Catholic Carnival #108

Catholic Carnival 108: Themes of Lent

Resisting temptation

For a really good reflection on today's readings I point you to Contemplating Christian

In his homily today Father talked about the need to simplify our lives. We need to learn to practice self denial for the sake of following Christ. Okay point taken.

Then I read C.C.'s reflection on today's reading saying that we have to recognize that it isn't a question of "if" we will be tempted but a question of "when". The answer seem to be with near perfect regularity. Point 2 taken.

Today's reading really came running at me. I had a run in with temptation yesterday and temptation won (this only two days after going to confession....argh). Not being able to receive communion today knowing that I had not been obedient to God really left me feeling empty. But I am comforted knowing that our Lord is waiting to welcome me with open arms in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

another good YouTube video

Christian Enviromentalism

I thought this was an interesting topic that Matt chose to write about.

Responsible Christian Stewardship of the Environment

another Friday lunch option

I found this interesting.

'Colonel Sanders' asks Pope for special sandwich blessing

The U.S. based Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) company, long known for its fast-food chicken is planning to sell fish for the first time and has asked for Pope Benedict XVI’s blessing.

For Lent this year the company is introducing a “Fish Snacker Sandwich,” and has sent a letter to the Holy Father, letting him know.

"This is the first time KFC has ever served fish nationally, and we believe that the new sandwich could make it easier and more affordable for Catholics to observe the tenets of their faith," KFC President Greg Dedrick wrote in a letter to the Pope earlier this month.

According to the AP, the letter asks the Holy Father for a special blessing and offers him a sample of the sandwich.

Well at least I know I have another lunch option on Friday. This week I went to Long John Silver's and asked, "does that combo include chicken" since it didn't really say on the menu and the picture wasn't clear. The guy immeadiately said, "yes it comes with one piece of fish and one piece of chicken but we are happy to substitute the chicken for fish instead". I thought it was funny that he knew exactly what I was getting at. I always like how McDonald's runs the "double fish filet" special during Lent.

Yeah, of course they are trying to make a few extra bucks. I work in marketing so I understand. But I do appreciate places like that making it easier to order something without meat during Lent.

the liturgical crisis

Hat tip to KaleJ atun-Muted Mumblings for this link.

Archbishop Ranjith, secretary for the Congregation of Divine Worship sat down with Inside the Vatican to look at some of the liturgical problems plaguing the Church.

Archbishop Ranjith: "The Holy Father Must Decide"

Looks like we can expect the Holy See to take a hard look at what is going on during the liturgy.

Help me to make my prideful heart contrite O' Lord!

But he said that the things which come out from a man, they defile a man. For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and defile a man. - Mark 7: 20 - 23

Our Lord tells us that pride is a very bad thing. Just look at some of the things it is listed with. I had to be reminded of this. Like all I struggle with various sins, some more often than others. Yesterday afternoon I had a passing thought of, "Hey, it's been a while since I've done that. I'm doing pretty good." Well I'm sure you can see where this is headed. Several hours later that particular temptation presented itself and I fell hard. That's what I get for going and being prideful if even for just a moment.

In the confessional today my priest agreed. He suggested that we should live for the moment and not dwell on the past. Don't allow the thought of, "it's been a while, I'm doing good!" to enter our minds. For as soon as we do we open ourselves up to that very temptation.

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. We should rejoice that in his divine providence and mercy God established for us a central authority to direct the Church in her mission of protecting and teaching the Truth of God.

I have put together an article discussing Peter's primacy and infalliblity on the Catholic Converts blog.

Anglican primates ask U.S. Episcopal Church to restore unity

What we are seeing the Anglican communion makes me ever more appreciate the central authority found in the papacy and magesterium of the Catholic Church. Sure we have our share of whacko's out there defying Rome every chance they get but we can be comforted in knowing that we can always rely on the Church to maintain the fullness of Truth.

Don't 'leave God at the door,' Fargo bishop tells Catholic lawmakers

Catholic politicians must not "leave God at the door" when they walk into the Legislature, but rather must ensure that every decision they make and every bill they pass protect human life and dignity, Bishop Samuel J. Aquila of Fargo said in a column for the diocesan newspaper.

