Mary van Balen

(Originally published in the Catholic Times, August 26, 2012 © 2012 Mary van Balen)


I had just returned from a trip to Seattle, and while a three-hour difference in time didn’t seem like it should make much difference to my body clock, it did. I dragged myself out of bed for early Mass, did some grocery shopping, and not much else despite a long to-do list. Then came a call from a friend who had just seen the movie, “The Intouchables.”

The trailer for that movie had intrigued me earlier in the summer, and I knew I would want to see it. Checking my work schedule and the film’s show times, I decided to rouse myself and go. A friend agreed to meet me at the theater. Despite the price, I bought a pizza slice and cup of soda for dinner, and we found a seat.

We were not disappointed. Without giving too much away, I can say this French film about a wealthy French quadriplegic and his live in caregiver, a young man from the projects, is exhilarating and dramatic, a comedy and inspiration. We laughed and shed tears, and left the Drexel theater making plans to bring another friend and see it again. It is that good.

I am glad I saw it when I did, just back from a trip to the other side of the country. While there, I found myself thinking about the diversity of people in the world. How many faiths? How many ways of prayer? The types of jobs, struggles, and joys are as many as the people on the planet. And all have something to teach us. To show us about how to live and how to love. Read More 

God come to my assistance. Lord make haste to help me.








Images on newscasts and online bring the widespread devastation ravaging Japan's Northeastern coast into our homes and hearts, but I had another, more personal connection. On March 7, I stood in line at Tokyo's Narita airport, buying boxes of green tea and a drink to keep me going until Delta Flight 620 would return me to the States through Minneapolis/St. Paul. Four days later, passengers on the same flight were among the last to depart Narita before the airport was closed down. I read they waited seven hours after boarding before the plane was given the go ahead to take off.

As I viewed video and listened to reports, I wondered about the young women who worked at the kiosk where I made my purchases and the crowds of travelers I had seen returning to their homes in Japan. How many of them were headed to the Northeast? What once would have been regarded as remote has been made more immediate through travel and technology. Some of the first images broadcast to the world were taken on cell phones. We no longer need spectacular photos of our planet from outer space to realize that we are one human race bound, one people of God.

As I prayed morning prayer and then searched through the Liturgy of the Hours and Mass readings to find something, some wisdom that spoke to the tragedy. Read More 

I visited the Baan Kuhn Pranee project to purchase intricately woven bamboo baskets by women employed by the SUPPORT project in Phanat Nikhom District. On July 21, 1976, Queen Sirikit of Thailand established Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques, popularly known as SUPPORT. For many years, the Queen had established cottage industries using her own money, enabling women living in rural villages and on farms to work from home or near home. The women were taught Thai crafts in danger of being lost. The results are baskets and fabrics of top quality and unique patterns and style. These women are paid a fair wage and are able to help raise their families out of a life of poverty.

In some of the SUPPORT projects, women with handicaps are taught the fine crafts giving them, as the Queen said, a chance at raising their self-value as well as earning a living. Read More 

I guess this falls under "I wish I had written that." This morning while perusing the New York Times, I came across an op-ed written by David Brooks titled "Tree of Failure." He lauds President Obama's memorial speech and his call for a return to civility but points out the "Tree of Civility" has roots in recognition of our failures, sin, and weaknesses.

At the risk of cliche I will say that "It takes a village." Everything we do well involves others in one way or another. Despite rampant individualism, the truth is, no one gets to heaven on their own. Salvation is not a "personal" accomplishment. We get there together or we don't get there at all. As Grace would have it, the God who is calling us to Oneness has promised the success of the journey, but it won't be one by one.

Similarly, a climate of civility will not return to this country by isolated efforts or by people, convinced of the truth of their views, working to win over the rest of us. Read More 

PHOTO: Reuters/BP Live Video Feed

The AP article written by Colleen Long and Matthew Daly is one among many that mention the need to monitor the sea bed in the Gulf for possible leaks resulting from undetected damage to BP's well deep under the ocean floor that may be exacerbated by increased pressure caused by capping the well.

Until the past few days, I had not considered effects capping the well would have other than finally shutting down the gushing plumes of oil fouling the Gulf. Why was the news that the sea floor itself could be compromised surprising? It is logical, and it points to a reality we too often overlook: Everything in our world, in the universe, in interconnected; Everything. Read More