Readings:
Isaiah 2, 1-5, They shall beat their swords into plow shares.
Psalm 122, Let us go rejoicing to house of the Lord.
Romans 13, 11-14, It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.
Matthew 24, 37-44, Stay awake.
Sorry, no homily this week.
Acts of the Apostles 4, the community of believers was of one heart and mind.
Psalm 118, Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.
1 John 5, Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God..
John 20, 19-31, Jesus came and stood in their midst.
Thanks……
Music, Ben & Shonda
Readers, Patricia & Fred, & Buddy, the candle blesser
Gospel, Deacon Mike Carrell
Homily, John Stack
Eucharistic Prayer A & B, Stack & John Cade
The Magic Zoom makers, Hue & Richard
Final Blessing, Rosemary
For hosting us at Legacy, Becky
New Life in the Community. 30-40 people this Sunday.
It Really is Easter!
Readings for Sunday, April 11, 2021
Download Reading 2nd Easter 4-11-2021
John Stack Homily
Download Homily Resurrection 4-11-2021
The Team is ready (along with Aviana)
Remember these special people:
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
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: Tom Zurchin, Claire Occipinti, & Darbiana
Anniversaries: Curtis & Mabel
Community Finances, April 11, 2021
Expenses: $1035.00
Outreach: $150.00
Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.
Rosemary's Blessing:
We are called to be co-partners and co-workers in the unfolding of God’s vision. Our faith brings us to a deep truth: we are made in the image and likeness of a God who is unconditional and unfathomable love. Jesus lives and teaches this idea of God that surpasses all other concepts of God. Our God is intimately close to us and in love with us. We abide in God.
Taken from Our Easter Faith – Making a Difference to Our God by Sister Jean Amore CSJ, Ed.D., Principal, Sacred Heart Academy, Hempstead, NY
Spring is upon us.
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.
Readings:
Isaiah, 55, 6-9, As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways.
Psalm 1, The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
Philippians 1, 24, 27, Conduct yourselves in a way worthy
Matthew 20, 1-16, The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner…
Like glass, White Rock Lake looking south from the north bridge, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 7:30 A.M.
ROMEOS, Friday, September 18, 1:00, as usual. Welcome!
ROMEOs' Virtual Jason's Deli BYOB lunch
This is a recurring meeting, Friday, 1:00 pm
Link :
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798571623?pwd=NmFSTW1ocVMzRGdIc0QzUGxKdHM3dz09
Meeting ID: 857 9857 1623
Password: saladbar
All God's creatures.
Reminder for 25th Sunday Ordinary Time, September 20, 2020
Here are the links for Sunday:
Doggie Park and doggie swimming hole from the north bridge, usually a busy spot. Must be too early.
What's up in Ye Old Catholic Church
1. U. S. bishops should follow the sisters, https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/editorial-bishops-should-follow-sisters-lead-dismantling-racism
Sunday Homily from September 13 (Last Sunday. Just forgot to add it to the blog.)
The Lord is gracious & merciful, never gets angry and is abounding in love.
Many people I know have their favorite scripture passage, one that supports feelings of consolation and inner peace. It is also a resort when times are difficult. This my verse.
Please excuse me while I reminisce through three periods of my adult & ordained life, my years in East Africa, my years working as a psycho-therapist and a celebrater of Sunday Masses at St. Marks, and finally the recent years, my blessed marriage with Rosemary and celebrating Masses with our special, marvelous community, each stage lasting 10-20 years.
I was living in Nairobi, Kenya when I was first struck by the incredible strength and consolation of this line. I was looking for property on which I was to establish a spiritual center. I had taken a break of a few days to get in touch with my spirit. I had already been a Jesuit for about 15 years and had made many a retreat. I had even guided a bunch of people through 8 to 30 day individual retreats. Suddenly, sitting in the small chapel of the house of some American brothers it hit me. How had I missed the strength of this line?
I went on to find a 38 acre plot with two houses owned by two elderly Brit ladies, mother & daughter. (probably younger than I am now!). The center is still active and under the direction of 2-5 East African Jesuits. I named it Mwangaza House, which is Swahili for a sudden brightness. I showed it to Rosemary & Mary Ellen some years ago when we were all 3 younger.
At a meeting of some of us Kenya Jesuits I volunteered to move south to Tanzania, a country more poor than Kenya & Uganda, with dirt roads, more simple living, and the home of The Great, my beloved Mt. Kilimanjaro.
