Boston

Greetings All:

Like all of you, I am sick about what happened Monday in Boston.  It was a damn shame.  An act of cowardice with a side order of bullsh#$ justification.   I do not care about your list of grievances about our government.  You killed innocent people,  including a child.  You, sir/madam, have forsaken both human decency and political dialogue.  You are a coward.  And, oh my the way, if anyone helped you, I add them to this list.

I do not want to give time or energy to the villains.  I want to honor the heroes.  Those who gave aid, those who at personal peril grabbed backpacks that might easily been a bomb to save their fellow citizens.  The Soldier who after ruck marching 26.2 miles rushed to the aid of the injured even as their blisters broke through their boots. 

I am a New York Yankees fan.  I do not cheer for the Boston Red Socks.  If you are a friend of mine on Facebook you may recall how I called out Tom Brady for not putting his hand over his heart during the Star Spangled Banner in a playoff game.  With those disclaimers offers, I say this:

Boston:  We are your citizens.

Though we may cheer for other teams, vote for other candidates, we are your citizens.  Boston, the source of liberty, the place where the shot heard round the world was fired, where Paul Revere road, where liberty in America can proudly trace her roots  lies, will rise again.  I heard our President say that Boston will run again.  I believe him.  I believe him because it is Boston.   It is the home of liberty.  And that being the case, as Americans, it is our home as well.

Be well my friends,
Jeno

The Decade-Old T-Shirt

Greetings All:

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present...the decade-old t-shirt.  Well, it's not exactly 10 years old.  I got it during the summer of 2003 from a friend of mine.  Somehow, it made it from New Jersey to Arizona and now back to Iowa.  It's got a few holes, the color is faded and some stains.  It is beyond the stage of wearing in public, even the gym.  It is strictly regulated for the gym, inside the house and yard work.  It is like a felon on work-release.

I was thinking about why I have this particular shirt.   Why it was a priority, sub-conscious or otherwise, to keep it?  It may be as simple as it made it into the right bow/bag/crate to get moved.  Who knows, I might have even worn it during one or more moves.

I think the simple answer is- I like it.  I am a big Jimmy Buffett fan and the fact that I am a lawyer and it says, "ParrotHead Bar Exam."  As I recall, the term "Parrothead" has been around for a while.  Rumor has it that Mr. Buffett himself coined the phrase looking out on a sea of fans (lubricated in some fashion, at least some of them) dressed in the regalia that one wears to a Buffett concert.  I recall, but alas cannot find, the quote from Esquire magazine where it was written (if memory serves me) that, "[p]arrotheads are Deadheads with MBAs,..." or words to that effect.  Here's some more about Parrotheads if you're curious:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parrothead

http://www.wnyphc.com/Newsletters/Phriends%20In%20Paradise%20V9%20i3.pdf

I love Buffett and that is a blog post in itself.  However, for this post, let's get back to t-shirts: 

I am a t-shirt guy.  I wear one just about every day and just like them.  Even when I had to wear a suit in the summer, I'd wear a t-shirt with my dress shirt.  If I have my choice, I'd just as soon wear a t-shirt if the weather is nice.  Although I am pretty sure there are no shirts that have survived college or law school, I have a tendency to hold onto them for a while.  I suppose that is a form or hoarding.  Then again, I respectfully and firmly offer in my defense that the shirt mentioned above (and marked as Defense Exhibit A for purposes of identification, :)) I do wear this shirt.

