A note from Becky concerning the Thanksgiving Food Drive at Legacy.
We are short about 49 turkeys. The give away is this Sunday. She (Becky) will be in town until mid afternoon on Thursday. If anyone would like to donate a turkey, she can meet people at the school from Tuesday through Thursday and store any turkeys in the school's freezers. She can also take money donations.
Readings:
Wisdom, 6, 12-16, Resplendent and unfading is wisdom.
Psalm 6, my soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
1 Thessalonians 4, 13-18, We shall always be with the Lord
Matthew 25, 1-13, The kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins, 5 wise, 5 foolish. Stay awake (not for fear of being kicked out, but to catch the blessing. No one is kicked out!)
Thanks to the Team
Music, Ben & Shonda's
Readers, Beth & Rob & Buddy, the candle blesser
Gospel, Deacon Mike
Homily, John Cade
Eucharistic Prayer A & B, Stack & John Cade
The Magic Zoom makers, Richard & Hue & Mike
Final Blessing, Rosemary
For hosting us at Legacy, Becky
(A personal comment on the acclamation and the Matthew reading on the 10 virgins, 5 wise, 5 foolish.
I really hate fear based spirituality. This is a fear focused story about girls being girls. Are we all not foolish in our lives, maybe even daily? Is God waiting to catch us so that we all end up in hell? On the contrary, Our God loves and treasures each of us. Could the Jewish leaders & rabbis been attempting to scare the people into conforming & behaving.)
Homily by John Stack
Well, Folks, I think that because of the stress this week it is time for a Stack homily light. I know. I can hear Hammond saying, “What do you mean, John, all your homilies are light homilies.” See, Folks, I can get away with this because Bill is not here to defend himself. Yes, I know. You just watch. I’ll get an ear ache before I finish. Hang on, here we go.
Last Sunday we celebrated the Feast of All Saints, one of my favorite feasts. Remember how we used to put together a picture gallery of family saints, mothers, fathers, grand mothers, grand fathers, and special friends? May we do it again next year.
The Brain Trust
Mike, in his homily had one line that struck me. “The feast of All Saints teaches that holiness comes in all sizes and shapes.” Almost immediately I began to think of numerous people who teach me or have taught me to be more whole, more appreciative, and more accepting of peoples’ uniqueness. That does not apply to you, Ben (our dear guitar player). Want to guess my top five 2020 winners? Here they are.
Yep, Hammond is numero uno, the guy who introduced me to biking after I had to get new hips because of all the running I did, like especially the years in East Africa. I think Bill tried to kill me because I first got on a bike (his son’s bike) to ride the Hotter ‘N Hell 100, like in 100 miles and 100 degree temp. I think Bill almost fainted when I crossed that finish line. We went on to do so much more together, biking, camping, charity & relief work. So it is Saint Bill for me.
Shonda & Ben, The Best!
During the last 30 days, more or less, there has been call for an enormous number of volunteers to man a gazillion voting stations. These places were open 7 to 7. Rosemary & I ran into a bunch of these volunteers at our Fretz Park voting station. They were so charming and so efficient. For me our volunteer is now called Saint Richard. Carol, your man did great work.
Folks, we also have in our midst almost every Sunday another saint in my estimation, Saint Becky. Becky not only guides this marvelous charter school with all of its creativity. But she also guides another even larger school east of Dallas. She has been broadcasting on Sunday mornings a program on education in this time of corona. On top of all that, St. Becky hosts every Sunday morning our delightful community.
Yesterday Rosemary & I got invited to a birthday by Jackie Turner. It was my first since the beginning of the covid. I wanted to go just to see some of our good friends from the community. But, I was also scared. I asked Jackie how she was going to keep us all safe and germ free, and knowing Jackie she had everything well arranged. For example, only about 7 of us would come together and we would all be spread out in the front yard, 6 feet apart, the whole business. St. Jackie did a great job and it was delightful to see friends we have not seen in months.
The Birthday Party.
