Centerpiece October 2005

THE CENTERPIECE
October, 2005
The newsletter of the
Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind

535 North Neville Street
Pittsburgh, Pa 15213
PHONE: 412 682-1800

Bob Mates, Director
Sherri Crum, Associate Director

The Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind seeks to reach out to the visually impaired of Pittsburgh, feeling their needs, and touching them with the love of Jesus, that they may reach out and touch others with the love of Jesus.

THE CENTERPIECE is available in Braille, large print, and on cassette tape. You may also read it online, at our web site: www.plcb.net.

Terri Winaught Editor

The CENTERPIECE,
October, 2005
FROM THE EDITOR
In September's CENTERPIECE, I stated that October was Respect Life Month, and added that my From The Editor column and Bible Bits would reflect that theme.
When most people think of the pro-life movement, they no doubt think exclusively, or at least primarily, about opposition to abortion. While that is such a significant issue that it will be mentioned in this newsletter, it will not be the area on which I will focus this column. Instead, the primary aspect of respecting life on which I will focus will be the validity that our lives as people with disabilities have even though many people may think otherwise. To illustrate this point, I'd like to share a story from www.heartwarmers.com, entitled, "Click, Click, click."
CLICK, CLICK, CLICK by Pauline Fraser
We ducked into the dimly lit thrift shop to get out of the rain.
Like so many things since our daughter's birth, I hadn't planned on a trip to this place. But I figured we'd see what they had since we were there.
"Hi, today is stuff a bag day. Would you like one?" the clerk asked.
"What is stuff a bag day?"
"You take a bag and stuff it with what ever you want and it's only $3. Best deal in town."
"Okay, sounds great," I said, despite the fact I hadn't planned on buying anything.
I took my six-year-old daughter's hand and we started to wander around. Suddenly there was a tug on my hand and my attention was being directed to the shoe section.
She shares my weakness for shoes, so we stopped for a minute to look. I let go of her hand and she reached out to touch a pair of shiny black shoes with a strap and silver buckle.
"Buy me?" she inquires.
"Oh, Sweetie, they are tap shoes. You aren't taking tap."
"Buy me?" she repeats.
"Well, let's try them on."
She sits on the floor and removes her bright pink rain boots, with Barbie on the sides, and easily slides the new shoes on. A perfect fit. When she stands up she hears "click." She takes a step. Click, click.
Slowly recognition dawns, as she makes the connection between the shoes and her moving feet. Click, click, click.
"Buy me?" with a hopeful look in her eyes. Again, "Buy me, peas?"
"Okay Sweetie, take them off and put them in the bag."
We look around some more and get a few t-shirts, pants, books and games and a naked baby doll.
Well, it's stuff a bag day -- might as well get my money's worth, I think to myself.
The sun has come back out as we emerge from our little side trip and we continue on our way. As we near the car, Amara reaches for the bag. As she climbs into the back seat, I give her the bag wondering what treasure she is looking for. The shoes, of course. She is my daughter after all.
"My wear."
It's not a question, so I took the tag off and helped her with the buckle. Our next stop was the grocery store and these shoes were made to make noise, especially on my little girl's feet. This could be interesting...
Click, click, click -- people turn to look as we enter the store.
Click, click, click. I can feel the disapproving stares of the proper people. People who would never allow their daughter to wear tap shoes to the grocery store. I hold my head up with pride. The click, click, click is music to my ears.
"Excuse me dear. Is your daughter in tap this year?"
"No".
"Well why on earth would you allow her to wear tap shoes, here, of all places? They make such a noise."
"Yes, isn't it wonderful?"
"Wonderful? My dear, this is not the place to wear those shoes."
"Oh, I think this is the perfect place to wear them. You see she asked for them."
