2nd Sunday of Advent, December 10, 2023

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?

Isaiah 42:  Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit;
Acts of the Apostles 10: Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered
in the house of Cornelius, saying:  “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.
Matthew 3: After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

When we learn to see beyond what we have been told to see, we take our place among the world of adults. Then we are obliged to take responsibility for the consequences of our own actions.
The Monastic Way, Sister Joan Chittister

Another Reminder for The Baptism of the Lord, January 11, 2026
Here are the links for Sunday:

For Zoom   ( the video conference)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88528744737?pwd=Te3cub31Q6XpNvUfzutHMgQ8JGqd42.1
Meeting ID: 885 2874 4737
Passcode: 412993

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.

Isaiah 9:  For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests.

Titus 2:  Beloved: The grace of God has appeared…

Luke 2:  Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Connie reading from Isaiah

Thanks…     

Music,    Ben, Shonda & Sofia

Readers,  Connie, John  & Jackie

Gospel,   John Cade

Homily,  John Cade

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Lynda & Tom

Final Blessing, Rosemary

John reading from Paul's letter to Titus

Readings:  Download 12-24-22- Readings – Christmas

Homily:  

Jackie reading Luke's Nativity event

Remember these special people:

For Kaliope, John Cade's Mother-in-law who passed this week  and for the family;  For Jan;  For Tom  Quinn who had back surgery on November 21st;  For Sandra who has been diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma;   For Lambrini, John Cade's wife, who is dealing with cancer ;  For Madeleine, Richard Eshelbrenner's granddaughter;  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; 

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.

Sofia (Ben's daughter) playing the cello

Birthdays:  

Anniversaries:   

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  4,435.00

Outreach: $  300.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

Welcome back Diane and Erin

Rosemary's Blessing:  

A Christmas Prayer

Loving Father, help us to remember the birth
of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and the worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and
open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and
good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing
which Christ brings, and teach us to
be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy
to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening
bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen!

— Robert Louis Stevenson

Weather looks like it's going to be fine on Sunday Morning.  We'll see you at the ArtCentre at 9:30.

Welcome:  Catholic Mass with coffee & juice & specials on the house served afterwards. 

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community & Stack.    Again, Welcome.

Place: Vines High School, 15th between Custer & Independence.

cookie time, Emma and Georgie

Cathy with recuperating foot

 Readings:  –  from Thanksgiving Day 

 Sirach  50, 22-24,   May he grant you joy of heart.

Psalm 113,   Blessed be the Name of the Lord forever.

1 Corinthians 1, 3-9,   You were enriched in every way.

Luke 17, 11-19,  Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks? 

Choir Member Leo with truck

Ray makeover a la Leo

 Community Bulletin Board:   

1.   For the Love of the Kids, December 8.  You must sign up ahead of time if you want to help.  The link:   Loveforkidsinc.org

 2.   Next Community Brunch, December 9, Second Sunday of Advent, plus collection for Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center.  See the handouts for special needs.

3.    Want to serve Thanksgiving Dinner at Soul's Harbor, Thanksgiving Day?  Check with Brent, 214-596-8225, or with me.  Time, 8:00 to about 1:00. 

4.  Advance notice: Christmas Eve Mass, 4:00 P.M.

Kevin ready to go

Offertory with Loretta, Doug, and Cliff

  What's going on in our Catholic World:     

1.   Bishops' plan B post election, National Catholic Reporter, November 11,  600 words,   Download Bishops' Plan B 11-16-12

    2.  Bishops' letter on U.S. economy, National Catholic Reporter, November 13, 750 words,   Download Bishops & Economy 11-16-12

Coffee Shoppe with John & Jean

Mr. Coffee Shoppe, Bill Poncik

True? 

No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.

Lou Sabin

Sisters, Zoe and Georgie

The Twins, Buddy and Torri with Zoe, Randolf, and Michelle

 See you Sunday, November 18 

 J.S., 214-783-0443

Delgado corner

The Birthday Girl, Rosemary

 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.

Acts of the Apostles 8:  Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 

1 Peter 3:  For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God.

John 14:  I will not leave you orphans;  I will come to you.

John Stack Ministries now meets at:  The ArtCentre of Plano, 902 E. 16th St, Plano

Invitation to pray with Sandra Pratt:

The members of the Sophia Inclusive Community, a virtual community based in New Jersey, invite you to a special virtual prayer service for Sandra Pratt on Saturday 5/13 at 2:30 pm Eastern and 1:30 pm Central time.  We hope that you will join Sandra and us as we celebrate her amazing life with her.  The service guide is attached.  Please have one candle and something to light it with by your computer.  Try to join us about 10 minutes before the starting time.

 You are invited to send a personal message to Sandra via text or email soon. You can text Sandra at 214-444-4235.  Sandra’s email address is: Prattquest@yahoo.com.  For those of you who are accustomed to a shared homily during Sunday liturgy, consider your message to Sandra to be your personal sharing response to the blessing service we will be having for and with her.  Questions about this service, can be directed to Marie Hogarty at 973-452-4504 / marie923119@gmail.com

Topic: Blessing for Sandra

Time: May 13, 2023 01:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83785401749?pwd=QzlKK3BnRmdiTEpGUVV4cTB4YVEwQT09

Meeting ID: 837 8540 1749

Passcode: 856879

Download Blessing Sandra (1)

Download Highlights of Sandra Pratt (1)