It's sad that Catholics no longer observe Rogation Days -- the three days prior to Ascension Thursday when Catholics were invited to pray that fields would yield a great harvest.
It just so happens that today would have been the second of the Rogation Days. It is also the Feast of St. Isidore the Farmer. Formal observance or not, pray that the yields of the fields are bountiful.

Something about which to be excited: In more than 35 years of covering diocesan and archdiocesan meetings, rarely have I been as enthused about them as I was the archdiocese's May 5 evangelization summit. The connection to the upcoming Year of Faith is a natural one.

Archbishop Listecki and Bishop Hying explained the why and how of evangelization not in terms of another archdiocesan program -- thank you, God -- but as the baptized carrying out their mission to proclaim the Gospel. Bishop Hying said it best: "We can’t stay in the basement; we have to get up on the roof."

Don't expect the faithful to take the express elevator to the roof. Several parishioners noted that Catholics aren't comfortable talking about their faith, while others said they needed the tools in order to be able to do it. Nonetheless, not only is the intent there, but the training to make it happen is going to be provided. Read more about the summit at http://www.chnonline.org/news/local/11238-out-of-the-basement-up-to-the-roof-catholics-called-to-evangelize.html.

With friends like these... It's one thing -- a terrible thing -- to have the Obama Administration poke Catholics in the eye on the matter of religious freedom, but did Georgetown University have to select Kathleen Sebelius as a speaker during the university's Public Policy Institute's awards ceremony on May 17? As Health and Human Services Secretary, she is the point person on the president's plan to require Catholic health institutions to either violate their consciences or cease to provide services.

What's next at Georgetown -- Vice President Joe Biden being named a guest lecturer in moral theology?

Meanwhile... On the other side of town, The Catholic University of America's commencement speaker May 13 was Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan. His address on "The Law of the Gift" included this rimshot moment: " ... But this (commencement) this morning is especially meaningful for me, as I myself am a proud and grateful alumnus of this institution of highest learning, having left here thirty years ago . . . and just finished paying my tuition . . ." http://instantrimshot.com/

Be chipper: Since I began by talking about food, it is my responsibility to inform you that today is National Chocolate Chip Day.

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Monthly book review time!  Today’s review is on a book of which many of you will know the main character, Timothy Cardinal Dolan. The book is the recently released second edition written by his brother, Bob Dolan, entitled “Life Lessons, from my life with my brother Timothy Cardinal Dolan,” published by Tau Publishing. This second edition was written by Bob to include a chapter on the 2012 consistory in Rome and more photos as well.?

This book more than ever shows Cardinal Dolan for who he is, an ordinary man called to do extraordinary things for the faith. Bob Dolan shows his brother in a different light, telling stories from them together as children all the way up to stories that happened at the consistory. He alternates his chapters: one chapter tells stories about Cardinal Dolan and experiences of his throughout his life, usually centered around a turning point of some sort…whether it was his call to study in Rome or his coming to Milwaukee to be archbishop of the diocese. The next chapter is what Bob calls a “Life Lesson” chapter, in which they have a conversation relating to different matters of the faith, usually with Cardinal Dolan explaining to Bob (and to us) the teachings.

There are many points throughout this book that made me laugh, and also many that made me think about what Cardinal Dolan was saying, and how it made so much sense. It is written in a simple, straight-forward style that was enjoyable, and can be read by people of all ages. If you want to see a slightly more personal side to Cardinal Dolan, I highly recommend this book.?

“60 Minutes” calls Cardinal Dolan the American Pope. After reading this book, he is, in my view, as “All-American” as it can get, and that is not a bad thing.

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Comments are always appreciated - anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.

Here is some basic information about the library:

• Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
• The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
• There is free Wi-Fi available.
• "Like" us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.
• The library catalog is available online.

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Library shelf-shifting update, another room done! The stacks where we house the BV-BX books are completed, and we should have room to add books for years to come again. Now only one more left to do.

This past weekend I went to the Engaged Enrichment Day with my fiancé at the Cousins Center. First off, it was well done, and Lydia and Jenny deserve major credit for how everything went. I thought it was well worth it, as the presentations and speakers gave us so much information about how to better our relationship with each other, as well as strengthen our relationship with God.

This made think about what we have here at the library in regards to these topics, and indeed, we have quite a lot. We have many books and several DVDs on marriage preparation, as well as books about relationships in general. If you are already married, there are also many books available for you as well. Whether it be growing your relationship or just reading books on spirituality for married couples, the library can help you out.

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Comments are always appreciated - anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.

Here is some basic information about the library:

• Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
• The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
• There is free Wi-Fi available.
• "Like" us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.
• The library catalog is available online.