"Just because she asked for them, doesn't mean you have to get them for her."
"You don't understand," I said. "When she was a baby, we were told she would never walk or talk. It has taken a lot of hard work and patience but she ASKED for the shoes and the click, click, click says that she CAN walk."
My daughter, the one who never stays still, or quiet, will graduate from grade twelve next year. It has not always been easy, but it has all been worthwhile.
She has taught me that it doesn't matter what others think. They don't walk in your shoes.
And just like the ladies in the purple hats, sometimes you simply have to wear tap shoes to the grocery store -- if for nothing else, just for the sheer joy of hearing the click, click, click.
I was so touched by the story I just shared and thought it such a good pro-life theme because I'm sure that many of you, like me, as premature babies weren't expected to live, and when you did despite great odds, your parents were no doubt told that your l Yet, so many of you who participate in the Lutheran Center's ministries have done, and continue to do so much with your lives. How much poorer our world would be if any of you had just been "let go" at birth because you were so fragile and born too soon.
Certainly there are parents out there who would let their children "go" due to the mistaken belief that a life with a disability can't be a life worth much just as Michael Schiavo, his attorney, people who shared his views and indeed the United States Supreme Court thought that Terri's life wasn't worth much as she became increasingly disabled.
In your prayers during the month of October, I would encourage you to say an extra prayer that, what seems to be an atrophy of compassion toward the most frail and forgotten will be replaced with a build-up of passion to defend life at all stages and ages.
If you have suggestions for this column, I'd love to hear from you and I know that our dedicated director would, too, so call Bob Mates at 412-682-1800 or e-mail him at bluesbob at earthlinkddnet.
God's peace and richest blessings,
Terri Winaught
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SEPTEMBER's MEAL
About 20 people attended September's delicious meal of sweet meatloaf on Saturday the 24th.
In Bob Mates' absence, Associate Director Sherri Crum did an excellent job of enabling the meal to run smoothly and having everyone feel welcomed.
Although Sherri did not do a devotion, she did a wonderful job lifting up everyone's concerns in prayer and leading us in the singing of Happy Birthday to meal attendees with June, July, August and September birthdays.
As it always is, the meal was concluded with Pastor Spittel doing an inspirational job leading a Vespers service.
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CONTRIBUTOR's CORNER
In Sickness And In Health by Kathy Susany
When I first asked Kathy what she was going to write about this month, she said that she would finally be finishing her series on blood. After giving it more thought, however, she decided that she would instead enlist her cat, B.J4's help in writing this month's column. "After all," Kath explained. "Last month's column was so serious with its focus on natural disasters that I thought we could lighten things up this month with some humor." And lighten things up, both Kathy and B.J. will with their words of wisdom on "Ten pet peeves cats have toward people." Because Kath finds having a cat so therapeutic, she will probably also address the therapeutic value of pets. So without further ado, let's hear a "pur?-spective from a feline friend and her very fine owner.
Pets' Pet Peeves
I'm not really sure whether this column belongs in In Sickness and in Health, or A Little Humor, but here goes.
