Author: Rosemary

  • Sunday Announcements, March 16, 2008

    ByRosemary

    Rosemary’s Blessing:  An Old Irish Blessing

    May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.  May good and faithful  friends be yours, wherever you may roam.  May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.  May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!

    Special Thanks:

    • For reading: Mary, Scott, John, Tom & Lynda
    • For the Communion Bread: Kim & Cindy
    • For Serving: Sabrina & Anthony
    • For the Books & wine cups: Roy & Carol, Beth & Rob
    • For the music: Ben & Wendy & Celeste

    Mary

    Happy Birthday:  Margarita, Christine, Joanne, Ken, Sheila, Susie, & Bob McGrath.

    Happy Anniversary:

    • Cathy & Buddy (28th)
    • John & Margie

    Please Remember:  Rose Banzhaf’s mom; Jackie’s brother John & neighbor Earl; Dee Miller; Barb Wittek’s friends Ronald & Alice Kirk; Libby’s uncle; Nina’s friend Nancy;  Mary’s son John; Casey & Rob plus Cameron & Reid, Brady & Trey; Tom & Teresa’s friend Teri Knapke with cancer & Teresa’s niece Angel; Cindy Cramer’s friend Sarah Dixon;  Diane’s friend Mike Gertisen & cousin Judy; Rosemary’s nephew, Kevin; Jean Atwood’s friend Kerry whose dad is dying; Margarita’s  Aunt Lenore, & Yolanda; one year old Sadie with cancer; Margie’s mom; Donna & Cathy Goode’s mom; David Pastula’s companions in the military overseas, including Margarita’s Matt Gomez on tour 3, Trey Bailey, Ryan McClurg, Matt Gardner, Chebino, Roy’s son Chris; Lisa’s nephew Kristopher on his 2nd Iraq trip, his grandmother Alice Quiocho & Lisa’s friend Shelly; David & Rita; Mary Ellen’s Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; George & Marianne’s sons & Linda’s son; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick; Shawn in a car wreck; Dawn’s friend Jessica & Aunt Ann and Dawn’s back op. March 11; Fred’s friend John with cancer & Maureen’s friend Sharon.

    Nina

    Catch the latest on the quadruplets’ web: http://gerwerbabies.blogspot.com     —   Note: we continue to form a "Quad Squad" of volunteers to help take care of these jewels. 

    Next Sunday: Easter.  9:00 A.M., The Easter Egg Hunt.  Welcome, All You Kids!!

    Your Finances:

    • March 16:  Income for Running  Expenses: $ 1,438.00
    • March 16:  Income for Outreach Expenses: $  752.00

    Thanks for your Generosity!

    Have a Great Week, J.S

  • Sunday Mass Reminder for March 16, 2008, Palm Sunday

    ByRosemary

    Mass: 9:30; coffee, donuts, home made muffins, & juice on the house.

    Place: Vines High School on 15th between Custer & Independence.

    Readings: Matthew 21, 1-11, Entry into Jerusalem; Isaiah 50, 4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2, 6-11; Matthew 26, 14-27, 66 (Passion)

    Community Bulletin Board

    EASTER EGG HUNT: Easter Sunday before Mass, 9:00.  Welcome all you kids!!

    Holy Thursday Mass: 7:00 P.M., Mary Kee’s house, 2625 Millington, Plano 75093

    Good Friday Stations: no place yet.  Please let me know if you would like to come to one or both of these services, so we see how many might attend.

    Coomunity Directory: if you have not signed in and want to, send me your info.  At Easter I will publish on line to all who have signed up.

    Quad Squad:  This Sunday I will sign people up.  Casey wrote me:

    Hey Father Stack, I am in desperate need of your help. We had some wonderful women show up to the meeting but we were wondering if you know of any other volunteers as well. We have only had 4 hours of sleep in the last two days and are stuggling to function. We just need some more day help so I can grab an occasional nap.
    Love Casey                        PS they are all home by the way.
    Reid_robbie_home

    Next Community Party: May 3, 7:00 P.M., Fairview Farms’ Barn, The Anniversary.  Hold the date.

    Rick Turner is driving taxi.  Good man, knows the Metroplex.  Call: 214-707-6536c; 972-412-0711h.  Also, anyone got a lead on an inexpensive 4 cylinder, 4 door car we can help Rick & Jackie get?  Theirs is pooping out.

    David Hoover’s daughter will be in play starting March 28.  Check it out: www.dct.org  

    See you Sunday.

    J.S.

  • Sunday Homily, March 9, 2008, 5th Lent

    ByRosemary

    Readings: Ezekiel 37, 12-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8, 8-11; John 11, 1-45.

