first webinar was about Health and Safety provided by York University. I think they have an excellent program. They sent me an email today with a web site for anyone friend or colleague who may be interested. I am going to post it here. If you are an employer, I would suggest that you send someone to complete the program. I find that many are at a loss of what to do when there are problems that arise. Health and Safety should be implemented at any work force but it is best when someone knows what they are doing. Here goes if you are interested. Actually, I just clicked on this and what it is, is the Patient Navigation of the Pandemic. I watched Part 1, which I felt was enough for myself. I am familiar with what was talked about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttog64BL_0A> You can also check out York University on utube or facebook and the Health and Safety talk should be out soon. The other webinar about couples and fun was not so fun to me. I would recommend looking back last year at my conference at Guelph. The psychologist there was researching the topic and I found that more satisfactory and enlightening. My last webinar was the Sisters of Crime which I am a member of. Usually when there is no pandemic, they meet once a week and, my bad, have never attended. Mainly it is because it is a day when I see clients and sometimes it runs into the evening. As you know I write for fun. I just don’t have the energy after a long day of work. I do have to try to incorporate that somehow because I did learn so much at this one. “How to be a Better writer” can also be found on line. It is free for the members of “Sisters in crime or of crime (men are included). There were about 450 listening and the Editor did provide good tips which I incorporated the next day by reading, Mary Higgins Clark Just Take My Heart. If you are not a member you can watch for a reasonable fee which I would recommend if you interested in writing a book. I also watched a movie somewhere that I would recommend especially to any instructor because it is about life and change and sadness and happiness etc……Have your students watch it and have a good discussion or have they analyze what they saw. “Finding Your Feet” is a British 2018 movie. If you watch it and have an opinion, why not share it? I don’t want to spoil it so I will reserve further comments. I only recognized two of the characters from previous movies. I found it entertaining and educational. So, that’s it for now. We had one beautiful day and that is where I spent it reading a book, on my patio, sipping coffee and practising what I had learned. I need to read my own books again sometime this summer, through different lens. Anyway, please take care of yourselves, maintain social distancing but keep in contact with others through media of some kind or the telephone. Have some sort of structure to separate your day. Be kind to yourself. One of my neighbours left me a wonderful treat and that was a highlight. Some gestures of kindness are so appreciated especially during these times. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask for it. In the city, there are so many resources. If you live elsewhere why not start a support group. What do you think?