They give us un-conditional love. They never ask questions nor argue with us; they never make demands. Pets can play an important part in our lives. They give us un-conditional love. They never ask questions of us nor argue with us. They are always there for us, no matter what. Stories abound of how pet-assisted therapy can impact people's lives. There's person who mumbled incoherently and was withdrawn; when a cat was placed on her lap, she stopped mumbling and became focused on the cat. There's the autistic woman who came out of her shell when confronted with a kitty; she managed to say "hi" to the kitty. Studies have shown that petting a pet for five minutes can lower a person's blood pressure, and that people who own pets are physically and mentally healthier than those who don't have pets. Pets can combat depression and loneliness; they give us much companionship. They are a wonderful addition to our lives. All they ask of us in return is food, water, shelter, lovestaffection, and a little stimulation.
However, sometimes people do things--or don't do things --that pets hate. My cat, B.J., has outlined ten pet peeves--no pun intended--that give all cats (and perhaps all pets) much grief. As I said before, I'm not quite certain where this material should go: in my In Sickness and in Health column, or in the Little Humor column. I think I'll let our dedicated and diligent director decide. So now, straight from the horse's mouth--or, rather, from the cat's mouth--are ten pets' pet peeves. Actually, I've observed some of this through the years that I've had B.J.; therefore, some of this is observational data as well as what B.J. has told me. So, here we go.
number 1. Pets hate it when people run that thing called a vacuum sweeper. For further details on this, or for you new-comers to my written creations, please see my recent article about banning all vacuum sweepers.
number 2. Pets hate it when people go out and "not never come back". When this happens, pets feel abandoned and rejected; they feel lonesome and nervous. They think people will never see them again. Pets can have a separation anxiety when people leave home.
number 3. Pets hate it when people don't give them attention when they (pets) want it. According to B.J., anyway, people should stay home all day long and pet kitties when they want to be petted, not just when people want to pet them.
number 4. Pets hate it when people don't feed them "yum-yums" when they (pets) want them. When B.J. wants fed, she wants to be fed "yesterday", or five minutes ago". Also, she likes it when I watch her eat and tell her what a "good kitty she is".
number 5. Pets hate it when people won't let them (pets) do nippy-nippy, scratchy-scratchy, and pouncy-pouncy when they (pets) want to do these actions--at least B.J. does, anyway. I'm not sure about doggies, but many kitties have this pet peeve.
number 6. Pets hate it when people--doctors--give them what they call "shots"; they (people) stick these things in them (pets), and it hurts. Also, people stick these things--thermometers--up their (pets') buts to take what people call temperature. Pets hate that sensation.
number 7. Pets hate it when people hold them (pets) when they (pets) don't want to be held, and they (pets) also hate it when people put them in this "box thing" they (people) call a "carrier". There's not enough room for them (pets) to move about, and it's hard for them (pets) to look out at the world around them. (pets)
number 8. Pets hate it when people "squash them"--sit on them, or step on them--and "interrupt their "seepy-seepy"--sleep. When people "squash" them", it hurts, and pets should be able to sleep for as much, and as often, as they (pets) want.
number 9. Cats, at least, hate it when people bring a dog into the room where they (cats) are; many doggies probably hate it when people bring kitties into the room. B.J. says that "doggies look mean and always seem like they're (dogs) ready to attack them". (kitties) Many dogs may feel that cats will attack them--dogs--as well.
number 10. Finally, pets hate it when people don't like them. (pets) According to B.J., "If you don't like me, then I don't like you." Animals know who likes them and who doesn't. Some people just don't bond well with pets; that makes them (pets) mad, or at least confused and annoyed. Since pets give us such un-conditional love, they expect us--people--to love them un-conditionally in return.
Well, there you have it; ten of pets' most popular pet peeves. They're not necessarily listed in the order of their importance; according to B.J., all of them are of equal importance. I'll see you next timeddnext

