Readings:

Deuteronomy 26, 4-10     You shall bow down in his presence.

Psalm 91,  Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Romans 10, 8–13,   The word is near you.

Luke 4, 1-13,   Jesus was led into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

Says Genevieve, "Welcome in, Folks.  Happy Valentine"s Day.

Deuteronomy 

The scene: The Israelites have escaped from Egypt and have been wandering in the desert for years.  They are just about to enter The Land.  They are assembled.  Moses is addressing them and reminding them of all Yahweh has done for them over the years of wandering.   

Cole, also, with Erin & Diane his mom & Grandmom, says, "Hi, Everybody, Come on in". 

In our chapter he is telling them that when they have settled in their new land, where he will not accompany them, they must take a basket full of a portion of their first harvest, present it to the rabbi, and offer it as a sacrifice of thanksgiving.   

Who: Though about Moses, Deuteronomy is a compilation of numerous sources. 

Guess when: post Babylonian Captivity, say 555.  Easy to remember.

Bethany, Can we trust you to get that cupcake to Vivian!

Having a happy, healthy, positive Lent?

Last week I talked with you about having a happy, healthy, and positive Lent.  How’s it going?   I have an example that may expand your possibilities. 

I have already mentioned a little bit of this story last week, but would like to get more into it.

David, Happy Birthday to Drew.

At the Jewish Community Center, where I arrive at 5:30 for a spin class, there is a guy named Michael at the entrance counter.  He is from Nigeria and new since the beginning of the year.  There was a lady on the counter for years, but she retired.  Nice, but nothing special.  Michael is special.

First off, he seems to have memorized every person’s name and usually what they want when they check in.  We introduced ourselves my first time to see him.  The second time he knew my name, knew I wanted only one large towel instead of two, and that I like a locker around the number 30.  He had it all.  There are hundreds of people who check in at this counter every morning.  I hear him call them by name.

Happy 22nd Anniversary, John, to you and Lambrini.

We chat a bit both when I come in and when I leave.  So, as I mentioned last week, I told him that our Friday spin teacher was having a birthday, that I was going to get the class to sing, and that I was going to give her a Cliff Bar (instead of a cupcake.  Good figure). 

So, Friday morning I mention to him I am going to celebrate Jennifer, and he says he will do something.  What I don’t know.  Like I said last week, what he does is he runs in as we are singing at the beginning of the class and sticks a big sheet of poster paper on the glass wall. The poster says, “Happy Birthday, Jennifer.”  I was surprised and delighted.

Happy Birthday, Dick.

Then at the end of the 45 minute class, Michael rushes in with a basket of 20 or so cold rolled face towels.   Again I was surprised, totally, and delighted.  Never before had any staff person done this. 

Michael is special.  He has a pretty insignificant job in the Center and he has used it as a platform to make a marvelous, positive difference.  He helps us all to start off the day with delight.  He makes it a joy to walk in the door, even on a cold morning in the dark.

Thanks, Cole for being a super candle lighter.

Do this and you make for a happy, healthy, and positive Lent.

So, how are you doing?

 Rosemary reading her Blessing of The Week.

Says our dearest Harper, "Welcome in, Everybody. 

Readings:  

Daniel 12, 1-3, In those day, I, Daniel, heard the word of the Lord

Psalm 16,  You are my inheritance, O Lord

1 Corinthians 1, 3-9, I give thanks  (selection from Thanksgiving Day)

Mark 13,  24-32,  Learn a lesson from the fig tree.

With Buddy reading the blessing of the candles, Emma lights the candles.

Thanksgiving History: Everyone knows about the first Thanksgiving in 1602 with the Pilgrims and the Indians eating together, the Mayflower, and Plymouth Rock.   Here are 5 facts that people do not hear about usually.

1.  When did Thanksgiving begin?  Our ancestors have celebrated end of harvest feasts of gratitude for centuries.  Lincoln first focused on a national feast; FDR established the national holiday in 1941.

Michelle with her dad, Gil.

1.  The pilgrims did not know they were pilgrims.  They called themselves saints, and non-saints were called strangers.  The word pilgrim came along in the 18 hundreds, 2 centuries later.  They were not even Puritans, but separatists.  They split off from the Church of England, old Henry VIII's church, and the Puritans did not split off. 
2.   The Separatists did not come to establish religious freedom.  They came for religious freedom for their religion and only their religion.  Like the Catholic Church, the Separatists demanded everyone belong to their program.  Failure to conform could result in execution, ala inquisition.

And the Father will Dance, One of our most favorite hymns led by Ben.

1.  The Mayflower returned to England, was torn apart, and its beams were used to build a barn in Buckinghamshire (just north of London & east of Oxford).
2.  How did the Indians & Separatists communicate?   The Indians were Algonquians & one of them, Squanto had actually lived in Briton some years.  He returned to his tribe and taught his friend, Samoset English.  It was Samoset who communicated with the Separatists, & the Indians taught them to raise corn, to fish, and to hunt.  In the first winter half of the 100 Separatists died before the Indians taught them how to survive.

Elevation time.

Thanksgiving

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, my most favorite celebration, I would like to talk about blessings.  Excuse me for the personal focus.  It is my annual assessment.  Rosemary & I do this together more toward the end of the year, but initially I put together my own list.

As an aside, this Tuesday we celebrate the 26^th anniversary of the 6 Jesuits killed in the patio of their residence of their university, UCA, University of Central America, El Salvador.

Offertory with Mike, John, and Connie.

Thanksgiving

Despite the fact that Rosemary says, when she hears that I want to give a Thanksgiving homily this Sunday, “Not another thanksgiving homily.”  I  promise her that  won’t repeat the Big 3 Blessings in my life.  Like entering the Jesuits, spending 10 years in East Africa, and marrying her. 

Instead, I have Ragbrai.  The ride across Iowa in July.  You have heard me talk about this event on numerous occasions.  To me this is an extraordinary event, some 30 thousand riders, 400-500 miles from the Missouri River to the Mississippi.

 Saturday night wedding with Christi and Steve.

 I have my favorite vendor, the Mennonite community, serving home made pie slices and a big bowl of vanilla ice cream.  One flavor of ice cream, a dozen flavors of pie, which the are baking right there on the edge of the road. Like in October we took an ocean cruise in the North Atlantic, starting in Bergen, Switzerland, and continuing through Amsterdam and Portsmouth, England through the Straights of Gibraltar to Barcelona, Spain.

One of the most moving experiences was taking a bus from Bruge, Belgium to the First World War battle lines at Ypres.  This was to be the war to end all wars.

Away they go on a new journey in life.

Thirdly, and this is the best year after year.  This community, you people.  Like what community could you find who would welcome with open arms a crazy woman who wants to tell us about her ancestors who came over on the Mayflower.  Moreover, we loved the presentation, complete with singing and a costume change.

These are just three of my blessings this year.  What are three of yours. 

Even big kids get to play with the toys, as long as the kids don't see them

1 Samuel 3: When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the Lord came and revealed his presence, calling out as before. "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

1 Corinthians 6:  Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?  But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him.

John 1:  Then he brought him to Jesus.  Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas" –which is translated Peter.

John reading from the Gospel of Mark

  Donna sharing with the community about the gift bags for the men at Soul's Harbor

Community Finances:   

  Expenses: $  430.00

  Outreach: $  

  Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

Lynda reading the Blessing

Rosemary's Blessing:

 

 

Author  Unknown

 

 

1 Samuel 3: When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the Lord came and revealed his presence, calling out as before. "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

1 Corinthians 6:  Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?  But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him.

John 1:  Then he brought him to Jesus.  Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas" –which is translated Peter.

Happy 83 Years, John, Congratulations.   When I grow up, I want to be like you!

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

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community & John Cade

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

Dad & Daughter, nothing better, Gilbert & Michelle.

Readings:

Ezekiel 34, 11-12, 15-17,    I myself will look after and tend my sheep.

Psalm 23,  The Lord is my shepherd.  There is nothing I shall want.  ( A good one)

1 Corinthians 15, 20-26,28,    Christ has been raised from the dead.

Matthew 25, 31-46,,  He will sit on  his glorious throne.

Mike Kuklenski on his Viet Nam experience.

Community Activities:  

ROMEO MEET:   Let’s skip November 24 & December 1.   Everybody is traveling.

JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together),  Friday, December 1st.  Contact Marilyn Ackerman.

A fascinating trip.

Love for Kids picnic:  December 9

Dickenson Trip:  February, more TBA

Jackie & Rick: have a nice bedroom they would like to put up for rent, $500 per month.   Location: Garland, near a DART  train station.

.

Standing ovation.

What is going on in Our Catholic World:

1.  Fire the Madison Bishop, National Catholic Reporter    Nothing special this week.

Our Father.

True?

Suddenly you’re ripped into being alive. And life is pain, and life is suffering, and life is horror, but by God you’re alive and it’s spectacular.

Joseph Campbell

Peace, Wendy & her parents.

See you Sunday.

J.S., 214-783-0443

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.