24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September17, 2023

Readings:

2 Samuel 7, 1-5, 8-12, 14, & 16, The Lord tells the prophet Nathan that he will protect his lineage forever.

Psalm, 89, Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord

Romans 16, 25-27,  To the only wise God be glory forever

Luke 1, 26-38, The angel Gabriel was sent to a town called Nazareth

 

 

 

 

Thanks to the Team

Music,  Ben & Shonda, 

Readers,  Lynda & Tom & Buddy, the candle blesser

Gospel,  John Cade 

Homily,   John Stack

Eucharistic Prayer A & B, Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Hue & Mike 

Final Blessing, Rosemary

For hosting us at Legacy, Becky

 

Download Readings Week 4 Advent

 

Homily by John Stack:

Download Homily. 4th Advent 2020

 

Please Remember these special people:

For Cody, For Paul & Carrie recuperating, plus her ex, Larry;  For Alan Stryker;  For Joe Sullivan;    For Rosemary's great niece, Rylie ;  For Richard's grand daughter, Madeleine; For David Dinsmore's bad shoulder from a biking accident;  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 & Ben & Leo & all of Shonda's dear family;  

 

 

Tranquility, Fall

 

For 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;   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; for a little 4 month old boy undergoing an operation, from Barbara;  For the students, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools

 

 

Birthdays: Jan Keszler, Meredith, & Ben 

 

 

A little crowded in the studio this morning.

 

Community Finances, December 20, 2020

Expenses: $1014.00

Outreach   $0  (often for Souls Harbor, Legacy, etc.)

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

Schedule for Christmas Eve, Thursday:

4:0o,  live & recorded Christmas music

4:30,  Christmas Eve Mass begins

 

 

Becky got a deal on all this classroom & office furniture at a local college closing down their classrooms and going on totally line.

 

Rosemary's Blessing:

The Christmas Story will always be the story of Emmanuel, of God-with-us, always and everywhere, in the everyday, in the chaos, in the flight into exile, in the love between a man and a woman and in the birth of a child. 

It is the story of God who heals, empowers and loves us just as we are – in our greatness and our foolishness. 

As we anticipate the joy, the love and the peace that are God's Christmas gifts to us, let us receive them with gratitude and be sure to unfold them and share them especially where they need to be more visible.

Sister Jean Amore, CSJ, Principal, Sacred Heart Academy, Hempstead, N.Y.

Readings:

Acts of the Apostles  8, 5-8, 14-17, There was gret joy in that city.

Psalm 66,  Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

1 Peter 3, 15-18, It is better to suffer for doing good, thank doing evil.

 John 14, 15-21,  If you love me you will keep my commandments.. 

 

 

 

Good Morning, Harper, and thanks for welcoming us all back.

 

Unconditional Love ?  Certainly !

Did you catch that Psalm 66 ?  Can you believe?!

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy!

Shout joyfully to God…, sing praise to the glory of his name,… proclaim his glorious praise.  Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!

I dream of Matterhorn Canyon, Yosemite, whenever I read or hear that last line.

 

 

She's back, Everybody, Sabrina, one of our most special people since she was a little girl.  Congratulations on graduation and double congratulations on the double magna cum laude.  Congratulations, also, to you two, John and Alison.

 

And while we are congratulating graduates, congratulations to Karen Anderlick on her graduation and especially with the summa cum laude.

 

This is a counter weight to the first line of John’s reading, If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

I want to talk about how I went from being a fear based Catholic, Christian, human being, to living without fear. 

It all started in my first two years as a Jesuit novice in Grand Coteau, 1958-1960, 60 years ago next year.   It is the novice master’s fault. 

 

 

 

Congratulations to you, too, Shonda, on the Air Force uniform.  All these years we have known  each other and this is the first time I see your uniform.  You look Quite Striking!

 

Tony Mangiaracina was the novice master, about 5’1”, ramrod straight, did not walk, but marched in his cassock.  He could look very rigid and uninviting.  But underneath the rigid exterior, which was mostly what we saw for months, was a softy, all heart.  How many times we saw him in tears at special events.  Christmas carols always got him.

In those days we, too, lived a really Spartan life, silence except for three nights a week when we could talk at dinner, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.  These three days were also recreation days, like for touch football or handball games.  Other days we worked inside the building or on the farm, we studied, and we had periods of prayer.  A very monastic life.

 

 

The Best Music, Shonda, Bethany, and David.
 

 

My awakening took place one afternoon when I went to get permission from the master to drink water.  Yes, we had to get permission to drink water at the beginning of each month.   We were told this was to teach us obedience even in the smallest things. 

Now it so happened that around this time an edict came out from Jesuit headquarters in Rome that smoking was prohibited for all Jesuits.  This was no burden for us 50 or so novices because we could not smoke anyway. 

But, guess who did smoke.  Yes, Tony Mangiaracina.

 

The Best Teammates, Georgie and Buddy.

 

On this particular day I went in to Tony’s office, I must have gotten my permission to drink and then chatted a few extra moments.   He had two large windows behind his desk, which faced me and the door I entered.  Suddenly I see against the light and even smell, guess what, smoke coming out of his right hand desk drawer. 

I never said a thing, but I was amused and touched.  Tony had put his cigarette into the drawer when I knocked to come in. 

At that moment I began to let loose of the fear that I was a sure bet for hell.   Like, here was my saintly novice master breaking a commandment that came all the way from Jesuit headquarters in Rome. 

 

 

Buddies, Cody & Ben, Paul & Carrie.

 

15 or so years later when I returned to Grand Coteau to establish a spiritual center, Tony was one of my team members.  And guess what. He still smoked.  The ban had been lifted a year or so after Vat. II.

I am grateful today to Tony and his human nature.  I figured bit by bit that if Tony was still going to heaven after being disobedient, I had a  chance, too.  I began to see that God’s love was not conditional, but unconditional. 

So, where are you going, Heaven?

 

More Buddies, Zoe & Harper

Reading to prepare for Homily on the “Suffering Servant” in Isaiah this Sunday.

 

The Suffering Servant in Isaiah

Translation from original languages: Eugene Peterson, 2013

Poem 4   (Ch. 52:13-15)        See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.  Even as many were amazed at him—so marred was his look beyond that of man, and his appearance beyond that of mortals.

So shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless; for those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it.

Poem 4 cont.   (Ch. 53:1-12)   He grew up like a sapling, like a shoot from the parched earth; there was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him. 

He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem.

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. 

But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.

We had all gone astray like sheep, each following our own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all.

Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth.

Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny?  He was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people.

A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood.

If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the Lord shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; and he shall take away the sins of many and win forgiveness for their offenses.

The Suffering Servant in Isaiah                                                         Translation from original languages: Catholic Association of America, 1970                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Poem 1   (Isaiah Ch. 42:1-4)   

       Take a good look at my servant.  I’m backing him to the hilt.  He’s the one I chose, and I couldn’t be more pleased with him.  I’ve bathed him with my Spirit, my life.  He’ll set everything right among the nations.  He won’t call attention to what he does, with loud speeches or gaudy parades.  He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt, and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant, but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.  He won’t tire out and quit.  He won’t be stopped until he’s finished his work—to set things right on earth. 

Poem 2   (Isaiah Ch. 49: 1-6)

       Listen, far-flung islands, pay attention, faraway people: God put me to work from the day I was born.  The moment I entered the world he named me.  He gave me speech that would cut and penetrate.  He kept his hand on me to protect me.  He made me his straight arrow and hid me in his quiver.  He said to me, “You’re my dear servant, through whom I’ll shine.”

But I said, “I’ve worked for nothing.  I’ve nothing to show for a life of hard work.  Nevertheless, I’ll let God have the last word.  I’ll let him pronounce his verdict.”

God speaks, this God who took me in hand from the moment of birth to be his servant, to bring Jacob back home to him, to set a reunion for Israel—what an honor for me in God’s eyes!  That God should be my strength!  God speaks, “But that’s not a big enough job for my servant—just to recover the tribes of Israel.  I’m setting you up as a light for the nations so that my salvation becomes global!” 