Finally, there was a quote in the newspaper that said, “Hey, kids have only so many years when they can appreciate the magic of Halloween. It is too sad to make them miss one of these special years.” I agree and am touched at how this resonated with me and how the person managed to have Halloween at her house. It involved a length of pvc tubing. I guess the candy was slipped into the tube at the top of the steps into the house. It then came out below to the waiting little hands of the kids. I also miss St. Cathy’s dramatic Sunday arrivals in costume bringing along her grandkids, Harper & Betsy.
The Great Halloween Tube
Those are my 5 special people who give me life. Who are the special people in your life?
Please Remember these special people:
For Alan Stryker; For John Doherty recuperating from an operation for his back pain; For David Dinsmore's bad shoulder from a biking accident; 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; 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 & Ben & Leo & all of Shonda's dear family;
For 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; 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, For the students, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.
Birthdays: David McKeon & Rosemary
Anniversary: John & Connie Bresson
Community Finances, November 8, 2020
Expenses: $2360.00
Outreach $180.00 (often for Souls Harbor, Legacy, etc.)
Thanks, Folks, for doing what you can.
One more marvelous baby of the Braun family to baptize.
Rosemary's Blessing:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!
Taken from IN FLANDERS FIELDS
By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915
during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium
Readings:
Isaiah 45, 1, 4-6, I have called you by your name.
Psalm 96, Give the Lord glory & honor
Thessalonians 1, 1-5, We give thanks to God always for all of you.
Matthew 22, 15-21, Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.
Path To Peace & White Rock Lake
ROMEOS, Friday, October 16, 1:00, as usual. Welcome!
ROMEOs' Virtual Jason's Deli BYOB lunch
This is a recurring meeting, Friday, 1:00 pm
Link :
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798571623?pwd=NmFSTW1ocVMzRGdIc0QzUGxKdHM3dz09
Meeting ID: 857 9857 1623
Password: saladbar
Reminder for 29th Sunday Ordinary Time, October 18, 2020
Here are the links for Sunday:
What's up in Ye Old Catholic Church
1. Backlash in St. Louis Archdiocese, https://www.ncronline.org/news/parish/backlash-st-louis-archdiocese-after-social-justice-leader-suspended
Readings:
Isaiah 5, 1-7, My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside.
Psalm 80, The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Philippians 4, 6-9, Have no anxiety at all.
Matthew 21, 33-43, There was a landowner who planted a vineyard
Thanks to the Team
Music, Ben & Shonda
Readers, Jackie & John Simari & Buddy, the candle blesser
Gospel, Deacon Mike
Homily, Deacon Mike
Eucharistic Prayer A & B, Stack & John Cade
The Magic Zoom makers, Mike, Ben, Richard
Final Blessing, Rosemary
For hosting us at Legacy, Becky
Does it get any better??
Homily
Recall how the gospel ended last Sunday: Jesus told the chief priests and the other religious leaders that evil men and prostitutes were going to enter the Kingdom before they did. Visualize this: The angels in heaven have begun to rejoice for those who have repented and turned to God. So Jesus said to the lawyers who have rejected him, “Have you not read the Law and the Prophets; where The Father’s servant, Isaiah, taught you how to bear fruit; we are to love one another with goodness and kindness, with tenderness and compassion. In the John gospel Jesus addresses us this way: “I’ve chosen you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last. “I am the vine; you are the branches.
Richard monitoring the Zoom program.
Please Remember these special people:
For Alan Stryker; For John Doherty with back pain; For Becky's dad who has moved to the other side; For Cindy recuperating at home; For David Dismore's bad shoulder from a biking accident; For Esparzas, Frank & Mary, 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; For Mary & Dave Hall's g-daughter Allison Keller working at St. Lukes, Woodlands, For Joe Hogan with cancer; For Loretta's aunt Alicia; For Sydney, who just passed to the other side; & For Sir Charlie & Jan; Shonda's mom & Cody & Ben & all of Shonda's dear family; for all the students and teachers and coaches returning to school, for Geri's sister with heart & circulation problems,
Richard & Mike Zooming.
