Moving South...
For those who know their history, this is a case of "back to the future"--since the South was orignally a Catholic stronghold under the Spanish and French.
From The Daily Dispatch:
For every Boston, there is a Knoxville, Tenn. For every Philadelphia, there is a Savannah, Ga.
"The church is closing parishes in the Northeast, but Catholics are building them in the South and the Southwest," said Wagner. "We know that a lot of that is driven by immigration and population trends. ... So if you really want to know where Catholicism is alive and where it's struggling, you can't just look at membership statistics. You have to ask other questions."
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
New Padre Pio???
From Catholic News:
The British Daily Telegraph reports that like Padre Pio, who displayed stigmata for the last 50 years of his life, Br Elia, whose face, hands and feet appear covered in blood each Lent is revered by fans from the country's poorest to World Cup-winning footballer Francesco Totti.
Yesterday was supposed to be a chance for as many as 10,000 people, including visitors from Britain, to meet Br Elia, 45, at the headquarters of the Jesuit movement in Naples.
Now that Lent has begun, time is running out to see him before he takes to his bed over April to undergo his annual torment.Instead, his appearance was cancelled at the last minute by the Catholic Church, which is concerned about the rapid spread of Br Elia's fame.
The Vatican is reported to have asked Br Elia not to give interviews or to hold any public religious services until it has made up its mind on the veracity of his stigmata.
The British Daily Telegraph reports that like Padre Pio, who displayed stigmata for the last 50 years of his life, Br Elia, whose face, hands and feet appear covered in blood each Lent is revered by fans from the country's poorest to World Cup-winning footballer Francesco Totti.
Yesterday was supposed to be a chance for as many as 10,000 people, including visitors from Britain, to meet Br Elia, 45, at the headquarters of the Jesuit movement in Naples.
Now that Lent has begun, time is running out to see him before he takes to his bed over April to undergo his annual torment.Instead, his appearance was cancelled at the last minute by the Catholic Church, which is concerned about the rapid spread of Br Elia's fame.
The Vatican is reported to have asked Br Elia not to give interviews or to hold any public religious services until it has made up its mind on the veracity of his stigmata.
The Myth of Muslim Support for Terror
From The Christian Science Monitor:
Those who think that Muslim countries and pro-terrorist attitudes go hand-in-hand might be shocked by new polling research: Americans are more approving of terrorist attacks against civilians than any major Muslim country except for Nigeria.
The survey, conducted in December 2006 by the University of Maryland's prestigious Program on International Public Attitudes, shows that only 46 percent of Americans think that "bombing and other attacks intentionally aimed at civilians" are "never justified," while 24 percent believe these attacks are "often or sometimes justified."
Contrast those numbers with 2006 polling results from the world's most-populous Muslim countries – Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. Terror Free Tomorrow, the organization I lead, found that 74 percent of respondents in Indonesia agreed that terrorist attacks are "never justified"; in Pakistan, that figure was 86 percent; in Bangladesh, 81 percent.
Those who think that Muslim countries and pro-terrorist attitudes go hand-in-hand might be shocked by new polling research: Americans are more approving of terrorist attacks against civilians than any major Muslim country except for Nigeria.
The survey, conducted in December 2006 by the University of Maryland's prestigious Program on International Public Attitudes, shows that only 46 percent of Americans think that "bombing and other attacks intentionally aimed at civilians" are "never justified," while 24 percent believe these attacks are "often or sometimes justified."
Contrast those numbers with 2006 polling results from the world's most-populous Muslim countries – Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. Terror Free Tomorrow, the organization I lead, found that 74 percent of respondents in Indonesia agreed that terrorist attacks are "never justified"; in Pakistan, that figure was 86 percent; in Bangladesh, 81 percent.
Monday, February 26, 2007
3,000 Celebrate 40th Anniversary of the Charismatic Renewal
In Detroit, from the Archdiocese of Detroit site:
Fr. Cantalamessa, 73, had his own Charismatic experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit 30 years ago, and was appointed to his post with the Holy See in 1980 by Pope John Paul II, then reconfirmed in his position by Pope Benedict XVI.