In fact, I was listening to Unstuff Your Life by Andrew J. Mellon.  In chapter six, he goes into detail about how to conduct a clothes purge.  His methods on organizing could be viewed from somewhere between tough love and downright brutal, depending on your perspective.  I have not listened to his whole book, but he has some good ideas.  I take comfort in the fact that notwithstanding this shirt is old and has some holes, I wear it.  It survives the purge, even avoids getting put into the sentimental box.  For more about Andrew's book, please check out the link below.  It is also available on Audible.com, where I obtained it. 

http://www.amazon.com/Unstuff-Your-Life-Completely-Organize/dp/1583333894

So why the affection for t-shirts in our world?  I suppose there is the purely functional aspect of them.  They are comfortable, easy to care for, cheep and versatile.  I believe all these reasons to be true.  However, I would also suggest there is another reason why t-shirts are so popular.  It is a way to express individual thoughts, opinions, loyalties and affections.  Give a grandparent a t-shirt with their grandkids on it and they will wear the thing out.  Just ask my Dad. :).

I have probably a dozen University of Iowa t-shirts.  One that I closely ration the wear of is my 2006 Big Ten Basketball Championship t-shirt.  After all, we're not Indiana and win it all the time.  Speaking of championship shirts, ever wonder what happens to the losing team's shirts?  After all, there has to be two "Champion" t-shirts to pass out on the field or court?  Where do these go?  They cannot just be given to Goodwill.  I found a link below that shows these shirts of the losers do find good homes in third world nations.   I wonder if any American tourists ever do a double-take seeing them in circulation.

http://mentalfloss.com/article/29884/what-happens-losing-teams-championship-shirts

I heard an urban legend that during the Battle of Mogadishu, as highlighted in the Black Hawk Down book and movie and the book is a compelling read by author Mark Bowden, that a Somali engaged U.S. forces wearing a Buffalo Bills Superbowl Champions t-shirt while wildly firing an AK-47.  If true, that takes surreal to a whole new level.

I do recognize the reality that my beloved Buffett t-shirt is soon to be beyond wear.  Likely it will perform one more service, on a hot day when there is grass to be cut.  It will be retired.  Perhaps it will become a rag but more than likely, simply throw away.  It had a good run but the time has come.  Mellon talks about there being no shame in throwing out clothes that have worn out. 

I found this quote from Marcus Aurelius' Meditations that sums this up, at least for me:

“All things fade and quickly turn to myth.”


http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/17212.Marcus_Aurelius?auto_login_attempted=true&format=html&page=4


If you have a favorite t-shirt you are still holding onto for whatever reason, feel free to comment on it.  I'd like to read about it.  Wishing everyone a great upcoming week, spring and summer. 

Best rgs,
Jeno

A Book Worth Reading

 

Greetings All:

It is April and with it come certain rites of Spring.  The NIT tournament ended with a disappointing loss for my Hawkeyes, yet it was a good run.  In that "other" tournament you may have heard of, Louisville awaits the winner of the Michigan Syracuse game.  Thursday starts The Masters golf tournament, the first of the Majors.  As my neighbor Mike said earlier today, "That sure smells like a spring rain."  He was right, it did.

Of course, April is tax time and for those of you still waiting to file, you've got a week from Monday.  For those who are self-employed in some capacity, there may be the dreaded brown envelopes stuffed with receipts of sizes, shapes and amounts.  I lived that world once and cannot say I am disappointed to not have that concern.  Then again, it is the self-employed and the commissioned-compensated that make up a huge part of our economy.  I wanted to pay tribute to them and in the process recommend a great book I recently listened to.  More on the book and its author in a moment.

Here are a few facts to keep in mind:  There are 9.9 million self-employed people in our economy, as of September, 2012, according to the Office of Advocacy in the U.S. Small Business Administration, as cited in the American Express Open Forum.  

http://www.openforum.com/articles/number-of-self-employed-on-the-rise/  

Now when we look at sales persons, the number is almost 14 million.  (13,835,090).  This comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2012.

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes410000.htm

The reason I included small business owners is that for the most part, their income comes from their ability to sell either a good or a service.  They likely do not have a salary, they "eat what they kill."  In other words, there is no salary, just a percentage of what comes in the door, thru the till and after bills and taxes, the rest is the salesman or small business owner. 

There are many people who earn their living from sales.  I would also strongly suggest that even if your income is from a salary, there are aspects of "selling" involved with what you do.  Perhaps more than you may realize.

