Move It On Over, Boudin, Melanie Oudin Also Declared Thoroughly Good!

http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ has announced that Saints Cosoms & Damien, the patron Saints of Twins, are taking a bus to London, England, to cheer on their fellow twin, Melanie Oudin, a Marietta, Georgia, teen who is in her first Wimbledon Tennis Quarter Finals.

Melanie's twin, Katherine Oudin, is reportedly also going to be watching her twin sister play in her next match against Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska. The USA versus Poland Match will be played on Monday, June 29, 2009.

Oudin, whose name rhymes with the delicious Cajun food, "boudin," is also of French ancestry, and says her favorite tennis player is the Belgium born Justine Henin, a girl who is not tall but who has proven that you "don't have to be tall to win."

Saints Cosmos & Damien saw Melanie Oudin give an interview with USTA Tennis Legend Mary Jo Fernandez, and Oudin said her last match was unreal, with her opponent taking a very lengthy and controversial break. But Melanie Oudin said she was never "like, oh my gosh, maybe she might retire or whatever." Melanie simply stayed poised throughout the match and says she will stay focused and keep "loving it" and the TV announcers suggested she "keep winning and keep smiling."

SaintsforSinners predicts that Melanie Oudin will become known as the future of womens' tennis in the USA. Move it on over, Venus & Serena Williams.

Let's Give You Some Folks to Crow About: Tony Fitzpatirck & Kevin J. McGowan

Birds of a Feather Flocking Together

Though they don't really flock together, or even know one another, but the renown Chicago artisan Tony Fitzpatrick and Cornell University Ornithologist Kevin J. McGowan have much in common. Both of these dudes are obviously Irishmen and they both make their living from their obsession with birds! And both have a particular (some might say peculiar) affinity for crows or starlings.

Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of birders, (featured at left with Saint Clare and chatting with some of his lovie-dovies) noted that Fitzpatrick has painted thousands of bird portraits throughout his career and likewise, McGowan has observed and studied thousands of birds, beginning at childhood.

McGowan, being a behavioral ecologist, tries to get into the bird brains of crows, better known to Saint Francis, (perhaps the original "birder") as Corvus brachyrhynchos.

McGowan says the American Crow is a very "cooperative breeder." They tend to stick around and help raise their siblings children and stuff like that. Of course, if a member of the bird family gets separated he or she will "make do with something else" and "hang out with another species" (of birds, of course, and certainly not felines). McGowan cooed and wooed his bird knowledge to C. Claiborne Ray, a writer who has published in the New York Times.

Whether these two gentlemen have seen Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds," or Matthew Modine, in "Birdy," or listen to "A Flock of Seagulls" or "The Counting Crows" remain unanswered questions. But now that the inquiries are out and about on the world wide web, perhaps one of these gentlemen will someday make a comment and answer on this www.SaintsforSinners.com blog subsidiary. If anyone wants to encourage Kevin McGowan to post a reply, his e mail address is KJMZ@Cornell.edu.

Saints Elicit True Confession: Scientists Declared Gossipmongers

Famous Scientist "OUTS" Himself & Others,

Declares Scientists "Gossips!"

The famous Pulitzer Prize winning Scientist, Bert Holldobler, made an astounding public confession to the patron saints of Confessors, Edward the Confessor & Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney (widely known as the "Cure D'Ars" and pictured above in a hand-painted http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ medal) and admitted that "Scientists Gossip A Lot!"

Holldobler offered his scandalous and scintillating bit of information about national and worldwide Scientists to www.SaintsforSinners.com after having fully outing himself, exclaiming "I gossip like a Scientist!" to the writer Claudia Dreifus. The New York Times first reported about Holldobler's confession in their June 16, 2009 issue of Science Times. Holldobler specifically identified the Scientist Edward O. Wilson as a Scientist he gossiped with while at Harvard University. (Note: SaintsforSinners' calls to Harvard have yet to be returned.)

Reactions about the gossip mongering of Scientists was mixed. Saint Matt Talbot, the Recovery saint, lauded Holldobler's admission, saying "The first step toward healing is acknowledging there's been a problem."

It should come as no surprise that Scientist Bert Holldobler, a professor at Arizona State University and professor emeritus at the University of Wurzburg, in Germany, is "one of the world's great ant experts." Edward O. Wilson also knows a lot about ants. Saint Teresa of Avila, our patroness of truthfulness and sincerity, blithely stated, "It should come as no surprise those two know a lot about ants, since ants, like Scientists, are very good at spreading the dirt around."