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On Sunday, April 29th, Saint Francis de Sales Seminary will be having an open house for anybody who would like to come and visit. The day begins with Mass at noon in the Seminary Chapel, and then the open house from 1 to 3 p.m., with tours, activities and refreshments. Here is the opening paragraph from the website:

“Saint Francis de Sales Seminary is opening its doors this spring to all who wish to meet our seminarians and see this beautiful Catholic icon, its exquisite and historic nature and picturesque wooded setting. The event will focus on how every individual is distinctly called to live God's unique mission for them. Bring your family, school and Christian formation groups, confirmation classes and friends. Make an afternoon of it!”

The library will also be open during this time, and we look forward to you stopping in if you haven’t been here before, or visiting us again if you have already. One will be able to sign up for a library card at this time as well.

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Comments are always appreciated - anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.

Here is some basic information about the library:

• Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
• The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
• There is free Wi-Fi available.
• "Like" us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.
• The library catalog is available online.

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Today is Pope Benedict's 85th birthday. He's exactly eight years older than Bobby Vinton. This Thursday marks Benedict's seventh anniversary as pope. 

Stewardship 101: Like the shiny objects about which he writes, the title of James A. Roberts' book,  "Shiny Objects: Why We Spend Money We Don't Have in Search of Happiness We Can't Buy" lured me to pluck it off the shelf at the public library. I'm glad I did. While never mentioning "stewardship," he does, in fact, write a personal guide to that Christian principle. It should be a "must read" in every Catholic university's undergraduate curriculum.

Numbers: During his Easter Sunday homily at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan noted that 3,000 people were in the cathedral, "while one Timothy Tebow" was preaching to 25,000 people in Houston. The cardinal didn't mention that the latter's speaking fee is somewhere in the $50K to $70K vicinity. Speaking of the cardinal and crowds, if you are planning to attend his 4 p.m. Mass at Holy Hill on Saturday, April 28, visit here http://www.archmil.org/ArchdioceseEvents/Cardinal-Timothy-M.-Dolans-Mas.htm?ReturnURL=/Events.htm?DateRange=day&Classifications=&Keyword=&Date=4/28/2012&Date=04-28-2012 16:30 so you aren't surprised that day.

Let's go for a walk: If you aren't planning on going to Holy Hill April 28, you are invited to join members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, including me, at the Beds4Kids Walk at 9:30 that morning at Mount Mary College. The money we raise will buy beds for children who don't have one. Get the details at (414) 462-7837.

Misguided mission: There is a Planned Parenthood "Clergy for Choice" committee in northern California that is in the midst of "40 Days of Prayer" for abortion. According to a release from the Institute on Religion and Democracy, the group is praying for, among other things, "a cloud of gentleness to surround every abortion facility." One has to wonder who includes that in his/her prayer intentions. By the way, no Catholic clergy are members of this "Clergy for Choice" group.

Break into song: This is National Karaoke Week. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGzYWrn-XGM

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I know that I have done book reviews off and on throughout this first year, but this one will mark something different. The plan is, God willing and the creek don’t rise, to have now a monthly book review, probably in the middle of the month. That way you will know when a new book review will appear, and it will also keep me on track to continue reading these new books. As I mentioned in a previous blog, these will be mainly religious books unless I read something incredible that I think everybody should read.?

So, without further ado, here is the new Salzmann Selection monthly book review.

The book this month, “Common Nonsense: 25 fallacies about life…refuted,” is written by Fr. Cliff Ermatinger, pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Milwaukee and a local author whom I wrote about in my Feb. 24th blog. In the book, published in 2005 by Circle Press, Fr. Cliff tries to bring a common sense approach to “…trite sound bites that you are know are wrong but can’t say why.”?

Although it is a philosophical book, Fr. Cliff does not delve so deeply into philosophy that somebody with little interest in philosophy, like myself, will go cross-eyed and fall into a trance while reading. He starts each section with the fallacy, then goes a little more in-depth on the fallacy, gives his answer to the fallacy and then articulates the reasoning against it.?

Although some of the topics could be dry, Fr. Cliff does a great job throwing humor in when he can, whether it is just a funny analogy or a simple story about his former experiences. He makes his arguments clearly and concisely, never straying from the topic but making points flow into a logical conclusion. He also does not delve deeply into major theological points, although definitely referring to God and religion throughout, preferring to answer many of these points with common sense and logical thinking. However, at the end of fallacy #25 he does give his recommendation where to go for further information.

If you like having information at your disposal for debates with friends, or just want to feel more informed, I recommend this book.

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Comments are always appreciated - anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.

Here is some basic information about the library:

• Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
• The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
• There is free Wi-Fi available.
• "Like" us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.
• The library catalog is available online.

