Slight Detour: Joy

from today's Twitter feed: ‏Verified account @Pontifex

Joy multiplies when you share it!

Joshua McElwee and Cindy Wooden on the Papal Jet, telling Pope Francis about the book of essays they edited.

It will be out in February. (L'Osservatore Romano photo) https://litpress.org/Products/E4545/A-Pope-Francis-Lexicon

And, there's always joy for us in Sandpoint whenever we learn that our own Cindy Wooden has achieved yet another impressive milestone in her long career as a journalist and, most recently bureau chief, at the Vatican.

This time, she has helped edit another book associated with Pope Francis.

From Liturgical Press:

A Pope Francis Lexicon is a collection of over fifty essays by an impressive set of insightful contributors from around the globe, each writing on a specific word that has become important in the ministry of Pope Francis.

Writers such as Sr. Simone Campbell, Cardinal Blase Cupich, Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, Fr. James Martin, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby, and Carolyn Woo explore the Pope's use of words like joy, clericalism, money, family, and tears. Together, they reveal what Francis's use of these words says about him, his ministry and priorities, and their significance to the church, the world, and the lives of individual Christians.

The entire collection is introduced by a foreword by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide, and a preface by one of Francis's closest advisors, Cardinal Seán O'Malley.

This is no set of encyclopedia entries. It's a reflective, inspiring, and often heartfelt book that offers engaging answers to the question "What is this surprising Pope up to?"

Cindy Wooden is chief of the Rome bureau of Catholic News Service. She has been reporting on the Vatican and the Catholic Church since 1989. She has traveled around the world with John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and now Pope Francis. As a result of this work, she is respected as an authority on the life and workings of the church. She is the author of Luis Antonio Tagle: Leading by Listening.

Joshua J. McElwee is National Catholic Reporter's Vatican correspondent and a contributor to the Italian news website Vatican Insider. He has reported on Pope Francis from 23 countries and his work has earned numerous awards from the Catholic Press Association. He is the author of Ten Things Pope Francis Wants You to Know About the Family.

Congratulations, Cindy! :)

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Speaking of JOY. Some of us family members had a very enJOYable day yesterday in Montana.

Ravenwood Arabians, near Ronan, is located in full view of the rugged and spectacular Mission Mountains.

Yesterday, the mountains offered a particularly spectacular show as we visited the Arabian farm where many of our family horses were born.

Some advice to horse lovers: don't go look at babies. Just as with puppies, your heart will likely melt and then play havoc with your mind.

Then, you have to have one.

On a trip over to Ravenwood with my sisters a while back, I fell in love with a flashy little bay colt with all the chrome: four white stockings and a cute strip in his face.

I couldn't get him out of my mind. Eventually, the weakening began and yesterday I wrote a check. The little guy is pretty young, born early last month. So, he'll be staying there a while before coming home to Sandpoint.

My sister Barbara and our friend Nancy, who had already bought cute little babies came along, as did my daughter-in-law Debbie. My brother Kevin, also an owner of Ravenwood horses, came from Frenchtown with his wife Joyce.

So, during the family invasion to Ravenwood, the little bay trotted around a pen with his protective mother, while the other two babies, along with a friend, received some loving and even some grooming.

It was an all-around fun day, filled with joy and laughter, both inside the car and out.

And, the joy will surely continue as the three little bundles of equine beauty mature and make their way over to Idaho.

Thanks to all for this day filled with JOY, which I don't mind sharing.

Thanks also to Pope Francis for the reminder.

Happy Sunday.