Reminder for Sunday, May 24, 2015, Pentecost

Genesis 18:   For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it.

Colossians 2:  … he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our  transgressions, …

Luke 11:  … how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

John reading from Genesis

Thanks…

Music,    Ben

Readers,   Connie & John

Gospel,   John Cade

Homily,  John Cade

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,      Richard & Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

Connie reading from Paul's letter to the Colossians

Readings:  Download 07-24-22- Readings – 17th Sunday Ord

Homily:  Download 07-24-22 – Homily – 17th Sunday Ord

Cheryl sharing a beautiful blessing

Remember these special people:

For Sandra who has been diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma;   For Lambrini, John Cade's wife, who is dealing with cancer and Kaliope, John Cade's Mother-in-law;  For Hue; For Jackie;  For John's sister, Kathey recovering from a fall;    For Tom Good;  For a young man, 19 struggling with a brain tumor and cancer;     For Mary Hall's friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition;   For Sir Charlie & Jan; 

Ben sharing a blessing too

Jackie's mom, sister, & friend, Lynn;  For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg.;   For Jean & Cliff Wright;  For Dee, and for her daughters, Lisa & Lauren;     For a young man who is suffering from depression;  John Cade's daughter, Joey, with cancer; from Barbara, a little baby boy named Ford recuperating from an operation & friends, Annie, a mom of 3 kids and Michael ;    for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

The Kiss of Peace, Kevin, John, Mary, Claire and Ray

Birthdays:   

Anniversaries:   David & Donna Dinsmore 7/26

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  325.00 

Outreach: $  50.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

Rosemary's Blessing:  

 

 

 

 

JSM Mission-Faith Statement  

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth.  

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live.

 

John Stack Ministries, 7017 Helsem Way, Dallas, Texas 75230

Isaiah 53:  Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many "righteous ones," as he himself carries the burden of their sins

Hebrews 4:  So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

Mark 10:  It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.  Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.

Gardens in Nova Scotia

Another Reminder for 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 20, 2024

Readings:  

Ezekiel 17, 22-24, Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it.

Psalm 92, Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

2 Corinthians 5, 6-10, We are always courageous.  

Mark 4, 26-34, Through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.

Leo & his momma, Shonda

Observations on Ezekiel

Who:  Ezekiel is one of the Big 3 prophets.  Why?  48 chapters.  The other 2: Isaiah & Jeremiah.  Lots of chapters.

Ezekiel was born into the priest class.  He later was considered a prophet.  When he was about 25 he was swept up in the Babylonian captivity, around 590. 

Emma wiating for the cookies

When: It covers the period of the Captivity, but it is composed toward the end of the Captivity, around 550, before Christ.  This is Ezekiel’s material, but it has been saved and edited by his fellow priests.

Brooklyn ready to roll

Message:

1.  Ezekiel warns the people that they will be punished for their bad ways, for example, the Captivity.
2. He promises comfort and a brighter future for the captive, especially envisioning a restored temple (which was done until when?  The year 70, when the Romans finally destroyed the temple & the priestly cast ceased to function, to this day).
3. An amusing vision: The Dry Bones, chapter 37.

Today’s selection: Consolation.  Watch for a comforting message about a cedar tree.

As Sienna escapes across the stage, Brian climbs the stairs two at a time in hot pursuit. Who won?

Sources: Good News Bible, New Interpreter’s Study Bible, Wikipedia

All males in the community receiving a special community Father's Day Blessing

Father’s Day

In honor of Father’s Day I want to tell you 4 vignettes that I saw this weekend at a wedding Rosemary & I celebrated in Marshall, TX.  Two of the fathers are the couple’s dads.  The other two are guys I saw in action.

The community blesses

The wedding was for Kyle Dansby, a boy whom I have known and loved since way back in the nineties when he & often his two younger brothers helped me as altar servers at St. Mark’s.  Ashli Marie Acker was Kyle’s fiancé’.

Robyn & Erin offer their blessings

The first time I noticed something special was at breakfast yesterday morning in our motel, Comfort Suites.  Rosemary & I were seated at a table in the dining room about 9:00.  In comes a young couple with a girl about 3 and a boy who was placed in a high chair. 

This little boy fell immediately in love with Rosemary.  To see her he had to turn around left in his chair.  Despite dad’s efforts to interest him in eating, the little boy just watched Rosemary.  Food went uneaten and even on the floor.

The Dansby Family, Clark, Charlie, Kyle, Janet, & Randy. The Marshall Court House is where Kyle works as an Assistant D.A.

We talked with the little boy who never spoke, just watched.  Despite dad’s plans and despite the mess, dad never lost his cool.  When it was time for them to leave, he simply cleaned up, held out his arms, and the little boy put up his arms to be held.  I was touched, especially by his not placing project over people.

Later at the wedding, which was outdoors across the plaza from the pretty Marshall courthouse in a small park with a gazebo attached to a building.  So there was a stage effect.  We had two little flower girls, Lily & Abby.    Kids are always a delight at a wedding and these little girls were no exception. 