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Just wondering: How many Catholics attending the Brewers' home opener on Friday will actually observe the Good Friday fast and abstinence? For those who need a refresher, those practices have nothing to do with speed on the base paths and laying off pitches in the dirt, respectively. Archbishop Listecki said it best when he wrote about abstinence from meat for Catholic Brewer fans on Good Friday: "As much as we love the Brewers, unlike Jesus, they didn’t die for your sins."

Benefit of mild winter: Without snow to shovel, Lent was less Lenten.

"And with your spirit": If you really want to be an Easter person, don't glare if people respond, "And also with you" to "The Lord be with you" during Easter Mass. It's possible that they haven't been to Mass since last Easter. If you have to look, which you don't, make it a welcoming look. That might encourage them to return sooner than next Easter.

Catholic quote of the week: Pope Benedict XVI in his Holy Thursday Chrism Mass homily: "Anyone who considers the history of the post-conciliar era can recognize the process of true renewal, which often took unexpected forms in living movements and made almost tangible the inexhaustible vitality of holy church, the presence and effectiveness of the Holy Spirit. And if we look at the people from whom these fresh currents of life burst forth and continue to burst forth, then we see that this new fruitfulness requires being filled with the joy of faith, the radicalism of obedience, the dynamic of hope and the power of love."

Look beyond: May you be enriched by the Triduum and may your Easter -- both the day and the season -- be full of alleluias.

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We here at Salzmann Library would like to wish everybody a Happy and Blessed Easter…I used to serve for a priest who would say, “He is risen…he is risen indeed.” I hope everybody gets to enjoy their weekend.

Also, I want to mention that next week I will be starting a new feature for the Salzmann blog, a monthly book review. I realize that I have been spotty with my book reviews, and believe that if I set up a monthly one, it will be something that people can look forward to. The books will be religious in nature unless I read something incredible in another topic and feel I have to share it with you.

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. Comments are always appreciated. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.

Here is some basic information about the library:

• Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
• The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
• There is free Wi-Fi available.
• "Like" us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.
• The library catalog is available online.

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No matter who wins the $640 million from Mega Millions tonight, come Sunday it is still Holy Week. For those who believe, the "winning" occurred on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. For the record, I would have no objection to being the "who" that wins the $640M.

By the numbers: There is no particular significance to April 2 on the church calendar, but consider that it is the date on which the following were born: the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin; Archbishop Emeritus Rembert Weakland; Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal Edward Egan; and Fr. Domenic Roscioli.

Happy the worshiper: According to a Gallup analysis, reported on MSNBC.com, "Americans who attend a church, mosque or synagogue regularly are generally cheerier than those who don't. The effect is particularly sharp on Sundays, when weekly churchgoers receive a mood boost, while less-frequent attendees see a decline in good feelings."

That could be a foundation block for the New Evangelization, a campaign built upon the theme "Feel better. Worship this Sunday" or "Good God. Good worship. Good feelings." Call the jingle writers.

Week for the weak: Holy Week is many things, but maybe it is a week for we who are weak when it comes to defending the faith, weak when we should be a voice of hope for the despairing, weak when evil tempts us. It is, in fact, a week for the weak. May your Holy Week be a blessed one, and one that gives you strength in times of weakness.

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First off, a quick note for the library’s Holy Week schedule (can you believe that it is next week already?!). We will close on Holy Thursday, April 5th, at 4 p.m., be closed through the Triduum and will reopen at noon on Tuesday, April 10th.

I cannot believe that we are only a week away from Holy Week (less than that for the start of it). This Lent has seemed to fly by for me. However, this just means we are moving toward another Church season, Easter. I remember in grade school the priest trying to explain that Easter is not just one day but seven weeks, which invariably led to the question,  “Can we eat candy like its Easter for seven weeks?” (These were the younger years of grade school).

It is a time of celebration, and celebration does include prayer and jubilation. If you want to find something, or try to help explain to your child that Easter lasts seven weeks and it is more than eating candy, Salzmann can help, both with children and adult books on Easter.

In a personal update, I can finally make it official (was not saying anything so that I could not be blamed for jinxing it); I just closed on a house this past week. A really nice place in Cudahy (never in my wildest dreams thought that I would be a south-sider), and I am extremely excited to move in there in the upcoming month.

In two weeks (due to Holy Week next week), I know everybody has been waiting for it (drum roll)…will be the long awaited return of Mark’s book review! For more information, you will have to tune into next week’s blog. Same bat-time, same bat-station (I do hope that many of you get that).

As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, let me know. If you have any books that you have read or have read the books I mention, please leave a comment. Comments are always appreciated. We here at Salzmann also want to know what people are reading. Anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.

Here is some basic information about the library:

• Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr., St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
• The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
• There is free Wi-Fi available.
• "Like" us on Facebook – Salzmann Library.
• The library catalog is available online.

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