He told the gathering the best way to prepare for a new Pentecost was to study the opening chapters of the Acts of the Apostles, in which the original Pentecost is described.
Traditional Western and Eastern depictions of that event at which the Holy Spirit descended on a rather sedate gathering of the Apostles do not seem to match the event as he understands it, Fr. Cantalamessa said.
Fr. Cantalamessa, 73, had his own Charismatic experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit 30 years ago, and was appointed to his post with the Holy See in 1980 by Pope John Paul II, then reconfirmed in his position by Pope Benedict XVI.
He told the gathering the best way to prepare for a new Pentecost was to study the opening chapters of the Acts of the Apostles, in which the original Pentecost is described.
Traditional Western and Eastern depictions of that event at which the Holy Spirit descended on a rather sedate gathering of the Apostles do not seem to match the event as he understands it, Fr. Cantalamessa said.
More on the "Finding of Jesus' Tomb"
From the archeologist who oversaw the excavation of the tomb some twenty-seven years ago, as reported in Newsday:
But Bar-Ilan University Professor Amos Kloner, a Jerusalem archeologist who officially oversaw the work at the tomb in 1980 and has published detailed findings on its contents, dismissed the claims."It makes a great story for a TV film," he told The Jerusalem Post Saturday night.
"But it's impossible. It's nonsense," he said.
But Bar-Ilan University Professor Amos Kloner, a Jerusalem archeologist who officially oversaw the work at the tomb in 1980 and has published detailed findings on its contents, dismissed the claims."It makes a great story for a TV film," he told The Jerusalem Post Saturday night.
"But it's impossible. It's nonsense," he said.
Now: Some Ponder If Jesus Could Be Cloned
Read my post yesterday on the Discovery Channel program and then of course my first question this morning when I read this was where are you going to get the DNA from? Their answer:
What if you found skin cells from Jesus on the Shroud of Turin or on a shard of the cross?Could you clone God?That's the question raised in three new books--"In His Image: Book One of the CloneChrist Trilogy" by James BeauSeigneur; "The Jesus Thief," by J.R. Lankford; and "Cloning Christ," by Peter Senese and Robert Geis.
What if you found skin cells from Jesus on the Shroud of Turin or on a shard of the cross?Could you clone God?That's the question raised in three new books--"In His Image: Book One of the CloneChrist Trilogy" by James BeauSeigneur; "The Jesus Thief," by J.R. Lankford; and "Cloning Christ," by Peter Senese and Robert Geis.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
The Latest Outrage--The Tomb of Jesus and Mary Magdalene?
Since the Discovery Channel is carrying this garbage, you might expect that their take on it would be the most outlandish. The tomb in question was discovered twenty-seven years ago and if it were anywhere near as spectacular as they are claiming in this piece you would be hearing about it on all the cable networks around the clock (it would bump Anna Nicole's lack of a tomb coverage), and the networks as well. So what we have is someone who is going to do a lot of conjecturing and in the end a lot of blaspheming for those of us who worship the Son of God.
One other note about this, what is the DNA they are matching the bodies to, something they got from the Shroud of Turin?
From the Discover Channel:
New scientific evidence, including DNA analysis conducted at one of the world's foremost molecular genetics laboratories, as well as studies by leading scholars, suggests a 2,000-year-old Jerusalem tomb could have once held the remains of Jesus of Nazareth and his family.
The findings also suggest that Jesus and Mary Magdalene might have produced a son named Judah.
The DNA findings, alongside statistical conclusions made about the artifacts — originally excavated in 1980 — open a potentially significant chapter in Biblical archaeological history.
A documentary presenting the evidence, "The Lost Tomb of Jesus," will premiere on the Discovery Channel on March 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The documentary comes from executive producer James Cameron and director Simcha Jacobovici.
For an intelligent, quick overview of the Mary Magdalene saga, check out Amy's:
De-coding Mary Magdalene: Truth, Legend, And Lies
One other note about this, what is the DNA they are matching the bodies to, something they got from the Shroud of Turin?