A Little Humor ... Very Little by Bob Mates
While writing the title of this column, I found myself thinking how imperative it is that Bob change the title of this column. I say that because I am currently working with someone through Mercy Behavioral Health who has Lou Gehrig's Disease. Though there is so much he can no longer do, one of the things he can still do is laugh, and laugh heartily he does whenever I read the CENTERPIECE's humor column to him. So with the hope that you, too, will get some good belly laughs, here, now, is what I insist on calling, "A Lot of Humor ... Quite A Lot."
Hi, gang: after reading Kathy's column, I asked Maxy-wax if he agreed with it. He said the only part of it that he took issue with was the part about dogs looking mean. He said that he has absolutely no ill will toward cats. In fact, he allowed as how he'd like to invite B.J. over for dinner! The question he had was whether or not she'd fit in the dog dish! Poor Max; don't think quite gets it.
Since we're talking about pets, I want you to read a bit of writing, which I think is hilarious! It was written by the great jazz musician and composer, Charles Mingus. He describes how he toilet-trained his cat! I don't think he meant it to be funny, but it really is. Enjoy!

Charles Mingus Cat Toilet Training Program
1 First, you must train your cat to use a
home-made cardboard litter box, if you have not
already done so. (If your box does not have a
one-piece bottom, add a cardboard that fits
inside, so you have a false bottom that is
smooth and strong. This way the box will not
become soggy and fall out at the bottom. The
grocery store will have extra flat cardboards
which you can cut down to fit exactly inside
your box.)
Be sure to use torn up newspaper, not kitty
litter. Stop using kitty litter. (When the time
comes you cannot put sand in a toilet.)
Once your cat is trained to use a cardboard box,
start moving the box around the room, towards
the bathroom. If the box is in a corner, move it
a few feet from the corner, but not very
noticeably. If you move it too far, he may go to
the bathroom in the original corner. Do it
gradually. You've got to get him thinking. Then
he will gradually follow the box as you move it
to the bathroom. (Important: if you already have
it there, move it out of the bathroom, around,
and then back. He has to learn to follow it. If
it is too close to the toilet, to begin with, he
will not follow it up onto the toilet seat when
you move it there.) A cat will look for his box.
He smells it.
2 Now, as you move the box, also start cutting the
brim of the box down, so the sides get lower. Do
this gradually.
Finally, you reach the bathroom and, eventually,
the toilet itself. Then, one day, prepare to put
the box on top of the toilet. At each corner of
the box, cut a little slash. You can run string
>do the box, through these slashes, and tie
the box down to the toilet so it will not fall
off. Your cat will see it there and jump up to
the box, which is now sitting on top of the
toilet (with the sides cut down to only an inch
or so.)
Don't bug the cat now, don't rush him, because
you might throw him off. Just let him relax and
go there for awhile-maybe a week or two.
Meanwhile, put less and less newspaper inside
the box.
3 One day, cut a small hole in the very center of
his box, less than an apple-about the size of a
plum-and leave some paper in the box around the
hole. Right away he will start aiming for the
hole and possibly even try to make it bigger.
Leave the paper for awhile to absorb the waste.
When he jumps up he will not be afraid of the
hole because he expects it. At this point you
will realize that you have won. The most
difficult part is over.
From now on, it is just a matter of time. In
fact, once when I was cleaning the box and had
removed it from the toilet, my cat jumped up
anyway and almost fell in. To avoid this, have a
temporary flat cardboard ready with a little
hole, and slide it under the toilet lid so he
can use it while you are cleaning, in case he
wants to come and go, and so he will not fall in
and be scared off completely. You might add some
newspaper up there too, while you are cleaning,
in case your cat is not as smart as Nightlife
was.
4 Now cut the box down completely until there is
no brim left. Put the flat cardboard, which is
left, under the lid of the toilet seat, and
pray. Leave a little newspaper, still. He will
rake it into the hole anyway, after he goes to
the bathroom. Eventually, you can simply get rid
of the cardboard altogether. You will see when
he has got his balance properly.
Don't be surprised if you hear the toilet flush
in the middle of the night. A cat can learn how
to do it, spurred on by his instinct to cover
up. His main thing is to cover up. If he hits
the flush knob accidentally and sees that it
cleans the bowl inside, he may remember and do
it intentionally.
Also, be sure to turn the toilet paper roll
>do so that it won't roll down easily if the
cat paws it. The cat is apt to roll it into the
toilet, again with the intention of covering up-
the way he would if there were still kitty
litter.
It took me about three or four weeks to toilet
train my cat, Nightlife. Most of the time is
spent moving the box very gradually to the
bathroom. Do it very slowly and don't confuse
him. And, remember, once the box is on the
toilet, leave it a week or even two. The main
thing to remember is not to rush or confuse him.

