2nd Sunday of Advent, December 6, 2020

Readings:

Exodus  20, 1-17,  God delivered all these commandments.   Special reading for Rita's memorial,    Song of Songs, 2, 8-14

Psalm 19,    Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

1 Corinthians  1, 22-25,   The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom.

 John  2,  13-25,   He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out.

Our Beautiful Georgie says, "Welcome in Everybody, it's fun."

Song of Songs, observation :  Special reading in honor of Rita

What :  A dialogue between a man and a woman who love and long for each other.   No reference to God or the law. 

When:  probably after the Babylonian Captivity, 555 before Christ. 

Our Subject: The girl is speaking to her lover.

Buddies Leo and Cole say, "Hi, Folks."

Rita Dore

I would like to tell you a few stories about Rita, just to give you an idea of how neat and fun a person she was.

I don’t remember when or how I met Rita.  Toward the end of Msgr. Claude Smyth’s life she was just there as the house keeper.  More than anybody else, Rita took good care of Smyth, tending to him day and even night, helping him to move to the other side.

During this time, Matt Bagert was acting pastor and when Msgr. Smyth died Matt opened up the rectory a bit.  He even threw a birthday party once, to which I was invited, along with another young Jesuit, Gene Sessa.  Things went along smoothly this way for some months until…The Big Event happened.  Fr. Duffy Gardner arrived. 

Harper says, "Cupcake time yet?"

Three little vignettes.

First, when Duffy settled into the rectory, the place went from being totally closed up to being wide open.  He was platinum level hospitality.  With Duffy welcoming everyone was the house keeper in the kitchen, Rita.  They made a marvelous one-two team. 

After doing the 9:00 Mass in the church and the 10:30 Mass in the cafetorium, I started going over to the rectory.  I was usually worn out.  I would go upstairs, take a 20 minute nap in an empty bedroom, then come down and join Duffy at the dining room table where he held forth.

Cupcakes of The Week to Grace and Dee.

Meanwhile, Rita had been cooking.  In particular she made chocolate chip cookies the size of dinner plates and homemade vanilla ice cream.  Guess what I ate for lunch.  Wow, did I love Rita.

At the same time that she worked as housekeeper, Rita took on the training of the little kids for first communion.  Two or three times a year I joined Duffy and a handful of other priests to do her kids' first confessions.  My penance to each kid, 2 Hershey kisses.  Think my line was long?

Tom & Lynda, first time grandparents Monday, the 9th.

Two years in a row at this time Duffy hosted the whole gang of kids for first communion on a Saturday.  Both years, Duffy at the homily would ask the kids questions and he would give out a dollar or two for correct answers.  The big final question both years worth $5 was, ‘Who is the holiest priest in St. Marks?’  Hands would go up.  Both years Duffy called on a timid little girl whom I happened to know.   Both years the little girls said, “Fr. Stack.” 

Well, as you can imagine, this brought down the house.  Duffy would put on a display of incredulity.  I don’t know if the first little girl got the $5 or not, but the second year I was there and I jumped up from the stage, ran down, and gave the girl $5 of my own.

Vivian, speaking into the mike, says, "Patience please, I'm coming." With her mommy, Bethany.

Rita loved all this, the penances, which some parents did not think was so good, and the questions from Duffy.

At the same time, Rita volunteered one day to help me with all the weddings, acting as wedding coordinator.  She had made wedding dresses in Birmingham or somewhere in her earlier, married life.  Consequently, we had great fun meeting with the kids, usually over dinner at Jason’s or El Fenix, and celebrating the weddings.

Buddy and Zoe wondering, 'Where is this Vivian?"

One wedding among all of them really stands out.  Two musicians, evening wedding, the big church, big crowd.  After exchanging vows, we had the couple light the unity candle, standing behind the candle and facing the people. 

Just before they lighted the candle, the mothers lit their candles, and then walked up the main aisle lighting a taper at each aisle before returning their candles to the unity candle.  Meanwhile the tapers in the hands of all the people were getting lighted.  Then we turned off the lights in the church. At the same time the couple had two singers, a guy and a girl, sing The Prayer that Bocelli and Celine Dion made famous.  It was stupendous.  Even remembering sends chills down my back. 

Tori, "Have you seen Vivian?"

An amusing footnote to the wedding took place.  A woman, who wanted to hire out as a wedding coordinator, asked if she could sit in.  “Sure, of course,” we said.  After the wedding a staff member asked the lady what she thought of the wedding.   “I just saw a wedding from hell,” she responded. 

As a result of that, every time Rita and I would depart the rectory to perform a wedding in the church, Duffy would ask if we were doing another wedding from hell.  It became our handle and provided lots of laughs. 

Thanks, Rita, you have been a fun and tremendous friend.  Rest well.  

Our Beautiful Zoe says, "Have a good week, Everybody."

Readings:

Zephaniah  3, 14-18, Shout for joy, sing joyfully, be glad and exult.

Psalm, Isaiah 12, Cry out with joy and gladness, for among you is the great and holy one of Israel.

Philippians 4, 4-7, Rejoice in the Lord always.

Luke 3, 10-18, Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.

Rose Banzhaf in from Colorado Springs.

 

Hunter & Audry lighting the 3 Advent candles for the 3rd Sunday.

Zephaniah: date, author, subject, & our selection 

    Date: two possibilities–ca. 650 BCE, before Babylon & contemporary with Jeremiah.  Or ca. 200 BCE.  Or both, like Baruch last week.

    Author: probably not Zephaniah himself, but someone recording what he said.  He is one of the 12 minor prophets, simply because his work is small, only 3 chapters. 

    Subject: like all prophets, Zephaniah predicts doom and destruction to Jerusalem because the people are not good.  His purpose: alter behavior, especially the religious behavior, of his fellow citizens of Jerusalem.  A rather jealous and punishing god is presented. 

Gilberto and Natalie

Lorynne 16 today, Cupcake of the Week

    Our selection: last lines of the last chapter, a song of joy and rejoicing.  This is the only positive note in the 3 chapters.  Consequently, scholars think it may have been added to the original work.  This is the only time in the 3 year cycle that we have a reading from Zephaniah.  Take a good look.

 A reminder: this reading, like others this Advent is addressed to a people in slavery.  In this reading the prophet is telling them a day of freedom is coming.  This is the historical milieu.  These guys knew nothing about Christ & had no concept of needing redemption, except from their slave masters.  Only after the Christ event did people, his followers, go back to the slavery time and use it as a metaphor for redemption of humankind from captivity or darkness.

Sources:  Good News Bible, The New Interpreter's Study Bible

Mike explaining our Penitential Service.

The Service, each receiving and each giving forgiveness and peace.

Homily Today:  Given by Lynne Sipiora, Executive Director of the Samaritan Inn, the only homeless shelter in Collin County.   See The Dallas Morning News, December 15.  We are supporting them this Sunday.  Check the 4 minute video of her presentation, very moving.

Special Forgiveness, Georgie and Beth.

Readings:

Mark 11, 1-10,  Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, read as we process in

Isaiah 50,  4-7  I gave my back to those who beat me.

Psalm 22,    My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?

Philippians 2, 6-11,   God greatly exalted him.

 Mark  14,  The Passion in 4 parts.

Carol says, "Welcome in, Everybody."

Sorry, Everybody.  Because of the length of the readings, especially the Passion, no homily this Sunday.  Next Sunday, Easter.

Procession ready.

Job, 7, 1-4, 6-7, Is not man's life on earth a drudgery?

Psalm 147, Praise the Lord who heals the broken hearted.

1 Corinthians 9, 15-19, 22-23, If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast.

Mark  1, 29-39,  He approached her, grasped her hand, and helped her up.  Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

Welcome, Folks!

Thanks……

Music,  Ben & Shonda

Readers, Jackie and Patricia, and Buddy, the candle blesser

Gospel,  Mike Carrell

Homily,  Mike Carrell

Eucharistic Prayer A & B, Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Hue & Richard & Mike 

Final Blessing, Rosemary

For hosting us at Legacy, Becky

Sunday Readings:

Download Reading 5th Sunday 2-7-2021

Homily by Mike Carrell

Download Mike homily 2-7-21

The Best, Shonda & Ben.

Please Remember these special people:

For Carrie's ex, Larry;  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 

The Brain Trust–including Aviana.

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 & Jean;   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; from Barbara, a little 4 month old boy undergoing an operation & for Rollie with Corona; for David McKeon's brother, Hugh; for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

Birthdays:  Geri, Tom Quinn, Hue & John Bresson

Anniversary:  Bobby & Debbie Ekes

Family Teamwork.  Happy Birthday, Geri.

Community Finances, February 7, 2021

Expenses: $1400.00 

Outreach   $250.00   (often for Souls Harbor, Legacy, etc.)

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

Rosemary's Blessing:

As Lazarus came forth alive from the tomb

may we too, come forth from the corona pandemic

and all the tombs which bind and hold us.

May we be filled with gratitude for life and its blessings,

and for the normal everyday things we took for granted.

Help us to become better people as a result of our

awakening and help us share our lives and blessings with others.

Readings: Isaiah 6, 1-8; Psalm 138 (a favorite); 1 Corinthians 15, 1-11; Luke 5, 1-11 (Call Themes). 

Isaiah – Last week we heard the story of the prophet Jeremiah’s call by Yahweh.  This week we have Isaiah’s call.  These are the two biggest O.T. prophets. 

1 Corinthians 15 – In last week’s Corinthians’ reading Paul described his vision of love.  Today he continues talking to the people of his church in Corinth, focusing on how he was called by God.

