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Monday, October 21, 2019

The Empty Church: Transportation Revisited



I have been deeply blessed in the fact that for the most part I have been able to find a ride to Mass. However not everyone is as lucky as I've been. Over a year ago I wrote a blog post that touched on the issue of transportation titled "Who Do I Ask?" Since that time I've been praying and pondering on what kind of practical solutions could be done. I believe with all my heart that something should be done to make things easier. I think the solutions can be very simple. With the over all goal helping people establish connections with in a parish so they can go to Mass.

I know from my own experience that being able to take part in the Mass and being able to get a ride makes me feel like I truly am a part of the parish community. That I belong to something greater than myself. If we truly want to be welcoming as parish communities then we should make every effort to make getting to Mass easier for those who do not drive such as the elderly or the disabled. It is a chance to evangelize that is often over looked or at worse out right ignored. However it is also something that we can change. By being more mindful of the needs of the faithful with in our parishes. I believe that solutions can be found to any problem that we face. Sometimes that means we have to get creative about it. For my own part I'm starting to reach out to people in other parishes to see what is already being done. In fact if you know of a program drop me a note. I would love to hear about it. I have a deep desire to see this issue looked at more closely. The issue of transportation to Mass (and to other parish events) has been on my mind a lot lately. The question for myself is: What Can I do to help solve this problem?

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Twitter: @kc8wzm



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Monday, October 14, 2019

Those of us...




The blog has always been about collecting my various writings. In this case the post was from something I wrote on FB several years ago as a comment on a group. I have now added it to the collection. 


Those of us who have some kind of disability have challenges most people do not fully realize. It is hard for us to be accepted in a society that paints us as people who should not be allowed to exist. It hard for people to take the time to understand or to even get to know someone who has any kind of challenge. I know in my own walk in the shadow of disability that I have seen this first hand. I have been told that I am a burden on society. I've been told that I would never do some things that others take for granted. Like driving. Or even living on my own. This notion that because we have challenges. That we do not have something to offer society is flawed thinking at best. We are not given the chance to shine because often times we are dismissed or worse overlooked. With me their is a frustration that I feel with trying to be accepted for who I am. That yes, I have a mild case of cerebral palsy. That yes I several challenges related to that. In how I talk. In how I move. In how I relate to social situations. I see this all the time when I am at Mass. I see this many times when I'm doing one of my Lego Church Project displays. Which it's core message is disability awareness. I've had some people get a little uncomfortable when I bring up that issue. They see the big guy with his big LEGO church. But they don't always want to know the full story. Many times it is out of fear. Because people are afraid of what they don't fully understand. I don't expect people to understand all that I deal with. But I want people to know that just because you have a disability or challenge. That God can and many times will use your talents. Often it is in very unexpected ways.
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Twitter: @kc8wzm


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Stewards of this Planet




It is written in the Bible that God created the heavens and the Earth. He also gave us (humans) dominion over it. No matter what your views are on Climate Change. The reality is that we are stewards of this planet and by that extension we have a responsibility to do better in taking care of it. Such a view can be held by all no matter what side of the fence you are on. With in each generation new advances in technology are being developed to the point that their are better ways of living that are far greener than previous generations. Such advances should be encouraged and developed that are practical for every day living and are not falling into the extremes that some are calling for. While I do not believe God would allow His created to be destroyed by our own hands. I do believe that we can take better responsibility in preserving this planet for future generations. Sometimes even the smallest action has the biggest impact in our lives. The problem with taking extreme action in any situation is that it often causes problems in other areas of our lives that we never even consider. Taking a more reasonable look at what we can do will help us over all. It may not be the dramatic changes the climate alarmists want us to make. However even a small step can lead to major improvements in the health of our world.
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Twitter: @kc8wzm


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Saturday, October 5, 2019

While I don't Drive.



I've mentioned a few times over the years that I don't drive. Their are a few reasons why I don't. Part of it is because being on disability due to the mild cerebral palsy makes being able to afford or maintain any kind of car/van nearly impossible. Older cars require a lot of work and have costly repairs. Plus the price of gas and rising insurance costs adds up very quickly. It is not cost effective for me given the fixed income that I have. The other reason that I've shared is more medical. My vision in the day time is decent enough. Even with the Visual Snow. However my night vision is another story. I have light sensitivity which also means lots of glare. Also poor recovery time with my eyes. Along with the snow means that my night vision is diminished. To the point that even if I had my own car I would not drive at night because I don't feel safe or comfortable behind the wheel. It can be a challenge at times not being able to drive. Sometimes their is a feeling that you lose some of your independence. I'm blessed for those who help me out. Today I figure it was time that I went into more detail about why I can't drive.
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Twitter: @kc8wzm


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Friday, October 4, 2019

One of the things...




One of the things that most people don't fully know is the fact that I build and display only one church per year. That's the main reason why I call it a season. That process takes me about 1 to 2 months depending on the design, complex nature of what I have planned and how many orders into Bricklink (online LEGO marketplace) I have in. Once the final display is finished up at Christmas at my home parish. I take the project apart over the course of three or four days and then start the process all over again. It truly is a cycle of faith from start to finish. What has kept me inspired is the love of the Catholic faith. The rich beauty in what has come about and the amazing parishes I've visited or seen over the years. I'm doing this to remind myself and others that no matter what challenge/disability you face God can still use your talents in amazing and often times creative ways. We could all use some hope in this troubling world.
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Twitter: @kc8wzm


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