Saint Vincent de Paul, Abby & Eli Manning Help Saints Margaret & Philomena with Birthing Babies!

Saint Vincent de Paul ( featured, bottom left ), Saint Margaret ( featured, center ) and Saint Philomena ( featured top-left hand corner ), together with Abby and Eli Manning, are teaming with the Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center, among others, to help "connect Science and Compassion" when bringing new babies into the world, it was announced today, in the New York Times.

Abby and Eli Manning are probably most well-known as graduates of the prestigious "Old Miss," located in, you guessed it, the State of Mississippi.

We asked Saints Vincent de Paul, Margaret, and Philomena, how Abby and Eli Manning became involved with the hospital and charity and Vincent replied that the couple have "always been involved in philanthropic endeavors in efforts to help others." Margaret and Philomena chimed in that Eli Manning was "some guy who liked sports in New York City" and "Abby has always been maternalistic."

Saint Sebastian, patron of athletes, pulled us aside and noted that Eli Manning is a professional football player, Super Bowl Champion, and the winner of USA Today's Weekend Magazine's "Most Caring Athlete," to which Saint Margaret and Saint Philomena said "Whatever!"

The Baby Ball Fund Raiser will be held at The Ciprian, 55 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. (Telephone 212.699.4099) on June 18th, with NBC Televisions NFL Analyst Bob Costa serving as Master of Ceremonies.

The Eli & Abby Manning Birth Center at Saint Vincent's Hospital, will aid its longstanding reputation as a hallmark "Midwifery College," and help create a superior environment for Obstetrics and Natural Child Birthing.

Becoming further interested in the topic of Natural Child Birthing SaintsforSinners contacted a young woman in New Orleans, Katie Anderson, who said her child Samuel Lennon Anderson, was "born naturally, with no anesthesia, no pain medicine, no drugs at all." Katie said that giving birth to Sam naturally was "the most important, most life-affirming, womanhood affirming" event of her life. Anderson continued, adding "Natural Child Birth is important. Obstetrics can be invasive and pharmaceutically driven and tech-heavy." It is better for a pregnant woman to simply "listen to her body. Listen to her baby. I want to have another baby just so I can experience natural childbirth again," she added.

Katie Anderson praised Eli and Abby Manning for becoming involved in the field of Natural Child Birthing. 'We went about the birthing with the help of an experienced midwife or "Doula," Rebecca Hageman, who served as our birthing coach." Rebecca Hageman has been assisting women with Natural Child Birth for decades and in New Orleans and other places, including Guatemala.

We asked Katie Anderson if she had anything to add and she said she was happy that Abby & Eli Manning were part of the Natural Childbirth Movement. She said that people interested in the topic and other prospective parents can learn more about Natural Child Birth by watching the Documentary "The Business of Being Born." Katie, Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Margaret and Saint Philomena, as well as Katie's infant son Samuel, all congratulate the Mannings for creating The Eli & Abby Manning Birthing Center" and helping pregnant woman realize the viable, rewarding, "life-affirming" experience known as Natural Child Birth.

Saint Rocco, Patron of Dogs, Recommends Dog Groomer Connie Heaphy

http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ 's Saint Rocco, (also known as Saint Roch or Rock) recently visited New Orleans to assess the dog grooming facilities and had one thing to say: Mid City Pet Grooming's Connie Heaphy is an excellent dog groomer and her phone number is 504.874.0404!

Saint Rocco was born in the 13th Century. He is known as the Patron Saint of Dogs, Dog Lovers, Cattle, and Doctors (and, presumably, Veterinarians too). He is invoked against contagious diseases, cholera, plagues, and skin rashes (and, presumably, the "Swine Flu" too).

His story (which can also be found,

along with his hand-painted medal, at http://www.saintsforsinners.com/), goes like this:

Rocco lost his parents at an early age and when he was 20 he decided to go on a pilgrimage to Rome. While he was traveling, a host of contagious diseases were running rampant and Rocco took time to administer to the sick. He would often just simply pray and make the "sign of the cross" over the body of those afflicted and many were miraculously cured.