My Call

Today I have a story just for you kids.  Parents and old folks can take a nap.

Ever hear of the story of Miss Rumphius?  Miss Alice Rumphius? 

A long time ago in the age of sailing ships, little Alice Rumphius used to visit her grandfather at his cottage in a village near the sea.  He was an artist and a carver who created figures to place on the prows of the sailing ships.

Alice loved to visit her grandfather because she got to help him carve the figures, some of which she later saw in front of cigar shops in the village.  Also she loved to hear her grandfather tell of the many adventures he had experienced in lands all over the world. 

One evening, Alice told her grandfather that what she wanted when she grew up was to be like her grandfather, sailing to far off exotic lands and to have a home near the sea. 

Her grandfather congratulated her and told her he was flattered that she wanted to be like him.  There was one more thing important to him that she might consider if she truly wanted to follow him. 

“I’ve always tried to make the world more beautiful.”

Alice liked this principle and promised her grandfather she would truly make her world more beautiful.

Soon her Grandfather passed away, Alice grew up, and she began to travel.  She roamed the world experiencing marvelous adventures. 

At one place, Egypt, I think it was, Alice hurt her back and had to return to the house she had built near the sea.  She had accomplished her first two goals.  Her third goal, the call her grandfather held most important, she had really forgotten in her adventures.

Until one spring day when she was gazing out of her kitchen window.  There she saw some flowers.  Beautiful, she thought, realizing she had done nothing to make the world more beautiful. 

Consequently, she walked to the nursery, bought some seeds she was told would grow next spring if she planted them now, and returned scattering seeds along the way.  This she did all over the hills and roadsides of the region. 

The next spring Miss Rumphius’ village and its environs were a riot of colorful flowers.  All the people were delighted.  Miss Rumphius, too, was delighted.  She had responded finally to her third and most important call to be like her beloved grandfather.

How come we talk about this?

Today we are focused on personal calls.  Miss Rumphius got one, and so did Isaiah, Paul, and the apostles on the lake. There are calls to help make the world more beautiful and calls to help make people more beautiful. 

What is your call? (Please feel free to post your call.)

Click here to download the homily as an mp3.

Readings: Acts 13, 14, 43-52; Psalm 100, We are His People, The Sheep of His Flock; Revelation 7, 9, 14-17; John 10, 27-30

Acts:  a brief resume of what Tony has already explained, using the structure of who, what, when, and today's reading.

Who wrote: Luke, who wrote the Gospel.  He was a Greek speaking Gentile convert to Judaism.  He writes for Gentile Christians.  Writes about Paul, but did not know him nor his letters.

When: Big question.  Before or after 2 momentous events–

70 C.E: the Jews rebel against Rome.  Rome smashes them and destroys the most precious temple.  End of priests, beginning of rabbis.

88 C.E.: the Jewish Christians who have been worshiping in the temple or synagogue for decades split off. 

What about: story of spread of Christianity after Christ's death.  History or not?  Big question.  Idealized history?

Today: Paul & Barnabas scolding the Jews and affirming the Gentiles.  Is Acts pro Gentile?  

Revelation: a strange book

Some of my old Jesuit confreres were convinced the author(s) of this book was on halucinagens, undergoing an LSD trip.  What do you think?

The Good Shepherd

Want to know what a good shepherd looks like?

There is a couple.  They are celebrating 25 years of marriage.  They met in college in Pennsylvania.  Good kids.  The girl, Donna had spent a summer overseas doing service work in Calcutta. 

Know who else started out in Calcutta?  Mother Teresa.

The guy, John had also been doing summer mission work with the Glenmary Home Missionaries. 

So they got married and planned to have a family.  They tried and waited.  The news: they could not have kids.  So, one thing led to another and they adopted.

They adopted Rosa, a baby from an orphanage in Mexico. 

Then they adopted Natalie, a baby from Guatemala.

Then David, a baby from a local foster care family.

Then they adopted a 12 year old.  Maria Elena came from the same Mexican orphanage as Rosa. 

They had been living in a house in Philadelphia.  They moved to a church basement.  Then to an empty convent. 

All the while they continued adopting kids.  Just could not say no.  Donna was home schooling the kids.  John was working as an independent contractor—until they reached 11 kids.  Then he quit his job.  He was needed too much at home.

With the number of adoptions rising they found a 7 acre farm in south east Pennsylvania.  Here they could attempt more self-sufficiency.  They also were granted status as a foundation and took the name of St. Joseph House.

Today on the farm they have somewhere between 17 and 20 kids under their roof. 

How have they managed over these 25 years and 20 kids?  With the help of Catholic communities like ours right here. 

What kind of good shepherd are you?  Are we?

I found the story of John & Donna Kurtz in the March edition of The Anthony Messenger.   There is a picture of the whole bunch on the cover. http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Mar2010/Feature1.asp