We knew that transportation was poor, so we decided to go mobile. I was able to find 4 convents or centers with guest accommodations, one in each of the 4 corners of the country. I bought a Honda 250 trail bike and found 3 others to form a team. They were another young French Canadian Jesuit, a French Canadian White Father, and a delightful Dutch nun named Hanney. In a cardboard box on the back of my trail bike I had my notes, extra clothing and running shoes. It was a fascinating adventure.
The second big move I made was when I returned to the States around ’85-’86, got a degree & training as a psycho therapist, opened an office in the back of the Jesuit residence at the school here in Dallas, and shared time with people needing help. I was quite busy. At the same time Claude Smyth took me on at St. Marks where every Sunday I did the 9:00 and the 10:30 Masses. I loved the people who made up those communities.
Guess what was the third big move in my life. Cinco de Mayo, 2005, Rosemary & I got married. That blessing was more than ever I expected! But that was not the end of it.
I blame Carol Eshelbrenner, Bernadette, and a few other trouble makers. They said let’s continue to celebrate our Sunday Masses together. Remember where we started and continued for many years? Yep, Vines High School. After a gazillion years at Vines, we were assigned to other schools because of Summer renovation. Then we arrived in The Promised Land, Legacy Charter, Becky being our most gracious hostess.
Ever since that day in Nairobi and all through the years I have found peace and strength in The Line, The Lord is gracious and merciful, never gets angry, and is abounding in love.
What scripture line touches your heart?
Rosemary's Blessing:
HOPI PRAYER OF THE SOUL'S GRADUATION:
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there,
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight
On the ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there.
I did not die.
Special Thanks:
For Reading: Scott, Mary Ellen
For the Communion Bread: Christine & Megan
For Serving: Kevin Doherty & T.J.
For the Books & Wine Cups & Cross: John & Allison & Rob
For the Music: Ray & Wendy & Celeste
For the Pictures: Jan & Beth
For the altar & sound: Mary Ellen & Hue
For the donuts & coffee: Jackie & Charley & Jan
Happy Birthday: Laura McKinley (20), Melissa Meyer (18), Marilyn Ackerman, Joan Gleason, Emily Kite (15)
Happy Anniversary:
Rose & Wally Banzhaf (38th)
Please Remember: Rosemary's brother Peter who died Monday; Bill Russell whose funeral I did yesterday, Saturday, with a jazz quintet at Sparkmen-Hillcrest; Cindy Cramer recuperating from her foot operation; Chris Phipp's mom with cancer; Cara Kless who had eye surgery Tuesday; Christine Drescher's Grandmother; David Hoover's mom who is failing; Ann Bivona with her broken leg; Rita at home & recuperating; Jackie's friend Jack Brown with various cancers & Keith Beasley who fell off the 7th floor of a parking garage; Julie Johnston who is dealing with a return of her cancer; Margie Weynant whose lung cancer has returned; Hugh Bivona's sick friends Bob & Bonnie; Rick Urbanczyk’s mom, Irene; Richard Froebe's dad who had a stroke; Warren & Barb's friends Jerry & and Mark, and a little baby, Reese who has tuberous sclerosis complex; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; Tom & Teresa's friend Neva Flynn with cancer & Teresa's niece Angel; Diane's dad Butch Uderman & cousin Judy; Margie's mom ; Donna & Cathy Goode's mom; our friends, sons, & daughters in the military, including Trey Bailey, Ryan McClurg, Matt Gardner, Chebino, Roy's son Chris, Lisa's nephew Kristopher on his 2nd Iraq trip; David Hoover; George & Marianne's sons & Linda's son and Marianne's mom Marguerite, plus Stacie & Ben White & their niece just diagnosed with leukemia; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick; Dawn's friend Jessica & Aunt Ann & Hector; Fred's friend John with cancer; Casey & Rob plus Cameron & Reid, Trey and Brady; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.
Picture 1: Mary Ellen reading Ephesians
Picture 2: Joan Gleason on her birthday
Picture 3: Community
Picture 4: Frank & his Mom, Mela
Check out the Quads: http://gerwerbabies.blogspot.com
Your Finances:
August 23: Postponed until next Sunday because of the memorial in NY Monday
Thanks for your Generosity!
Have a Great Week, J.S (214-783-0443)
Hi Everyone,
John and Rosemary finally got back home on Thursday night after having their flights cancelled 3 times. We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the ArtCentre of Plano for Mass on Sunday.
