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Rosemary's Blessing:

“Father and Mother of all:

We give thanks for food and remember the hungry,

We give thanks for health and remember the sick,

We give thanks for friends and remember the friendless,

We give thanks for freedom and remember the enslaved.

May our giving thanks stir us to service, that our blessings may be shared with others. Amen.”

 

A Thanksgiving prayer from a Dear Abbey column

 

 

 

 Mary reading from Daniel.

 

Thanks to these special people

• For  the Readings:  Mary  &   Bernadette
• For The Team:    Buddy  &  Georgie
• For the Communion Bread:   Alison & John
• For the Special Communion Cups: Jan & Charlie
• For the Pictures:   Rick & Mike  &   Connie
• For the coffee and extras:  Jackie & Becky & Tom
• For the altar & sound:  Jackie & Hue 
• For the Music:     Ben  
• For Becky & her generous hospitality at Legacy
• For all who helped with communion

  

 

 

Bernadette reads from 2 Corinthians.

 

Birthdays:   Diane McMahon (Sunday, 81), Frank Esparza (Monday), Ron Ackerman (Thursday)

 

 

 

Rosemary reading her Blessing of The The Week. 

 

Remember these special people

For Meredith, cancer free;  For David Dinsmore's cousin in W. VA & for Darbyanne;  For Jerry Brophy, a high school classmate of mine  For Tom Quinn’s brother,Tim;  For Hue;  For John O'Donnell & Mary Ellen;   For Carol's recuperation;   For  Joe Mazzei's sister, Nina with cancer; For Dee and her daughter, Lisa; For John Schanot's continued recuperation;   For a young man who is suffering from depression;  For Cliff & Jean, plus Jean's brother Terry;   For Rosemary's niece, Beth and her partner, Sarah with cancer;   For Laura's sister Claudia;   For Dawn;    For Anthony & Sabrina; 

 

 

 

 

Our Dearest Emma, you are a natural.  You do everything so well.

 

For John & Jean's son John Louis;   For our good friend Kay (at 90 years!) in Ontario;  For Jackie's friend, Barbara, plus Angela & her mom;    or Sr. Patricia Otillio, a nun I worked with for years in Grand Coteau;   John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli;  for Frank’s brother with advanced Parkinsons;      For Steve Barrett, Rose, & Katie;  Dick Thompson's daughter, Teri Jill, and Judy's aging parents;  Barb & Warren's grandbabies, Leighton Elizabeth and Warren Phillip and Ethan Michel, & their friend Chris, plus Barb's  Annie & Kaitlen; 

 

 

 

Happy 81st birthday today, Dearest Diane.  You are still one of my classiest dancers.

 

 

Tom and Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, their granddaughter, Mikayla;   plus Neva Flynn, Angel, and Diane Kreeitzer;   Connie Doherty's mom and her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter; For a number of David McKeon's family who are having a rough time with health issues; for our friends, sons, and daughters in the military, including Ryan McClurg and Chebino; cure for autism from Laura Chollick; for our President.

 

 

 

And Happy Birthday to you Dear Frank.

 

Your Finances, November 18, 2018

Expenses:    $5235.00

Outreach:    $315.00

Thanks for your Generosity, Everybody

 

We donated $2,000.00 to Soul's Harbor today.

 

 

 

Jim, you got that cupcake because everyone felt sorry for you, being a student in my classes back at Jesuit in the 60's.

 

 

Have a Great Week, J.S.

(214-783-0443)

 

 

 

 

Welcome, Brent, to our monthly contribution to souls Harbor, the great work you do.   Wish it could be more.

 

JSM Mission-Faith Statement  

    Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People,  provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth.  

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world  we live in a better place to live.

 

 

 

Trouble makers brewing up some trouble?

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Is the Brown Family taking over??   Only Zoe on candles, Buddy on Blessing, and Georgie directing the orchestra. 

 

 

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

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

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

Notice:  Prepare yourself for a Mystery Guest Speaker.

 

 

 

 

Are you people crazy?  Here it is time to change our clocks, a good time to sleep in, and here you are!

 

 

Readings:  

 1 Kings 17, 10-16,  The jar of flour shall not go empty

Psalm 146,  Praise the Lord, my soul.

 Hebrews 7, 23-28,  Once for all he has now appeared

 Mark 12, 38-44,  This poor widow put in more than all the others.

 

     

 

 

Offertory Time with Bill, Marlene, and Cindy.

             

                                               

Community Activities:  

ROMEO MEET: Friday, November 9, Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.  Welcome all wakos, you will fit right in.  

JULIETTE LUNCHEON  December Luncheon TBA 

 

Note 1:  The Meyerson Christmas concert, December 13, Thursday.  Welcome.  Rosemary is filling the list. Tickets are $32.00.

 

 

 

 

Board Meet: is it time again for you to sing, Emma?

 

 

TRUE?

 

Download Cramer Old Folks' perks Blog Oct.24

 

 

 

 

Healing touch for Bern.  Thanks, too, Bernadette for helping with this memorial for the Pittsburgh special people.

 

 

Anything happening in our Catholic World?  