From the Discover Channel:
New scientific evidence, including DNA analysis conducted at one of the world's foremost molecular genetics laboratories, as well as studies by leading scholars, suggests a 2,000-year-old Jerusalem tomb could have once held the remains of Jesus of Nazareth and his family.
The findings also suggest that Jesus and Mary Magdalene might have produced a son named Judah.
The DNA findings, alongside statistical conclusions made about the artifacts — originally excavated in 1980 — open a potentially significant chapter in Biblical archaeological history.
A documentary presenting the evidence, "The Lost Tomb of Jesus," will premiere on the Discovery Channel on March 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The documentary comes from executive producer James Cameron and director Simcha Jacobovici.
For an intelligent, quick overview of the Mary Magdalene saga, check out Amy's:
De-coding Mary Magdalene: Truth, Legend, And Lies
Lenten Meditation: First Sunday of Lent
At Lenten Meditations along with a podcast at the same site.
Podcast of the Daily Office of Readings here.
Daily Lenten Meditations in Book Form by me:
The Power of the Cross: Meditations for the Lenten Season
Podcast of the Daily Office of Readings here.
Daily Lenten Meditations in Book Form by me:
The Power of the Cross: Meditations for the Lenten Season
The Open Book/Annunciations Bestseller's List
Our Bestseller's List
What Books People who Read Amy's Open Book blog and Michael's Annunciation blog are Buying
February 2007 (2/24/2007)
1. The Power of the Cross: Meditations for the Lenten Season
2. The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You
3. The Gift of Faith
4. The Best American Catholic Short Stories: A Sheed & Ward Collection
5. Those Terrible Middle Ages: Debunking the Myths
Books that Spark the Most Interest (for this month so far):
1. The Power of the Cross: Meditations for the Lenten Season
2. Those Terrible Middle Ages: Debunking the Myths
3. The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You
4.*Inventing the Flat Earth: Columbus and Modern Historians
5.*Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for the Soul of Renaissance Florence
*People ultimately don't buy the book, (although a few people have since this list first appeared last week).
February 2007 (2/24/2007)
1. The Power of the Cross: Meditations for the Lenten Season
2. The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You
3. The Gift of Faith
4. The Best American Catholic Short Stories: A Sheed & Ward Collection
5. Those Terrible Middle Ages: Debunking the Myths
Books that Spark the Most Interest (for this month so far):
1. The Power of the Cross: Meditations for the Lenten Season
2. Those Terrible Middle Ages: Debunking the Myths
3. The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You
4.*Inventing the Flat Earth: Columbus and Modern Historians
5.*Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for the Soul of Renaissance Florence
*People ultimately don't buy the book, (although a few people have since this list first appeared last week).
New Books that Show Strong Interest:
Rome 1300: On the Path of the Pilgrim
By Way of Grace: Moving from Faithfulness to Holiness
A Pocket Guide to the Meaning of Life by Peter Kreeft
January 2007
1. The Gift of Faith
2. When Children Became People: The Birth Of Childhood In Early Christianity
3. The Best American Catholic Short Stories: A Sheed & Ward Collection
4. God Alone Suffices
5. Behold, I stand at the Door and Knock
Saturday, February 24, 2007
A Story on the Men's Conference in Milwaukee
I'll be at the one in Cincinnati next Saturday signing books, along with Coach Danny Abramowicz at the Our Sunday Visitor booth...
From the Milwaukee Catholic Journal:
Following lunch, Danny Abramowicz, a former member of the New Orleans Saints (1967-1973) and the San Francisco 49ers (1973-1974) and special teams coach for the Chicago Bears and offensive coordinator for the Saints, also used sports metaphors to convey his message on the need for spiritual workouts.A spiritual workout, said Abramowicz, should begin with stretching out in prayer, developing the habit of prayer. Choose a regular time and find a place to pray, even if for five to 10 minutes a day, he said.
The second step in Abramowicz’s spiritual workout is jogging to Mass.
“If I told you that Jesus Christ was going to be at Lambeau Field or Miller Park today, we’d have a stampede of people trying to get there,” he said. “But guess what? Jesus Christ is going to be right here with us at Mass.”Why wouldn’t we go regularly to Mass, if we truly believe it is Jesus in the Eucharist?" He asked.
