4th Sunday of Ordinary Time, February 7, 2021

Jeremiah 23, The days are coming when I will raise up a shoot.

Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd

Ephesians 2, He is our peace

Mark 6, Come away and rest a while.

 

 

Welcome Home, Ben, so good to see you & to hear you.

 

Thanks……

Music,    Ben

Readers,  Warren & Brent, & Buddy, our candle blesser 

Gospel,     John Cade

Homily,   John Cade

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,     Richard, Hue, & Mike

Final Blessing, Rosemary

For hosting us at Legacy for all these years & will miss you enormously, Becky

Warren reading.

 

Readings:

Download Readings 16th Ordinary Time 7-18-21

 

 

Homily by John Cade

Download Homily John Cade 07-18-21 Good Shepherd

 

 

 

Brent reading.

 

Remember these special people:

For John & Karen Anderlick's unborn grandson;  For Alan Stryker;   For Candice Taht, friend of Mary Hall;   For Rosemary's great niece, Rylie ;  For Richard's grand daughter, Madeleine;   For Esparza's new great grandson baby, son of Monique, & Frank with shingles;  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 Loretta's aunt Alicia;  For Sir Charlie & Jan;  Shonda's mom & Cody &  Leo & all of Shonda's dear family; For Ursuline Sr. Mary Troy, 

 

Today's team John & John

 

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 4 month old baby boy named Ford recuperating from an operation; for David McKeon's brother, Hugh; For Beth's friends & brother;   for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

Birthdays:    Beth (Monday)

Anniversaries: 

 

 

Applause from Meredith.  Community applause for you, Meredith.

 

Community Finances,   July 18, 2021

Expenses: $535.00

Outreach: $320.00 

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 
 

Thanks for the Blessing, Rosemary.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Rosemary's Blessing:

A Summer Blessing

May you walk with God
This summer
In whatever you do
Wherever you go

Walking with God means…
Walking with honesty
And with courage,
Walking with love
And respect
And concern for the feelings of others

May you talk to God
This summer
And every day and
In every situation

Talking with God means…
Praying words of praise
For the beauty of creation
Saying prayers of thanks
For friends and good times,
Asking God's help
In all your decisions
Expressing sorrow
When you have failed

May you talk with God
Every day. Amen.

Author unknown

Found on https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/summer-prayers

Readings: Genesis 2, 7-9, 3, 1-7; Psalm 51; Romans 5, 12-19; Matthew 4, 1-11.

Genesis: The great book: supposedly put together by Moses some 1500 years B.C.  The title means "origin." It is the first book of the bible, the first of the five first books that make up the Pentateuch, a Greek word, or Torah, for the Jews.  It covers ca. 2000 years of history and has 5 main characters: Adam (& family), Noah, Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob.

Today’s delightful little story tries to explain in simple terms how bad came into our world.  Guess how: it is the woman’s fault.  Could a man have put this little myth-story together?  A woman?  I invite you to read the book of Genesis.  It is fascinating.  Remember that it is myth, not literal.  Like, notice how many creation stories are presented.

No Perfect Marriages, only Perfect Moments

Last week we talked about the first of the Seven Secrets of Marriage, namely Divorce, Never, Murder, Always.  Meaning you can threaten your spouse with murder, which is play, but divorce is a non-negotiable with the exception of the three "A’s."  Remember the "A’s?"  Abuse, addiction, & adultery. 

This morning I would like to talk about this: No Perfect Marriages, only Perfect Moments.  Four observations. 

First, from childhood I think we all come to understand that there are no perfect marriages, while at the same time romantic movies, TV, and novels snooker us into false expectation.  Like,"When I find the perfect person, I will live happily ever after…"  False.  There can be, however, healthy marriages.  To have a healthy marriage, perfect moments are needed. 

Secondly, what are perfect moments?  Being a novice, I don’t always know, but I would suggest that when I have a perfect moment I have two feelings: peace in my spirit and affection for my spouse.