It is for these reasons that I would like to invite you to check out Mr. Bryan Flanagan's book, So, You're New to Sales.   It is available in both audio and print.  I received my copy via Audible.com and preferred to listen to it.  (As I have mentioned before, when you run as slow as me, you don't need music so I listened to most of it on the treadmill.)

So about the book, why should you listen to it?  If you are one of the almost 24 million people who "eat what you kill" the book will be both immediately valuable and practical.  Bryan began his career with IBM and jokes about still having wing-tip shoes.  He then moved onto the Ziglar Company.  For those of you who do not sell, the stories about Zig Ziglar are amusing and moving.  I believe that I came across the book looking for Ziglar material and Mr. Z does give an introduction.  However, this is Bryan's work and in the audio portion, you get to hear him read his own work.  This, in my opinion, adds to the audio presentation.

The book's message, in my opinion, is this:  Selling is an honorable profession, treat it as one.  Yes, it is hard.  Then again, if it was easy, everyone would do it.  One of the lines I love from the book is, "Timid salespeople have skinny kids."  It is funny and yet sadly, there is truth to it.  After all, if you eat what you kill, if you live (and your family) off of what you sell, then a lack of sales equals a lack of money.  Bryan has a blog post that goes into more detail about this comment:

http://www.flanagantraining.com/content/timid-salespeople-have-skinny-kids

He discusses the importance of planning out a sales call and doing little things that add up to overall success.  Arrive early, dress appropriately, make appropriate eye contact, don't be a "professional visitor," remember to listen more than you talk and so forth.  As I listened to his book, I thought of former Secretary of State Colin Powell's list of suggestions including, "Check small things," and "Get mad, then get over it."  (For a list of all of these suggestions, please see below:)

http://quotes.dictionary.com/author/colin+powell?page=1

For the sales person, here is where the real money maker is (again, in my opinion)- The "POGO" approach.  POGO is a way to address a sales call in a systematic way.  POGO as you may have guessed is an acronym, standing for Person, Organization, Goals and Obstacles.  In the book, Bryan shows you how to take a standard approach and make it your own.  He offered these thoughts on POGO:  "Through POGO questions, you start to find out the potential client’s needs, and also start to get a profile.”  (To read more about POGO, please see the link below:)

http://www.dallasbar.org/content/column-business-law

If POGO is the method, then Bryan closes with the purpose of sales, to believe in what you are selling.  He tells of how belief and faith are critical to success in sales, and in life.  As I type this, thousands of fans are hoping either Michigan or Syracuse wins tonight's game.  Hope is fine, even important.  However, Bryan discusses the importance of believe in what one is selling.  This has a translation to everyone-you should believe in what you are doing.  If not, then seek another way.  As I listened to Bryan's book, I thought of a book I had listened to years ago, The Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace Wattles.  It is over a hundred years old (1910) and still has meaning today.  I believe it is chapter 13 that discusses the importance of getting out of the wrong business.  What was true then is true today.

Years ago, I worked for a large financial company, in sales.  Although I firmly believe that my calling was not in that field, I cannot help but wonder what would have happened had I utilized the skills offered in this book?  I know that I had some traits and skills but being honest in the brutally clear light of hindsight, I was not a good sales person.  I do not think it had anything to do with the shine on my shoes or the brand-name of my suit.  I think it was because I did not want to do the things I needed to do to be successful.  Notice I did not say, "could not" do.  I simply elected not to do all the steps needed for success.  This book pulls no punches.  It does not say, "Don't worry, it will be fine."  Nope.  Dr. Bryan's prescription is to keep making sales calls and call him in the morning.  However, I think it is the truth. 

I am glad I listened to So, You're New to Sales, and hope you will enjoy it as well.  If you do not want to buy it, then I am confident you can find a copy at your local library.  It is worth both the time and the money.  If you do check it out, please let me know what you think.