From the Milwaukee Catholic Journal:
Following lunch, Danny Abramowicz, a former member of the New Orleans Saints (1967-1973) and the San Francisco 49ers (1973-1974) and special teams coach for the Chicago Bears and offensive coordinator for the Saints, also used sports metaphors to convey his message on the need for spiritual workouts.A spiritual workout, said Abramowicz, should begin with stretching out in prayer, developing the habit of prayer. Choose a regular time and find a place to pray, even if for five to 10 minutes a day, he said.
The second step in Abramowicz’s spiritual workout is jogging to Mass.
“If I told you that Jesus Christ was going to be at Lambeau Field or Miller Park today, we’d have a stampede of people trying to get there,” he said. “But guess what? Jesus Christ is going to be right here with us at Mass.”Why wouldn’t we go regularly to Mass, if we truly believe it is Jesus in the Eucharist?" He asked.
Q. Little Time to Read? A. Pocket Guides
Our Sunday Visitor is launching a series of pocket guides and I noticed this morning that one of them that will be released next month is already on the Catholic Bestseller's list on Amazon--namely the one written by Dr. Peter Kreeft. Here is the one by him and the others that will be coming out next month:
A Pocket Guide to the Meaning of Life by Peter Kreeft
A Pocket Guide to Purgatory by Patrick Madrid
A Pocket Guide to the Mass by Michael Dubruiel
And the one pocket guide that was released last year:
A Pocket Guide to Catholic Apologetics by Patrick Madrid
And this Fall they will release:
A Pocket Guide to Confession by Michael Dubruiel
Along with two others that still are being finalized by two very popular Catholics in the U.S.
A Pocket Guide to the Meaning of Life by Peter Kreeft
A Pocket Guide to Purgatory by Patrick Madrid
A Pocket Guide to the Mass by Michael Dubruiel
And the one pocket guide that was released last year:
A Pocket Guide to Catholic Apologetics by Patrick Madrid
And this Fall they will release:
A Pocket Guide to Confession by Michael Dubruiel
Along with two others that still are being finalized by two very popular Catholics in the U.S.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Mepkin Abbey Counters PETA Accusations of Animal Cruelity
The Post and Courrier has the story. The Monk's website has a statement which in part reads:
It has always been Mepkin Abbey's purpose to provide the healthiest environment for our chickens, to treat them as one of God's precious creatures and to offer to consumers the best possible product for their health and enjoyment. That is precisely why we moved to the cage arrangement over 30 years ago, and why we have continued with it to the present. Cages provide hens protection from predators, soil-borne diseases, and diseases that are caused from walking in litter or waste.
We stand by our product and by the commitment we make to our customers as stated on the inner cover of our egg carton.
It has always been Mepkin Abbey's purpose to provide the healthiest environment for our chickens, to treat them as one of God's precious creatures and to offer to consumers the best possible product for their health and enjoyment. That is precisely why we moved to the cage arrangement over 30 years ago, and why we have continued with it to the present. Cages provide hens protection from predators, soil-borne diseases, and diseases that are caused from walking in litter or waste.
We stand by our product and by the commitment we make to our customers as stated on the inner cover of our egg carton.
Bishop's Theory on Anna Nicole Smith
From the Wisconsin State Journal:
Bishop Robert Morlino says the legal circus being waged over Anna Nicole Smith can be laid at the steps of a state that "does not protect and reinforce the marriage bond and the true definition of marriage."
Morlino, the spiritual head of the quarter-million Christians in the Madison Catholic Diocese, wrote in Thursday's edition of the Catholic Herald that "when civil law opened the door to no-fault divorce and in- vitro fertilization, the civil law started down the slippery slope that led us to the present moment."
"Tinkering with the marriage bond and the definition of marriage empowers the courts to usurp decisions that belong to the traditional family and affords great wealth to eager litigators," the bishop continued. "The natural law is the guide both to freedom and to conscience in these very sensitive matters."
One of the many things I like about Morlino is his ability to make me look at the news in a way differently than I ordinarily would. And, as a columnist for his own newspaper, he certainly has as much right to capitalize on Anna Nicole as I do in this column.