The same obligation not to "abandon God" applies to every Catholic, whatever his or her line of work, the bishop added in the edition of New Earth newspaper that went to press Feb. 15.

Biship Aquila is of course correct. We must remember to not abandon God in our places of work. I work at a publicly funded univeristy where like most the line between Church and State is always watched. Personally, I think that line is over emphasized and abused.

Anyway, I don't try to push my Faith down the throats of my co-workers. As a matter of fact, I'm afraid that sometimes I don't show it at all. I feel that I often fail at living my faith at work. This is something I definately have to work on.

Thumbs up to 6th Circuit Court of Appeals

"Huge Victory" as Court Rules Against Ohio Police in Case of 'Anti-Abortion' Harassment

Today, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio, unanimously ruled that a three-hour police detention of law-abiding, pro-life demonstrators presented valid constitutional claims under the First and Fourth Amendments. The Court reversed a lower court's decision in favor of the law enforcement officers.

Catholic Carnival #107

Catholic Carnival #107 is up.

As always there are some good posts included. There are several discussing Lent and I have a post in the Carnival this week for the second time.

Father Zachary

I have written before about Father Zachary at St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence, Kansas. Thanks be to God for sending me here where there is such a wonderful priest. The other priests at the center are outstanding also.

During his homilies I have heard Father Zachary use the words abortion, euthanasia, contraception, divorce, etc, etc, etc in the same sentence multiple times and then expound of the evilness of these things. His homilies are always full of good sound Catholic teaching.

There is something else I've noticed about Father Zachary at Mass. He appears to truly be filled with joy when celebrating the Mass. During the consecration his voice reflects the joy of the moment. When he elevates the host and the wine it is obvious that he can not control the smile on his face.

I love receiving communion from Father Zachary. When he presents the host it is obvious that he truly believes that it contains the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity or our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Another moment of interest is when he is purifying the sacred vessels after communion. Throughout the process you can see his lips moving has he prays silently and the smile of joy that is constantly on his face. His diligence is unparalleled. He checks and rechecks every vessel and cloth to make sure not a single particle of the consecrated host or a drop of the Precious Blood are lost.

And as he processes out of the church after mass there is always that same smile and lips moving in prayer.

Let us thank God for giving us such a wonderful priest and pray that more like him will answer the call to the priesthood.

If you haven't visited. . .

If you haven't visited the Catholic Converts blog or just haven't been there in a while I suggest doing so. In the last few days there have been a few new bloggers join in.

There has also been a new contributor added to the blog. His first post, The delemma of timing is a very good read. Mark is speaking primarily of conversion but I think what he has to say applies to everyone.

Two good articles from "Arkansas Catholic"

Arkansas Catholic has two good articles up. The first one that I will mention deals with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It's a good read in preparing for Lent.

Reconciliation is personal encounter with Christ

The second article offers a short reflection on Bishop Edward Fitzgerald, second Bishop of Little Rock. February 21 marks the 100th anniversary of his death. Until reading this article I did not know that Bishop Fitzgerald was one of only two bishops to vote against the dogma of papal infallibility during the first Vatican Council. The article offers some explanation for the reasoning behind his vote.

Bishop Edward Fitzgerald was a reluctant but ready servant

new blog

Well, new to me at least.

Mark is an Anglican on the journey of converting to the Catholic Faith. Give his blog, Rise and Pray, a visit and add him to your prayers on his journey.

People of Babel

Today's readings bring us the story of Babel when God said, “If now, while they are one people,
all speaking the same language, they have started to do this, nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do." He then confused their language and spread the people of the world all over the Earth. The responsorial psalm goes on to tell us that God, "brings to nought the plans of nations; he foils the designs of peoples". And then in the Gospel we have Jesus telling us,
"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?"

How much so are we like the people of Babel in that we are often so concerned with making a name for ourselves here on Earth that we are in danger of forgetting the heavenly rewards which we may forfeit? Additionally how often is it that when we place our own desires above those of God that we find our plans not coming together? It's only when we trust God and turn ourselves over to Him that we find our true lives.