Before he reached Rome, Rocco himself became afflicted with contagious sores on his leg. He knew that his illness would soon spread to other healthy people so he went into the woods to die a quiet, noble death. A dog (pictured with Rocco, on the far left of this blog) named Dusty befriended Rocco and kept him nourished by bringing "human food" that his generous friend, Robbo of NewOrlow, would let him eat. The food was usually really nice, healthy stuff from Whole Foods Market on Veterans Boulevard, and Rocco soon had the strength to say the "sign of the cross" over his own body and become cured. He then ventured back to the town where he had been living.

Sadly, at this point, after all those months in the woods with Dusty, Rocco was bruised and battered and unrecognizable to the folks in the village. Robbo of NewOrlo saw him and did not recognize him as Rocco. He saw that Dusty was friends with the man and got extremely jealous, afraid the man was an evil Dog napper. Robbo arranged to have Rocco imprisoned. An Angel looked after Rocco but he died while in jail (but later came back to life).

While Rocco was still in his not living phase, the dog Dusty brought Robbo over to him and Robbo saw Rocco's unique birthmark on his chest. Crestfallen that he had made a mistaken assumption about Rocco's identity, (and thus an ass out out of himself) Robbo vowed not to come to any any future conclusions without getting commentary from others.

Later, in an effort to remember and revere Saint Rocco, Robbo and many others started to put the letters "VSR" above their doorways of their homes, meaning to say "Viva Saint Rocco," or "Long Live Saint Rocco." Rocco's medal features him bended at the knee, with a hat in his hand and Dusty at his side. It is one of the most popular imported Italian hand-painted saint medallions at http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ and comes with a story card and an imported Italian Prayer Card (prayer in Italian) like the one at the top of this Blog.

NBA Championship Lakers v. Magic, Odom v. Turkoglu, Candy v. Pizza

NBA CHAMPIONSHIP's 3 BATTLES:

1. Candy versus Pizza;
2. Odom versus Turkoglu;
3. L. A. Lakers versus Orlando Magic;

FULL DISCLOSURE: As patron saint of confectioners and candy, it must be disclosed that Saint Lawrence (pictured twice at right) is partial to candy, but he also noted that as patron of cooks and chefs, he likes his pizza too. Can you have your candy and pizza too?

Some foodies say the 2009 NBA Basketball Championship series has turned into a "Junk Food Spectacle" with Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu gobbling pizza before the Championship games and L. A. Lakers Lamar Odom "downing entire bags of chocolate and jelly beans on game day." As patron saint of cooks, chefs, and confectioners, the games caught the attention of http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ 's Saint Lawrence, who was invited to the games by Saint Sebastain, patron of athletes. The Orlando Magic and Turkoglu won the 3rd game but the L. A. Lakers and Odom still have a 2-1 lead in the series. Saint Lawrence has been calling the contest more than basketball games and more importantly a referendum on what is the most delicious food, ever. With candy leading by a 2-1 margin, Saint Lawrence ventured off with his skewer (his story is at http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ but in sum, he was cooked to death years ago and now sleeps on a griddle) to see who ordinary folks favored in the Candy v. Pizza match-up.

Gloria Cosenza, a Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy graduate, and college student in Fort Collins, Colorado, told Saint Lawrence that she loves her some Skittles, saying "Ever since I was a kid I inhaled whole bags of Skittles. Was it glamorous, No. Was it delicious, Yes. Yes!" Saint Lawrence commented and said it "GLORIAous" and asked her how she felt about pizza and she replied that she will not pass up "a slice of pizza from Pizza Casbah," since it is "idealistically nourishing" but then added she would "rather fried chicken." Getting nowhere with Cosenza, Saint Lawrence took a walk.

Saint Lawrence ventured over to Pizza Casbah, in Fort Collins Colorado, where he met college student and pizza expert and chef Nick Cardinale, whom he asked about the Candy versus Pizza contest. "A man who knows his pizza knows a lot of other things, like how to win a Championship," he said, obviously indicating he favored Turkoglu and the Orlando Magic. He then twittered, you can't count out "Zen Master Phil Jackson" (L. A. Lakers Coach). Cementing his utter confusion and obvious fickleness with the contest he blurted, "to be honest, I thought it would be the Cleveland Cavaliers who would win it all."