He says he is "praying frequently for the respose and soul" of Smith, which, to be honest, makes him a far better man than I am.
Bishop Robert Morlino says the legal circus being waged over Anna Nicole Smith can be laid at the steps of a state that "does not protect and reinforce the marriage bond and the true definition of marriage."
Morlino, the spiritual head of the quarter-million Christians in the Madison Catholic Diocese, wrote in Thursday's edition of the Catholic Herald that "when civil law opened the door to no-fault divorce and in- vitro fertilization, the civil law started down the slippery slope that led us to the present moment."
"Tinkering with the marriage bond and the definition of marriage empowers the courts to usurp decisions that belong to the traditional family and affords great wealth to eager litigators," the bishop continued. "The natural law is the guide both to freedom and to conscience in these very sensitive matters."
One of the many things I like about Morlino is his ability to make me look at the news in a way differently than I ordinarily would. And, as a columnist for his own newspaper, he certainly has as much right to capitalize on Anna Nicole as I do in this column.
He says he is "praying frequently for the respose and soul" of Smith, which, to be honest, makes him a far better man than I am.
Anti-Semitic Chants Seen as Chance to Educate
At a Bishop Sullivan Catholic School...from the Pilot Online:
Students at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School will receive sensitivity training as a result of anti-Semitic chants and graffit i during a recent basketball game against rival Norfolk Academy.
Several Sullivan students met with Norfolk Academy's cultural diversity club Thursday as part of a series of events aimed at promoting tolerance, Sullivan Principal Dennis W. Price said.
"It is important that we work harder at having students leaving here who are tolerant and understand how serious these kinds of things are," he said.
Students at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School will receive sensitivity training as a result of anti-Semitic chants and graffit i during a recent basketball game against rival Norfolk Academy.
Several Sullivan students met with Norfolk Academy's cultural diversity club Thursday as part of a series of events aimed at promoting tolerance, Sullivan Principal Dennis W. Price said.
"It is important that we work harder at having students leaving here who are tolerant and understand how serious these kinds of things are," he said.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
KFC Seeks Papal Blessing
Shouldn't it be KFF(ish)....
From Playfuls.com:
KFC President Gregg Dedrick said he sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI asking him to bless KFC's Fish Snacker Sandwich, the company said in a news release.
From Playfuls.com:
KFC President Gregg Dedrick said he sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI asking him to bless KFC's Fish Snacker Sandwich, the company said in a news release.
After Protests From Catholic Church
Telus Stops Selling Porn
From Bloomberg.com:
Telus Corp., Canada's second-biggest phone company, reversed its decision to sell pornography on mobile phones after customers including the Catholic Church threatened to cancel their service.
From Bloomberg.com:
Telus Corp., Canada's second-biggest phone company, reversed its decision to sell pornography on mobile phones after customers including the Catholic Church threatened to cancel their service.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Pope Benedict's Ash Wednesday Homily
From Asia News Italy:
In his homily the Pope said that “with the penitential procession we have begun the austere period of Lent. Introducing ourselves in the Eucharistic celebration we have prayed that the Lord may help the Christian people to ‘begin a journey towards true conversion so as to victoriously confront with the weapons of penance the fight against the spirit of evil’ (Opening Prayer). In receiving the ashes on the forehead, we shall listen again to a clear invitation to convert that can be expressed in a dual formula: ‘Convert and believe in the Gospel’ or ‘Remember that we come from dust and that we return to dust’.”
Benedict XVI then emphasised that “today’s liturgy and its gestures form an ensemble that anticipates the whole Lenten period,” a time “to become reconciled with God in Jesus Christ.”
“For the liturgy of Ash Wednesday,” he said, “a heartfelt conversion to God is the fundamental trait aspect of the time of Lent. It is the quite suggestive reference that comes to us from the traditional ritual of the imposition of the ashes. This ritual has a double meaning. The first refers to an inner change, to conversion and penance, whilst the second refers to the precariousness of human existence easily seen in the two expressions that accompany the gesture.”