For 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 Hue; For John O'Donnell; 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, For the students, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.
Birthdays: Georgie, 19, Erin MClurg, Nancy Kovatis, Sabrina DeGenova, 25
Anniversaries: Paul & Carrie Bieda, 3rd
Spring color in fall.
Community Finances, October 4, 2020
Expenses: $450.00
Outreach $100.00 (often for Souls Harbor, Legacy, etc.)
Thanks, Folks, for doing what you can.
Rosemary's Blessing:
I thank you God for this most amazing day:
for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and
for a blue true dream of sky; and
for everything which is natural
which is infinite
which is yes.
e.e.cummings
Just in case you missed our new address, 7017 Helsem Way 75230. (notice the same Zip Code as Tulip Lane?)
Readings:
Isaiah 5, 1-7, My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside.
Psalm 80, The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Philippians 4, 6-9, Have no anxiety at all.
Matthew 21, 33-43, There was a landowner who planted a vineyard.
Rosemary got a call from Sydney Bivona's daughter that Sydney has passed. There will be a joint service for Sydney and Hugh (who passed in March). Here are the details:
Saturday, October 3, 2020, 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Milestone Church, 201 Mount Gilead Rd, Keller, Texas 76248
Early lunch to follow at Wade and Venicia Carroll's home
12245 Hulson Trail, Haslet, Texas 76052
ROMEOS, Friday, October 2, 1:00, as usual. Welcome!
ROMEOs' Virtual Jason's Deli BYOB lunch
This is a recurring meeting, Friday, 1:00 pm
Link :
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798571623?pwd=NmFSTW1ocVMzRGdIc0QzUGxKdHM3dz09
Meeting ID: 857 9857 1623
Password: saladbar
John Cade presenting his Sunday Homily
Reminder for 27th Sunday Ordinary Time, October 4, 2020
Here are the links for Sunday:
Dallas Area Interfaith:
Issues Forum with Candidates for TX House Districts 102,105,107,108,112,
114 and 115
Sunday, October 4, 2020 4:00 p.m.
Virtual Event!
Zoom Registration: https://bit.ly/32l2Xm2 and Facebook Live.
Come see where candidates stand on the issues that matter to YOU! Such as:
What's up in Ye Old Catholic Church
1. A Cardinal refuses, https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/vaticans-cardinal-becciu-renounces-cardinalate-shock-move
2. Pope Francis on gay children, https://corpus-blog.blogspot.com/2020/09/gay-children-are-children-of-god-pope.html
Readings:
Ezekiel, 18, 25-28, The Lord's way is not fair!
Psalm 25, Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Philippians 2, 1-11, Humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.
Matthew 21, 28-32, Which of the two sons did his father's will?
Happy 41st, Tom & Becky.
ROMEOS, Friday, September 25, 1:00, as usual. Welcome!
ROMEOs' Virtual Jason's Deli BYOB lunch
This is a recurring meeting, Friday, 1:00 pm
Link :
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798571623?pwd=NmFSTW1ocVMzRGdIc0QzUGxKdHM3dz09
Meeting ID: 857 9857 1623
Password: saladbar
Our new community member
Reminder for 26th Sunday Ordinary Time, September 27, 2020
Here are the links for Sunday:
White Rock Creek trail heading east along NW Highway along White Rock Lake (north area) to Buckner Blvd., Monday morning, 7:30.
What's up in Ye Old Catholic Church
1. A bishop with lipstick? https://corpus-blog.blogspot.com/2020/09/im-not-quite-sure-how-st-paul-would.html
2. Bishop ordered to repay thousands, https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/13278/us-bishop-ordered-to-repay-thousands-of-dollars-to-diocese
Tranquility.
Readings:
Isaiah, 55, 6-9, As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways.