Readings: Nehemiah 8, 2-10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12, 12-30; Luke 1, 1-21
Nehemiah – The book of Nehemiah takes place during the Babylonian captivity. Three main characters play roles, though the first two are not mentioned in today’s reading. Cyrus is the benevolent ruler of Babylon. Nehemiah is the Jew Cyrus puts in charge of restoring the city of Jerusalem and the temple. Ezra, the central character of today’s reading, is a priest & law scholar.
We arrive on the scene after Nehemiah has established Jerusalem. The people have assembled in the town center and asked Ezra to read to them the law that orders their new lives. We hear part of the reading, a part that emphasizes rejoicing.
1 Corinthinians – During the time of Paul the Greek city of Corinth was almost as significant as Athens. Paul had established a community there and in his letter he is offering his advice to the people.
Chapter 13 is Paul’s famous letter about love being kind & patient. Chapter 12, our reading today, offers an almost amusing analogy of the community to a body. We are parts of the body and consequently we are important, making our unique contributions.
Liberty to Captives and Sight to the Blind – It was 21 years ago that the Jesuit superior in Nairobi told me in a letter that I should go back to the States for good. I was shocked and downcast by the news. It took me some years to get over it.
This spring Rosemary, Mary Ellen, & I will return for my first visit. Something I had hoped I would do, but never knew for sure.
In my 10 years there, I did two basic things. First, I helped establish a spiritual center-retreat house on the edge of Nairobi, Kenya. We bought 39 acres with two houses on the edge of a stream across from the Nairobi game park. In fact one night coming in late, another Jesuit & I (Louie Lambert) saw a giraffe crossing our front lawn.
The second thing I did was to help create spiritual growth & human maturity seminars, which we gave to priests, nuns, and bishops in Tanzania, the country just south of Kenya. I coordinated a mobile team of 2-3 priests and a Dutch nun.
These seminars were residential and lasted 1, 2, or 4 weeks. They were marvelous events with all races and men & women. We even gave a number of the seminars in Uganda during the days of Idi Amin.
All during my time in Kenya & Tanzania, I used to reflect upon what I was doing over there. I did not want to be considered a missionary, because I saw the negative effects of the cultural imperialism that came with the missionaries. For instance, drums were forbidden at Masses some places because they were considered pagan.
What did motivate me was the line in today’s gospel, "I come to give sight to the blind and liberty to captives." This still motivates me. I take the line metaphorically, not literally. For instance, this is why I talk often about the fundamental option instead of mortal-venial sin. I know my spirituality has moved from blindness to better sight, from prison to greater liberty. Otherwise, I would not have had the courage to get married.
I suggest that we, too, are challenged to help others see better. We do it with little kids. We do it with senior citizens. What a gift to help a person see that they are good and not bad.
This is what Jesus says in the gospel that he is doing. It is what I hoped I was doing in Kenya & Tanzania. It is what we are all challenged to do today.
Name one person you can touch into better sight, greater liberty.
Download the homily as an mp3 file (8751.1K).
Special Thanks:
For reading, Alexandra & Mary Ellen
For the Altar Bread, Linda Fleming
For Serving, Carmen & Ashley
For the Altar & cake, Margie Dugan & David & Alexandra
For the Books & Communion Cups, Roy & Carol Strom, Beth & Rob Robinson
For ushering & all sorts of jobs, Cliff Wright
For the music, Ray & Wendy & Hue
Acts of the Apostles 15: It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage.
Revelation 21: The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, tor the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.
John 13: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Thanks…
Music, Ben
Readers, Tom & Denni
Gospel, John Cade
Homily, John Cade
Eucharistic Prayer A & B, John Stack & John Cade
The Magic Zoom makers, Hue & Richard
Final Blessing, Rosemary
Loretta and Dawn (Welcome back Dawn)
Readings: Download 5-22-22 – Readings – 6th Easter
Remember these special people:
For Sandra who has been diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma; For Lambrini, John Cade's wife who is dealing with cancer; For John's sister, Kathey in the hospital after a fall; 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; For Mary Hall's friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition; For Sir Charlie & Jan; All of Shonda's dear family;
The Kiss of Peace
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.
Birthdays: Ray Occhipinti 5/24
Anniversaries:
Community Finances:
Expenses: $ 853.00
Outreach: $ 100.00
Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.
Rosemary's Blessing:
Grant us, Lord God,
a vision of your world as your
love would have it:
a world where the weak are protected,
and none go hungry or poor;
a world where the riches of creation are
shared, and everyone can enjoy them;
a world where different races and cultures
live in harmony and mutual respect;
a world where peace is built with justice,
and justice is guided by love.
Give us the inspiration and courage to
build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
From “Engaging our Faith”, www.ucc.org
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.