Now “we have 40 days to deepen this extraordinary ascetic and spiritual experience.” Jesus himself tells us what are “the useful instruments to achieve a true inner and communal renewal: charity (alms), prayer and penance (fasting). These are three fundamental practices that are also dear to the Jewish tradition because they contribute to the man’s purification before God (cf Mt 6, 1-6.16-18). Such external gestures, which must be performed to please God and not to get men’s approval and consensus, are acceptable to Him if they express the heart’s determination to serve Him only in simplicity and generosity.”
“Fasting, which the Church invites us to do during this demanding time, is certainly not motivated by physical or aesthetic reasons. It stems man’s need to purify himself from within and detoxify himself from sin and evil. It teaches him to accept the beneficial renunciatory practices that free the believer from the slavery of his own self. It makes him listen more attentively to God and more available to Him and to serve his brothers. For this reason fasting and other Lenten practices are seen in the Christian tradition as spiritual ‘weapons’ in the fight against evil, wicked passions and vices.”
In his homily the Pope said that “with the penitential procession we have begun the austere period of Lent. Introducing ourselves in the Eucharistic celebration we have prayed that the Lord may help the Christian people to ‘begin a journey towards true conversion so as to victoriously confront with the weapons of penance the fight against the spirit of evil’ (Opening Prayer). In receiving the ashes on the forehead, we shall listen again to a clear invitation to convert that can be expressed in a dual formula: ‘Convert and believe in the Gospel’ or ‘Remember that we come from dust and that we return to dust’.”
Benedict XVI then emphasised that “today’s liturgy and its gestures form an ensemble that anticipates the whole Lenten period,” a time “to become reconciled with God in Jesus Christ.”
“For the liturgy of Ash Wednesday,” he said, “a heartfelt conversion to God is the fundamental trait aspect of the time of Lent. It is the quite suggestive reference that comes to us from the traditional ritual of the imposition of the ashes. This ritual has a double meaning. The first refers to an inner change, to conversion and penance, whilst the second refers to the precariousness of human existence easily seen in the two expressions that accompany the gesture.”
Now “we have 40 days to deepen this extraordinary ascetic and spiritual experience.” Jesus himself tells us what are “the useful instruments to achieve a true inner and communal renewal: charity (alms), prayer and penance (fasting). These are three fundamental practices that are also dear to the Jewish tradition because they contribute to the man’s purification before God (cf Mt 6, 1-6.16-18). Such external gestures, which must be performed to please God and not to get men’s approval and consensus, are acceptable to Him if they express the heart’s determination to serve Him only in simplicity and generosity.”
“Fasting, which the Church invites us to do during this demanding time, is certainly not motivated by physical or aesthetic reasons. It stems man’s need to purify himself from within and detoxify himself from sin and evil. It teaches him to accept the beneficial renunciatory practices that free the believer from the slavery of his own self. It makes him listen more attentively to God and more available to Him and to serve his brothers. For this reason fasting and other Lenten practices are seen in the Christian tradition as spiritual ‘weapons’ in the fight against evil, wicked passions and vices.”
Lent Begins Today
I've written a Lenten devotional that you might find a great help this Lent: The Power of the Cross: Meditations for the Lenten Season
What is it?
Daily Meditations based on the Gospel Readings of the day from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday…
- For Use as a private Lenten Devotional or
- For Use as in a Group Bible Study
Praise for The Power of the Cross: Meditations for the Lenten Season
Weekly Book Pick February 2005
For launching into Lent, Clare Siobhan recommends "The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ to Your Life" by Michael Dubruiel.
And from those who've used it in the parish as a small group devotional:
We just finished studying your book "The Power of the Cross: Meditations for the Lenten SeasonVickie Loftis, Women's Bible Study, San Juan Del Rio Catholic Church, Switzerland, FL
It was soooo Catholic and thank you for speaking the truth. We have a lot of Catholics out there (including myself) who missed these lessons over the last 20 years. We have made Catholicism what we wanted it to be. Not how is really is. I believe your book opened the eyes of a lot of the ladies in the group.
“The Power of the Cross” will be our text for adult education classes during Lent. Keep on writing!
Pastor, Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Sarasota, FL
Check inside the book on Amazon to sample what the book is like.
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