Some years ago a woman who was dear to me and who has passed away very unexpectedly described to me a set of her perfect moments.  Every night she & her husband would go to bed 15 minutes early and wake up 15 minutes early in the morning.  During the 15 minutes they would cuddle.  They would talk. They would ask each other about the day they just finished or the day ahead.  Any fears, any blessings, anything touch you, how are we doing, what next, and so forth.   It was her morning & evening perfect moment.

I wanted to do the same thing when Rosemary & I got married.  But, seeing as I started a little late and my shoulders and hips don’t have the flexibility to cuddle like I wished, Rosemary & I have a stand up hug every night before climbing into bed together, which is also one of my daily perfect moments.  We hold onto each other standing there in the dark and count our blessings of the day.

We had a number of perfect moments this past Christmas in Mexico, like taking out to lunch Maria Luisa & her daughter Karina, probably the first time they have eaten in a restaurant in maybe years. 

Another: our anniversary party every Cinco de Mayo, May 3 this year.  And dancing.  When we are on, it is perfect.

A third observation: perfect moments can happen.  They can also be set up to happen.  Some need to be set up.  Like Cinco de Mayo, like dancing, like cuddling in bed or hugging.  In other words, they take planning and discussion.  They are worth it.

A final observation: you can substitute the word "friendships" for "marriages."  Perfect moments can take place with friendships just as much as with marriages.  Like marriages, they also involve planning and effort.  There are no perfect marriages and no perfect friendships.  Only perfect moments.

What & when was you last Perfect Moment?  Your next?

AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-02-10.mp3

Mark 11, 1-10, Jesus enters Jerusalem

Isaiah 50, 4-7, I gave my back to those who beat me.

Psalm 22, My God, Why have you forsaken me.

Philippians 2, Christ did not not regard equality with God.  (Omit)

Mark 11, Passion

 

 

Happy Palm Sunday and Here's to New Life!

 

Thanks……

Music,  Ben & Shonda

Readers, John & Connie Doherty, John Schanot & Mary Jane, & Buddy, the candle blesser

Gospel,  see Readers in last line

Homily,  none today

Eucharistic Prayer A & B, Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Hue & Mike  

Final Blessing, Rosemary

For hosting us at Legacy, Becky

 

 

 

Readings for Sunday, March 28, 2021

Download Readings for 3-28-2021 Palm Sunday

 

Regarding today's readings:  We will read

1.  Mark's description of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem;

2. Isaiah's description of one of the Suffering Servant pieces;

3.  Skip the Philippians reading;

4.  Mark's long description of The Passion. 

 

 

The Best Music, Shonda & Ben.

 

Please Remember these special people:

For Carrie's ex, Larry with Corona;  For Alan Stryker;  For Joe Sullivan;    For Rosemary's great niece, Rylie ;  For Richard's grand daughter, Madeleine;   For Esparza's new great grandson baby, son of Monique;  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 Loretta's aunt Alicia;  For Sir Charlie & Jan;  Shonda's mom & Cody &  Leo & all of Shonda's dear family; For Ursuline Sr. Mary Troy 

 

 

Our Brain Center!

 

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 daughter, Lisa;  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 4 month old boy undergoing an operation; for David McKeon's brother, Hugh; For Beth's friends;   for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

Birthdays:   Barb Wittek

Anniversaries: 

 

Community Finances,   March 28, 2021

Expenses: $ 1,000.00

Outreach: $ 375.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

 

Rosemary's Blessing:

Lord God who is endlessly patient

with our foolish and annoying frailties,

instill in us patience for our fellow humans. 

Help us to keep our temper cool,

our nerves calm,

and our disposition amiable.

Andrew N Greeley   A Book of Irish American Blessings and Prayers                

 

 

 

 

Readings:

Acts of the Apostles 2, 14, 22-33.  You who are Jews, listen to my words.

Psalm 16,  Lord, you will show us the path of life.  