In a broader sense consider the state of the world today. We have companies, politicians, and whole nations trying to make a name for themselves by any means necessary. How often do we see these endeavors ultimately end if failure at the cost of great suffering for many.

Consider what happens when we throw out God's law and try to replace it with the satisfaction of our own desires. We end up living in a world where it's considered discriminatory to use words like mother and father and innocent children are denied a chance at life before they are even born.

God has given us the gift of free will. However, we must recognize that the exercise of that free will carries with it definite and sometime severe consequences. We live in a world of war and rumors of war where a few are rich and thousands are starving. Families, communities, and entire nations are torn apart by disagreements in matters for which there would be no disagreement if we remained faithful to the law of God.

We are very much like the people of Babel. We have become so caught up in making a name for ourselves and having our every desire met that we have all but forsaken our place in God's kingdom. We must recognize that the problems created by our attempts to reign supreme are not merely new challenges to overcome. They are a definite sign of God's supreme reign and authority to bring the plans of nations to naught and to foil the designs of people.

Discriminatory language?

Mother
Father
Husband
Wife
Marriage

These words are considered discriminatory in Scotland's health care services.

The story about Elizabeth A. Oljar, "Assistant Professor and Chair of Philosophy, University of Detroit Mercy, "a Catholic university in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions.", has been circling the blogs the last few days. Much of the uproar is about the sticker on her office door that states "Just Say No to Sex With Pro-Lifers"

Check out that flyer right under the sticker. It says:

To my fellow citizens who are gay or lesbian:

I am appalled at the recent decisions of 11 American
states to deny gays and lesbians the legal benefits of
marriage. I believe it to be as unjust as denying
interracial or mixed faith couples the same set of
benefits. It [unable to make out] an unconstitutional denial of civil
rights, and we must fight together to change it. I
would be honored to join you in this struggle. Until
justice prevails, we might remember the words of
Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn.

When you're lover's in a dangerous time
Sometimes you're made to feel that your love is a crime
But nothing worth having comes without some kind of
fight
Got to kick at the darkness til it bleeds
daylight.

Bruce Cockburn
"Lover's in a Dangerous Time"

There is something handwritten in red ink at the bottom of the flyer that I can't make it. The best I can come up with is "I'm *** Purity!" But I have no idea. It is signed Elizabeth A. Oljar.

There is also a cartoon right below the flyer. The title says, "Operation Heterosexual Freedom". It is a political cartoon that depicts President Bush as trying to equate homosexuals with terrorists.

Is this really a person that should be teaching ethics at a Catholic university?

the natural family, marriage and family values." = hate speech?

This is absolutely unbelievable. The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has a case before it stemming from Oakland, California that could potentially outlaw the promotion of Christian values while protecting the active promotion of the homosexual agenda in much of the western United States.

Use of the Words 'Natural Family' Ruled Hate Speech, Appeal Hearing Underway

Back in February of 2005, United States District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled the city of Oakland had a right to bar two employees from posting a Good News Employee Association flier promoting traditional family values on an office bulletin board. According to the lawsuit, gay and lesbian city workers had already been using the city's e-mail, bulletin board, and written communications systems for promoting their views to other workers, including the plaintiffs.

Plaintiffs, Regina Rederford and Robin Christy posted the flier in response to an e-mail to city employees announcing formation of a gay and lesbian employee association. The two responded with a promotion of their own -- the start of an informal group that respects "the natural family, marriage and family values."

But supervisors Robert Bobb, then city manager, and Joyce Hicks, then deputy director of the Community and Economic Development Agency, ordered removal of the flier, stating it contained "statements of a homophobic nature" and promoted "sexual- orientation-based harassment," even though it made no absolutely no mention of homosexuality.

Activist liberal judges are steering this nation further and further away from the moral foundation upon which it was built. The irony is that in ruling that these women were not discriminating against the court is in effect discriminating against them. If one group is going to be given the freedom to open promote their views it is discrimination and down right bigotry to not let another group promote their opposing views.

Catholic Carnival #106

Catholic Carnival is up!

As always there is something for everyone. I would suggest God Forgives Me. Can I Forgive Myself? by Fr. Ben Hawley, SJ.