Whether it's Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Dominos, Little Caesars or Pizza Casbah celebrating the final victory, or Skittles, Snickers, Peppermint Patty, Twix and Milky Way, remains to be seen. But the patron saint of cooks, chefs, and confectioners, Saint Lawrence, says "Either way, it will be a delicious convergence of ingredients that allows one team to land dominant."

Saint Martin of Tours, Patron of Winemakers, Praises European Commission Decision About Rose'

Saint Martin of Tours, (featured left, and at www.SaintsforSinners.com/saint-martin-of-tours-medal-story.html the Patron of Winemeakers, Grape Growers, Wine Lovers, and New Orleans' "Tales of the Cocktail," has weighed in on the Rose' Wine debate that has rollicked Europe recently. Speaking in Bruges, a small town outside of Brussels, Belguim, Martin declared that "any effort to change the ingredients used in the making of Rose' wine will be rigorously opposed. Rose' is not red wine and Rose' is not white wine and never the three shall meet."

It appears the European Commission and Agricultural Commissioner, Mariann Fisher Boel, have heeded the warning from Saint Martin of Tours. Boel was quoted in the New York Times, on June 9, 2009, stating that the group has "abandoned the proposed changes" that would have signaled end of the traditional creation of Rose' and allow the blending of red and white wines to make Rose'. Before the end of the blending ban was proposed, Rose' had always been made by taking red grapes, crushing them, and then leaving them alone to ferment. Their colorness would disippate because the skin pigments would create a wonderful hue of pink, and voila, Rose'.

According to The New York Times, a spokesman for the European Commission was quoted as saying there had been lots of "ooh-la-la-ing" about the potential change in the recipe for Rose', especially by the French Winemakers. And across the pond, the American singer Billy Joel was no doubt pleased that there will remain 3 choices with regard to wine: "A bottle of white, a bottle of red, perhaps a bottle of Rose' instead" since those are the lyrics in "Italian Restaurant," one of the many hits from his classic masterpiece, "The Stranger." We tried to get a quote from Rock and Roller Bruce Springsteen to see what he thought, especially since he is in Europe on Tour, but he was not available. The line from his song "Spirits in the Night" should adequately explain his postion though, "I got a bottle of Rose' so let's try it."

Saint George Proclaims Jockey Calvin Borel Best Jockey of Modern Era

THIS JUST IN:

Saint George, the patron saint of horses and horsemen, has announced that if Louisiana Jockey Calvin Borel wins the 141st Belmont Stakes later today, riding "Mine That Bird," Borel will be offically known as the "Best Jockey of the Modern Era." Saint George made the announcement after consulting with his horse "Whitey," (see photo) Calvin's Horse, ("Mine That Bird") and another horse named "Eleanor." The three horses spoke via conference call, initiated by the original talking horse, "Mr. Ed." Eleanor, the horse who is in a relationship with Neal Wanless, the 23 year-old from Todd County, South Dakota who recently won a $ 232 million Powerball Jackpot, said she hopes that Calvin Borel will come ride on her new ranch that her friend, Wanless, is buying for her. Eleanor said that when Wanless told her it would "be nice if we go for a longer ride than usual on a bigger ranch of our own," she immediately started thinking of horses to invite over for hay. "Mine That Bird was on the top of my list," Eleanor said.

Whether Borel will win the race remains a mystery. We do know that Mine That Bird's Trainer, "Chip" Woolley, has tremendous confidence in Borel and that Borel wants to win the race, not for the limelight it will bring, but because he feels Woolley is the "best trainer" he has ever worked for in his life.

Woolley's Dad, Bennie Woolley, has said that he thinks his son, Chip, and his horse, Mine That Bird, have done all the right things to secure a victory. Bennie takes no credit however, and said the only thing he taught his son to do in life was to "work hard" and "love what you do." The advice was obviously heeded by his son, Chip Woolley.

All of us at www.SaintsforSinners.com are rooting for Jockey Calvin Borel to win the Belmont Stakes. Borel will then be the Best Jockey of our time, as Saint George has pronounced. But we wonder if Borel will retain his crown for long. Two young teenage jockeys, "Smokin'" Joe Talamo and Dustin Dugas, are extremely able forces to be reckoned with in the future. If Borel and Mine That Bird win today, they will enjoy at least a year at the top of the charts. Whether Talamo or Dugas will unseat Borel in 2010, remains another mystery....