Here are a couple of links to Bryan's website, the book and the Ziglar sites.  This probably goes without saying, but I am not plugging this book for any payment or expectation of compensation.  I picked this book to write about because it positively impacted me. 

http://www.flanagantraining.com/

http://www.ziglar.com/ourspeakers_bryan_flanagan.html

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=So%2C+You%27re+New+To+Sales%3F

What are you reading or listening to?  Please let me know.  Worthwhile books are good to experience and better to share.

As I close, I think it is only appropriate to do so with a quote from Mr. Ziglar himself from his 1984 book, Closing the Sale:

"You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough people get what they want."

I agree.  Wishing everyone a great coming week and month. 

Best regards,
Jeno

UPDATE

This post is being updated on April 7, 2013 at 1:52 p.m. to reflect the following:  I obtained permission from Mr. Flanagan to use the cover art of his book.  I neglected to mention this when I published this post last evening.  My apologies to this oversight.  Now, please, go read/listen to this great book!

Traditions Shared

Greetings All:

It is Easter Sunday, actually Easter Sunday evening.  Passover, that began last Monday at sundown, will be soon concluding.  Tomorrow is April 1st (and look out for the April Fools gags, they are coming.).  Easter and Passover mark in some unofficial way the coming of spring, the ending of winter (although the cold seems to stick around for a while) and a changing of the seasons.  Tomorrow the first pitch will be thrown out at baseball parks across America and March Madness is down to three games.  It is a time for change.

Although I am so looking forward to warm weather, fun, and more trivial stuff in general, I want to take a moment and comment on something that struck me this past week, a tradition shared.  For those of you who know me, you are probably aware that I am Catholic and my wife and kids are Jewish.  In our house, we celebrate both Passover and Easter. 

Passover is the story of how Moses led the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.  I understand that Wikipedia is not an "approved" academic source, but I think this write up is pretty good:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Exodus

Also, if you'd like to learn more about the dinner, or the Seder, here is another source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover_Seder

There is a ton of symbolism in this meal.  The matzo is the unleavened bread eaten.  It is kind of like a cracker or Melba toast.  The symbolism here is that the Jews did not have time to let their bread finish baking before their flight so they took it and ran.  I am not going into all the symbols but I do want to highlight the Seder plate.  It is featured in the photo at the beginning of this post.  There is one in the photo at the beginning of this post.  One of the Seder plates we have is one that belonged to my wife Dawn's grandmother.  The Seder plate is where symbols of the evening's meal are placed. 

The matzo is covered by a cloth, again, part of symbolism.  It is tradition for children to decorate this cloth.  On our table were both of our kids' coverings.  I thought it was a fantastic representation of generations.  I would be remiss not to mention that one of the reasons why this is so significant is that Dawn's grandmother survived the Holocaust.  Despite a concerted effort of evil to wipe out an entire group of people, she survived.  Not only did she live, but she went on with her husband to make a new life in America.  They had children, who had children and sitting around a table in Bettendorf, Iowa is yet another generation.  Although I am not Jewish, I am proud to be the father of two and consider it an honor to get to participate in this ceremony.  I must admit that I am not a fan of the hard-boiled eggs and the soup, but that to me is secondary to the joy of being with family, of sharing a tradition.

(My youngest daughter's gift from Grandpa, a Cinderella bank, adored with Easter Bunny ears.)

Now as I mentioned, we celebrate both holidays.  I went to Mass with my Dad and we did the obligatory brunch.  The formal events of the day concluded with our own egg hunt on the hill.  My youngest daughter cleaned up and it's like Halloween in our place, except the days are longer.  I cannot be too critical as I firmly expect to find a least a few pieces of that candy in my lunch this week. 