Also check out Fr. Hawley's other blog Living' Christ's Eucharist in Our Daily Lives.

Categories!

Calling Rome Home now has categories. They are in the side bar. Thanks for visiting!

Holding hands and the Orans position

When I was first exploring the Catholic Faith and just beginning to attend Mass, I was never really comfortable with holding the hands of those around me during the Our Father. I didn't know why but I just seemed out of place. I was also troubled by some peoples practice of imitating the priest during the Our Father and praying with their hands extended, otherwise known as the Orans posture.

As I read and learned more I found out that there is a very good reason for not doing these two things during the Our Father. It's in conflict with the prescribed rubrics of the Mass.

For a good explanation see these two articles on EWTN.

Orans Posture ("Praying" Hands Extended)
Holding Hands at Mass

The Orans Posture

In the rubrics the Orans gesture is asked principally of the Main Celebrant, but on those occasions where either a priestly action is done (Eucharistic Prayer) or prayer in common (Our Father) all the concelebrants do it.

It is never done by the Deacon, who does not represent the People before God but assists him who does.

Among the laity this practice began with the charismatic renewal. Used in private prayer it has worked its way into the Liturgy. It is a legitimate gesture to use when praying, as history shows, however, it is a private gesture when used in the Mass and in some cases conflicts with the system of signs which the rubrics are intended to protect. The Mass is not a private or merely human ceremony. The symbology of the actions, including such gestures, is definite and precise, and reflects the sacramental character of the Church's prayer. As the Holy See has recently pointed out, confusion has entered the Church about the hierarchical nature of her worship, and this gesture certainly contributes to that confusion when it conflicts with the ordered sign language of the Mass.

Holding Hands

1) It is an inappropriate "sign," since Communion is the sign of intimacy. Thus, a gesture of intimacy is introduced both before the sign of reconciliation (the Sign of Peace), but more importantly, before Holy Communion, the sacramental sign of communion/intimacy within the People of God.

2) It is introduced on personal initiative. The Holy See has authority over the liturgy according to Vatican II's "Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy" #22 and canon 838 of the Code of Canon Law.

So there you have it. If you are a hand-holder or use the Orans posture during the Our Father and ever find yourself standing next to me during Mass do not be alarmed or offended that I do not participate. I am simply trying to follow the rubrics of the Mass as prescribed by the Holy See.

Priestly Celebacy

Moneybags at A Catholic Life shares his thoughts on priestly celebacy and the article linked above.

Moneybags is planning to enter the seminary in Fall 2007. Please keep him in your prayers as he journeys toward ordination as a Catholic priest.

**rolling of the eyes**

Found this over at Boudreaux's Blurbs



Even if this "mass" wasn't being celebrated by priestesses there would be so many things wrong with it that I wouldn't even begin to know where to start. Pay close attention and see how many "whacko-ism" you can find. There is a BIG one very early in the video.

The Global Face of the Church

Vatican stats confirm growth of church, especially in Asia, Africa

Some interesting stats as of the end of 2005:

1.12 billion Catholics
17.2 percent of the world population

Global population increase from 2004: 1.2%
Catholic increase from 2004: 1.5%
Global increase in number of priests: .1% (520)

For every 100 seminarians at the end of 2005:
32 from the Americas
26 from Asia
21 from Africa
20 from Europe
1 from Oceania

Doing some math:
Catholics at the end of 2004 = 1,103,448,276
Increase in Catholics to end of 2005 = 16,551,724
Number of new Catholics per new priest = 31,830

Keep praying for those increases in vocations!

Trusting God

Yesterday's Mass readings and homily got me to thinking about how much trust I put in God vs. how much I rely on the material means of this world. It seems like I'm constantly worried about making enough money to pay the bills, impressing the right people, making the right contacts to get that next good job, etc. Taking from yesterday's readings sometimes I think I may be planted a little further away from river that others and it seems like my roots tend to get cut back from time to time. I'm thinking that this sense of distance could be the result of my tendancy to worry about things and how to fix them without first putting my complete trust in God. After all, when I think about it He has blessed me greatly. Sure that have been some times when I barely got by but I've never hit rock bottom. There's always been that extra $50 when I needed it or an new opportunity when I was just ready to give up.