    Ezekiel: Again we make a big jump, from Samuel & David to the prophet Ezekiel. The time is ca. 580 B.C, the time of the defeat of the Hebrews and the Babylonian captivity.  Ezekiel is warning the people of the calamities that come and ends eventually envisioning a new Jerusalem.

    Blair

    How Many More Years You Got to Appreciate?

    We hear it said all the time that we have around 75 years of life in us.  That means we got 75 Christmases to enjoy, 75 springs and summers, and 75 Thanksgivings.  And that is from the age of Cameron & Reid, Brady & Trey.  Now you kids who are 10 or 15 only have 65 or 60 more birthdays and Easters.  Those of you 50 have only 25 more Christmases.  I have, guess, only 7 more according to the profile. 

    Marriage at 25 means 50 years of fun & companionship.  I got married at 65.  Not much time to experience the fun & companionship. 

    Over the past 5 weeks I have talked about some secrets to making marriage work.

     

    ·       Stay away from divorce, but play,

    ·       don’t expect a perfect marriage, but work for perfect moments,

    ·       plan fun and date regularly,

    ·       empty out the back pack of my junk and keep communicating,

    ·       give with words, listening, and touch & hugs.

    Frank

    This final discussion is both a summary of the five previous weeks and also a focus on appreciation.  Appreciation for the person who agreed to marry me.  The temptation is to rattle off the Spanish saying, "El amor es Ciego," love is blind.  The response to the temptation is appreciation.  Appreciate the perfect moments, the companionship, and the anniversaries.  Celebrate the appreciation.

    We only have a limited number of Christmases & Easters, perfect moments and anniversaries.  Let’s not blow it.  Appreciate each one.

    How many more do you have to celebrate?

                   

    AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-03-09.mp3 

  • Sunday Announcements, March 9

    ByRosemary

    Resource: to check the source for the marriage homilies, Project Everlasting, click the link.  Thanks to Carol Eshelbrenner for finding this lost resource.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19031744/

    Rosemary’s Blessing:   A Blessing for the Day (Adapted from a blessing by Andrew Greeley)

    May the God of the dawn awaken you;  May the God of sunrise stir you up;  May the God of morning bless your work;   May the God of noon renew your strength;  May the God of sunset bring you home;  May the God of dusk soothe your soul;  May the God of night bring you rest.

    Servers

    Special Thanks:

    • For reading: Blair & Blake
    • For the Communion Bread: Kim & Cindy
    • For Serving: Carmen & Ashley & Noah
    • For the Books & wine cups: Roy & Carol, Beth & Rob
    • For the music: Ray & Shonda, Wendy & Celeste, Hue

    Happy Birthday: Michelle Brown, Diane McClurg, Jackie Urbanczyk, Marianne Elwell, Tori Rogers (17)

    Please Remember:  Rose Banzhaf’s mom; Jackie’s brother John & neighbor Earl; Dee Miller; Barb Wittek’s friends Ronald & Alice Kirk; Libby’s uncle; Nina’s friend Nancy;  Mary’s son John; Casey & Rob plus Cameron & Reid, Brady & Trey; Tom & Teresa’s friend Teri Knapke with cancer & Teresa’s niece Angel; Cindy Cramer’s friend Sarah Dixon;  Diane’s friend Mike Gertisen & cousin Judy; Rosemary’s nephew, Kevin; Jean Atwood’s friend Kerry whose dad is dying; Margarita’s  Aunt Lenore, & Yolanda; one year old Sadie with cancer; Margie’s mom; Donna & Cathy Goode’s mom; David Pastula’s companions in the military overseas, including Margarita’s Matt Gomez on tour 3, Trey Bailey, Ryan McClurg, Matt Gardner, Chebino, Roy’s son Chris; Lisa’s nephew Kristopher on his 2nd Iraq trip, his grandmother Alice Quiocho & Lisa’s friend Shelly; David & Rita; Mary Ellen’s Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; George & Marianne’s sons & Linda’s son; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick; Shawn in a car wreck; Dawn’s friend Jessica & Aunt Ann and Dawn’s back op. March 11; Fred’s friend John with cancer & Maureen’s friend Sharon.

    Communion

    Catch the latest on the quadruplets’ web: http://gerwerbabies.blogspot.com     —   Note: we are forming a "Quad Squad" of volunteers to help take care of these jewels.  More in Friday’s blog.

    Bishop John Shelby Spong (Episcopal) recommends for Old Testament study on line: Christ Community Church.  Let me know if you try it.  I don’t know it yet, but I trust Bishop Spong, a progressive scripture scholar.

