5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 4, 2024

Nehemiah 8:   Today is holy to the Lord your God.

1 Corinthians 12:   As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.

Luke 1:  Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.

 

 

 

Looking and feeling better.

 

Thanks……

Music,    Ben 

Readers,   Pat & John 

Gospel,     John Cade

Homily,  John Cade

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,      Hue, Richard & Mike 

Final Blessing, Rosemary

 

 

Le Moulin Neuf, B&B, Paunat, France

 

The Board has decided that we will have Mass on Zoom through the end of January.

 

 

Le Moulin Neuf

 

 

 

Readings:  Download 01-23-22 – Readings – 3rd Sunday Ord.

Homily:   Download 01-23-22 – Homily – 3rd Sunday Ord

 

 

 

The garden

                                           

 

 

Remember these special people:

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 and for a friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition;   For Sir Charlie & Jan;  Shonda's mom & Cody &  Leo & all of Shonda's dear family; For Ursuline Sr. Mary Troy,

 

                                                              

Paunat wild flowers

 

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.

 

                       

WWI War Memorial

Birthdays:   Kevin Doherty 1/24, Charlie Keszler 1/28, Miguel 1/28, Mary Hall 1/29

Anniversaries:   Occhipinti 1/23

 

      

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  555.00

Outreach: $  50.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

 

                                     

Paunat

 

Rosemary's Blessing:  

Oh God of humor enable us to laugh at your mischievous plans. 

Life can become serious during these cold winter months, and our hearts can become heavy and burdened with responsibilities, decisions and trying to keep everyone happy. 

Let us look for the funny things that happen, the unexpected surprise that catches us off-guard, along with the incongruences that we encounter. 

Smile, snicker, giggle, give a belly laugh, and spontaneously guffaw. 

You will be amazed at how God works through laughter.

Sr. Mary Elizabeth Schweiger

 

 

 

Hi, Emma, and Happy Christmas.  You look gorgeous.

 

 

Welcome: Catholic Mass with coffee & juice, and pastries, some bought, some home-made.  

Time: 4:00; Celebrate with the Community & Stack

Place: Sigler Elementary, 1400 Janwood Drive, Plano, TX 75075

                       

 Note for bad weather Sundays:  If you wonder if we will have our celebration, call me (214-783-0443) and I will record a message.   I will also get a phone tree moving.  Check the directory for phone numbers.  If we know for sure the Saturday evening before, I can also post a blog.

 

 

 

Hi, Nora, I hear Santa  is coming to visit you tonight and maybe even this evening.

 

Readings:

Genesis15, 1-6; 21, 1-3    Look up at the sky and count the stars.  Just so shall your descendants be.

Psalm, 105,  the Lord remembers his covenant forever.

Hebrews 11, 8, 11-12, 17-19  By faith Abraham obeyed.

Luke 2, 22-40,   Simeon & Anna meet Jesus

 

 

 

 

Quiz: how many people are singing in the photo.

 

 

Community Activities:  

ROMEO MEET: Friday, December  29, Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.  Welcome all wakos,  you will fit right in.  Apologies for the mix up last Friday.

JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together),  January Lunch, TBA

 

Dickenson Trip:  February 23- March 3

 

 

 

 

Those Bresson kids.

 

 

What is going on in Our Catholic World:

1    The cruelty of the tax plan, NationalCatholic Reporter, December 14, 666  words,    Download THE CRUEL BUDGET 12-28-17- 

2.  Jesuit parishes as sanctuaries, National Catholic Reporter,   December 21, 654 words,    Download SJ PARISHES SANCTUARIES 12-28-17

3.   How to reform the Vatican, National Catholic Reporter,  December 21, 255 words, Download REFORMING VATICAN 12-28-31

 

 

 

 

I think I see some shepherds.

 

 

True?

The belief that there is only one truth, and that oneself is in possession of it, is the root of all evil in the world.

Max Born

 

 

 

 

Under that bush, could there be a Cathy?

 

 

See you Sunday, December 31, 2017

J.S., 214-783-0443

 

 

 

 

Sez Sam, "Where is that Santa character?"

 

 

JSM Mission-Faith Statement

Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for and challenges spiritual and total growth.

Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged and make the world we live in a better place to live.

 

 

 

Sez Tori,  "He's coming, Sam.  You just watch."

 

 

 

 

"I've seen him," says Zoe

 

"Welcome in, Everybody," say Emma & her mom, Beth.

 

Readings: 

Jeremiah 17,  5-8,   Cursed  is the one who trusts in human beings.

Psalm 1,  Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.  

1 Corinthians 15, 12, 16-20,    Christ has been raised from the dead.

Luke 6,  17, 20-26,  Blessed are you who are poor.  (beatitudes)

 

 

Suiting up is a teamwork.

 

 

Sunday Homily

 Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings.

This morning I would like to talk about this line from Jeremiah, which, you know me, I do not like. 

A little story for perspective.

 

 

Victoria doing her magic lighting of the candles.

 

It was only a week ago this past Thursday that I went to visit my spine surgeon for my 6 week post op check up.  I expected to get a looser leash, like maybe a physical therapist.  Rosemary came with me, mostly because she did not want me to come home saying I could do things she doubted came from the surgeon.  

So, what happens?  I got more freedom than I could imagine.  I was even asked if I wanted a physical therapist.  I said I did not care.  He asked if I learned anything new from the physical therapist I had pre-op.  I said I really learned nothing.  So, he said just go do what you know.

I was so stunned, so surprised, I was in tears.  Lucky I had Rosemary there.  She would have never believed me.

 

 

Buddy reading the Blessing of The Winter Candles.  You just gets better each week, Buddy.

 

 

So, from the office in the Presby  complex we headed home all elated in our Prius.  We took Royal Lane west from Central and caught the light at Hillcrest.  We were behind a lady.  The red light changed to green and the lady sat there.  I flashed my lights one time.

Then, Bamm!  We were tail gated. 

What now?  All the horror stories I have heard of hit & run people, people who get angry and blame the victims.

 

 

 

I am proud to say, Carol, that I am jealous of your hair.

 

So we went to the first left bound lane, pulled over to the right hand curb, and got out.  My elation had turned to a downer.  At least the person had not tried to run away and pulled right up behind us.  Moreover she jumped out of her Infinity SUV, asking, "Are you okay?  Anybody get hurt?   I am so sorry, my foot just slipped off the brake pedal."  I know you are warned never to do this if you caused the accident.

 

 

The Music Musicians Ben & David.

 

Corey was the lady's name, middle aged, slender, and probably from the neighborhood.  She had a lot of integrity, claimed she was responsible, gave us photos of her papers, especially the insurance paper.  

By the next day, Friday, her insurance company was in touch, they offered us a rental, which we did not think we needed for a few days, and we booked the Prius into the local service King this past Thursday.  

 

 

Elevation time.

 

So, cursed is the one who trusts in human beings?  Jeremiah, you must have been having a bad day, a bunch of which I know you had in your life.

I think the real challenge for us is to trust. 

Who are the people in your life whom you trust?  

 

 

The Beautiful Sisters Geri & Francine.

 

 

 

 

"Welcome in, Everybody," say Emma & her mom, Beth.

 

Readings:  

 Deuteronomy 4, 32-34, 39-40,   The Lord is God in the heavens above.

Psalm 33,   Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

 Romans 8, 14-17,   Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  (??)

 Matthew 28, 16-20,   Go and make disciples of all nations.   

 

 

 

Who let this critter in?  Are there things living in that garden?

 

 

Deuteronomy observations:

What:  This work is the 5th and last book of the Pentateuch/Torah.  The first 4 books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, & Numbers.  Deuteronomy has basically 3 speeches delivered by Moses before the people enter the promised land.  He reviews all they have endured the past 40 years and how Yahweh has shown his care and power to save them.

Author: Moses may have spoken some of the ideas in the speeches, but others have put the work together.  In fact, in chapter 34 the death of Moses is described.  Someone other than Moses probably covered this episode.

 

 

 

 

Welcome Home, Sophia, so nice to see you.

 

 

Date: 700 years before Christ.

Our Selection: the end of the first speech.  Moses is reminding the people of how Yahweh cared for them and why they must honor him for this as their one and only god.

 

 

 

Kevin & Ben, the candle team of the week.

 

 

Best line in all the readings?  Blessed the people the lord has chosen to be his own.

That's us.  Therefore, NO FEAR!

 

 

 

In Memory of Frank Hart

Last Sunday evening I attended a Rosary at Christ the King for my old coach, Boy Scout Master, and friend, Frank Hart.  Monday morning we had a Mass.  In honor of Frank and the Trinity I want to relate 3 moving aspects of Frank’s celebration.

First, Christ the King, a place that witnessed my growing up.  I have not been in the Church in over 15 years, when I did weddings there as a Jesuit.  It felt like coming home a bit and two unique memories hit me.

 

 

 

 

The Offertory team, Bernadette & Gil, Ray & Claire.

 

Right off the bat, where the podium is is where a good friend of mine, Jimmy Gannon, broke my left leg at football practice.  I had never spoken from that podium until that Rosary.  Frank did it.

Next, my dad attended 7:00 A.M. Mass daily.  I knew his pew.   I returned to Dallas to teach at Jesuit after never getting home for 7 years.   3 other Jesuits on their way to Jesuit, El Paso, & myself drove all night.  I arrived at 7:00 and rather than going home I had the guys drop me at Christ the King.  He was there.

 

 

 

The main aisle, Christ the King, podium on the left.

 

The second aspect of the event that touched me was the large number of fellow kids like me who showed up, especially classmates of Frank, jr.   As Don Zimmerman, another classmate of Frank and pastor of Christ the King said, “It was like a reunion of ex-Jesuit students.”  A big one, too.   A tribute, also, to Frank.jr.

The third aspect to the whole celebration was remembering how Frank had touched me into new life and new self-confidence.   Hang on.  You might have heard me talk about this, but it is relevant to all of us.

 

 

 

The main altar, Christ the King.

 

It was the summer after my 6^th year at Christ the King and I signed up to go to a week at Boy Scout camp on Lake Texoma.

Before we even left town some 8th graders let me know that they were going to initiate me.   They scared the poo out of me and as soon as I arrived at Texoma I played sick and came home.

I was humiliated.  I was so ashamed. 

 

 

 

 

A young Frank Hart. 

 

A year goes by and Frank has been hired by Christ the King to coach and be Scout Master.  Texoma again.  “No thanks,” I say.  My dad is now an unofficial assistant to Frank and he tells me he is going up to spend one night at Texoma as a helper to Frank.  “Want to come?” 

I knew I was in a bad place.  So I said I would go and return with him.

 

 

 

Mickey & Frank.

 

I’ll never forget the night we arrived.  It was dark.  Frank was sitting on his cot in the two person, short walled, canvas, Army surplus tent, a Coleman lantern hanging from the ceiling.  Frank did not even get up, but he greeted me with such a sincerely warm and non-judgmental simplicity that I turned a corner in my growing up.  I stayed for the rest of the week.

 

 

 

 

Bill Deor's comic charicture of Frank, the disciplinarian at Christ the King.

 

Who has touched you?

 

 

 

 

Rest in Peace, Dearest Frank and Dearest Mickey.

Community Finances:   

  Expenses: $  1,050.00

  Outreach: $   160.00

 

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

 

2 Kings 4:  This time next year you will be fondling a baby son.

Romans 6:  …you too must think of yourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 10:  And whoever gives only a cup  of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple – amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.

           

Cody reading from 2nd Kings

 

 

Thanks…     

Music,    Shonda & Ben 

Readers,  Cody & Mary

Homily,   John Stack

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

 

                                                                              

Mary reading from Paul's Letter to the Romans

                                                                    

 

Readings: Download 07-02-23 Readings -13th Ordinary

Homily: 

 

                                                                                     

Jackie reading her homily

 

Remember these special people:

For Jan Keszler's Family; For Sandra Pratt's family;  For Cindy Cramer's family;  For the family of Ron Senter;   For Meredith  whose cancer has come back;  For Tom  Quinn who had back surgery on November 21st; 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 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 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 & the families of Annie and Michael ;    for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

 

Connie and John

 

                        

Birthdays: Brent Burmaster 7/6, Paul Bieda 7/8

Anniversaries:  

                                                              

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  680.00

Outreach: $   360.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.