Then there is today's Gospel from Mark:

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore. -Mark 8: 11-13

I would have to say that I am guilty of being like the Pharisees at times. Rather than just trust God to provide and to guide me I sometimes find myself waiting for a booming voice from Heaven to tell me what I want to hear. It's like I expect God to show me exactly what the future holds. Well, I haven't heard any booming voices from Heaven. What I do have however is the past to relect upon. Like I said, things have always worked out one way or another. Maybe that is my sign. Maybe that is God's way of saying "look, it's all worked out before hasn't it? Why don't you trust me now?" This is definately something to keep in mind as the Lenten season approaches.

Traditional Latin Mass

Thanks to Kansas City Catholic I am now aware of the Traditional Latin Mass offered at Old St. Patrick Oratory in Kansas City, Missouri. Looks like I have an excuse to head over to Kansas City sometime soon.

Urgent Prayer Request

From a poster on DCF

Please pray for little Sophia. This little girl, who goes to St. Joseph's School, Boise, has a brain tumor. She is very small for her age 7 -- caused by the tumor apparently. The tumor was discovered last week by doctors who were trying to figure out a cause for her small stature. The tumor is wrapped around her pituitary gland and her optical nerves. They expect that it will take three surgeries to remove the tumor, and she is probably going to lose some or all of her eyesight. The first surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 13. Pass this prayer request on to anyone who is willing to join in prayer for her. Pray for a miracle for Sophia. Pray for her team of surgeons.

Big Brother is watching

Several bloggers have noticed a high level of hits on thier sites originating in China after posting on topics that the communists don't like. Like politics, abortion, Catholisism, Christianity, etc. KaleJ at un-Muted Mumblings brings some humor to the subject with this little graphic. Let's see how many hits are generated by this post written by an anti-abortion, Catholic blogger who isn't a big fan of communism and already got one hit within 5 seconds off a post that contained the word "politicians".

EU Threatens to Withdraw Aid to Nicaragua if Pro-Life Law Remains

Representatives from the European Union are increasing pressure on the government of Nicaragua to reverse its recent law which unilaterally forbids abortion under any circumstances. According to a report from the Catholic News Agency, the EU representation has threatened to withdraw economic assistance to the country if the abortion law is not reversed.

Nicaragua’s new abortion law was unanimously voted in by the Nicaraguan Legislature in October, 2006 and signed into law by then President Enrique Bolanos the following month. Nicaragua’s new president, Daniel Ortega voiced his support of the pro-life law in his election campaign.

Marc Litvine, the EU representative to Nicaragua, said that the EU regards legalized abortion as “linked to aid programs against poverty and to the rights of women”. He expressed hope that “the new government will be capable of opening the debate and discussing it outside the passion of the electoral season.”

According to the article opponents to the law are blasting government officials saying that the law was used as an election platform. Hmm, politicians used this law as a platform, they were elected, and passed the law unanimously. Sounds like the people spoke to me.

“That’s where I see one of the contradictions of the new government; it claims to be progressive, very modern, and it is going backwards because for us [the pro-life law] is a step back.” Mark Litvine, EU representative to Nicaragua

I never ceased to be amazed that people can really see the systematic extermination of human lives as the mark of human progress.

good things happening in the Diocese of Little Rock

Even though I recently moved out of the Diocese of Little Rock (Arkansas) I try to keep up with what is going back home.

New program's goal: From Sunday-only to everyday Catholics

76 parishes and missions in the diocese have signed up to take part in the Why Catholic? program.

On a side note it's interesting that those 76 parishes and missions are represented by 58 pastors. Just a reminder to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood.

rebuilding in Lebanon

I just ran across the artricle from the Catholic News Service:

Like others, Lebanese Christians in South work to rebuild lives
The town of Khiam sits atop a rocky hillside, with breathtaking views across Israel to the south and the snowcapped peaks of the Golan Heights to the east.

But during Israeli attacks against the militant group Hezbollah last summer, four-fifths of the town's buildings were completely or partially destroyed, and the surrounding olive groves and farmland remain littered with unexploded cluster bombs.