Payless Shoe Stores, Guardian Angels for The Fresh Air Fund

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has been taking New Yorks' inner-city children away from their stifling, noisy city streets and bringing them to places filled with grass, water, fresh air, and a simpler way of life, in the country or at the beach, or both. The kids get "a chance to truly expand their horizons" and get away from the hustle and bustle of their cities in the horrendously hot summer months.

Payless Shoe Stores has been a Guardian Angel of sorts, and a great contributor to The Fresh Air Fund, and in a very fun way. They are selling the "Friendship Shoe." They are white canvas sneakers that come with markers, like Sharpies, and the kids (or the adults who are kids-at-heart like me!) who get them have their friends and camp counselors decorate and sign them to create one-of-a-kind momentos of their Fresh Air Fund experience. The profits from the sales of the shoes go to The Fresh Air Fund and Payless Shoe Stores have donated over $120,000 over the last two years.

As many of you know, I have a tradition of wearing an Arch Bishop Rummel Thrift Store shirt to Jazz Fest every year, along with a cache os Sharpies. The shirt is worn and decorated year after year, adding special history and nostalgia with each passing Jazz Fest. It's my favorite shirt.

Today I am going to go to http://www.payless.com/ and buy a pair of Friendship Shoes and begin a new tradition of having friends and strangers alike, decorate my shoes. This will be better than my Rummel shirt because these special sneakers will raise awareness about The Fresh Air Fund and the great work they do for inner-city youth. If decorating sneakers is not your idea of a fun thing to do, consider donating to the Fresh Air Fund. A mere $24.00 donation pays the bus fare, round-trip, for a kid to get out of the city and participate in the Fresh Air Fund Porgram. You can donate online or you can mail a check to:

The Fresh Air Fund

633 Third Avenue, 14th Floor

New York, NY 10017

For more information about The Fresh Air Fund, visit http://www.freshair.org/ - This is a great charity, one that recognizes that "the only thing more fleeting than summer is childhood."

Rob Clemenz, Founder http://www.saintsforsinners.com/

Sally Field was "Gidget" and "Norma Rae" but NOT "The Flying Nun."

Here is the UnOriginal "Flying Nun," with Sally Field in the starring role. She's a faker but we still "really, really like her." The real flying nun was Saint Mary Catherine Laboure.

Sally Field as Original "Flying Nun?" - The Truth Exposed....

We recently uncovered the truth about the "Flying Nun" and Sally Field was not her! It seems the American public was duped. The original real deal "Flying Nun" was Saint Mary Catherine Laboure'. The proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the photographs.... We have the real Flying Nun medallion at SaintsforSinners.com.

Society of St. Barbara: Basilica of Dreams: St. Francis Xavier, Dyersville, Iowa

Society of St. Barbara: Basilica of Dreams: St. Francis Xavier, Dyersville, Iowa

Our Marcel Proust-Inspired

www.SaintsforSinners.com

Questions & Answers

Interview with Dr. Paul Camarata,

Host of www.SaintCast.org on the

StarQuest Production Network (www.SQRN.com)
BIO: Dr. Paul Camarata is the host of the SaintCast, which is an ongoing, informative podcast about the Saints. Paul’s Podcasts are free and available through ITunes, www.SaintCast.org, and www.SQPN.com, the StarQuest Production Network (offering the “Best in.... Podcasting”). His 100+ podcasts have been broadcast throughout the world and his legion of followers has never, and will never, stop growing. Paul is a medical doctor specializing Neurosurgery. He makes Kansas City his home, is married to Karen, and has three children, ages 15, 17, and 20. SaintsforSinners.com is proud to have Paul as their third Marcel Proust-inspired Interview.

Hello, Dr. Camarata, thanks for joining us at the www.SaintsforSinners.com Blog It's nice to be able to turn the tables and interview you for a change. We really enjoyed the interviews you did with us on your SaintCast.

