2nd Sunday of Easter April 24, 2020

 

"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.

 

Readings:                          

Proverbs  8,  22-31, When the Lord established the heavens I was there.

Psalm 8,  Lord, Our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth

Romans 5,1-5,    We have been justified by faith.

John 16, 12-15,  I have much more to tall you

 

John's Homily

The fruits or signs of the Spirit, what you see when a person lives in the Spirit of Jesus, are the behaviors that descrobe love, joy, peace, patience or tolerance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness or self-control.

I have shared with you in the past my having sisters who no longer speak with one another and the pain this signifies.  Well, this whole past week I have experienced the signs of the Spirit.  Lambrini’s older brother George had never been to Dallas in the 22 years since Lambrini and I were married.

 On the occasion of his mother, Kalliopi’s, 90^th birthday, George agreed to come.  I already knew George as a man of love and joy and peace.  He lives with his wife, on their farm in Pelaponesia near a town called Crimidi.  In addition to love, joy and peace, George demonstrates amazing patience. 

 

 

Guess who lit candles today.

 

 

I’m able to practice patience in some aspects of life, but fall down, especially in the areas of mechanics and technology.  I lose patience with machines that I want to do something they won’t do.  E.g., my lawn mower ‘died’ last year at the beginning of mowing season.  I found someone who would cut my yard for a reasonable cost and didn’t buy a new machine.  This year I took it in and the shop guy said it wasn’t worth fixing, and he could sell me a new one for $300.  When George got here, he little by little found out what was wrong with it, and then fixed each problem, one by one. 

I was amazed.  George reminded me of what Scott Peck said in his classic book, The Road Less Traveled’.  He said that he, like many others, said “I can’t do this or that.”  Peck said what we mean is “I won’t spend the time learning how to do that.”  Anyone graced with normal intelligence can learn to do anything, if we exercise the patience required to learn how.

Then yesterday my family got together to welcome George to Dallas and to celebrate Kalliopi’s and Lambrini’s birthdays.  Lambrini’s sister-in-law Debbie, and her daughter Leah with her one year old son, flew in to be with George and the family.  Our two daughters and grandson Freddie also came.

 

Viking Sea docked at Stockholm, Sweden last night, a Spirit Event.

 

 

I experienced their love and peace and kindness with one another all day long.  Everyone showed their love for Leah’s 1-year old CJ, and Joey’s 5-year old Freddie—total acceptance and joy.  I saw Patience, which includes tolerance, in how the 5 carnivores and 3 vegetarians respected one another and showed great tolerance for our different life choices.  Faithfulness includes self-control, and I experienced this sign of the Spirit in their total lack of judgement in sharing personal stories with each other.  What a day of blessing.

I also experience this ‘Spirit event’ each week when we gather here to celebrate together.  Remember Stack talking about the ‘Christmas event’ and the ‘Easter or Resurrection event’.  At Pentecost time we celebrate the ‘Spirit event’.  Be on the watch for Spirit events; they are happening all the time.   

How do you experience ‘Spirit events’, in yourself and with others?

 

Sunset around 9:00 P.M. Saturday night, Stockholm.  The Ending. 

 

 Yes, we have just returned to Dallas, Ro & Jo

 

 

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

 

 

All ready to Start, Louis, John & Jean, Mary Jane & John.

 

 

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

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community  & Stack  & John Cade & Deacon Mike homilizing

Place: Legacy Charter School,  601 Accent Drive, Plano, TX 75075

 

 

 

Sister Act, Georgie, Zoe, & Tori.

 

Readings:

Ecclesiastes, 1,2; 2, 21-23,  Pretty pessimistic.  Author having a bad day?

Psalm 90, If today you hear his voice, harden not you hearts.  

Colossians 3, 1-5, 9-11,  Think of what is above, not of what is on earth

Luke 12, 13-21,  There was a rich man

 

 

 

Brother Act, Buddy reading our Candle Blessing of The Week, which he almost has memorized.

 

Community Activities:  

ROMEO MEET: Friday, August 2, Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.  Welcome all wakos, you will fit right in.   

 

Juliets, August-September, TBA

 

 

 

 

Mary, you go to the right, I'm going left.

 

TRUE?

 

Ironing boards are just surf boards that gave up their dream and got a boring job.

Don't be an ironing board.

 

 

Communion line up.

 

What's up in Ye Old Catholic Church?  Like…

Wow, an old priest in D.C. delivers.  He's over  80.  No wonder so good.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/24/opinion/catholic-priest-trump-racism.html?em_pos=small&ref=headline&nl_art=12&te=1&nl=opinion-today&emc=edit_ty_20190725?campaign_id=39&instance_id=11158&segment_id=15539&user_id=0acbc47a8305298c424576a49c9cd8f0&regi_id=79381194emc=edit_ty_20190725&login=email&auth=login-email                  

 

 

 

Would some charitable soul please go sit with John.