Ashli & Kyle Married

First, they got lost trying to choose which access to get up on the gazebo stage.  So I went and helped them up.  Then, as the wedding progressed, they were everywhere.  They went up and down, they went to pick up their flower baskets, and they were chatting with the bride’s maids.  Dad never got flustered.  Nor did anyone on the stage.  Instead of being seen as distractions, they were celebrated as delights.

Another example of people over project.

Then there was Ashli’s father.  Nice guy, congenial, probably in his fifties.  Then I discover he has recently obtained his doctorate and is teaching at a college maybe in Beaumont.  I am most impressed because I was trained as a Jesuit and still believe it that we never stop learning.  Life is an adventure in learning.  And here is an example.

Our very entertaining flower girls

Finally, Kyle’s dad.  I discovered that when Kyle was about 2 or 3 his mom died of cancer.  She was only about 34.  I cannot imagine how difficult this must have been.  I talked with him just a little bit about the event and he admitted that it was really, really tough. 

Later, fortunately, he met his present wife and has two more sons.  Faithfulness.

Technology to the rescue. The Bible was left in the girls' dressing room. So Kyle's brother, Charlie, brings up the Corinthians reading on his iPhone

These four guys touched me each in their own special way.  The two fathers of the little kids reminded me of my own struggle with placing projects over people.  Ashli’s dad exemplifies the ideal that learning is a lifelong adventure.  And Kyle’s dad, faithfulness.

How are you blessed by the dads in your life?

How are you dads blessing our world?

Mass: Coffee, pastries, & specials on the House.

Time: 9:30; Stack Celebrating

Place: Vines High School, 15th between Custer & Independence, south side, Plano

  
 
 Readings:  Sirach 27, 30-28, 7; Psalm 103, The Lord is Kind and Merciful, Slow to Anger, and Rich in Compassion (terrific line!); Romans 14, 7-9; Matthew 18, 21-35

   
                                                                                                                                                                                                Picture Picture  1:    C.C.              

Picture 2:    John                      

Picture 3:    Leo & his dad,   

Picture 4:    Ray    

Community Bulletin Board:

1.   Any families still looking for religious ed for your kids?  Just let us know.

2.  This Sunday we will start having grape juice available for those who prefer not to take wine.  We may not do this every Sunday, but at least half the time.  Thanks to John Cade for the suggestion and apologies for being so insensitive to the issue for so long.  Vat.  II, of course, allowed this, but it was forbidden again duing J.P. II's time.

3.  Michael Morwood's presentation, Sept. 24.  A married priest, excellent speaker, terrific ideas on our faith, Download Morwood Flyer 9-9-11

4.  Yes, it is time for those of you who have asked: reservations for Christmas at the Dallas Smphony. 

     The plan: Dec. 15, Thursday, 8:00 P.M., $68.00 per ticket, group rate ($80.00 otherwise), Orchestra Terrace (the lowest terrace), because the main floor was too expensive.  Wine & cheese before the performance at The Parsonage.  Let me or Rosemary know.  Sunday, Sept. 25, last day to join us.  Sept. 26 we buy tickets. 

5.  Next brunch Sunday, Sept. 25.  John Cade will celebrate the Mass in honor of his 50th anniversary of ordination.   

What's going on in our Catholic World:

1.   Pope visits Germany,  National Catholic Reporter, September 2:  Download A German pope to Germany 9-9-11

 2.   McBrien on Detroit Diocese crushing debt, National Catholic Reporter, September 6: Download 54 million Detroit debt 9-9-11

3.   An old Jesuit friend, John Dear, on 9-11 & the Christian message, National Catholic Reporter, September 7: Download Jesus and the falling towers 9-9-11

Picture 5:     Communion helpers, Jackie, Tom, Lynda, Mike, Nancy, Jan, Patricia, & Sandra

Picture 6:    Shonda & Ray & Jon      

True?

Make your work your play and your play your work.

 PHIL JACKSON

   Video: Closing Song 

 Readings:

Samuel 16, 1, 6-7, 10-13. Samuel chooses and anoints David.

 Psalm 23,  The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

 Ephesians 5,  8-14,   You were once in darkness, but now you are light.

 John 9, 1-41,    The beggar given sight.

She is back, Everybody, with a new little baby boy, Caleb.   Congratulations, Bethany.

Observations on 1 Samuel:

What: The is the first book of a 4 book series tracing the history of the Israelites,  1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings.  Samuel, Saul, and the great David are the main characters.

When composed:   800 & 700 years before Christ the work was being put together.  Mostly finalized, guess when, Babylonian time, ca. 555 years before Christ.

Today's selection: How Yahweh guided Samuel in selecting David.

Stuart.

Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd.   One of my favorites, very comforting.  Is it true? 

Stuart with Julian.

The Lord is My Shepherd

I would like to talk this morning about that Psalm 23, which is one of my favorites, The Lord is My Shepherd. 