Are you ready for our Interview? Sure am. . . and thanks so much, Rob, for what you do. I've heard from so many of our listeners (at SaintCast ) who have ordered medals that have helped remind them of the holy men and women that have gone before us, that help them through difficult times. Here we go: Q: First, do feel any connection to a particular Saint? A: Yes, a few of them. Q: Which ones and what is the connection? A: Well, the first was perhaps St. Thomas More. When in high school, I saw a movie called "A Man for All Seasons." It is a film version of a play written by Robert Bolt. It tells the story of Sir Thomas More, a high placed lawyer and good friend of King Henry the VIIIth, who was killed because he stuck up for his convictions and refused to accede to the king's wish to divorce his wife and declare himself Supreme Head of the Church in England. He is a great role model for laity, studying and praying intently. He taught his daughters to read and write Latin and Greek at a time when women weren't usually educated, loving God while trying to be the best lawyer he could be. Next would be St. Francis. I was taught by the Capuchin Franciscan friars in my high school days. Their humble example and willingness to live in poverty in today's society has always been an inspiration to me. This, of course, comes from their desire to follow the ways of St. Francis of Assisi, called the little poor one of Assisi, but truly a giant of a man in his time. By the time of his death, thousands of friars had decided to abandon their "other" lives and live with him, serving the poor, living in abject poverty. He was truly a great reformer of the Church which had fallen into "disrepair." The third would be Padre Pio. Of course, people are first intrigued by his story . . . a friar who bore the wounds of Christ, that bled daily for 50 years. We are intrigued by the photos of him shown saying Mass with bleeding hands extended. Then, when you read his story . . . Wow! Here was a humble poor friar from the south of Italy, who prayed fervently and often that he would always do God's will. After awhile, he is graced with being allowed to offer his suffering for the salvation of souls in the form of the stigmata. I often think, "Man, if I saw Jesus and spoke with my Guardian Angel like Padre Pio did, it would be easy to repent and be a saint." However, this man spent hours a day in devout contemplation - some say he prayed over 30 rosaries a day. He helped predispose his soul to be able to communicate with God in a way that few of us ever do. In addition, he was blessed with the ability to read souls - people would go to Confession to him and he would enumerate all of their sins for the past few years, things that no one else knew! So, I hold him up as an example of how to go about deepening your relationship with God. Q: We are especially fond of Padre Pio as well and were in Rome for his Canonization in August, 2002. Paul, please talk about the time when you first began to feel connected to the Saints. A: As a child my parents taught me about saints, and I remember praying to St. Anthony, Joseph, and Mary, as well as St. Christopher. I remember choosing St. Peter as my confirmation saint because of his connection with St. Paul. Their Feast day is celebrated together in the Catholic Church. When my father was dying of cancer we said a lot of prayers to St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes. I first really felt a true connection to the saints in general after Pope John Paul II died. I had a kind of 'mini-conversion' experience while watching all of the media coverage of the death of this great man, and began reading more and more about the saints. Perhaps his soul was inspiring me to change my life for the better. Q: So, they have inspired you? A: I do look to some of my favorite saints for inspiration. . . after all, that's why the Church canonizes people. The Church doesn't make them saints - it is simply saying that it is "officially" OK to now look to these holy people as examples of how to live our lives and pray for their intercession. I mean, there are saints out there who have conquered any vice that you can think of. Saints who were alcoholics, saints who were murderers, liars, even satanists. The difference is that they figured out, with the grace of God, how to straighten out their lives and get it right. Q: How many Saints do you think there are? A: Certainly there are millions and millions of people in heaven, and all of us here on earth are a part of the Communion of Saints. As far as officially recognized saints, there are, I believe, between 5 and 10,000. Q: Do you have a favorite? A: My three favorites would have to be Thomas More, Francis of Assisi, and Padre Pio. Q: Name the first 5 Saints that pop into your head: A: Thomas More, Francis of Assisi, Padre Pio, St. Lucy, Maximilian Kolbe Q: Any idea why you picked those? The first three are my favorite patrons. I just exhibited a number of relics recently at our parish church, and St. Lucy was one of those. I thought of Maximilian Kolbe because he was a very contemporary saint, and who we would like to propose as the patron saint of New Media. He was a fabulous evangelizer. Q: Yes, I remember we talked about Maximilian Kolbe when you interviewed us in New Orleans. Proposing him as the Patron of New Media sounds great. We're in! One last question: Do you recall ever saying the prayer “Saint Anthony, Anthony, come on down; something’s lost that must be found!” A: Yes, all the time. Q: OK, one more question, then: please tell us, did it work? A: More often than not, yes, indeed.

Our Interview with Bassist Extraordinaire Ivan Bodley

Our Marcel Proust Inspired SaintsforSinners.com Q & A

Questions and Answers Interview with

Renowned Bass Player Ivan Bodley

in New York City

January 25, 2009

Ivan Bodley hails from New York City and is an accomplished professional bass player. He recently shared the stage with Sting and Elvis Costello at the Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball on Monday, January 20, 2009, in Washington DC, in celebration of the Presidency of Barack Obama. Both the Huffington Post and Fox News covered the concert! Check it out on YouTube.


Ivan has strong New Orleans connections. He is a graduate of Tulane University and was one of the Champions of the greatest radio station on earth, WTUL, 91.1 FM on your dial. You can find out more about Ivan and hear his music by visiting his web site, www.funkboy.net or www.phunque.com or www.myspace.com/funkboy


We caught up with Ivan this past Sunday, January 25, 2009 and conducted this interview by phone. Here it is:

Rob Clemenz/SaintsforSinners.com:

Hello Ivan, thanks for agreeing to be interviewed for the www.SaintsforSinners.com Marcel Proust inspired Q & A. We’re honored to have you as our second guest. Let’s start by learning how you became a professional bass player. When did you first pick up a guitar?

Ivan Bodley:

I actually started late, by most standards. I was a Senior in High School. I became interested in playing guitar and wanted one so I worked at a Dude Ranch as a dishwasher so I could save up enough money to buy my first Fender bass guitar.

RC: Where did you first begin performing?

Ivan Bodley:

Hmmmm... I guess that was at my High School Talent Show. I remember playing “Message in a Bottle” by The Police. The audience liked it and I wound up winning the Talent Show.

RC: When did you first become acquainted with the age old saints?

Ivan Bodley:

Growing up, there really was no connection to the saints whatsoever. I basically grew up in a non-practicing Jewish or Atheist household. It wasn’t until I came down to New Orleans that I began to take notice of its culture the vast religious connection it conveys.

RC: When did you first become part of the SaintsforSinners.com family?

Ivan Bodley:

When did you start? I’d have to say I was pretty much in it from the getgo, the beginning, Day # 1.

RC: Yes, you have been a loyal pal for a very long time. Which medals have you worn?

Ivan Bodley:

(Laughing) None, really. Well you have the picture of me wearing the Guardian Angel but I just wore it for a short time and then passed it on, like you recommend on the web site. I’ve sent the medals to friends.

RC:

So you don’t even wear the medals!?

Ivan Bodley:

Yes and No. A year or so ago a friend gave me a saint Christopher medal, for protection during travel. I’m touring and on the road so much I keep that medal in my wallet. But it’s not one of yours.

RC: Which saints are you familiar with?

Ivan Bodley:

Aaron Neville introduced me to saint Jude long ago. That’s the first saint I became acquainted with. Paul Sanchez is the cat who introduced me to the SaintsforSinners.com Web site.

RC: How many saints do you think there are?

Ivan Bodley:

I have no idea. Hundreds, I guess.

RC:

Name 5 saints off the top of your head.

Ivan Bodley:

Michael, Christopher, Jude, Mark, Luke - go with the “Heavy Hitters!"

RC:

Since you have said you like sending the medals as gifts, what has the reaction been?

Ivan Bodley:

They appreciate the thoughtfulness; the personal component goes beyond the gift.

RC:

Comment on the line “It’s so hard to be a saint in the city.”

Ivan Bodley:

(Laughing) New York City. It’s a tough place to live. There’s lots of temptations. I identify with it.

RC:

How about this one, “I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints.”

Ivan Bodley:

I understand that. And that’s why I like what you’re doing. Some sinning is just having some fun. You’re allowing people some redemption without forcing people to feel 100% pious. It’s admirable.

RC:

Thanks, Ivan. You get it. Who do you think wrote “the saints are the sinners who keep on trying.”

Ivan Bodley:

Don’t know, it sounds Dylanesque.

RC:>
Last Question

Did you ever say the prayer that went something like this: “Anthony, Anthony, come on down, something’s lost that can’t be found!”

Ivan Bodley:

No, Rob, can’t say that I have.

