Special Announcement

 

Genesis  9, 8-15, See, I am now establishing my covenant with you.

Psalm 25, Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

1 Peter 3, 18-22, Christ suffered for sins once.

Mark  1, 12-15,  The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert.

 

 

Thanks……

Music,  Ben & Shonda

Readers, John Cade and Buddy, the candle blesser

Gospel,  Mike Carrell

Homily,  John Stack

Eucharistic Prayer A & B, Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Hue & Richard & Mike 

Final Blessing, Rosemary

For hosting us at Legacy, Becky

 

 

 

 

Buddy doing the Blessing of the  Candles.

 

 

Sunday Readings:

Download Reading 1st Lent 2-21-21

 

Homily by John Stack

Download Homily by Stack 2-21-2021

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Mike, for getting this whole endeavor up and broadcasting.

 

Please Remember these special people:

For Carrie's ex, Larry & Paul' friend, Jim Hallmark, who passed this week;  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 

 

John Cade in earlier times

 

Jackie's mom, sister, & friend, Lynn;  For both Jean & Cliff Wright;  For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg; For Meredith, cancer free;    For John O'Donnell & Jean;   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, plus John's daughter, Joey, with cancer; from Barbara, a little 4 month old boy undergoing an operation & for Rollie with Corona; for David McKeon's brother, Hugh; for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

 

2 Parts of the Brain Squad

 

Birthdays:   Diane McClurg & Anthony DeGenova, 22 

Anniversary:    Rosemary, 24 years no smoking.

 

Ben warming it up.

 

Community Finances, February 21, 2021

Expenses: $500.00

Outreach: $300.00   

Our Outreach Donation: $2,000 to Souls Harbor

 

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

Finances will be in next week's blog.

 

 

Technicolor Productions.

 

Rosemary's Blessing:

Do you want to fast this Lent?

• Fast from hurting words and say kind words
• Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude
• Fast from anger and be filled with patience
• Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope
• Fast from worries and trust in God
• Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity
• Fast from pressures and be prayerful
• Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy
• Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others
• Fast from grudges and be reconciled
• Fast from words and be silent so you can listen

Attributed to Pope Francis

 

Readings: Daniel 12, 1-3; Psalm 16, You are my Inheritance, O Lord; Hebrews 10, 11-18; Mark 13, 24-32

 

Daniel: Author & date, subject matter, our selection–

 

Author & Date: put together by people ca. 160 BCE.  Maybe a Daniel authored some of the material about himself, but others added & subtracted.  Because the work describes the Babylonian captivity, people thought it was written at that time, i.e. ca. 550. 

 

 

However, today it is seen that the heroism and fidelity described in some of the stories is used to strengthen Jewish resistance during a Jewish revolt in 160.  It would be like using the story of Washington crossing a frozen river, the Delaware, to strengthen freezing troops in another combat today. 

 

What was taking place was a group of Jews, the Maccabees, revolted against the Seleucid Empire (the remains of Alexander the Great's Empire after he died a young 32, ca. 390 BCE.  He had no sons).  The Jewish Maccabees were getting smashed by the Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphenes.  The writer of the book of Daniel is attempting to buck them up.

 

 

Subject Matter: the book has 12 chapters divided into 2 parts–

 

Chapters 1-6: 6 stories involving the young Jew Daniel in his dealing with the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar.  The king appreciated Daniel because Daniel interpreted his dreams. It also includes the famous Shadrack, Meshak, & Abednego who survived being tossed into the furnace rather than worship a gold statue.

 

Chapters 7-12: 4 visions. 

 

Our Selection: only 3 lines, but heavy.  A time of distress is predicted which will be followed by escape and those who have died will awake, some to shine brightly, others to experience everlasting horror. 

 

This is significant.  The little passage introduces the idea of reward & punishment after death.  Previously Jews believed in a place called Sheol, an abode where the dead remained somewhat depressed.  From this time forward the belief in an after life becomes part of Jewish belief. 

 

 

Elizabeth Rainey  (homily put together Sunday morning)

 

I received a call early this morning that a dear little friend of mine had died in Medical City.  My friend, Elizabeth Rainey, was 93, had fallen and broken her hip about two weeks ago, and Thursday or Friday she had her hip surgically repaired. 

 

I have been visiting with Elizabeth every Friday morning since around 1989.  For some years she came out to see me, coming on the bus because she never did learn how to drive. 

 

I remember one fall Friday morning she was walking down the hall of the school, Jesuit, from the front to the back where I had my office.  The bell rang for the end of class, the guys poured out, and Elizabeth at about 4' 9" got knocked down by a boy with a 55 on his football jersey.  "No problem," she said.  Fortunately the school is carpeted.

 

Eventually Elizabeth could not get around, so I went to see her, for years.  Some of you got to know her because you helped me move her from one apartment to another over the years.  Three observations about her.