Psalm 1, The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
Philippians 1, 24, 27, Conduct yourselves in a way worthy
Matthew 20, 1-16, The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner…
Like glass, White Rock Lake looking south from the north bridge, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 7:30 A.M.
ROMEOS, Friday, September 18, 1:00, as usual. Welcome!
ROMEOs' Virtual Jason's Deli BYOB lunch
This is a recurring meeting, Friday, 1:00 pm
Link :
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798571623?pwd=NmFSTW1ocVMzRGdIc0QzUGxKdHM3dz09
Meeting ID: 857 9857 1623
Password: saladbar
All God's creatures.
Reminder for 25th Sunday Ordinary Time, September 20, 2020
Here are the links for Sunday:
Doggie Park and doggie swimming hole from the north bridge, usually a busy spot. Must be too early.
What's up in Ye Old Catholic Church
1. U. S. bishops should follow the sisters, https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/editorial-bishops-should-follow-sisters-lead-dismantling-racism
Sunday Homily from September 13 (Last Sunday. Just forgot to add it to the blog.)
The Lord is gracious & merciful, never gets angry and is abounding in love.
Many people I know have their favorite scripture passage, one that supports feelings of consolation and inner peace. It is also a resort when times are difficult. This my verse.
Please excuse me while I reminisce through three periods of my adult & ordained life, my years in East Africa, my years working as a psycho-therapist and a celebrater of Sunday Masses at St. Marks, and finally the recent years, my blessed marriage with Rosemary and celebrating Masses with our special, marvelous community, each stage lasting 10-20 years.
I was living in Nairobi, Kenya when I was first struck by the incredible strength and consolation of this line. I was looking for property on which I was to establish a spiritual center. I had taken a break of a few days to get in touch with my spirit. I had already been a Jesuit for about 15 years and had made many a retreat. I had even guided a bunch of people through 8 to 30 day individual retreats. Suddenly, sitting in the small chapel of the house of some American brothers it hit me. How had I missed the strength of this line?
I went on to find a 38 acre plot with two houses owned by two elderly Brit ladies, mother & daughter. (probably younger than I am now!). The center is still active and under the direction of 2-5 East African Jesuits. I named it Mwangaza House, which is Swahili for a sudden brightness. I showed it to Rosemary & Mary Ellen some years ago when we were all 3 younger.
At a meeting of some of us Kenya Jesuits I volunteered to move south to Tanzania, a country more poor than Kenya & Uganda, with dirt roads, more simple living, and the home of The Great, my beloved Mt. Kilimanjaro.
We knew that transportation was poor, so we decided to go mobile. I was able to find 4 convents or centers with guest accommodations, one in each of the 4 corners of the country. I bought a Honda 250 trail bike and found 3 others to form a team. They were another young French Canadian Jesuit, a French Canadian White Father, and a delightful Dutch nun named Hanney. In a cardboard box on the back of my trail bike I had my notes, extra clothing and running shoes. It was a fascinating adventure.
The second big move I made was when I returned to the States around ’85-’86, got a degree & training as a psycho therapist, opened an office in the back of the Jesuit residence at the school here in Dallas, and shared time with people needing help. I was quite busy. At the same time Claude Smyth took me on at St. Marks where every Sunday I did the 9:00 and the 10:30 Masses. I loved the people who made up those communities.
Guess what was the third big move in my life. Cinco de Mayo, 2005, Rosemary & I got married. That blessing was more than ever I expected! But that was not the end of it.
I blame Carol Eshelbrenner, Bernadette, and a few other trouble makers. They said let’s continue to celebrate our Sunday Masses together. Remember where we started and continued for many years? Yep, Vines High School. After a gazillion years at Vines, we were assigned to other schools because of Summer renovation. Then we arrived in The Promised Land, Legacy Charter, Becky being our most gracious hostess.
Ever since that day in Nairobi and all through the years I have found peace and strength in The Line, The Lord is gracious and merciful, never gets angry, and is abounding in love.
What scripture line touches your heart?