There are of course many comparisons with Passover and Easter.  There is some debate if the "Last Supper" of Jesus Christ was or was not a Passover Seder meal.  Here are a couple of sources if you are curious about it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Supper

http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/was-jesus-last-supper-a-seder/

(The Da Vinci painting of "The Last Supper," public domain status claimed- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Da_Vinci_The_last_supper.jpg

Both holidays for me have clear connections to renewal.  In Easter, it is simply this:  Jesus Christ is risen, a promise made is fulfilled.  In Passover, it is a celebration of a new start.  I found this quote from the Lubavitcher Rebbe:



"[o]n Pesach (Passover) we celebrate the liberation of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery and, together with it, the liberation from, and negation of the ancient Egyptian system and way of life, the "abominations of Egypt." Thus we celebrate our physical liberation together with our spiritual freedom."

http://www.sichosinenglish.org/cgi-bin/calendar?holiday=pesach105

And I do not think it is in appropriate to relate this renewal to the coming of spring to nature's return.  The ground that was frozen a few weeks (or days) ago is starting to usher forth life.  I even look forward to cutting the grass again.

(The Easter Lily my Dad gave us today.)

For me, there is a connection between my two families, two faiths, two holidays.  At the center are traditions shared.  Some are more closely followed than others.  I suppose in a few years the early morning arrival of the Easter Bunny will be a thing of the past.  Future Seder dinners will likely involved other people, some I have yet to meet or even yet to be born.  What I find so wonderful is that traditions are things you can both share and make your own.  Of course symbolism matters.  Tangible things are what we can hold in our hands and see with our eyes.  And yet it is how we interact with them that put a unique mark on them that return in future years.  There is a reason why certain Christmas ornaments are treasured by parents and handled with the utmost care even though there is zero monetary value.  The reason is that it is something unique to the parent in that most special way. 

As we conclude Easter and Passover, I hope everyone got to experience a little and hopefully a lot of fun.  I also hope you put your own spin on family traditions.  I'll wrap this post up with a photo I snapped today that I like to think sums up the fun in our house after the seriousness of earlier in the week. 

Have a great week, month and spring!



Jeno

A Life Lived

Greetings Friends:

St. Patrick's Day has come and gone.  I ate the last of the corned beef and potatoes (not a big cabbage fan) and  the garb has been put away until next year.  I hope everyone had as much fun as I did and for those of you who braved "The Grand Parade," I hope you were able to stay warm!

After the parade, I made my way up to one of my favorite watering holes in town, Bley's Tap.   In fact, besides my Dad's place, (and that is a future post) it is only one of the few places I go on a semi-regular basis.  It is a throwback place.  In the words of my friend Jerry, "It's a joint!"  For those of you born prior to the Nixon administration, "joint" is a term of affection.  Simply put, it is a great place.

I stopped by to see a few friends and enjoy what was a gathering of Irish and friends of the Irish.  A grand time was had by all.  After a bit of time, I found myself in need of a trip to the bathroom and as you may have guessed, here is where the picture comes into this post.

In the bathroom, written high above the sink, is this dedication.  I have no idea who Dwight Kistler was, nor who is the author.  I have been going into Bley's for a few years and always noticed it.  However, for some reason, I decided to snap a picture of it and with the permission of Ross, the owner, have posted it here.

I should mention that it is possible that Mr. Kistler was no longer with us when Bley's opened.  Years ago, this establishment had another name and I recall being in it, "back in the day."  I do feel confident in saying that all the good things that were of the previous place are alive and well in Bley's today.  If Mr. Kistler could walk back into Bley's today, he would, I suspect, like what he found.

Mr. Kistler's obituary is not listed.   I did the obligatory Google search and came up with nothing.  However, I did come up with a bunch of stuff about another Dwight, as in Dwight D. Eisenhower, General of the Army and 34th President of the United States.  For many decades, they shared the same time on this earth.  Of course, one is world famous, with countless "things" named after him.  There have been dozens, if not hundreds of biographers of President Eisenhower.  Mr. Kistler, well... none that I am aware of.