    Next Sunday: Palm Sunday

    Your Finances:

    • March 9:  Income for Running  Expenses: $ 859.00
    • March 9:  Income for Outreach Expenses: $ 625.00

    Thanks for your Generosity!

    Have a Great Week, J.S

  • Sunday Mass Reminder for March 9, 2008, 5th Lent

    ByRosemary

    Mass: 9:30; coffee, donuts, home made muffins, & juice on the house.

    Place: Vines High School on 15th between Custer & Independence.

    Readings: Ezekiel 37, 12-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8, 8-11; John 11, 1-45.

    Gerwers

    Community Bulletin Board

    Quad Squad: See picture.  We are working up a list of volunteers.  Help!!

    Next Community Party: May 3, 7:00 P.M., Fairview Farms’ Barn, The Anniversary.  Hold the date.

        

    See you Sunday.

    J.S.

  • Sunday Homily, March 2, 2008, 4th Lent

    ByRosemary

    Readings: 1 Samuel 16, 1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5, 8-14; John 9, 1-41.

    Samuel: Another huge jump from last week when we were in the desert with Moses after the exodus from Egypt, which itself was a big jump from the story of Abraham’s call in Genesis.  This book of Samuel is the first big book after the Pentatuch, the first 5 books of the Old Testament.  The book chronicles the shift among the Hebrews from a judge leader to a king.  The big characters: Samuel, the last great judge, Saul, the first king, and the fabulous King David.

    Today’s selection tells how Samuel found and choose David to someday be The Man.

    Gabriella

    Marriage # 5: The Art of Giving

    At the prospect of marriage, I was told by you can imagine whom, "Stack, you’ve had it easy all your life in the Jesuits.  You don’t know how hard marriage is and how much you will have to give up."   It was enough to scare me into bailing out.  It seemed like it was going to be all give and no get.  Now I’ve been married 3 years, that’s what it has been.

    Actually, as you all know so well, it has been all gift.  Never the less, the event of giving is essential to the art of marriage.  I’m learning more about this every day.  I see at least three ways the giving takes place.  There may be more, but let me talk about words, listening, and touch.

    I am surprised how easy it is to get out of the habit I was trained in as a kid and as a Jesuit to mention two simple phrases.  "Please," for one.  I can so easily simply say, "Would you do this," or "Would you get this for me?"  It seems polite to me, but it does not quite cut it.  It may be polite, but the "please" makes the difference.  It is courtesy.

    Secondly, "thanks."  I am impressed in my dealing with couples how often "thanks" has fallen out of usage.  In my mind I assume Rosemary knows I am grateful.  Often it may be some small thing, like moving so I can pass by.  Temptation: walk by saying nothing.  A trap, a lack of courtesy. 

    There is a third set of words that needs to be heard, therefore spoken a number of times a day.  How often do we hear of someone who has lost a loved one and regrets this was not said before parting, "I love you."  If it is not said, I don’t know it for sure.  My confidence & my security in my relationship is enriched by hearing "I love you."

    Besides words playing a role in the art of marriage, the flip is true: listening.  This may be hard.  I’m reading the sports page, I’m listening to Garrison Keilor and Rosemary says something.  Curses.  I better listen up or I’ve had it.  Listening itself has verbal & non verbal parts. 

    Verbal means more than hearing.  It means listeningto what is being said.  Very difficult sometimes.  Non verbal involves listening to the body language.  Some body language is obvious: a slammed door, a book thrown, silence.  Other body language is more subtle, a sadness, a distance, a reluctance to talk.  What’s up?  I notice–fill in the blank—.  If it is obvious, maybe some real listening is in order.  If it is subtle, ask an open ended question, like, "How are you doing."  Not, "You feel bad/good?"  Closed ended questions get off with an answer of yes or no.  Open ended questions involve explanation.

    Finally, the art of marriage involves touch.  Hugs to start with.  I have a great hunger for hugs, as you all know.  Balm for the spirit.  Besides hugs, however, the gift of touch involves all sorts of little contacts, with hands, a finger, a foot, an elbow.  A hand on the arm.  Granted, some people don’t like this much touch.  Beware of the buddy, buddy arm around my shoulder.

    Oh, there is a fourth.  Rosemary says to remind the guys, "Remember, diamonds are a girl’s best friend."  Can someone help me with this?  Who doubted I would be better off married?

    How does word, listening, touch play a role in the art of your marriage (friendship)?

