Reminder for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary TIme, February 16, 2025

Isaiah 6:  And then I heard the voice of the Master: "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" I spoke up, "I'll go. Send me!"

1 Corinthians 15:  So whether you heard it from me or from those others, it's all the same: We spoke God's truth and you entrusted your lives.

Luke 5:  When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."

 

 

 

 

 

Another Reminder for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 9, 2025

 

 

 

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

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

 

 

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

 

Posted from St. Petersburg, Russia.

 

 

 

 

Community Activities:  

1. ROMEO MEET: Friday, May 27 , Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.   Welcome all wakos,  you will fit right in.                                                                                                                                                      
2. JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together):  To Be Announced.              

  

 

True? 

 

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.

John Muir, American environmentalist and author (very important at Yosemite)

 

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.

 

Second Sunday of Easter

Welcome to our on line celebration.

John Cade will offer his 5th Special Homily on Matthew's work.

 

 

 

First Reading read by Cody, Acts of the Apostles

 

         The newly converted followers of Christ committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.  Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles!  And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common.  They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.

        They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God.  People in general liked what they saw.  Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

Our word for today.

 

 

 

Second Reading, read by Patricia,  First Letter of Peter

   

Sisters and brothers: What a God we have!  And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus!  Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!  God is keeping careful watch over us and the future.  The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.

        I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime.  Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine.  When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

        You never saw him, yet you love him.  You still don’t see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing.  Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to:  total salvation.

 

Our word for today.

 

 

 

Gospel reading read by Deacon Mike,     Gospel of John

          Later on that first day of the week, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house.  Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”  Then he showed them his hands and side.  The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant.  Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you.  Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”  Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them.  “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said.  “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good.  If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?” 

         But Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.  The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.”  But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”  Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room.  This time Thomas was with them.

 

 

 

  Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”  Then he focused his attention on Thomas.  “Take your finger and examine my hands.  Take your hand and stick it in my side.  Don’t be unbelieving.  Believe.”  Thomas said, “My Master!  My God!”  Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes.  Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.” 

         Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs then are written down in this book.  These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.

The Good News of John

 

 

 

Anniversary of The Week, John & Alison Degenova

 

Rosemary's Blessing of The Week

Risen Jesus, help us to be human expressions of the God you proclaimed: a God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

May we know deeply God's great love for us, and like God, lean toward those suffering, oppressed and poor.

Taken from A Reflection and Prayer for Easter by S. Jean Amore, CSJ

 

In response to those of you who have been asking, Yes, we are so far paying our weekly bills.   Collections are certainly down.  We are bringing in ca. $400 a week. Unfortunately we have not been able to support Souls Harbor. 

If you would like to help out, simply send a check to Rosemary at 6107 Tulip Lane, Dallas 75230.  Tom Zurchin suggested we get a PayPal account and Rosemary is afraid it will complicate her present arrangements.  

Tom also gave us a heads up about the North Texas Giving Day, May 5.   Souls Harbor has a $10 thousand matching grant.   Donate your $1200 government subsidy?  Unless you need it.

 

Remember……

 

 

 

 

"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.

 

 

Note: we are now meeting at Legacy Academy.  We will continue to post this map until after Christmas Eve. 

 

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

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

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

 

 Readings:  

 

Jeremiah 33:14-16,  The days are surely coming, says the LORD

Psalm 25:1-10,  To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13,  How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?

Luke 21:25-36,  Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees . . .