To all my readers who live in Allegheny County:
The Department for Economic Development in Allegheny County has a survey on their website. Please take it. It’s short and will let the county authorities know how you want your tax dollars spent.
On a related note, here are some Pittsburgh blogs. It’s not a comprehensive list by any means.
True Pittsburgh
Pittsblog
Photosuperstar
The Conversation
The Daily Dish
The Science of Non Compos Menticism
Jilly!
Dave Copeland
One of the groomsmen at Jerry’s Wedding, Way Jeng, wrote a hilarious account of some of his Pittsburgh experiences this weekend. His blog has other interesting reads as well.
On a more serious note, here are some research survey results.
Born Again Adults Less Likely to Co-Habit, Just as Likely to Divorce
Family Background Affects Marriage Views
Here’s an interesting article about spirituality
and religiosity amongst college students.
College can be religious experience
Survey finds spirituality influencing many students’ political and social views
By the time Laura Conrad arrived at Carnegie Mellon University for her freshman year, she had lost interest “in all that religious stuff” from her Jewish day school background in Newton, Mass.
But a funny thing happened to Conrad on her way through college: She became more religious. And she discovered that her self-described “liberal” views on politics and morals were strengthened by her spirituality.
Some of the sited stats fall in the
“duh” category while others are somewhat surprising. The details of the
study conducted could be helpful to campus religious organizations.
We got a bit of a surprise today at Heinz
Chapel. In attendance at today’s mass was none other than Teresa Heinz Kerry.
“But she’s a Heinz and it’s the Heinz Chapel. So what if she was there?”
Well, in the 5 years I’ve attended, served, or sang there, I’ve never seen her.
Anyhow, she talked to the celebrant after mass. I wondered if they’d talk about
politics, but as it turns out, the conversation revolved around the weather. She
commented on the noisy fans and how hard it was to hear the priest. She asked why
fans are used instead of AC. Well, there is no AC.
THK: “Well, I imagine its cool most of the time, though.”
PRIEST: “Actually, it can be quite unbearable and I feel particularly bad for couples
marrying here. They spend a lot of money to use this chapel and they’re horribly
uncomfortable during the mass or service.”
THK: “Oh, well then I’ll have a talk with the engineers.”
Woohoo! Speaking as someone who sweated his butt off in a cassock and surplice today,
AC would be a blessed gift.
Before anyone asks whether she received communion, I’ll tell you that I don’t know.
I wasn’t assisting at the altar today. If she did, I will brook no derogatory remarks
about the priest, who is a fine, upstanding, and orthodox member of the clergy;
a credit to the legacies of Philip Neri and John Henry Newman.
I’m glad Mrs. Kerry came today. She got a good dose of Latin, sang tasteful hymns,
and a heard a thought-provoking homily.
My buddy Russ wanted people to know about this.
I’ve talked to some of you about this and know others are regular listeners to Catholic
Answers, the radio show on from 6-7pm on WPIT 730 and WZUM 1590. Just want to give
a heads up that Catholic Answers, after next month, may no longer be able to continue
its broadcasting on WPIT. WPIT is the stronger of the two signals, extending far
beyond Pittsburgh and not as subject to weather conditions as is WZUM. It is also
on a Protestant station, which is why I think it is a great asset to Pittsburgh.
Many non-Catholics come across the program and have the opportunity to learn about
the Faith. My family in Maryland and other friends around the country don’t have
the good fortune of having any Catholic broadcasts on the radio.Unfortunately, Catholic Answers has to pay for that time slot and will not be able
to support it without more help from Pittsburgh listeners. I know what a wonderful
help the program has been to me in understanding the apologetic arguments for the
Faith and for the uplifting support that it gives to those of us wanting to really
live it fully. The good news is they only need 100 people or so to become Radio
Club members, which involves a monthly donation, to continue broadcasting. If you
happen to be in a situation where you can make a sacrificial offering or know folks
that are, please check out the Radio Club at http://www.catholic.com/radio/benefits.asp
(Please mention WPIT as your station). And please pray for that ministry, it’s kicked
off a lot of new Catholic stations and programs around the country. It’d be great
to someday have a Catholic station for every Protestant station on the dial. Also,
if you haven’t seen the Forums at www.catholic.com they are pretty interesting,
lots of good discussions going on.