Poem 3   (Isaiah Ch. 50:4-11)

The Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue, so I know how to encourage tired people.  God wakes me up in the morning, God opens my ears to listen as one ready to take orders.  The Master, God, opened my ears, and I didn’t go back to sleep, didn’t pull the covers back over my head.  I followed orders, stood there and took it while they beat me, held steady while they pulled out my beard, didn’t dodge their insults, faced them as they spit in my face.  And the Master, God, stays right there and helps me, so I’m not disgraced.  Therefore, I set my face like flint, confident that I’ll never regret this.  My champion is right here.  Let’s take our stand together!  Who dares bring suit against me?  Let him try!  The Master, God, is right here.  Who would dare call me guilty?  Who out there actually listens to the voice of God’s servant?  For anyone out there who doesn’t know where you’re going, anyone groping in the dark, here’s what:  Trust in God.  Lean on your God! 

Deuteronomy 26:  Therefore, I have now brought you the firstfruits of the products of the soil which you, O Lord, have given me.

Romans 10:   For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Luke 4:  Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by  the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil.

 

Thanks…Music,    Ben & Shonda

Readers,   Warren & Claire

Gospel,     John Cade

Homily,  John Stack

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,      Mike & Paul

Final Blessing, Rosemary

 

 

 

Bridge across the Seine

 

 

Readings:  Download 03-06-22 – Readings -1st Lent

Homily:  Download 03-06-22 – Homily -1st Lent

 

 

 

 

Champs Elysees

                                                   

 

 

Remember these special people:

For John Stack having a hard time right now with a bad back;  For Sandra who has been diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma;   For Rosemary's brother-in-law, Joe who is having a procedure on March 14th;  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 and for a friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition;   For Sir Charlie & Jan;  All of Shonda's dear family; For Ursuline Sr. Mary Troy,

                           

      Champs Elysees at night      
              
                                                      

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, Annie, a mom of 3 kids and Michael ; for David McKeon's brother, Hugh; For Beth's friends & brother;   for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

                                                            

Arc de Triomphe

 

 

                     

Birthdays:   Dee Miller 3/10

Anniversaries:   

      

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  655.00

Outreach: $  60.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

                                    


Eiffel Tower

 

 

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

 

 

Community Finances:   

  Expenses: $   590.00

  Outreach: $     150.00

 

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

 

The Kiss of Peace

 

Rosemary's Blessing:

Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars.
Gaze at the beauty of earth’s greenings.
Now, think.
What delight God gives to humankind
with all these things. . . .
All nature is at the disposal of humankind.
We are to work with it.

For without we cannot survive.

 

Hildegard of Bingen (September 16, 1098 – September 17, 1179)

 

Acts of the Apostles 14: They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith,…

Revelation 21:  He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God.

John 13:  I give you a new commandment: love one another.

 

 Sunset over Lake Lewisville

 

 

Thanks…

Music,    Ben & Shonda

Readers, Jackie & Brent

Gospel,   John Cade

Homily,  Aggie Stryker

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,      Hue & Richard & Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

 

 

Readings:  Download 5-15-22 – Readings – 5th Easter

Homily:  

 

 

Sunrise over White Rock Lake

 

 

 

Remember these special people:

For John Stack having a hard time right now with a bad back;  For Sandra who has been diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma;   For Lambrini, John Cade's wife who is dealing with cancer;  For Tom Good;  For a young man, 19 struggling with a brain tumor and cancer;    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 and for a friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition;   For Sir Charlie & Jan;  All of Shonda's dear family;

                           

 

Sunset in Dallas

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 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, Annie, a mom of 3 kids and Michael ;    for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

 

Sunset in Alabama

                   

                  

Birthdays:   

Anniversaries:   

      

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  560.00

Outreach: $  0.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

A rest after a busy day

                                    

Rosemary's Blessing:  

…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