Exodus 34: Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, “The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” 2 Corinthians 13: Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. John 3: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
Mary Jane reading from the Acts of the ApostlesJohn reading from 1 CorinthiansBen reading IN FLANDERS FIELDS By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915 during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium
Pope John XXIII modeled love and kindness for all the world to see. “See everything,” he said, “overlook a great deal; correct a little.”
The Monastic Way, Sister Joan Chittister
Rickey Turner Please click on the link below for more information on Rick’s fund for ongoing treatment and medications for a kidney transplant. As Rick is now back on track for the transplant, we are helping to cover the medications necessary following the transplant. Rick Turner Blog Post
Another Reminder for Trinity Sunday, May 31, 2026 Here are the links for Sunday:
John Stack Ministries meets on Sunday for Mass at 9:30 at
The ArtCentre of Plano,
902 E. 16th St, Plano, Texas.
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.
…and life is still a constant surprise to me. We never know what will happen next, what we will see, and what important person will come into our life, or what important person we will lose. Life is change, constant change, and unless we are lucky enough to find comedy in it, change is nearly always drama, if not tragedy. But after everything, and even when the skies turn scarlet and threatening, I still believe that if we are lucky enough to be alive, we must give thanks for the miracle of every moment of every day, no matter how flawed. And we must have faith in God, and in the Universe, and in a better tomorrow even if that faith is not always deserved.
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
Rosemary missed our celebration this morning because Aviana had gotten sick overnight and Rosemary took her to our vet. Both are okay now.
Outreach: $xxx (often for Souls Harbor, Legacy, etc.)
Thanks, Everybody. Your generosity is humbling.
I am both humbled and proud to announce that we put together two of our monthly contributions to Souls Harbor, i.e., $2000 & $1500, and donated them on the Giving Tuesday recently. Yes, the amount was matched. Thanks again, Everybody.
A Special Gift:
The Ask Dr. B. Good radio show can be located on 1160 am at 8 am Sundays. Why should you listen? Everyone needs to understand what is happening in public education, especially right now during COVID. Public education must become something different than what it’s been for the last 100 years. Stay up and stay tuned to what’s happening in public education!
Readings:
Acts of the Apostles, 8, 5-8, 14-17, They laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 66, Let all earth cry out to God with joy. (Beautiful Psalm)
1 Peter 3, 15-18, Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.
John 14, 15-21, I will not leave you orphans.
Reading 1
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Going down to Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah. When the people heard what he had to say and saw the miracles, the clear signs of God’s action, they hung on his every word. Many who could neither stand nor walk were healed that day. The evil spirits protested loudly as they were sent on their way. And what joy in the city!
When the apostles in Jerusalem received the report that Samaria had accepted God’s Message, they sent Peter and John down to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit. Up to this point they had been baptized in the name of the Master Jesus; the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen on them. Then the apostles laid their hands on them, and they did receive the Holy Spirit.
Our word for today.
The cheese factory.
Reading 2
A Reading from the First Letter of Peter
Sisters and brothers: Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks, why you’re living the way you are, and always do it with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath. It’s better to suffer for doing good, than to be punished for doing bad. That’s what Christ did: he went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.
Our word for today
The Lord be with you. A Reading from the Gospel of John
Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he will provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t even know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will be in you! I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me, because I am alive and you are about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
The Good News of John
Please Remember these special people:
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; ; For Frank having hernia surgery this week; For Joe Hogan with cancer, For Loretta's aunt Alicia; For Ryan, Rosemary's nephew, who had surgery; For Bill Hammond, For Sydney; & For Sir Charlie; Shonda's mom; For Gilberto: for Michelle; For a friend, a neighbor, & a doctor, Karen, with brain cancer; For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg; For Meredith, cancer free.; For Hue; For John O'Donnell; For Dee, and for her daughter, Lisa; For John Schanot's continued health; For Anthony & Sabrina; For a young man who is suffering from depression; John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli and Lambrini;
Birthdays: Sr. Mary Troy, 87, Rick Froebe, Debbie Ekes
Ezekiel 17: It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.