A note from John Cade:
In the summer of 1956, when still in the seminary, I spent a week at the Trappist monastery north of Atlanta, outside Conyers, Georgia. I got to experience how Trappist monks end every single day, expressing their devotion to Mary, Jesus’ mother—a hundred men standing together and chanting in Latin, Salve Regina, Hail Holy Queen. August 15th is one of the days we have traditionally honored Mary. I will chant this hymn in her honor at the end of Sunday Mass.
SALVE REGINA. HAIL HOLY QUEEN.
Salve Regina, mater misericordiae: vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
Hail holy queen, mother of mercy; Our life, our sweetness and our hope.
Ad te clamamus, exsules, filii Hevae. Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle.
To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Eia ergo, Advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us;
Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium, ostende.
And after this exile, show us the blessed fruit of you womb, Jesus.
O Clemens. O pia. O dulcis Virgo Maria.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Readings:
Isaiah, 56, 1, 6-7, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples
Psalm 67, Oh, God let all the nations praise you.
Romans 11, 13-15, 29-32, The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Matthew 15, 21-28, Woman, great is our faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.
ROMEOS, Friday, August 21, 1:00, as usual. Welcome!
ROMEOs' Virtual Jason's Deli BYOB lunch
This is a recurring meeting, Friday, 1:00 pm
Link :
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798571623?pwd=NmFSTW1ocVMzRGdIc0QzUGxKdHM3dz09
Meeting ID: 857 9857 1623
Password: saladbar
Reminder for 20th Sunday Ordinary Time, August 16, 2020
Here are the links for Sunday:
Can you believe, Rose & Wally gave up all they had in Dallas to buy this. Probably just finished shoveling off the snow.
What's up in Ye Old Catholic Church
1. Those German bishops are angry! https://corpus-blog.blogspot.com/2020/07/fury-in-german-church-over-vatican.html
2. The German Catholic Church during the 3rd Reich https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_and_Nazi_Germany
3. The Bishop "McCarrick case, https://www.caller.com/story/news/local/2018/08/10/bishop-mulvey-vows-respond-claims-misconduct-diocese/952389002/
Feed the deer, but DON'T feed the bears. You may feed Mikie.
Readings:
1 Kings 19, 9, 11-13, Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord.
Psalm 85, Lord, let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation
Romans 9, 1-5, They are Israelites.
Matthew 14, 22-33, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.
ROMEOS, Friday, August 7, 1:00, as usual. Welcome!
ROMEOs' Virtual Jason's Deli BYOB lunch
This is a recurring meeting, Friday, 1:00 pm
Link :
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798571623?pwd=NmFSTW1ocVMzRGdIc0QzUGxKdHM3dz09
Meeting ID: 857 9857 1623
Password: saladbar
Palo Duro Canyon
Reminder for 19th Sunday Ordinary Time, August 9, 2020
Here are the links for Sunday:
What's up in Ye Old Catholic Church
1. Moms' protest, https://www.ncronline.org/news/justice/catholics-join-protests-and-wall-moms-portland-oregon
2. A dancing priest inviting us back, https://youtu.be/CFduNE4pXAQ
3. Catholic influence on Joe Biden, https://www.ncronline.org/news/people/how-joe-bidens-catholic-roots-have-shaped-his-public-life
Community Finances, August 2, 2020
Expenses: $ 980.00
Outreach $ 150.00 (often for Souls Harbor, Legacy, etc.)
Thanks, Folks, for doing what you can.
Cindy Cramer: Here is the latest on Cindy from her daughter.
Good news! My mom is making great progress in rehab and they've given her a tentative discharge date of August 13! She's walking on a walker already, but they want her to have time to build up her strength some more before letting her out.Also — there is no need to bring her food anymore. It turns out, the food at this place is really good — much better than the hospital food was!Thank you all again so much for all your cards, gifts, thoughts, and prayers! You are really helping to make her stay more tolerable, and she is fortunate to have such a strong support network!