Features
11-20 Religion: in brief
Golden cross in Vatican's collection
gets new look
VATICAN CITY (AP) — One of the gems of the Vaticans priceless religious art collection — a 6th century reliquary containing what is revered as fragments of the cross on which Jesus was crucified — has been restored to its Byzantine-era glory.
The Vatican on Thursday unveiled the restored Crux Vaticana, a foot-high jewel-encrusted golden cross containing what tradition holds are shards of Jesus' cross inside.
The Associated Press was given an early look at the piece, and Byzantine art experts said the restoration rendered the cross much closer to what it would have looked like at the time the Byzantine Emperor Justin II gave it to the people of Rome.
Most significantly, the restoration corrected a botched 19th century restoration that threatened to corrode the piece. And it replaced the brightly colored gems that were added in previous centuries with the large, imperfect pearls that are emblematic of Byzantine-era imperial masterpieces, said restorer Sante Guido.
A circle of 12 pearls now surrounds the relic, and pearls around the cross' edge now alternate with emeralds and sapphires — the two other gems most often associated with Byzantine emperors, he said.
Civic group offers free health screenings
Slots remain available for a day-long clinic offering free health screenings.
The colorful Oklahoma Lions Mobile Health Screening Unit, featuring murals of Oklahoma outdoor scenes, will be at the First Presbyterian Church, 1001 S. Rankin St., until 4 p.m. today to offer free screenings to Edmond residents for several serious health problems.
Lions Clubs in Oklahoma are addressing the most critical health issues in the state. Free health screenings and information on obesity, tests for glaucoma, diabetes, cholesterol, visual acuity, basic pulmonary (lung) functioning and high blood pressure will be included. Bone density screening also will be available, usually for women older than age 40. Osteoporosis, especially in women older than age 40, is a critical concern.
Glaucoma and diabetes are two of the major causes of blindness and often are not discovered until irreversible damage has occurred. Undetected high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and obesity can be life-threatening.
The Lions will provide screenings only, not diagnoses. Results will be given to the person being screened to take to his or her personal health care provider.
The clinic is a community service project of the Edmond Lions Club, the Oklahoma Lions Clubs and BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma.
To register for the free health screening, call the First Presbyterian office at 341-3602.
Church offers free Thanksgiving dinner
Edmond residents are invited to a free Thanksgiving dinner Sunday afternoon at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 1501 N. Bryant Street. The dinner will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will continue as long as food lasts.
Church offers spiritual evening of Advent
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, located at Ninth and Boulevard in Edmond, invites local residents to attend the parishs first Advent Mission at 7:45 p.m. Dec. 8 following the 6:30 p.m. mass.
Church leaders are excited and honored to have a world-renowned liturgical scholar, the Rt. Rev. Abbot Marcel Rooney, current president of the Te Deum Institute of Sacred Liturgy in Tulsa, as the featured speaker. He captivates audiences with his knowledge of the theology and history of the liturgical season of Advent.
Rev. Rooney’s credentials are diverse and impressive, starting in 1958 when he was first professed a Benedictine monk, becoming a priest five years later. He has earned degrees in music and liturgical theology. His experience as a seminary professor includes seven years in the doctoral program of the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy in Rome. After being elected abbot of Immaculate Conception Abbey in Missouri, he was then elected abbot primate of the entire Benedictine Order, serving as liaison to Pope John Paul II.
St. John’s hopes residents will come during this busy time to focus on the rich and sacred traditions offered during this beautiful season of Advent by sharing the wisdom of Rev. Abbot Rooney and opening your hearts to the coming of Jesus.
No registration is required and a nursery will be provided. For more information, call the parish office at
340-0691.
Area church offers Christmas program
Metropolitan Baptist Church invites area residents to “Nativity in the Square,” presented by the Mariner Stage Players, at 6 p.m. Dec. 6. In this Christmas comedy the figures of a public crèche scene come to life on Christmas Eve and attempt to discover who they are. The event is free and open to the public at 7201 W. Britton Road. For more information, call 722-2550 or visit www.mbcokc.org.
- Features
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Money as a god becomes a tyrant
We sometimes hear that America is a Christian nation, and certainly there is a sliver of truth in this statement since our republic was undeniably founded on Judeo-Christian principles.
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Denounce extremism, not religion
There’s an e-mail floating around the Internet claiming to show that Barack Obama is a Muslim.
It shows video evidence of Obama speaking, and it uses what it portrays as his own words to show that he is somehow less than a loyal American. -
Pets require proper dental care for health
STILLWATER — There may be cause for concern if pet owners notice their four-legged friends have yucky doggie breath.
If you notice your pet’s breath is offensive, it might signify a serious health concern, said Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension veterinarian.
“Responsible pet owners take care of their pets by feeding them, exercising them and taking them to the veterinarian for an annual checkup. Unfortunately, some pet owners overlook the care of their pet’s teeth,” MacAllister said. “Proper dental care is just as important for pets as it is for humans.” -
Behavior modification for the bored dog
Q: We have a 2-year-old miniature Australian Shepherd named Sally that is home alone for eight to nine hours every day. She finds something to get on or chew up almost every day. She gets on the window seat and chews on the blind cords or cushions, or on the coffee table and chews on or breaks whatever she can get to. I do worry about her getting bored during the day, but we both work. What would you recommend we do to help her pass the time without getting bored?
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Enough of all this winter weather
No more nice guy. My pansies and I have had all the global warming we can take. It’ll be a miracle if they survive another ice storm, and my own longevity’s not all that secure either.
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Retreat ideal for scrapbookers
If you’re a cut-up, have I got a place for you! The Scrappin’ Pad south of Tahlequah was created with scrapbookers in mind.
This is a bed and breakfast with a niche. Christi Bowlin caters to the gals who glue. (OK, I know most scrapbookers wouldn’t touch a glue stick, but that phrase was just too euphonious to pass up.) -
Teens don’t ring bells, they TOA (text on arrival)
NEW YORK (AP) — Planet Teenager, where I unfortunately live, is a busy and surprising place.
On this planet, kids come and go at all hours, but nobody ever rings a bell or knocks on a door. Nobody calls to warn, “I’m on my way.” Nobody beeps a horn to say, “Your ride is here.” -
No more saying no!
Dear Mr. Dad: I feel like when I spend time with my 2-year-old, I’m constantly telling him “no!” Is there some way I can enforce boundaries without being so negative?
A: It’s no wonder that one of the first words kids learn to say is, No. After all, it’s the word they hear the most — even more than mommy, daddy, or their own name. -
Officials urge caution on tree repair
The ice and snow has not yet gone away, but already state forestry officials with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry have heard that out-of-state private contractors are on their way to solicit jobs pruning or removing damaged trees.
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Online directory targets eastern red cedar
OKLAHOMA CITY — A new directory for eastern red cedar, one of the most challenging plant species in Oklahoma, was announced this week.
The eastern red cedar is a native tree of Oklahoma, but the tree that was once limited to rocky bluffs, deep canyons and other fire-free areas has now grown out of control. - More Features Headlines
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Money as a god becomes a tyrant