    Lacee

    AUDIO:  http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-03-02.mp3

     

  • Sunday Announcements, March 2

    ByRosemary

    Resource: to check the source for the marriage homilies, Project Everlasting, click the link.  Thanks to Carol Eshelbrenner for finding this lost resource.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19031744/

    Rosemary’s Blessing: 

    May God grant you the strength and faith to …

    Count your blessings not your crosses; Count your gains not your losses;  Count your joys not your woes; Count your friends not your foes;  Count your smiles not your tears; Count your courage not your fears; Count your full years not your lean; Count your kind deeds not your mean; Count your health not your wealth; And love your neighbor as much as yourself.

    Carmen

    Special Thanks:

    • For reading: Carl & Jessica
    • For the Communion Bread: Kim & Cindy
    • For Serving: T.J., Lacee, & Lorynne
    • For the Books & wine cups: Roy & Carol, Beth & Rob
    • For the music: Ray & Shonda & Celeste, Hue

    Happy Birthday: Michelle Brown, Diane McClurg, Sara Varnau (14), Gabriella Robinson (2).

    Happy Anniversary: Tara & Scott Blankenship

    Please Remember:  Rose Banzhaf’s mom; Victor Lozada (the policeman who died Friday), Terry his wife & his family; Jackie’s brother John & neighbor Earl; Dee Miller; Barb Wittek’s friends Ronald & Alice Kirk; Libby’s uncle; Nina’s friend Nancy;  Mary’s son John; Casey & Rob plus Cameron & Reid, Brady & Trey; Tom & Teresa’s friend Teri Knapke with cancer & Teresa’s niece Angel; Cindy Cramer’s friend Sarah Dixon;  Diane’s friend Mike Gertisen & cousin Judy; Rosemary’s nephew, Kevin; Jean Atwood’s friend Kerry whose dad is dying; Margarita’s  Aunt Lenore, & Yolanda; one year old Sadie with cancer; Margie’s mom; Donna & Cathy Goode’s mom; David Pastula’s companions in the military overseas, including Margarita’s Matt Gomez on tour 3, Trey Bailey, Ryan McClurg, Matt Gardner, Chebino, Roy’s son Chris; Lisa’s nephew Kristopher on his 2nd Iraq trip, his grandmother Alice Quiocho & Lisa’s friend Shelly; David & Rita; Mary Ellen’s Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; George & Marianne’s sons & Linda’s son; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick; Shawn in a car wreck; Dawn’s friend Jessica & Aunt Ann and Dawn’s back op. March 11; Fred’s friend John with cancer & Maureen’s friend Sharon.

    Mommywreidandtrey

    Catch the latest on the quadruplets’ web: http://gerwerbabies.blogspot.com     —   Note: we are forming a "Quad Squad" of volunteers to help take care of these jewels.  More in Friday’s blog.

    Your Finances:

    • March 2:  Income for Running  Expenses: $ 786.00
    • March 2:  Income for Outreach Expenses: $ 771.00
    • February Expenses:  In: $4,600      Out: $5,400
    • February Outreach:  In: $2,100      Out: $2,800

    Thanks for your Generosity!

    Have a Great Week, J.S

  • Sunday Homily, February 24, 2008, 3rd Lent

    ByRosemary

    Readings: Exodus 17, 3-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5, 1-8; John 4, 5-42

    Exodus: After two weeks in the first book of the Bible, today we move to the second. The book basically tells the heroic struggle of Moses to get the Hebrew people out of Egypt, where they had gone because of the drought in their land some decades or centuries before.  Moses is considered the author.

    Today’s reading makes an enormous jump from the story in Genesis about Abraham’s call to an episode after the exodus where the people are angry with Moses for taking them out of Egypt into the drought of the desert.  See how Yahweh saves the people and Moses.

    Mary

    Whatt??  You Want a Date??!!

    Decades ago when my younger sister Kathey & I were little kids, we used to love Saturday nights.  On those nights we had fun harassing poor young baby sitters.  Or, later as we grew older, we had fun causing mischief by ourselves.  Because every Saturday night our parents went out to have fun.

    This is one of my most favorite memories & stories that I have mentioned to people getting married for the past 30 plus years I’ve been doing weddings.  I remember a time when I must have been around second or third grade.  The second world war was over and my dad was probably going bankrupt.  He had worked before the war in paper products.  When the war broke out and paper was scarce he opened a coffee & donut shop on Ervay St. in down town Dallas.  The Mercantile Bank was being built and he was doing well.  When the bank finally opened his business went in the hole because all the workmen moved elsewhere. 