Good luck. Charles Mingus

Now that Bob has shared his wonderful submissions that always elicit churchfuls of chortles, great numbers of guffaws, and lots of lilting laughter, here, now, is my contribution, courtesy of good friend, Aimee Yunt, about the Van Gogh family:
His dizzy aunt-- Verti Gogh
The brother who ate prunes-- Gotta Gogh
The brother who worked at a convenience store --Stop n Gogh
The grandfather from Yugoslavia-- U Gogh
The cousin from Illinois-- Chica Gogh
His magician uncle-- Where-diddy Gogh
His Mexican cousin-- A mee Gogh
The Mexican cousin's American half-brother-- Gring Gogh
The nephew who drove a stage coach-- Wells-far Gogh
The constipated uncle-- Cant Gogh
The ballroom dancing aunt-- Tang Gogh
The bird lover uncle-- Flamin Gogh
The fruit loving cousin-- Man Gogh
An aunt who taught positive thinking-- Way-to-Gogh
The little bouncy nephew-- Poe Gogh
A sister who loved disco-- Go Gogh
And his niece who travels the country in a van, Winnie Bay Gogh
And there ya Gogh
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LUTHER's SMALL CATECHISM: Part 2

Last month, we started a six-part series, in which we would reprint a part of Luther's Small Catechism. Last month, we published his writing on the Ten Commandments. This month, we will reprint Part 2, the Apostles' Creed.
No one is really sure who wrote The Creed. It was probably written in the early centuries of the Christian Church. It's one of the briefest, and yet, best summaries of the faith. It is divided into three parts, each part corresponding to one of the parts of the Trinity. Part one, about the Father, deals with creation; part two, the Son, redemption; part three, the Holy Spirit, sanctification. Here, then, is section two of the Small Catechism: The Creed
II. The Creed The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to His Household
The First Article On Creation
I believe in God the Almighty Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth.
What does this mean?
I believe that God created me, along with all creatures. He gave to me: my body and soul, my eyes, ears and all the other parts of my body, my mind and all my senses. He preserves them as well. He gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and land, wife and children, fields, animals and all I own. Every day He abundantly provides everything I need to nourish this body and life. He protects me against all danger. he shields and defends me from all evil. He does all this because of His pure, fatherly and divine goodness and His mercy, not because I've earned it or deserved it. For all of this, I must thank Him, praise Him, serve Him and obey Him. Yes, this is true!
The Second Article On Redemption
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried, descended to Hell, on the third day rose again from the dead, ascended to Heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Almighty Father. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ is truly God, born of the Father in eternity and also truly man, born of the Virgin Mary. He is my Lord! He redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, bought and won me from all sins, death and the authority of the Devil. It did not cost Him gold or silver, but His holy, precious blood, His innocent body--His death! Because of this, I am His very own, will live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him righteously, innocently and blessedly forever, just as He is risen from death, lives and reigns forever. Yes, this is true.
The Third Article On Becoming Holy
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the community of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and an everlasting life. Amen.
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot come to my Lord Jesus Christ by my own intelligence or power. But the Holy Spirit called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as He calls, gathers together, enlightens and makes holy the whole Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus in the one, true faith. In this Church, He generously forgives each day every sin committed by me and by every believer. On the last day, He will raise me and all the dead from the grave. He will give eternal life to me and to all who believe in Christ. Yes, this is true!
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Devotion by Bob Mates
When it comes to writing and presenting devotions that are Bible-based helpings of chicken soup for the Christian soul, no one does it better than our Dashing Director. So let's listen to, learn from and reflect on Bob's Bible-based words as he does what he does best.

Riding The Bus In A Post-Christian World
by Bob Mates

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 3:16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (NIV)
A few Saturdays ago, my Leader Dog, Max, and I were riding the bus, on our way to work. A lady boarded the bus and, after saying that she recognized Max, asked me if I was "saved." I replied that I'd received Christ back in 1981. She told me that she knew exactly when Jesus was returning. I said I was surprised, since the Bible is clear that no one knows the day or the hour of His return. She informed me that she had been given a special revelation. She also told me that He was coming back in a big space-ship. She also said other things, which I don't remember.
Now, it would be easy to laugh at this woman. You could shake your head, and say, "That lady was pretty strange.". However, that would only be a superficial answer. There are two points to be made about my conversation with her.
The first point is that, in the context of the world in which we live, i.e., a Post-Christian world, (that means, a world in which Christianity is no longer held in high esteem, but is, rather, just another philosophy), it is important for us Christians to know what we believe. This lady was absolutely convinced that what she said was true. No amount of arguing could change her mind. Therefore, it is important for us to be just as convinced of the true gospel as she was of her lies. We must know that God, not because we deserved it, but because of His boundless love and mercy, sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins, thereby reconciling us to Himself. We must know that Jesus was crucified for our sins, rose from the dead, overcoming sin, death and the devil, and will be coming back for His church, at some future time. This is the gospel, and we must know it.
But, it isn't enough just to know it; we have to be able and ready to communicate it, too. St. Peter tells us to be ready to give an answer, when asked for a reason for the hope we have. We are blessed people; people of faith and hope. We have to communicate that faith and hope to a faithless and hopeless world. Peter also admonishes to communicate this hope with gentleness and reverence. We cannot be arrogant: indeed, we have nothing to be arrogant about, since we were not redeemed because of our merits, but because of His grace!
I was actually quite glad to have had this conversation with the lady, because it gave me the opportunity to share the gospel, not only with her, but also with anyone else who might have heard our discussion.
When Saint Paul preached at the market-place in Athens, he found that Christianity was looked upon as just one of many philosophies. Yet, with boldness, and confidence, he preached the gospel. We find ourselves in much the same position today. It isn't our job to try to be slicker or more palatable than anyone else; it's our job to speak the truth, with gentleness and sensitivity, but to speak the truth, nevertheless. That's what we try to do here, at the Center, and that's what we must try to do everywhere. May God help us in this endeavor.
Amen.

Although I have never contributed to this column before, I felt inspired to do so this month by contributing a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama.
While I do not agree with everything he says, he makes many excellent points and presents some salty food for thought that some might find hard to digest. I received the following poem from my cousin, Ruthie:
JUDGE Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama. The judge's poem sums it up quite well.
America the Beautiful,
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;
I'm glad they'll never see.
Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
your house is on the sand.
Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine,
Choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain.
From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love
and a need to always pray.
We've kept God in our temples,
how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.
We've voted in a government
that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges
who throw reason out the door,
Too soft to place a killer
in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
before he leaves the womb.
You think that God's not angry,
that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?
How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?
If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:
Then God will hear from Heaven
and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.
But, America the Beautiful,
if you don't -- then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee.
--Judge Roy Moore
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Personal PROFILES
Anyone who attends Lutheran Center meals with any degree of regularity knows Lois Briggs because she has been such a faithful attendee since the Center's beginnings in March, 1999.
Since such faithful attendance makes Lois a perfect person to profile, let's sit back, relax and learn a little bit about Lois:
Question: Since you have been involved with the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind since its beginnings in March, 1999, how and when did you learn about the Center? Answer: One afternoon while listening to the snow cancellations on KDKA Radio, I heard that the center was closed. Since I am Lutheran and I had never heard of a Lutheran Center for the Blind in Oakland, I called directory assistance, called the number a couple days later and of course the humorous personality of the director extrordinaire compelled me to come and see
Question: In addition to attending monthly meals, are there any other ministries you are involved with: For example, do you attend the monthly comBible studies, or have you ever attended support groups which Bob has facilitated from time to time? Answer: I never miss the bible studies, but have not attended anything else.
Question: At the beginning of each CENTERPIECE, Bob Mates states that the Center's mission is to reach out to the blind community of Pittsburgh, "feeling" their needs and touching them with the love of Jesus. How does the Center accomplish that mission in your life, and what more could the Center do to carry out that mission? Answer: Bob and Sherri's caring shines bright as well as that of all the volunteers, most especially Debra. Pastor and Leigh's joy in serving all God's children is evident in their interaction with each of us, and for me personally, Cindy's caring is shared with me as she chauffeurs me back and forth to the North Hills for the dinners. Bob's bible studies are very interesting and well prepared and although we too often get side tracked they are enjoyable and informative Personally, since we do tend to get side tracked and because so many folks straggle in throughout the hour further adding to the problem, I would suggest extending the time by half an hour and would suggest to those who wish to attend the bible study that they plan to arrive earlier.
Question: Those who know you even a little bit know what a full and active life you lead. What are some things you would like Centerpiece readers to know about you? Answer: I have three terrific children and eight nearly perfect grandchildren ranging in ages from the oldest of ten to the youngest of nine months -- four girls and four boys.
I enjoy bowling when I'm doing it well and moan and groan when I stink; which is more often than it use to be. I loved darts for many years until I got to the point where I was missing more than I was hitting, although Pittsburgh Vision Services move had as much to do with my current inactivity in that as anything else.
I enjoy attending River City Brass Band concerts, the Pops, Broadway Series concerts, the C.L.O. and Pittsburgh Public Theatre and dining out before or after these events with my dear friend and cohort Dorothy Locchetta.
I am active in Trinity Lutheran Church in Avalon where I am about to begin my seventh year on congregation council and my fifth as Fellowship chairman. I was in charge of our Apple Blossom Festival Chinese auction for three years which raised $4,200.00 for various mission projects. I bake for Meals On Wheels, have participated in our St. After School program, the Avalon Christmas Walk and I support all of our local and global mission projects as fully as possible. I have served as a lector and chairman of the lenten supper committee. My greatest claim to fame in the "service of the Lord" is that of being the annual MCST-EDIAN for the Shrove Tuesday Talent Show.
I enjoy people and I'd say the thing I like most about myself is my spontaneous sense of humor. I consider the ability to make folks laugh a gift from God.
Question: What additional comments not covered in the above questions do you have?
Answer: i'm sure I've said much more than you or anyone else wanted to know so I'll just say God's blessings on you.
REMEMBER: YOU are the star of this column! If you'd like to be spotlighted, you may call Bob Mates, at (412) 682-1800, email him at: bluesbob@earthlink.net, or, call me, Terri Winaught, at: (412) 403-1431. Don't miss your chance to be the star that you are!
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BIBLE BITS
As I say each month, the best way to grow in your walk with and love of Jesus is to study His living Word through Scripture. It is because I feel this way so strongly that I feel badly about being unable to present Bible Bits this month, the reason being that the many Scripture verses I have accumulated during the past year were lost in my Braillenote when it crashed. What I am presenting in its place are some excerpts from a Priests For Life column written by their National Director, Father Frank Pavone.