And yet I would respectfully submit that Mr. Kistler is worthy of mention.  He is worthy of mention for someone (inspired by spirit or otherwise) wrote this testament to him.  (BTW, I am NOT encouraging any impromptu graffiti) He worked for a half a century at a skilled trade.  Unlike me who works almost always in an office with climate control and coffee on demand, I suspect Mr. Kistler was outside in all kinds of weather.  I can only assume, but based on 50 years, I have every reason to believe he took pride in his work.

Speaking of, I looked up what a brick mason does and here is what I found:

"Brick masons are construction professionals who work with brick and mortar to create a number of architectural enhancements to structures that are both functional as well as visually appealing. In some instances, a brick mason will also work with materials other than bricks, such as structural tiles, stone, and even prefabricated panels and facades."

Source:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-a-brick-mason-do.htm

My Grandparents were farmers, as were my parents, at least for a while.  Hard work and honest labor are things to value.  In a world where more and more of our "tools" are not from a work belt but a drop down menu and when a keyboard is our job site, it is good to recall those who do (and did) physical labor.  I am talking about the labor that drains you of sweat yet fills you with pride.  That causes your muscles to ache but your soul to smile.  

Here is a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that sums it up for me:

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."

I cannot prove it of course, but I will elect to believe that Mr. Kistler did his mason work with excellence.  I elect to believe that along with hard work he valued his family and his friends at this place.  I surmise he had a faith in God that gave him comfort.  He likely bought more rounds than he accepted, yet he accepted them with sincere thanks and a wide grin.  When Mr. Kistler passed, his friends, and I choose to believe there were and are many, raised a glass to his memory with a tear in their eye.


We should all be so lucky to be remembered for working any period of time at an honored skill.  To me, there is something good about remembered for hard work and loyalty.  They are things sadly lacking in this world, at least in abundance.  Mr. Kistler, from the evidence available, had both.  

Bley's Tap is located at 215 E 29th St, Davenport, IA 52803.  It is open Monday thru Saturday and some Sundays.   

Be well my friends,
Jeno

A Poem For St. Patrick's Day

Greetings All:

























So the big day is almost here, St. Patrick's Day.  Unless of course, you live here in the Quad Cities, then we're down to a mere number of hours until The Grand Parade and the beginning of the celebration that is St. Patrick's Day.   The Grand Parade starts in Rock Island, Illinois and ends in downtown Davenport, Iowa.  It is the only bi-state parade in America.  To learn more, please see the link below and if you are anywhere near the parade route, come on out and enjoy the fun.

http://www.stpatsqc.com/GrandParade.htm

I understand that St. Patrick's Day is not nearly as big a deal in Ireland as it is here in America.  And I suppose I would be remiss not to acknowledge that there will be a few (well, perhaps a tinge more than a few) who will be over-served and may get a bit too loud.  I would respectfully submit that you will have that in any crowd.  I know that I will long be home before those revelers kick it in to high gear.

For my family and I, St. Patrick's Day has a deep personal connection. My Mother, Catherine Brigit O'Neill Berta, was 100% Irish.  We lost her three years ago next month and she is dearly missed every day.  However, her spirit is always with us and even more so this time of year.  And with that, I give you my Poem to St. Patrick's Day, dedicated to my Mom.  I hope you like it.


-->

This is the weekend for wearing your green;

Shamrocks and smiles will be seen;

There will be The Grand Parade;

And many a toast will surely be made.

Songs will be sung in various keys;

Of the Emerald Isle, if you please;

Corn beef and cabbage is the fare;

Grab a plate, there’s plenty to share.

We hold these days as a time of fun;

Yet let us not fail to recall how it all begun;

When Ireland bid farewell to her daughters and sons;

From the decks of ships they strived to see;

That mythical Statute of Liberty;

A new home, a new life;

And yet the early days were full of strife.

When they first sought work, they found a sign;

That bitterly read:  “No Irish Need Apply.”

Wearing tattered clothes yet standing straight;

No self-pity allowed, their own way they would make.

They Dug canals, built buildings and farmed the land;

It is on their shoulders we descendants stand.

