Later this week, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference will issue "A Letter to Catholics in Wisconsin on Faithful Citizenship" -- in plenty of time for the Sept. 14 primary. If you'd like to refresh your memory on where the U.S. bishops as a whole stand when it comes to the issues, check out www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship/FCStatement.pdf. Expect the bishops to write another one a little more than a year from now in anticipation of Election Day 2012.

Walking the 'Vinny' 5K: Looking for some exercise or do you just want to support practitioners of the Corporal Works of Mercy? Councils of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Milwaukee and Kenosha counties are sponsoring the Friends of the Poor Walk on Saturday, Sept. 25. You can get the Milwaukee registration form at www.svdpmilw.org and register for Kenosha by calling (262) 657-6366.

Light of the world ... but not of the Empire State Building: As hard as he tried, Bill Donahue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, couldn't get Anthony Malkin to illuminate the upper floors of that landmark in blue and white lights on Aug. 26 -- what would have been Blessed Mother Teresa's 100th birthday. But he did get 1,000 people to come to the site to protest that slight of the founder of the Missionaries of Charity.
The building is illuminated for significant events. While Blessed Mother Teresa's birthday wasn't considered significant by Malkin, the DVD release of "The Simpsons Movie" did get special lighting. I wonder if it will be lit tonight in honor of National Toasted Marshmallow Day? Maybe there'll be s'more to that story.

Speaking of significant people, I want to welcome the newest and youngest Banterite -- my first grandchild, Ryan, born on the feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux. If he has trouble falling asleep, his parents can read him grandpa's blog entries. Glad to be of service.

Catholic quote of the week: Since I'm writing about babies, sleep and St. Bernard, consider these words from that doctor of the church: "We find rest in those we love, and we provide a resting place for those who love us." Amen.

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A couple weeks ago I visited my doctor for my yearly check up. During the examination, I mentioned to him that I had been gaining a few extra pounds these past couple of months, as well as a few other annoying body problems that I had a hard time accounting for. He mentioned to me that it could very well be a thyroid problem, and blood was drawn. He told me that he would be in touch with me in a few days, to tell me the outcome of the test.

The next coupe of days were a little hectic for me, as I was busy with not only work, but finding out all that I could about the thyroid (mainly hypothyroidism, which is responsible for lack of energy, depression, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, etc.). Before I knew it, I had identified nearly all of these symptoms in me. Dry skin? Have you seen my hands lately? Lack of energy? How much sleep does a person need? Weight gain? I just broke the zipper on my third pair of pants this month, hello!   

I talked with my family about this possible outcome, talked to my fiancé Matt, and looked for ways to treat it, naturally or with pills. Friday came and went, and I spent nearly the whole weekend in bed, relaxing and taking naps periodically because, frankly, I had a condition.

Can you guess what happened next? Wait, let me share with you the message I got from my doctor this past Monday:

“Hello Amy, this is Dr. ****. I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you Friday, I’ve been busy and I know you have too with your wedding and everything. Well, I did get the results back from your blood work, and everything looks completely normal. Not a thing wrong. If you have any other questions, just call my office, but otherwise everything is fine with you.”

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Now that Fr. Luke Strand has agreed to change the "God Squad" logo on his car after getting a cease and desist order from Best Buy attorneys, www.chnonline.org/news/local/9689-god-squad-logo-may-change-but-priests-mission-remains.html, let's examine the irony of this.

In 2000, Richard Schulze, the founder of Best Buy, and his wife, Sandra, gave $50 million to the University of St. Thomas in the Twin Cities. When they gave the money to the school, Richard said, "I realize this institution shares my entrepreneurial approach to life." When it comes to evangelization, how much more entrepreneurial than "God Squad" can you get?

 Ever the diplomat: If there was ever any doubt why Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan to New York, one need only look at the former Milwaukee archbishop's approach to the proposed Islamic Center being built two blocks from ground zero. The archbishop said he was willing to mediate a compromise between the center's proponents and opponents.

Referring to how Pope John Paul II handled the Catholic nuns whose convent was on the site of the former Auschwitz death camp, Archbishop Dolan said, "(Pope John Paul II is) the one who said, 'Let's keep the idea, and maybe move the address.'"

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Just received an e-mail from one of my favorite places in the archdiocese -- the Salzmann Library on the campus of Saint Francis Seminary. I would definitely put it on my list of places in which to be stuck during a snowstorm -- not that there will be one of those anytime soon.
The e-mail noted that its first discussion group meeting will be Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. The book to be discussed is "A Brief History of Vatican II" by Giuseppe Alberigo. Learn more about what the Salzmann has to offer at www.sfs.edu/sfslinks_salzmanlibrary.html
If you enjoy Catholic books, know that www.chnonline.org updates its book reviews regularly at http://www.chnonline.org/web-extras/book-reviews.html. The books and their reviews are of particular interest to people who look upon their faith as a commitment that is constantly being renewed, and who look at Catholic literature as an aid in that renewal.