1 Peter 1, 17-21,   Conduct yourselves with reverence.

 Luke 24,  13-35,   Two men on the road to Emmaus.   

 

 

 

"Hi, Everybody, Welcome in," say Buddy, Tori, and Harper.

 And who let in these clowns?  John, Tom, Denni, & Jim.

Acts 2:   Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

1 Corinthians 12:To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.

John 14:  The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."

John Cade and John Stack start Mass

 

 

Thanks…     

Music,   Ben & Shonda

Cody reading from Corinthians

Outreach: $   80.00   

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

 

Preparing for Communion

 

 

Rosemary's Blessing:

A Pentecost Prayer

Welcome Holy Spirit,
In the silence of a still night’s fearful thought you come,
comfort in the sleepless worries,
gentle in the rising doubts,
forgiving all our handmade hurts,
patient in our pointless hurry,
counseling as the waves come crashing,
“Be still and know that I am God.”

Wonderful Counselor, Comforter,
you will never abandon us.
You will always be with us.

Your promises are sure.

Help us to give like you,
forgive like you, live for you.

Amen

Found on the Catholic Relief Services Website

Readings: Acts 13, 14, 43-52; Psalm 100, We are His People, The Sheep of His Flock; Revelation 7, 9, 14-17; John 10, 27-30

Acts:  a brief resume of what Tony has already explained, using the structure of who, what, when, and today's reading.

Who wrote: Luke, who wrote the Gospel.  He was a Greek speaking Gentile convert to Judaism.  He writes for Gentile Christians.  Writes about Paul, but did not know him nor his letters.

When: Big question.  Before or after 2 momentous events–

70 C.E: the Jews rebel against Rome.  Rome smashes them and destroys the most precious temple.  End of priests, beginning of rabbis.

88 C.E.: the Jewish Christians who have been worshiping in the temple or synagogue for decades split off. 

What about: story of spread of Christianity after Christ's death.  History or not?  Big question.  Idealized history?

Today: Paul & Barnabas scolding the Jews and affirming the Gentiles.  Is Acts pro Gentile?  

Revelation: a strange book

Some of my old Jesuit confreres were convinced the author(s) of this book was on halucinagens, undergoing an LSD trip.  What do you think?

The Good Shepherd

 

Want to know what a good shepherd looks like?

 

  

There is a couple.  They are celebrating 25 years of marriage.  They met in college in Pennsylvania.  Good kids.  The girl, Donna had spent a summer overseas doing service work in Calcutta. 

 

   

Know who else started out in Calcutta?  Mother Teresa.

 

   

The guy, John had also been doing summer mission work with the Glenmary Home Missionaries. 

 

 

So they got married and planned to have a family.  They tried and waited.  The news: they could not have kids.  So, one thing led to another and they adopted.

 

 

They adopted Rosa, a baby from an orphanage in Mexico. 

Then they adopted Natalie, a baby from Guatemala.

Then David, a baby from a local foster care family.

Then they adopted a 12 year old.  Maria Elena came from the same Mexican orphanage as Rosa. 

 

  

They had been living in a house in Philadelphia.  They moved to a church basement.  Then to an empty convent. 

 

  

All the while they continued adopting kids.  Just could not say no.  Donna was home schooling the kids.  John was working as an independent contractor—until they reached 11 kids.  Then he quit his job.  He was needed too much at home.

 

 

With the number of adoptions rising they found a 7 acre farm in south east Pennsylvania.  Here they could attempt more self-sufficiency.  They also were granted status as a foundation and took the name of St. Joseph House.

 

 

Today on the farm they have somewhere between 17 and 20 kids under their roof. 

 

  

How have they managed over these 25 years and 20 kids?  With the help of Catholic communities like ours right here. 

 

 

What kind of good shepherd are you?  Are we?

 

I found the story of John & Donna Kurtz in the March edition of The Anthony Messenger.   There is a picture of the whole bunch on the cover. http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Mar2010/Feature1.asp