When the bugle blew, they answered the call;

To fight for freedom, even though they may fall;

Their standards flew proud and true;

Irish green in their hearts, yet now serving under the red, white and blue.

Through song and tale, and with sharp wit;

The Irish have enhanced our culture, and more than a bit;

There have been cops and fireman, servants true;

And of course, a politician or two.

I am proud to be Irish, and grateful too;

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of you!

Slán agus beannacht leat,
Jeno

Initium Novum

So we have a new Pope, Francis I, f/k/a Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Latin American Pope and (IMO more significant) the first Jesuit.  As the title to this blog indicates, (in Latin) this is a new beginning for the Catholic Church and certainly for the Holy Father.

I was able to watch the announcement that a Pope had been decided and the plumes of white smoke.  Then there was the waiting for the proclamation of who the Pope was.  The protodeacon Cardinal, Jean Louis Tauran, stated: " [n]untio vobis gaudium magnum: habemus Papam. Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum Jorge Mario sanctae romanae ecclesiae cardinalem Bergoglio, qui sibi nomen imposuit Francescus."

We have all been drinking from the fire hose of news about the new Pope.  Already, we know he takes public transportation (well, not any more) is not wildly popular with the Argentine government, was a contender in the last Papal conclave, is opposed to abortion and gay marriage and is considered humble.  His first words to the crowd in St. Peter's Square were, "Pray for me."  He also asked for a moment of silent prayer.  

It will be interesting to see what path Francis I will take for the Church and himself.  I am no expert in church dogma but I think it is safe to say that he will hold true to the basic tenants of the Catholic Church.  After all, he was elected by at least 77 Cardinals who are about as traditional as they come.  I also believe that he is someone who sincerely believes in the path of the Church and is humbled to lead it.  

I think the deeper and much harder question is how will Francis I lead in his own way by staying true in his own way to the teachings of the Church.  By all accounts, he is a humble man.  At a time when the Catholic Church has been reeling from injuries (some self-inflicted) and is criticized for arrogance, a humble leader may be just what the Church needs to bring forth healing and greater understanding.

I have heard speculation about his choosing the name Francis.  What first came to mind is St. Francis of Assisi.  He was a spoiled kid who after a stint in the military rejected worldly pleasures and served God.  The St Francis of Assisi prayer is as follows:

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.


O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

A wonderful prayer and even if you are not religious, there are many positive things in it.  If it was this Saint who was the motivation for his name, a fine choice.  However, there is also some talk that the name was chosen for St. Francis Xavier.  He was a Spanish priest who was one of the founding members the Society of Jesus that better became known as the Jesuits.    Please see the photo below.  This is the order of the new Pope.  As I mentioned above, I think this is an important insight to why he was selected.  Jesuits are known for their work with the poor.  St. Francis Xavier took vows of both poverty and chastity in 1534.  In 1540, Rome adapted both of these practices.  Interesting that this Pope, this new Pope has a connection to this Saint.


 

I like I presume anyone reading this post, wishes the Holy Father well on his selection.  Shortly, he will lead the faithful in the celebration of Easter.  As my good friend Bill mused, this was part of Pope Benedict XVI plan- a new Pope for the season of ultimate renewal of the Church.  I think Francis I will take his stewardship of the Catholic Church very seriously and with humility.  That may not be enough to fix all the issues, but it is probably the best place to start.

Deus te benedicat


Sources:

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Jorge-Mario-Bergoglio-is-Pope-Francis-I-27385.html

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope-Bergoglio:-the-first-Jesuit,-the-first-Latin-American,-the-first-to-have-chosen-the-name-Francis-27386.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57574215/whats-next-for-pope-francis/

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-pope-argentina-20130314,0,1283250.story

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/pray0027.htm

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/national-international/Pope-Francis-St-Francis-Xavier-Assisi-197875531.html

For the pictures used in this post, I claim either fair use and/or public domain, thanks.