Catholic quote of the week: John L. Allen Jr., writing about why the Holy See doesn't like bishops to resign: "... the Vatican does not like the idea of a bishop resigning for poor performance because, in their view, it's bad theology. As they see it, a bishop isn't a corporate CEO or a football coach, who should be sacked when profits sag or the team goes on a losing streak. The episcopacy isn't a job but a sacramental bond akin to marriage, with the bishop as the father of the diocesan family..."
Given some bishops' history of advancement, several are in second and third "marriages."

Who's outstanding? One of the enjoyable things about being a Catholic in southeastern Wisconsin is the quality of preaching one hears at Mass. I've heard a couple of clergymen that I consider outstanding homilists, and several more that I would label as excellent. How 'bout you? Who do you consider an outstanding preacher? Why? Let me know. Let's compile a list of recommendations for others who appreciate a well-crafted, well-delivered homily.
Speaking of great preachers, this coming Thursday, Aug. 19, is the feast of St. John Eudes. He preached well -- and often -- despite attacks from those inside and outside the church.

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The announcement earlier this week that 38 of the country's 400 billionaires have joined Bill Gates and Warren Buffett in giving half of their wealth to charity has me wondering: Why only half? I'm not knocking what they have done, but there is something to be said for sacrificial giving. When you have the kind of money these people have -- $90 billion between Gates and Buffett, it just seems like they could cut loose with a few more billions.                                   

Your sacrificial gift is always welcome at your Catholic Herald, P.O. Box 070913, Milwaukee, WI 53207-0913. Don't have a billion dollars? We don't either, that's why we welcome whatever you are willing to share.

Radio roots revisited: Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki returns to the airwaves on a biweekly basis beginning Friday, Sept. 10, when his yet-to-be-named radio show debuts at 9:30 a.m. on Relevant Radio, 100.1 FM. The alternate weeks' shows will be hosted by Fr. Don Hying, rector of Saint Francis Seminary. As a priest in the late '70s, then-Fr. Listecki and Fr. Mike Furlan co-hosted "Catholic Conversations" Sunday nights at 10 on WIND radio in Chicago.
Speaking of Relevant Radio, the Green Bay-based network will celebrate its 10th anniversary Aug. 31 with a Mass and other events in Titletown.

Stuff is the stuff of homilies: Stuff must have been a popular topic last week. Two days after posting my thoughts on stuff, I heard Fr. Dominic Roscioli preach an excellent homily on Luke 12:13-21. They -- Fr. Dominic and St. Luke -- offer a lot of insight about stuff.

Questions, questions, questions: We have stockpiled poll questions for www.chnonline.org, but we welcome your suggestions as to what we should ask, just as we welcome your feedback on what we post -- and don't post. While you're visiting the Web site, be sure to sign up for the Catholic Herald e-Newsletter.

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Now that it’s a little over two months until the end of my single days, that also means another big era will soon be concluding: the journey of “Catholic Bride.”

Does this mean that I will be hanging up my hat (if I had one), closing up my laptop (if the one I used to have wasn't stolen) and disappearing from your lives? Absolutely not!

Whether you commented on my writing over the past year, or merely dropped in from time to time to check out what shenanigans I got myself into next, your presence has been dutifully felt. Thank you all for your prayers, inner encouragement and overall help as I began a journey that scared me as much as it filled me with joy.

So, let’s think together about what my blog could possibly be about now. I have some ideas that I’m hoping you all may be able to help me decide on. If none of them appeal to you, feel free to drop me a comment below and suggest whatever your heart desires!

The oblivious chef: While I do work in a catering business, I’m mostly known as a “Sous Chef,” meaning that I prepare the food rather than actually cook it. This blog would be about my journey on learning the basics of cooking, and –

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Walking along North Lake Shore Drive last weekend, and seeing the stuff that had been ruined during the July 22 flood stacked at the curbs in front of the multi-million dollar houses, I was reminded that stuff is stuff. In one neighborhood, the stuff in one's basement might be worth $25 or $250. In another, it might be worth $2,500 or $25,000, but it's still stuff. And should any of it -- whether it's $25 stuff or $2,500 stuff -- get bathed in rain water and/or sewage, its dollar value no longer matters, does it?

Speaking of stuff, if you've read my earlier postings, you know that I thought the Brewers' attempts to encourage fans to recycle cans and bottles were half-hearted, at best. Now, I have no doubt. During recent games, there was no mention of the program or the Waste Management recycling containers as there had been earlier in the season, and there is still as much stuff adorning fences and fields near the ballpark as there was at the start of the season. Having seen that and the "stuff" some members of the pitching staff have -- or don't have, it's hard to determine whether you'll see better stuff inside or outside Miller Park.