 

See you Sunday, J.S.

214-783-0443

 

 

 

 

Grateful team work.  Shoulder arthritis: you can't put on your shirt sometimes.

 

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.

 

 

Watch out, Folks, here comes the Shropshire.   Believe it or not this guy was a great athlete and running back at Jesuit.

 

 

 

 Readings:

Samuel 16, 1, 6-7, 10-13. Samuel chooses and anoints David.

 Psalm 23,  The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

 Ephesians 5,  8-14,   You were once in darkness, but now you are light.

 John 9, 1-41,    The beggar given sight.

 

She is back, Everybody, with a new little baby boy, Caleb.   Congratulations, Bethany.

 

Observations on 1 Samuel:

What: The is the first book of a 4 book series tracing the history of the Israelites,  1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings.  Samuel, Saul, and the great David are the main characters.

When composed:   800 & 700 years before Christ the work was being put together.  Mostly finalized, guess when, Babylonian time, ca. 555 years before Christ.

Today's selection: How Yahweh guided Samuel in selecting David.

 

 

Stuart.

 

Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd.   One of my favorites, very comforting.  Is it true? 

 

Stuart with Julian.

 

The Lord is My Shepherd

I would like to talk this morning about that Psalm 23, which is one of my favorites, The Lord is My Shepherd. 

I would like to tie it in with a guy named Stuart, whose funeral I just did in Toronto Friday at 11:00.  I did Stu’s wedding 25 years ago to one of the Reddick sisters, Renee Reddick, of the family whom I had gotten close to when I studied in Toronto from ’68-’72.  Renee & Stewart had separated a couple of years ago, but they were still peaceful with each other. 

 

Stuart with Julian and Ethan.

 

Stuart had one extraordinary quality that I envied and used as a model for my own life.  He had a Stuart spirit that created life, energy, friendship, and community around him.  With a megawatt smile and laughter, he invited people to have fun and friendship with gobs of adventures, meals, and get togethers.

You will never guess how many of his friends and admirers gathered together Friday morning at 11:00 in St. John’s Catholic Church to celebrate a Catholic Mass.  We estimated at least 200 people.  The church was full.  Even the two viewings the night before were packed with people and energy.

 

Stuart and Renee.

 

A second point.  Stu had a number of hobbies, one of which was playing ice hockey.  After all, he was Canadian.  All Canadians are born wearing skates.  Stu was a big, robust, good looking blond.  If I was playing hockey and saw him barreling down the ice grinning with the excitement of taking me out, I would have jumped over the railing. 

Among all his buddies his hockey team mates seemed to be extra special.  After the funeral Mass a reception was held at a big club on the shore of Lake Ontario right in the middle of Toronto.  His team mates told Renee they were covering the bill.  It was food and open bar for everybody and the party lasted from about 1:00 to 6:00. 

 

Stuart & his buddy after one hour of bad hockey, looking forward to the next 2 hours.

 

Stu has a refrain which I used at the Mass to invite everyone to the reception, “1 hour of bad hockey, 2 hours of good drinking.  Let’s begin!”  I think Stuart was playing hockey up to the last year or so of his life.

The third point about Stewart, he helped to nurture and raise two fine sons, one in college, the other in high school.  They are both beautiful kids.

 

Our Candle Man of The Week, Brandon.

 

Stuart died of cancer just last week.  The cancer was first discovered this past November, around the time of American Thanksgiving.  Stuart was a Good Shepherd to lots of people.  Was the The Lord a Shepherd to him?  Dying of cancer after 4 months?  There is nothing I shall want?

For me it is the question of unconditional love.  Even though I will die, the love and acceptance is there.

How does the Lord Shepherd you?

For whom are you a Shepherd?

 

 

Hi, Genevieve, are you trying out for the choir with that mike, which I know you love? 

Acts of the Apostles 5:  So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

Revelation 5:  To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.

John 21:  Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.

Simon, son of John, do you love me?

 

 

Connie reading from the Acts of the Apostles

     

 

 

Thanks…

Music,    Ben & Shonda

Readers,  Connie & John

Gospel,    John Cade

Homily,  John Stack

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,      Mike & Hue & Richard & Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

 

 

John reading from Revelation

 

 

 

 

Readings:  Download 05- 01-22 – Readings – 3rd Easter

Homily:  

 

 

 

The Community singing

 

 

 

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;

                           

 

Shonda and Ben

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.

 

 

Communion

                   

                  

Birthdays:  Denni Zurchin

Anniversaries:   

      

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  765.00

Outreach: $  65.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

Communion
                                    

Rosemary's Blessing: