Another Clark Griswold Experience:  The project seemed simple:  I wanted to install an outdoor wireless access point.  A wireless access point allows wireless devices to connect to a switch so that these devices can connect to a computer network and then to the internet.  I had some security cameras I wanted to install, and I needed a stronger signal outside for the cameras to work properly.  I had the project all mapped out in my mind, and I was confident it was going to be simple.  I’m not sure WHY I thought this project would be simple, because no project I touch is EVER simple.
 
Given I was installing this wireless access point on the outside of the house, I needed to use some outdoor internet cable.  Outdoor internet cable has a special casing along with gel around the wires to keep it safe from moisture.  Without much trouble, I was able to drill the necessary holes through the wall to gain access to the outside and through the basement floor to route the cable to the location of the router.  It was going so smooth that even I was thoroughly amazed.  Once I knew I had the necessary length of cable, and routed it from the router to my outdoor location, it was time to secure it to the walls and ceiling.  I have a special staple gun I use for this purpose.  The staple gun uses cable staples (basically a standard staple but with a hard plastic insert to center and protect the cable).  I was moving along and stapling away.  I actually was starting to think I may have FINALLY achieved semi-professional status considering how easy the job was going.  Just as I was relishing in the thought of being a semi-professional, and feeling confident I would get this project done quickly, I made a major blunder.  The staple gun moved a bit, and one of the staple legs clipped and punctured the far edge of the cable casing.  My heart sunk.  I was doomed.  Did I sever any part of the cable?  This was going to add some time to the project but I figured since it was inside, I could repair it later if necessary.  Had this been outside, I would have had to run a whole new line.  So, I continued securing the cable with much more diligence!  As I finished securing the cable, I kept hoping and praying I didn’t slice or puncture any of the 8 little wires that make up a standard internet cable.  But, given the time of day, I had to clean things up and return to the project a couple of days later … all the while worried I had pulled a newbie DIYer major gaffe by being too trigger happy with my staple gun.  I tried to console myself with the thought I was lucky it wasn’t an electrical line.
 
I got back to the project a few days later.  I finished all of my connections and got the cable ready for its big test launch.  The big test launch, in this case, was to put my cable tester at both ends and watch it tell me the cable was perfect and had no shorts.  I got the one end of the cable tester connected and then took the controller to the other end, plugged in the cord, and in true Clark Griswold fashion flipped the switch and waited for the magic to happen.  Nothing happened.  My heart sank.  I hit the button again.  NOTHING.  I wanted to scream.  I then remembered my low battery light was on the last time I used this tester.  So I took the tester apart and realized it needed a particular battery I didn’t have in my “battery supply store” in my car.  Unfortunately, there was no way to test this cable other than putting it into service and hope and pray it would work.  I went back into the house, unplugged the tester, and made all the final permanent connections.  It was ShowTime!  I plugged in the cables and waited for the wireless access point’s lights to start flickering … hoping beyond hope it was going to power on and actually work.  Being a good Clark Griswold, I stood outside and stared this small little device down, waiting for its green light or something … anything … to come on.  Time stopped.  But then I saw a flicker of green, and the green flicker eventually turned to a solid green.  Suddenly I heard the choirs of angels singing the Halleluiah Chorus.  It worked!   I didn’t light up the neighborhood with Christmas lights as Clark Griswold did, but like Clark, I was ecstatic when the lights came on.  You have to realize, a novice do it yourselfer can’t ALWAYS be certain what will happen when we push the “on” buttons of our projects.  We sit back and either wait for success or cry because of another dud experience.  Thankfully, by the grace of God, this one worked!
 
A Business Sign:  I happened to be driving through Warren recently on my way to my sister and brother-in-law’s house, and I saw a sign on an oil change place that had me laughing for minutes.  It said:  “IT’S BACK:  Pumpkin Spiced Motor Oil.”
 
World Mission Sunday:  This Sunday is World Mission Sunday, a special day when we unite ourselves with Catholics all over the world to pray and sacrifice for the missionary efforts of the Church.
 
Every year the needs of the Catholic Church in the Missions grow – as new dioceses are formed, as new seminaries are opened because of the growing number of young men hearing Christ’s call to follow Him as priests, as areas devastated by war or natural disaster are rebuilt, and as other areas, long suppressed, are opening up to hear the message of Christ and His Church.
 
Mission dioceses – about 1,100 at this time – receive regular annual assistance from the funds collected this weekend. In addition, these mission dioceses submit requests to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples for assistance, among other needs, for catechetical programs, seminaries, the work of Religious Communities, for communication and transportation needs, and for the building of chapels, churches, orphanages and schools. These needs are matched with the funds gathered each year. The world’s national directors of the Propagation of the Faith vote on these requests, matching the funds available with the greatest needs. These funds are then distributed, in their entirety, to mission dioceses throughout the world.
 
Special envelopes were available in the pews this weekend.  Please be generous in supporting the Pontifical Mission Society.  This annual collection is the Church’s principal means for supporting missionary activity throughout the world.  If you were not prepared to give a donation at Church this weekend, you can always bring your gift next weekend or simply drop it off at the Parish Center.
 
Enjoy the week.  Know of my prayers.
 
In Christ,
 
gmb
gmb@sjascs.org