Price of fame: Reuters reported July 29 that  nuns from the Abbaye de Notre-Dame de l'Annonciation, a cloister near Avignon, France, had received online death threats following the posting of a clip of their Gregorian chants -- chants that put them ahead of 70 other women's religious communities in earning a recording deal with Universal Music, a part of Decca Records. The person or people making the threats must have come through the same pipe as the aforementioned sewage.

Sports as religion: The real Ordinary Time begins tomorrow, the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, as Packer training camp opens. And if my hopes and those of thousands of other people are realized, January will be Extraordinary Time in Packerland.

On the subject of time and timeliness, I plan to update this on a regular basis, e.g., a posting every Friday. However, I still subscribe to the Mr. Ed philosophy: I don't talk unless I have something to say.

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During the 80's, the Radio Advertising Bureau had a campaign in which it intoned, "Radio is red hot because it works." Now, a report commissioned by an Italian judge says Vatican Radio is red hot, too -- with cancer-causing radiation emanating from its towers. This contradicts a 2001 report that showed no connection between radiation from the broadcaster's antennae and child leukemia rates in the area. In reply to the latest findings, the Vatican said it would provide its own report.
Healing for arthritis sufferers: Aug. 1 is traditionally observed as the Feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorists and an arthritis sufferer. Even though that date is on a Sunday this year, parishes and retreat houses staffed by Redemptorists are encouraged by their leadership to hold a "Blessing for Arthritics" in honor of this doctor of the church. Because it already has a major meeting planned that day, the Redemptorist Retreat House in Oconomowoc will not be holding the blessing.
Sunshine in the form of sausage: While the Germanfest 5K run to benefit St. Ben's Meal Program scheduled for the evening of July 22 had to be canceled due to the weather, Usinger's is still donating two pounds of sausage to the meal program for each of the 1,776 people who registered for the event. Had organizers gone ahead with the event Thursday night, it definitely would have become a 5K swim.
More reading 'n' stuff: The inaugural issue of Catholic Herald eNews goes out later this afternoon. If you are not among the 2,400 people signed up to receive it, sign up now at chnonline@archmil.org
Food for thought: July 29 is National Lasagna Day; July 30 is Cheesecake Day. Since my wife bakes great lasagna and fantastic cheesecake, I trust she will want to give these holy days their due.

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A long time ago I had mentioned to you how I had found my wedding dress and bought it, thus crossing off one more wedding task. Well, it’s been more than a year since I bought the dress, and it doesn’t fit me any more. It's too small.

OK, you can stop laughing at me.

I’ve had a lot of time to consider my options. After thinking things through, I have decided that instead of spending money on altering my dress (which actually doesn't seem to fit my body type any more), I’m going to buy a different one. I actually found one at Miss Ruby’s in downtown Milwaukee that I really, really like, and will fit me just wonderfully. While it isn’t as grand as the first one, at least I can breathe in it, and move around better. It is actually a bridesmaid dress in ivory (soon to be brides, this is a great money-saving tip for you! I only paid $260!). 

So, if you are getting married, or know of someone who is, and haven’t found “the” dress yet, feel free to consider buying mine. I’m willing to let it go for nearly $300 less than I paid for it. It's a beautiful, antique but modern dress in ivory that I wish I could still fit into. 

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So, I would have finished the Insanity workout if I hadn’t sprained my ankle. As it was, Shaun T. kept telling me to breathe through the pain and keep going with the exercises, but I guess my pain was a little too intense for me. I only got through the first week before I had to quite completely, before I did some serious damage (Future note: try not to fast-forward through that part about visiting a doctor before starting any exercise plan, like I did).

So, in about three months, I will be running around crazily as I frantically try to finish the rest of the wedding tasks, knowing that only two days remain before my beloved and I are joined as one. To tell you the truth, it still has yet to hit me that this is the last year I’ll be a single girl. While of course I’ll miss that part of my life, I know that there is much more out there for me in the future.

One thing I’ve been thinking about lately is making a “bucket list,” or a list of things to accomplish in life before I die. When I was younger, I was always making a list of things I wanted in life: To graduate high school, college, leave the country for a good amount of time, take a road trip, etc. Now that I’ve crossed most of them off my list, I think I need something else to accomplish. Such as:

• Hold on to Matt while he drives a Vespa in Italy
• Run a 5K (believe me, three miles would be a huge accomplishment)
• Have 6-pack abs
• Celebrate Oktoberfest in Germany 
• Learn to salsa dance (this is tentative)
• Have lots of happy, healthy babies
• Own a home in a place where I want to spend all my time in the backyard
• Take Matt to Table Mountain and show him my favorite place to eat a packed lunch
• Become an expert at rock climbing

While many of these entries seem pretty far-fetched, I can't help but look back to all the things I have accomplished in my life so far. Honestly, who would have thought that I would one day be looking out at Cape Point, the most south-western point of the African continent?  (See me in green below)

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