    I had started school at University Park Elementary, then moved to Christ the King when they built a school.  I remember being anxious that I was going to have to return to University Park, because we could not afford the Catholic school.  I actually never did return.

    All during this time I can remember my folks going out on Saturday nights.  They had a lot of friends, of all sorts of religions, something odd for those days, thinking back on it.  Occasionally the group would come to our house those Saturdays and I enjoyed that just as much.  The people were accepting and fun to hang around. 

    I think this was part of what kept my parents going.  They had fun and they had fun at least once a week.  I often tell married couple, "You have fun once a week, and you won’t have to end up in Stack’s therapy office." 

    One of the fun things my parent’s loved, I heard mentioned yesterday morning on The People’s Pharmacy, 6:00 A.M., Saturday (note credit).  A doctor describing how to live a long & healthy life suggested dancing as an excellent form of exercise.  My mom & dad, especially my dad, loved to dance.  I wish I could see how they did swing dancing, which was popular during their time.

    Mary_ellen

    I often ask couples who come to my office when was the last time they had fun.  They look at me like I am loco.  This is Dallas.  People work and work.  There is no time for fun.  Fun will come when we retire.  In Dallas people lose their health to make money, then lose their money to restore their health.

    Consequently, the fourth suggestion for having a great marriage is to have a weekly date.  Get some friends together, go out, go dancing.  Date!  Once a week!  Good times, bad times.

    When was your last date, the next?

    AUDIO:  http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-02-24.mp3

  • Sunday Announcements, February 24

    ByRosemary

    Resource: to check the source for the marriage homilies, Project Everlasting, click the link.  Thanks to Carol Eshelbrenner for finding this lost resource.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19031744/

    Rosemary’s Blessing:   A Dakota Indian Prayer (thanks to Lou Federico)

    Grandfather, Great Spirit, you have been always. and before you nothing has been.  There is no one to pray to but you.  The star nations all over the heavens are yours,  and yours are the grasses of the earth.  You are older than all need, older than all pain and prayer.

    Grandfather, Great Spirit, look upon your children.  The Spirit Lake Oyate, that they may face the winds and walk the good road to the day of quiet.

    Grandfather, Great Spirit, fill us with the light.  Give us with the light.  Give us the strength to understand and eyes to see.  Teach us to walk, the soft earth, as relatives, to all that live.

    Help us, for without you we are nothing.

    Jackie

    Special Thanks:

    • For reading: Mary & Mary Ellen
    • For the Communion Bread: Claire Occhipinti
    • For Serving: Sabrina & Anthony & Lukas
    • For the Books & wine cups: Roy & Carol, Beth & Rob
    • For the music: Ray, Wendy & Celeste, Hue, Jackie & Rick

    Happy Birthday: Erica Harrell, Diane McClurg, Anthony DeGenova (9).

    Happy Anniversary: Roger & Karen Parks (32nd)

    Please Remember:  Rose Banzhaf’s mom; Victor Lozada (the policeman who died Friday), Terry his wife & his family; Jackie’s brother John & neighbor Earl; Dee Miller’s operation; Barb Wittek’s friends Ronald & Alice Kirk; Libby’s uncle; Nina’s friend Nancy;  Mary’s son John; Casey & Rob plus 4; Tom & Teresa’s friend Teri Knapke with cancer & Teresa’s niece Angel; Cindy Cramer’s friend Sarah Dixon;  Diane’s friend Gina with cancer; Rosemary’s nephew, Kevin; Jean Atwood’s friend Kerry whose dad is dying; Margarita’s  Aunt Lenore, & Yolanda; one year old Sadie with cancer; Margie’s mom; Donna & Cathy Goode’s mom; David Pastula’s companions in the military overseas, including Margarita’s Matt Gomez on tour 3, Trey Bailey, Ryan McClurg, Matt Gardner, Chebino, Roy’s son Chris; Lisa’s nephew Kristopher on his 2nd Iraq trip, his grandmother Alice Quiocho & Lisa’s friend Shelly; David & Rita; Mary Ellen’s Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; George & Marianne’s sons & Linda’s son; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick; Shawn in a car wreck; Dawn’s friend Jessica & Aunt Ann and Dawn’s back op. March 11; Fred’s friend John with cancer & Maureen’s friend Sharon; the people involved in the shooting at Northern IL U., Warren’s alma mater.

    Catch the latest on the quadruplets’ web: http://gerwerbabies.blogspot.com

    Your Finances:

    • February 24:  Income for Running  Expenses: $ 1,074.00
    • February 24:  Income for Outreach Expenses: $ 397.00 

    Thanks for your Generosity!

    Have a Great Week, J.S