 

First, I was proud of Elizabeth for her membership in AA.  In fact, I was hoping she was going to celebrate her 54th anniversary this past Thursday by going on the other side.  I had medical power of attorney and had suggested she not be operated on, she was in such a weak and confused state.  We had discussed this and she wanted no life prolonging measures. 

 

Instead of this happening, Wednesday morning she awoke hungry and clear minded.  She did not want to spend the rest of her days in bed with a broken hip, so "Let's have the hip operation." 

 

 
 
Secondly, Elizabeth wrote a novel when she was about 80 years old.  She failed to get it published, but I always complimented her on her achievement.

Thirdly, Elizabeth suffered from borderline personality disorder.  Medication helped, but she knew that often she would lose her patience with people, regularly with me.  In fact, often she would kick me out and order me never to return.  In a day or so, she would meekly call and apologize.  I always laughed and told her because I was a priest I had to love everyone.  So I loved her too. 

This was hard on her as she aged because she not only ended up with no family, she ended up pushing away people who would have been her friends.  We talked about this occasionally.  Sometimes when our hands are delt we don't get a good set of cards. 

I am grateful for a couple of things.  One is that I was able to be Elizabeth's friend for so long. 

Secondly, I was helped and supported by a couple from Holy Trinity Parish, where Elizabeth attended when she was able to go.  This couple, Peter & Lynn, helped Elizabeth in numerous practical ways, from helping her to buy a condo, to helping her sell it and move into a retirement home.  The couple have been a terrific and patient help.

Who is the Elizabeth in your life?

 

 

The End of Times  (Original Homily)

 

Remember January 1, 2000?  I do not know if any of you did it, but I know some people who really expected the world was going to end.  One guy I know even loaded up his pantry with lots of non-perishable food.  I guess he figured that despite it being the end of the world, he might need some can goods to carry him over.

 

I was informed recently that the next scheduled end of the world takes place Dec. 21, 2012, according to our friend Nostradamos & the Mayan calandar.  Set your watches.  In fact, that I did not know this date nor the guru who is predicting the date, indicated that I was really out of it.  I felt like a child who showed up for class without his homework. Trouble is, so many of the end of world dates have been expected and passed.

 

A lot of these ideas about the end of the world take their inspiration from our Mark reading and especially from our first reading from Daniel and, most especially, from Revelation, the last book of the Bible.  Could our readings have been chosen for this Sunday because it is the last of the liturgical year?  Next week we have Christ the King and then we start a new liturgical year with Advent. 

 

A word about a literary genre called apocalyptic writing, then a couple of points about the history behind Daniel & Mark. 

 

Apocalyptic writing usually has three parts:

  

1.  A remembrance of historical events leading up to the present.

   

2.  A prediction of dire tribulations and bad times, pointing to the fact that they have been mentioned in Revelation, for instance.  Like wars & eclipses of the sun.

   

3.  A prediction of cosmic events and the end of time.

 

A couple of historical notes behind Daniel & Mark.    Two points.

 

First, I already mentioned that Daniel was written at a time of "unsurpassed tribulation," to use the Daniel writer's words. It was the time of the Maccabees' revolt against the Seleucid king and the Maccabees were getting clobbered. 

 

Scholars think that Mark, too, was composed at a time of great "tribulation," to use Mark's word.  What was going on was as traumatic as, first, the destruction and enslavement of the Jews in the northern state of Israel and, secondly, the Babylonian Captivity 200 years later, ca. 600 and, thirdly, the Holocaust in our times. 

 

What happened about 35 years after Jesus' death, in ca. 65 CE, was that the Jewish people, fed up with Rome's abusive rule (so much for the Pax Romana), they revolted.  By 70 CE the Romans had not only defeated the revolt and slaughtered thousands, but they destroyed Jerusalem and they destroyed the temple.  

 

This is equivalent to having the U.S. destroyed and Washington obliterated.  From 70 CE until, guess when, 1948 there was no Jewish homeland.  The Jewish priesthood became unemployed, defunct, and is so to this day.  The priest was supposed to handle sacrifices in the temple.  For instance, the priest slaughtered the turtledoves offered by Joseph & Mary.  In place of the priests we now hear of Rabbis, who were originally before the time of Christ like judges.  Do you know of any Jewish priest? 

 

Secondly, during this time of tribulation a group of zealous Jews detatched themselves from not only the corruption of Roman rule, but also from the rich Jewish suck ups who doted on the Roman rulers for favors.  These zealous Jews moved out into caves around the Dead Sea.  They lived an ascetical life, practiced celibacy, and expected to see the end of the world.

 

So, how do you respond to all this?  With peace or anxiety?

 

Sources: Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong, Origins of the Bible, Lecture XVI; Truthnet.org.; Wikipedia

 

Picture 1:  The Choir, Wendy, Shonda, Ray, & Celeste

 

Picture 2:  Angela & Grace with Gayle & Hugh in the background

 

Picture 3:  The Pastry Shoppe, Maddie, Diana & Cliff, & Hugh

 

Picture 4:  Anniversary of John & Colleen, Birthdays of Mary Ellen & Penny

 

Acts of the Apostles 3, God has brought to fulfillment what he announced.