"Once admit the right to kill unproductive persons . . . then none of us can be sure of his life." So spoke Cardinal Clemens von Galen, of Munster, Germany, in 1941. This Cardinal was called the "Lion of Munster," because he roared with the voice of the Gospel against the atrocities of the Nazi Regime. Two decades later, in the United States, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would say to preachers, on the night before he was assassinated, that while it's fine to preach about the "New Jerusalem," the preacher must also preach about "the new New York...andthe new Memphis, Tennessee." Cardinal von Galen knew about what Dr. King later called "a relevant ministry," one that does not hesitate to name names, and apply the eternal teachings of Christ to the temporary regimes of human making.
As of October 9 of this year, Cardinal von Galen will be known as Blessed Clemens von Galen. He will be beatified at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Cardinal von Galen's blistering sermons about the Nazis remind us of a point made in the recently released Vatican document the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. The document declares, "The Church's social doctrine has the task of proclamation, but also of denunciation (emphasis in the original)." The document continues, "This social doctrine also entails a duty to denounce, when sin is present: the sin of injustice 81).
Cardinal von Galen's homilies of the summer of 1941 became famous and brought him to the brink of being arrested and condemned to death. Von Galen protested with special force against euthanasia: "There is little doubt that these numerous cases of unexpected death in the case of the insane are not natural, but often deliberately caused, and result from the belief that it is lawful to take a ...Here we are dealing with human beings, with our neighbours, brothers and sisters, the poor and invalids . . . unproductive -- perhaps! But have they, therefore, lost the right to live? Have you or I the right to exist only because we are `productive'?" (August 3, 1941).
Let the example of von Galen live and pulsate through the Church at every level, as we attack the Culture of Death! Let him teach us not to fear lawsuits or complaints!
(Read the Cardinal's sermon at: www.priestsforlife.org.were
The Scriptures that came to mind as I was writing the above column were, "I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10); "Let the children come to me and do not hinder them" from Matthew's Gospel); "Whatever you do to the least of t only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16), and "God saw what he had made and proclaimed it very good indeed" (from the Genesis account of creation).
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
1. Sometimes opinions that are rooted in Christ are not easy to express because we fear how others will respond. We especially fear the possibility of ridicule from those whose opinions matter the most to us. How easy is it for you to express opinions that may not be popular, that may not be "politically correct?"
2. In addition to abortion, other pro-life issues are capital punishment and euthanasia. Have any of your pastors ever preached sermons on those issues? If so, how comfortable were you with these topics being addressed from the pulpit?
3. What Scripture verses are you aware of that speak to the sacredness of human life?
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jane Royal and Terri Winaught are taking orders for the following 12 flavors of fudge: butter pecan, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate coconut, chocolate mint, chocolate peanut-butter, plain chocolate, chocolate with nuts, maple walnut, peanut-butter, rocky Road
The ordering and payment deadline is Thursday, November 3rd; the cost is $6 per pound, and the delivery date is Thursday, November 17th.
To place an order, call Jane at 412-681-0584 or Terri at 412-403-1431. (The proceeds of this sale will be divided between Western PA BOLD and the Red Cross's relief fund for Hurricane Katrina victims.) On Thursday, November 3rd, Bob Mates will hold his first Bible study in the Moorhead Tower Community Room at 2:00 PM. Bob will then conduct these studies at Moorhead the first and 3rd Thursdays of every month, with all of Moorhead's vision-impaired residents being welcomed and encouraged to attend.
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LOOKING AHEAD
October's meal, which will be pork and sauer kraut, will be held on Saturday the 29th from 5 to 7 PM, with a Bible study preceding it from 4 to 5.
To sign up no later than 6 PM on Thursday the 27th, call Bob Mates at 412-682-1800 or e-mail him at bluesbob at earthlinkddnet.
When signing up, keep in mind that attendance is limited to 25 people. Also remember that if you need to cancel, you must do so by 2 PM the day of the meal. Finally, as per recently adopted policy changes, guests are no longer permitted.
NOVEMBER's meal, which will be a roast beef dinner, will be held on Saturday the 19th with a sign-up deadline of 6 PM on Saturday the 12th. Looking ahead to Personal Profiles, Peggy Walsh will be profiled in November. Although Peggy is unable to attend every meal, she has not only attended many of the Center's meals but is also always a generous contributor.
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PRAYER REQUESTS
1. That God would help Ayn Apelman's mother, Mitzi, deal with the increasing loss of her eyesight.
2. For God to continue to place his healing hand on Jeanne Kaufmann as she undergoes treatment for colon and liver cancer.
3. For safe travel in November for Sherri Crum and Bob Mates.
4. May the Lord in His infinite wisdom and unending mercy continue to bless the Lutheran Center for the Blind with success.
5. Thanks be to God and praise for the Lutheran Center for the Blind!
6. With the help of the Holy Spirit, may hearts be warmed and softened and minds opened to a deeper respect for the sanctity of human life.
7. May our Lord Jesus Christ hear and respond to all of the intentions of meal attendees (both spoken and unspoken).
8. For Jesus' gentle touch on a friend of Terri and Jim Winaught's who broke, fractured, and dislocated his ankle on which he had surgery on October 20th.
9. If any Lutheran Center meal attendees or volunteers have been ill, injured or required surgery, may the Father's faith, the Son's soothing ways, and the Holy Spirit's help be with them.
If you have prayer requests, please do not hesitate to contact our Dedicated Director at 412-682-1800 or bluesbob at earthlinkddnet.

A special Thank You goes out to Louise Chuha, without whose loaner Braillenote this month's newsletter could not have been written. (A million Thank Yous, Louise! In other words, those Thank Yous are being cloned!)