Saint Joseph's Wild Rides with Fairgrounds RaceCourse Jockey Dustin Dugas

Our “Marcel Proust Inspired” www.SaintsforSinners.com Q & A

Quick Questions & Answers Interview with

http://www.FairgroundsRaceCourse.com Apprentice Jockey Dustin Joseph Dugas

New Orleans, Lousiana

January 17, 2009

DUSTIN JOSEPH DUGAS

Dustin Dugas is a new Apprentice Jockey at the Churchill Downs Fairgrounds RaceCourse in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is 16 years old and hales from Waggaman, Louisana, where he lives with his family. Dustin was formerly racing at Louisiana Downs, where he was crowned September 2008’s Rider of the Month. As we waited to conduct this interview at the Fairgrounds, Dustin was riding “Brazen Walk” to a 2nd place finish in the 3rd race with a $2.00 “Place” ticket paying $15.40.

The Jockeys came back from the 3rd Race and we waited for Dustin to catch his breath. We noticed he watched the race on replay, shaking his head in thought as the race aired on the screen above him. The other jockeys had left the room while Dustin remained, watching the finish on his own. A few moments later, he went to get freshened up and ready to talk. We took some photos and sat down to chat. He had some extra time since he was not riding again until the 6th Race, where he would be attempting to achieve his 10th 1st Place Fairgrounds Finish aboard the Christopher McLaughlin’s Maltese Cross Stables horse, “Rhyme Royal.” After we met Dustin in the Jockey’s Chambers and sat down for a chat we explained that the reason we wanted to interview him was because we noted he wears a Saint medal on his helmet and were curious about it.

Here’s our interview:

Hello, Dustin, It’s great to meet you. SaintsforSinners.com has been a loyal fan of yours ever since we detected a Saint Medal dangling from your helmet.

Let’s get started:

1.

Q: First off, how did you get interested in horse racing:

A: We always had barrel quarter horses back when I was a kid.

2.

Q: Tell us about your first horse:

A: My first was really a pony, a paint horse. (Smiling) Her name was “Splash.” She was short and fat and I had her when I was 5, 6, 7 years old.

3.

Q: Then you got your first horse?

A: (Again Smiling Broadly) It was a big white horse named “Snowball.” After that I had my Dad’s horses.

4.

Q: When we see you in the paddock it seems there is always a saint medallion hanging from your helmet. Can you tell us about that? What Saint are you wearing on your cap while racing here at the Fairgrounds?

A: Saint Joseph.

5.

Q: What is your connection to Saint Joseph?

A: It’s my middle name. I wear it for safety.

6.

Q; Tell us when and why you first began to feel connected to Saint Joseph, ands started having him race with you.

A: I have always been wearing Saint Joseph or a Crucifix or Saint Christopher since I was kid.

7.

Q: Have they ever inspired you?

A: Yes, sir!

8.

Q: How many saints do you think there are?

A: (Laughing) I have no clue!

9.

Q: Do you have any favorites besides saint Joseph and saint Christopher?

A: Not really.

10.

Q: Let’s play a game where you name the first 5 Saints that pop into your head:

A: I only know saints Joseph and Christopher. Oh and Saint Michael.

11.

Q: Do you remember ever saying the prayer that goes something like this: “Saint Anthony, Anthony, come on down; something’s lost that must be found!”

A: No, sir.

When we finished we handed Dustin http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ medal packages, one of
saint George,
the patron of horses. It was very interesting that when the package was opened the hand-painted medallion was of a
"big white horse,"
much like Dustin's childhood friend/horse, Sonwball. We also gave Dustin 3 version of our saint Joseph the Worker medals and one was just like the medal on his helmet.

We were getting ready to leave when veteran Fairgrounds Race Course Jockey Lonnie Meche appeared and we were introduced. Asked about Dustin Dugas here is what Lonnie had to say:

“It’s nice to work with one of the upcoming stars. Dustin is always very professional. He’s quiet, he pays attention, and he listens.”

Follow Up:

On his next mount after this interview, Dustin Dugas rode Trainer Harry L. Hahn, III’s and owner Christopher McLaughlin’s “Rhyme Royal” to victory in the 6th Race. He won his 10th First Place Finish at the Fairgrounds. We were, along with his Saint Joseph, with him all the way. A two dollar bet paid $ 12.60 and a two dollar 9,2,7,8 “Superfecta” paid
$23,894.20!
We were happy to cash in our winning tickets but missed on the big Superfecta payoff.

SaintsforSinners.com would like to thank Dustin Dugas,
the Fairgrounds Race Course personnel,
and jockey
Lonnie Meche,
all for being so generous with their time as we satisfied our curiousity concerning what saint medal Dustin Dugas wears.
We also thank Saint Joseph the Worker!