Psalm 4,   Lord, let your face shine on us.

1 John 2, We have an advocate with the father.

Luke 24, While they were still speaking he stood in their midst.

 

 

Romeos, Welcome!    Jason's Deli, 1:00, Friday. April 16.  Required: vaccines, mask for entrance & departure. 

 

 

All of you who attended Mass this past Sunday are welcomed this Sunday, circa 30 people.  Let me know if you cannot make it.

I want to remove the tables this week and get out the chairs.  I think the time is right.  Maybe even 10 more friends.

 

 

Another Reminder for Sunday, April 18, 2021.

Here are the links for Sunday:

Music,   Shonda

Expenses: $   340.00

Outreach: $    80.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

 

 

Rosemary's Blessing:

Let us pray to our God     

To the God of Mary and Joseph,

To the God of Abraham and Sarah.

 

May our spirit fill the world with beauty and wonder.

May our mind seek truth with humility and openness.

 

May our hearts forgive without limit.

May our love for friend, enemy and outcast be without measure.

May our needs be few and my living simple.

 

Taken and adapted from a prayer by Mary Lou Kownacki, OSB for Pax Christi USA in commemoration of the United Nations International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World.

 

 

Jeremiah 31: Watch them come! They'll come weeping for joy as I take their hands and lead them, Lead them to fresh flowing brooks, lead them along smooth, uncluttered paths. 

Hebrews 5:  In another place God declares, "You're a priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek."

Mark 10:  "On your way," said Jesus. "Your faith has saved and healed you." In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road.

John Cade's Homily  for last Sunday:  Download 10-20-24 Homily- The 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

 

 

Gardens in Nova Scotia

 

 

 

Another Reminder for 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 27, 2024

Readings: Isaiah 7 10-14; Psalm 24, Let the Lord enter, He is King of Glory; Romans 1, 1-7; Matthew 1, 18-24 

Isaiah, a quick review:

Author: remember there are 3 contributors.  This is Isaiah I, composer of chapters 1-39.

Date: ca. 700 before Christ and before the Persians blotted out the northern kingdom, Israel. 

 
 

Today's material: as a sign to the unfaithful people, Isaiah predicts a virgin will conceive, will bear a son, and he shall be named Emmanuel.  Isaiah I is speaking to the Israelites who are going to get annihilated shortly by the Persians.  Matthew uses this passage to authenticate Jesus, saying it refers to him.  The virgin conceiving a god person goes way back in history, at least to the time of the Pharaohs in Egypt.

 

 

Home 

 The afternoon of the second or third day Rosemary & I spent in Hilton Head with her sister & brother in law I was finally rested out.  I decided I got to get some exercise. 

 So I grabbed my favorite bike in the garage, an old American style bike with no gears and a big white wall tires.  It is a sight, but it is great conditioning and much easier to ride than I expected. 

 I took off at about 4:30 knowing that I needed to be home by 5:30 when it would be dark.  And on Hilton Head Island, folks, it is dark at night.  No street lights.  Know why.  Turtle habitat.  Turtles use the beaches to hatch their young and the lights get them disoriented.  Therefore, you can easily see the stars at night, but perhaps not your hand in front of your face when there is no moon. 

 

 The circle ride I make takes about 40 minutes, probably 8-10 miles.  I had gone 15 minutes when I had that sensation.  Something was squishy.  Yes, I had a flat on my rear tire. 

 So I decided to walk it in, instead of calling home for a lift.  I had passed already the more open part of the trail, and had ahead of me the more forested part.  No problem, I know the trail well and light from the houses would guide me.

 Consequently, I’m walking along this long path through the woods and on both sides of me are the forested back yards of houses.  It was chilly, but comfortable.  As I walk along I can see into the kitchens and dens of all these houses, warm, inviting, and homey.

 

 Suddenly I am reminded of other nights walking along behind other houses that were warm, inviting, and homey.  Certainly in Tanzania & Kenya when I lived there.  But also, when I studied the four years in Toronto. 

 At the college in Toronto we had a half mile meandering drive to the main road.  On the right or north of the drive a line of nice middle class homes backed up.  I would walk there in the snow often and long to have a similar house, warm, inviting, and homey.  However, I thought it was not for me as a priest.

 Walking along that path in Hilton Head, I realized I am not lonely or homesick any more.  I am grateful that I do have what I was longing for, thanks to Rosemary and our marriage.  I went home and told her, again.

 

 As we approach one of the more home focused celebrations of our year, we might find that we are more homesick or we might be grateful that we have a place that is warm, inviting, and homey. 

 Where is home for you this Christmas season?

 What do you do to create a home that is warm, inviting, and homey?

 Picture 1:   Ryan lighting the Advent Candle

 Picture 2:   Done!

 Picture 3:   Communion preparation

 Picture 4:    Communion helpers

 Picture 5:    Margarita & Ashley