Among the badly damaged buildings were two of the town's four Christian churches, for although Khiam is populated predominantly by Shiite Muslims, it is also home to a small Christian community struggling, like everybody else, to rebuild their normal lives after the war.

"Before the Israeli invasion of South Lebanon in 1978, 25 percent of the population here were Christians," said Pierre Wanna, 28, a local Christian. "Now there are only 25 families out of a total of 700." continue reading

St. Charbel Makhlouf pray for the faithful in your country of Lebanon that they may find peace and safety in the comfort of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Catholic Carnival 105

There are some very good posts in the Catholic Carnival this week. Check them out!

Catholic Carnival 105

Wash your mouth out with soap.

Moneybags atA Catholic Lifehas a very good post discussing cursing and profanity.

Is Bad Language a Sin?

This is definitely something that I struggle with. Sometimes my language can get pretty colorful. I work in an environment that is full of choice words. Sometimes it seems like conversations are little more than long strings of explicitives. When I first started my job a few months ago I was known as the person that rarely let one of these words fly. Over the last few months it has become more common. My co-workers are still surprised when I let a rather long string loose. I know this isn't good. I should be setting an example with my manner of speech. One more thing to work on in the constant struggle against sin.

St. Charbel Makhlouf

St. Charbel Makhlouf is my "2007 Saint of the Year". Click here to read the first installment on his life.

From Lives of the Saints

By the time he was sixteen, he had completed his basic schooling under an oak in the village churchyard, where he was taught by the priest with the other village boys. The Christian spirit of the entire village was remarkable; the men regarded it as a great privilege to ring the church bells for Sunday Mass. Youssef during his days on the hillside with his little flock, often retired to a grotto to pray, for solitude was his joy, and prayer the breath of his soul. He was serving Mass every morning, and in that function he discovered the true purpose of his existence: to be, like his Saviour, a victim to be offered, with Christ, to His Father.

At the age of twenty-three he left home silently one morning, and made his way to a monastery a day’s journey away. Only one thing mattered to him — to obey the voice of the One who summons: Come, follow Me. When his uncle and tutor, Tanios, tried to persuade him to return, he could not succeed; and his mother, who had accompanied her brother, taking his hand in hers, and shaking it energetically, said to him: “Well then, if you should not become a good religious, return with me to the house!” He received the habit one week after entering the monastery, and chose the name of Charbel, a martyr of the Antioch church in the year 107.

There followed two years of a severe novitiate, completed in the monastery of Annaya, which on its mountaintop seemed to breathe the stars, then the young monk was sent to prepare for the priesthood farther away, at Saint Cyprian of Kfifan, where he was ordained six years later at the age of 31. He returned to Annaya afterwards, where for sixteen years he was in every way a model of perfection, until in 1875, at forty-seven years of age, he retired to its nearby hermitage, where he would remain until his death. He was offering Mass a week before Christmas, when paralysis struck him as he elevated the host. His sorrowing companion, during a week’s time, heard him repeating as long as he had voice, the prayers of his uncompleted Mass: “O Father of truth, behold Your Son, victim to please You; condescend to approve [this offering], because for me He endured death, to give me life...” Saint Charbel died quietly on the 24th of December, attended by three monks.

Luukas' latest test results

From Luukas' mom:

Soooooooo.....

Luukas' EEG is still highly abnormal, with epileptic spikes so he is still getting medicine. We are now changing his baby-medicine to adult-medicine because he is so "big" already. He has never had an attack but he has some little uncontrolled movements.

Luukas has brain damage, but there are also good cells, even in the cortex. So perhaps I should forget the words of an ICU neurologist in June: "terrible, terrible damage". The lower parts of the brain, the better. Luukas' cerebellum is almost completely untouched, while in June they told us it was squeezed by the swelling in his brain.

Funny thing is that Luukas has much damage in the hearing area of his brain, but his hearing is normal. His eyesight is progressing, although it is still far from perfect, and the vision part of Luukas' brain is not very bad, so in time he might see better and better.

Luukas' current neurologist says she can't say how he will develop, but he will be developing.

Thank you and please continue to pray for Luukas.