The east side of Cleveland, a love/hate relationship, extremes of internal and external stimuli packed into densely populated neighborhoods, proved rewarding today.  The drive to Holy Rosary attained a significance in appreciation.  Descending steeply down Edgehill, rounding a sharp curve, an unknown immense church steeple standing hilltop, destined for the red bricks of Murray Hill, a sense of something unique surrounding pervaded more than usual as I entered Little Italy.  Quietly listening to soft piano and violin music, a sense of calm overwhelmed.  Beauty existed within the passing city vista.  The sound of my tires upon the red bricks, traveling slow, accentuated the music.  City driving can be rewarding.  My mileage is down drastically since starting the new East Cleveland job.  I am becoming accustomed to city driving—traveling few miles, yet encountering heavy traffic. I understand I will still suffer moments of intense irritation and frustration.  The physician assistant overseeing the healing of my staph infected fingertip hosted me today near the intersection of Som Center Road and Wilson Mills in Mayfield Heights, allowing me to pass by St Paschel Baylon.  Passing by the church on my way home, I was able to pick up material for the third season of Arise, the second I will be attending.  I was asked to lead the Thursday evening meeting at St Paschal Baylon.  It will be a small gathering, however I am intrigued by possibilities as the significant other will participate.  We have agreed upon an intense concentration upon finances, tracking daily every penny spent, developing an acute awareness of where money is going, allowing a long term plan of Godly orderliness to develop.  It reminds me of a non-Catholic Christian friend, a remarkable Bible scholar serving the Salvation Army as a general, one of his favorite mantras: ‘Our God is a God of order and detail’.  The Sunday Gospel reading, “For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.  I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.  The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.  If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth?  If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? —allowed a clear explanation of the importance attributed to a mature faith coming to peace, acceptance, and responsibility regarding money.  Delusion is eliminated as self-awareness through planning and cognizance, authentic stewardship, replaces a carefree unrealistic handling of finances.  The maturity existing within the structure of the Arise sessions will allow an indirect addressing.  God is good and all giving.  I am tired and need to look over the Arise material.

Here is a photo from my cellphone, a wonderful painting stationed to the left of the sanctuary, paying homage to the feast day of the Italian Saint Januarius.  During his Homily, the priest told of the remarkable life of the MIlano Bishop, his miraculous survival after being placed amongst starving lions, finally suffering martyrdom through a beheading. I was charmed to watch an old Italian woman gently wrap the painting in a protective blanket before carrying it off.  I imagined it was hers and she was promptly taking it home. Several men offered to carry the painting.  The painting was nearly as big as the diminutive woman. She refused both offers, smiling as she exited the church with her possession.

From Catholic Online: St. Januarius was born in Italy and was bishop of Benevento during the Emperor Diocletion persecution. Januarius went to visit two deacons and two laymen in prison. He was then also imprisoned along with his deacon and lector. They were thrown to the wild beasts, but when the animals did not attack them, they were beheaded. What is believed to be Januarius’ blood is kept in Naples, as a relic. It liquifies and bubbles when exposed in the cathedral. Scientists have not been able to explain this to date. St. Januarius lived and died around 305 A.D. and his feast day is September 19th.