I would like to tie it in with a guy named Stuart, whose funeral I just did in Toronto Friday at 11:00.  I did Stu’s wedding 25 years ago to one of the Reddick sisters, Renee Reddick, of the family whom I had gotten close to when I studied in Toronto from ’68-’72.  Renee & Stewart had separated a couple of years ago, but they were still peaceful with each other. 

Stuart with Julian and Ethan.

Stuart had one extraordinary quality that I envied and used as a model for my own life.  He had a Stuart spirit that created life, energy, friendship, and community around him.  With a megawatt smile and laughter, he invited people to have fun and friendship with gobs of adventures, meals, and get togethers.

You will never guess how many of his friends and admirers gathered together Friday morning at 11:00 in St. John’s Catholic Church to celebrate a Catholic Mass.  We estimated at least 200 people.  The church was full.  Even the two viewings the night before were packed with people and energy.

Stuart and Renee.

A second point.  Stu had a number of hobbies, one of which was playing ice hockey.  After all, he was Canadian.  All Canadians are born wearing skates.  Stu was a big, robust, good looking blond.  If I was playing hockey and saw him barreling down the ice grinning with the excitement of taking me out, I would have jumped over the railing. 

Among all his buddies his hockey team mates seemed to be extra special.  After the funeral Mass a reception was held at a big club on the shore of Lake Ontario right in the middle of Toronto.  His team mates told Renee they were covering the bill.  It was food and open bar for everybody and the party lasted from about 1:00 to 6:00. 

Stuart & his buddy after one hour of bad hockey, looking forward to the next 2 hours.

Stu has a refrain which I used at the Mass to invite everyone to the reception, “1 hour of bad hockey, 2 hours of good drinking.  Let’s begin!”  I think Stuart was playing hockey up to the last year or so of his life.

The third point about Stewart, he helped to nurture and raise two fine sons, one in college, the other in high school.  They are both beautiful kids.

Our Candle Man of The Week, Brandon.

Stuart died of cancer just last week.  The cancer was first discovered this past November, around the time of American Thanksgiving.  Stuart was a Good Shepherd to lots of people.  Was the The Lord a Shepherd to him?  Dying of cancer after 4 months?  There is nothing I shall want?

For me it is the question of unconditional love.  Even though I will die, the love and acceptance is there.

How does the Lord Shepherd you?

For whom are you a Shepherd?

Hi, Genevieve, are you trying out for the choir with that mike, which I know you love? 

Zephaniah 3,   Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!  Sing joyfully, O Israel!

Isaiah 12,  Cry out with joy and gladness;

Philippians 4,   …Rejoice in the Lord always.

Luke 3,   I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.

Thanks……

Music,    Ben 

Readers,    Mike & Geri, & Buddy, our candle blesser 

Gospel,     John Cade

Homily,  John Cade

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,      Hue, Richard & Mike 

Final Blessing, Rosemary

Norwegian Fiord

Readings:  Download 12-12-21 – Readings – Advent 3

Homily:  Download 12-12-21 – Homily – Advent 3

Gdansk

Remember these special people:

For John Stack having a hard time right now with a bad back;  For Laura Chollick;  For Sandra who has been diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma;   For Rosemary's great niece, Rylie;  For Richard's grand daughter, Madeleine;   For Esparza's new great grandson  & Frank;  For all the medical personnel struggling to treat the tsunami of sick people, in particular, locally, Cindy's staff at Presby, Dallas, and at Frisco Presby, the mother of Harper and Betsy, Kendle, working in labor & delivery, and for Hue & Linda's daughter, Doctor Rosemary Beavers;   For Mary & Dave Hall's g-daughter Allison Keller working at St. Lukes, The Woodlands,   For Sir Charlie & Jan;  Shonda's mom & Cody &  Leo & all of Shonda's dear family; For Ursuline Sr. Mary Troy,

Jackie's mom, sister, & friend, Lynn;  For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg.; For Meredith, cancer free & John Schanot;    For John O'Donnell & Jean;   For Jean & Cliff Wright;  For Dee, and for her daughters, Lisa & Lauren  ;  For Anthony & Sabrina;    For a young man who is suffering from depression;  John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli and Lambrini, plus John's daughter, Joey, with cancer; from Barbara, a little baby boy named Ford recuperating from an operation & a nephew; for David McKeon's brother, Hugh; For Beth's friends & brother;   for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

Sunset in the Baltics

Birthdays:  Loretta Williams 12/12,  Tom Good 12/14,  Allen Stryker 12/17, Ben Porter 12/18

Anniversaries:  

Dubrovnik

Community Finances,   

Expenses: $  430.00

Outreach: $  325.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

Rosemary's Blessing:  

May an abundance of gratitude burst forth in our minds and hearts as we remember all the blessings in our life

May we slow our hurried pace these days so we can be aware of, and enjoy, what we can too easily take for granted

May we always be open, willing and ready to share our blessings with others and never forget the God who loves us lavishly and unconditionally

And  may we remember that our thanksgiving is incomplete until we pay it forward by doing for others what they cannot do for themselves

Amen.

From a prayer by Sr. Jean Amore CSJ,  Sacred Heart Academy,  Hempstead, N.Y.