2 Corinthians 5: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
Mark 4: It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”
Lynda reading from Ezekiel
Thanks…
Music, Shonda & Ben
Readers, Lynda & Tom
Homily, John Cade
Eucharistic Prayer A & B, John Stack & John Cade
The Magic Zoom makers, Hue & Kevin
Final Blessing, Rosemary
Tom reading from Paul's letter to the Corinthians
Remember these special people:
For John Stack; For Shonda's Grandmother; For Meredith whose cancer has come back; For Tom Quinn; For Frank Esparza; For Lambrini, John Cade's wife, who is dealing with cancer ; For Allen Stryker; For Mike and Judy Carrell ; For Madeleine, Richard Eshelbrenner's granddaughter; For Hue; For Jackie; For John's sister, Kathey recovering from a fall; For Mary Hall's friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition; For Sir Charlie; For Ron ; For Teresa Quinn's niece, Maddie who has a brain tumor;
Jackie's 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 & the families of Annie and Michael ; for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.
Mary commenting on the homily
Birthdays:
Anniversaries:
All the men receive a blessing for Father's Day
Community Finances:
Expenses: $ 330.00
Outreach: $
Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.
John and Connie
Rosemary's Blessing:
Loving God, through the gift of our fathers,
you reveal your wisdom, love and care.
Continue to bless and guide these holy men
you have given to us in our lives.
Support them in their call
to lead holy lives of faithfulness, respect and integrity.
May their witness of faith and love
shine from them and on their children and families
giving hope and encouragement to all.
Bless them for all the ways they lift their children to achieve their dreams.
Bless them for their sacrifice, their forgiveness and their guidance.
Bless grandfathers, uncles, brothers, cousins, teachers and coaches
who have shown us love and support.
For those fathers who have lost a child or spouse,
give them your loving touch of healing
consoling them with your gentle care.
For those fathers who have gone before us,
bring them to your eternal banquet of joy and peace;
bring them the fullness of union with you
and communion with us as we remember their love for us. Amen.
(Adapted from Fr. John Thomas Lane, SSS)
Happy Father’s Day
John Stack Ministries meets on Sunday for Mass at 9:30 at The ArtCentre of Plano, 902 E. 16th St, Plano, Texas.
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.
Readings: Isaiah 40, 1-11; Psalm 104, O Bless the Lord, My Soul; Titus 2, 11-14, 3, 4-7; Luke 3, 1-22.
Baptism & Original Sin: traditional & contemporary theology
Traditional theology on baptism & original sin:
a. Original sin: the 1 sin of Eve & Adam, the eating of an apple, ruptured the relationship between God & Humans.
b. Why we baptized: purification & removal of that original sin inherited by all babies. A new born baby was a sinner & would go to Limbo forever if not baptized before dying.
Contemporary theology on baptism & original sin:
a. Original sin:
1. no original sin
2. Genesis story of the fall is allegory, not fact. No Garden of Eden and no Adam & Eve.
3. from Darwin's Origin of the Species the idea has developed that in our human infancy, we needed certain behaviors to survive. For instance, killing another person & stealing (like food). As our ancestors formed communities, norms of social behavior emerged, for example, the 10 commandments.
4. St. Augustine, ca. 400:
–A major, if not the major influence on Christian/Catholic theology of original sin and human nature from his time to today
–After conversion from a rather lusty life at 32, he had a pessimistic view of human nature, different from early Christianity
–St. John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople (Istanbul), Pelagius, a British monk, & Julian of Eclanum, Italy, a bishop, all found nature good and fought against Augustine
–Augustine used all means to vanquish his opponents with their positive view that nature was good, even to sending a gift of horses to the pope to influence his decision. Augustine won.
b. Why we baptize today: (using the contemporary theology)
1. To celebrate a new life
2. To ritually & formally welcome the new person into a family, a community, and to a God famous for love and acceptance.
3. To cleanse after the journey
Sources: Elaine Pagels, Adam, Eve, and the Serpent; John Shelby Spong; Wikipedia
We are Getting Better
I have one more Christmas story to celebrate this baptism today.
There are three people in the story. My good friend, her little daughter, and her niece, who is about 16 or 17. The story took place at Collin Creek Mall one or two days just after Christmas. Guess what they were doing. Bringing things back.
It happened that the niece had offered to take the daughter to the mall to have girl fun while her mother went to the mall to return various items. After they had been there a while, the niece phoned to say that it was getting to be time for her to leave. So could she return the daughter?
They agreed that the easiest way to arrange the swap was for the niece to take the girl in her car, drive over to where my friend's car was, and then transfer the daughter & her car seat. So they met in the parking lot, my friend's car in a parking place, the other car in the aisle behind the first car.
Mother goes into the niece's car, unbuckles her daughter, and places the girl in her car. Then she disconnects the car seat and reconnects it in her own car, securing her daughter in place. Somewhere in this process she set her purse down. Yep, you guessed it.
Who knows where she set it down. Maybe by her niece's car, maybe by her own. But apparently outside.
She gets into her car and drives off. Almost immediately she notices her purse is missing. She calls her niece and asks her to look in her car. No purse.
So they both return to where the car was parked. They drive around, ask people. No sign of the purse. The niece finally departs and mom goes home. She calls her mom, then she calls the mall security. Nothing had been reported or brought in. Security says to call the police. The police do not know what to do. Was it stolen? Or was it forgotten?
She thinks of her credit card, of getting a new license, she thinks of her phone. So, using her mom's phone, she starts calling her phone hoping someone will answer No one answers.
Time passes. A few hours later in the evening, her mom gets a phone call. It is young boy, a high school aged kid. He has the purse. He says he and his dad found it in the parking lot and simply used the phone's incoming calls to call the number identified as "Mom."
The mom who got the purse back was Bobbi Jo Whitley, mother of Dillon, Hunter, and Audry. Bobbi's mom is Jo Whitley, who read this morning. The purse came back. Nothing missing.
Are there not lots of good stories like this? Are we not evolving into a better people? Scott Burns said so in his column in the Dallas MorningNews a couple of weeks ago. A great Jesuit geologist and paleontologist, Teilhard de Chardin, thought so, saying that the human race is slowly becoming more mature, more sensitive, more peaceful. I think so, too. For lots of reasons.
Outreach $ 150.00 (often for Souls Harbor, Legacy, etc.)
Thanks, Folks, for doing what you can.
Cindy Cramer: Here is the latest on Cindy from her daughter.
Good news! My mom is making great progress in rehab and they've given her a tentative discharge date of August 13! She's walking on a walker already, but they want her to have time to build up her strength some more before letting her out.
Also — there is no need to bring her food anymore. It turns out, the food at this place is really good — much better than the hospital food was!
Thank you all again so much for all your cards, gifts, thoughts, and prayers! You are really helping to make her stay more tolerable, and she is fortunate to have such a strong support network!
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 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,
Colmar in Alsace, France
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 & friends, Anne and a mom of 3 kids ; for David McKeon's brother, Hugh; For Beth's friends & brother; for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.
Colorful Trains
Birthdays: Tom Fleming January 5th
Anniversaries:
Community Finances Christmas through December 31st,
Expenses: $ 800.00
Outreach: $ 400.00
Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.
Pont Fortifie Constructed 1514
Rosemary's Blessing:
When the decorations of Christmas have been packed away then the work of Christmas begins:
Lord, help us
to find the lost, to heal those broken in spirit, to feed the hungry, to release the oppressed, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among all peoples, and to make a little music with the heart…
Adapted from Work of Christmas Begins by Howard Thurman
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
