A single Mom with an 18 year old son.
We can frequently be seen at the Guitar Center in Tampa, where he is seemingly studying every electric guitar in
the universe for just the right sound, just the right tones. Al has been great- see him if you want to buy a guitar
or band equipment. Rob's father (Rick Heinz) was known in some circles as a great but very unknown guitarist- so
perhaps great things will happen. Here's a link to the Guitar Center:
During the week, you can find me in a little office in the corner of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute
(PSRDC). I have a big window with great view of an ancient tree- and to me, that makes it the best office in the place.
Sunday Morning(Sept-May) at 10:45 will find me singing in the choir and worshipping at St. Pauls. The pastor
is Fr. Len and I agree completely with the way he runs his parish. This is a remarkable quality (see next paragraph).
He has told the bishop to only send him happy priests because he wants a happy parish- and he has a remarkably happy one.
Children are loved and accepted in this parish and it is evident from their smiling faces that they know it.
The music that you hear on this link is our choir.
Taking a break to voice my pet peeve. Left my last 3 parishes after quarreling with the pastor over children's
issues. I believe that children need to be a part of the church service at very young ages unless not at all possible-
that is how they learn to behave in church. Language and social pragmatics are not gained by waiting until they get
old enough then disciplining it into them- it is gained by observing the actions, languages, and responses of the people around
them- before they are old enough- they learn that liturgy is just another means of expression- and not something distant and
foreign. Children need to be in church to love the liturgy. I believe that children should have a special place
in the liturgy just for them- where they are made to feel welcome and special. At St. Paul's this is a blessing after
communion where the priest says a few words to each and every child. And I believe that religious instruction is absolutely impossible
without play. When children play- they learn in a natural way- and when they learn in a natural way- they remember the
lessons for their entire life and not just for the week. St. Paul's raises their children right and that is an important
thing to me. Can't worship with my whole heart and soul if the children are being driven from God- and believe that
sending all young children to the nursery- making them learn religious ed from books alone- and having religious ed during
the parent's church service- drive children from God.
Tuesday evenings during the school year, you can find me teaching Children's Faith Formation at St. Paul's Catholic Church
in Tampa. I'm a certified catechist and love to teach- being with children keeps me young and keeps my faith alive.
Wednesday evenings during the school year, you can find me in choir rehearsal at St. Paul Catholic Church. We are
more than 50 strong and our director is Russell Gant with his wife Mary. If you listen to WUSF radio, you know that
incredible knowledge and dedication of our director- that is reflected in the quality and the beauty of the music we produce.
We are proud that all members of the choir are 100% volunteer and work this hard for the Glory of God alone.
Here's a link to St. Paul's:
But the place that I am most at home is at my computer. Even back in 1980- before the advent of the PC- Dr. Larry
Bart, a friend of mine, remarked that wherever I was, you could hear the sound of click-click-click sometimes with the card-punch,
sometimes with the teletape- but today the click-click-click is my keyboard.
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What a job!
A old photo, looks circa 1998, showing me in my most comfortable position- here in front of the computer-
be it working, playing, or praying- this is my usual habitat.
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Favorites
Here's a list of some of my favorite movies:
Notting Hill, Pretty Woman, About a Boy, Chocolat, Amelie, Sound
of Music, My Fair Lady, Showboat, Shoes of the Fisherman, Men in Black, Fantasia, Bringing Up Baby, The Bishop's Wife, A Wonderful
Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Lord of the Rings, the Star Wars movie. Old Trekkie but only for the original version
of the show- Captain Kirk, Spock, and Dr. McCoy forever!
Here's a list of some of my favorite musicians:
John Michael Talbot, Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Sting, Ramones, the
band with Tram Neill and Terrell Tuten (from USF Psychology Department in the 1980's) that played the Ramones- especially
"I Want to Be Sedated"- the former Corpus Christi folk choir under the direction of John Crowley- and of course- the St. Paul
Sunday morning choir.
Here's a list of some of my favorite books:
The Holy Bible, Changing Your Life Through the Power of Prayer, Nourishing Traditions (The Cookbook that Challenges Politically
Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats), Peoplemaking, A Year of Health and Beauty, The Intimacy Factor, Teachings of the
Master, Within Our Reach (Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage), Zen and the Myth of Motorcycle Maintenance, Hundred Years of
Solitude, Homecoming (Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Carolyn 101, Think
Like a Billionairre
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