1.   The Caravan.  National Catholic Reporter,  November 3,   https://www.ncronline.org/news/justice/theology-en-la-plaza/immigrant-caravan-wave-hope-america?utm_source=NCR+Weekend+Edition+Nov+3-4&utm_campaign=cc&utm_medium=email     

 

 

 

Healing touch for Beth.

 

 

See you Sunday.

J.S., 214-783-0443

 

 

 

 

 

Healing touch for Bernadette's Jewish friend who graced us with her presence this special day.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 Peace, Beth, peace, Everybody.

 

 

 

 

Note: we are now meeting at Legacy Academy.

 

 

 

 

 

Hey, Luke, how come you got more hair on you head than I do?   Probably because your mom, Julie, is so nice and pretty.

 

 

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

So, Ben, what has Olivia just done to you?  See that guilty look in her eyes.

 

 

Readings:  

 Genesis 2, 18-24, It is not good for a Man to be alone.

Psalm 128,  May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives..

 Hebrews 2, 9-1,  For a little while he was made lower than the angels.

 Mark 10, 2-16,   Is it lawful for a husband too divorce his wife?

                   

 

 

Caught you, Bernadette.

                                                                       

Community Activities:  

ROMEO MEET: Friday, October7, Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.  Welcome all wakos, you will fit right in.  I will miss this Friday & I’ll miss the next two Romeos.

 

 

 

Our Father.

 

 

JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together), 

PLEASE JOIN US FOR JULIET LUNCHEON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5TH AT 12;30.  WE WILL BE GOING TO:

CAFE AMORE FINE ITALIAN DINING

600 N. COIT RD., RICHARDSON

THEY HAVE A LARGE LUNCH MENU, VERY REASONABLE, AND IT IS A BYOB.  IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THERE YOU ARE IN FOR A REAL TREAT.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO WILL BE JOINING US.  HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE.  I WILL NEED TO MAKE RESERVATIONS.

THANK YOU, MARILYN

972-491-7068

 

 

 

 

Healing Touch for Paul & Carrie.

 

 

Note 1:  The Meyerson Christmas concert, December 13, Thursday.  Welcome.  Rosemary is filling the list.

Note 2: That Jim Mahar is at it again.  He has a place to stay because of  an alumna of St. Bonaventure connection in Wilmington, NC.   

Early October is the target time.  Can we all help to fund him a bit?

 

 

 

 

Rob & Beth.

 

 

TRUE?

 

            "In wine there is wisdom,

            In beer there is freedom,

            In water there is bacteria."

 

Ben Franklin

 

 

 

 

Community Blessing for Luke.

 

 

 

Anything happening in our Catholic World?  

1.  Good sex abuse sermon by a Jesuit,  Corpus, September 13,  http://corpus-blog.blogspot.com/2018/09/excellent-sermon-on-sex-abuse-and.html
2. Georgetown Prep, Jesuit school,  National Catholic Reporter, September 27,  https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/kavanaugh-furor-raises-scrutiny-georgetown-prep-other-jesuit-schools?utm_source=SEPT_27_FEUERHERD_GEORGETOWN+PREP&utm_campaign=cc&utm_medium=email
3. Knights of Columbus endorse Kavanaugh, National Catholic Reporter, September 26,   https://www.ncronline.org/news/people/knights-columbus-urged-membership-support-kavanaughs-confirmation?utm_source=SEPT_26_Knights+Kavanaugh&utm_campaign=cc&utm_medium=email

 

 

 

 

Welcome, Everybody, to our Fall Brunch.

 

 

See you Sunday.

J.S., 214-783-0443

 

 

 

 

There is plenty, Everybody, Welcome.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Sir Charlie, you took all the good stuff before I could get there.  Jan, you got to protect me from that Crazy Man!

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, Tori, Welcome back, you look beautiful.

 

 

Readings:  

 Proverbs 9, 1-6,  Wisdom ha built her house.  

Psalm 34,   Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.  (Wow, 2^nd week in a row, terrific)

Ephesians 5, 15-20,  Watch carefully how you live. 

John 6: 51-58,  I am the living bread.

 

 

 

Hi, Leo, Welcome back to you, too.   You also look beautiful.

 

Proverbs:

What are they: a collection of moral & religious teachings in the form of pithy sayings.  For example: "Better to eat a dry crust of bread with peace of mind than to have a banquet in a house full of trouble" (17, 1); "Being cheerful always keeps you healthy" (17, 22).

Some a bit tough: "Don't hesitate to discipline a child.  A good beating won't kill him" (23, 12).

Some amusing: "A nagging wife is like water going drip-drip-drip" (27, 15); "Better to live on the roof than to share the house with a nagging wife" (25, 24). 

Author: Maybe Solomon is behind chapters 1-29.  Most likely a compilation.

Date: Ca. 300 BCE is considered a possibility with material coming from as far back as 900, during the time of Solomon.

                                                                 

 

 

 

Great job, Zoe.  You, too, are a Super Candle Lighter.

 

 

Taste & See the Goodness of the Lord, part 2, or

Pet Delights, the inspirational column of Steve Blow, which I shared in the blog Thursday

 

Sorry, Folks, but I am going to do it again, namely, push the belief that we can taste and see the goodness of the Lord, every day.

This week for me it has been the White Rock Creek trail running from Royal & Greenville to White Rock Lake.  It had rained last weekend, so the whole creek edge was a beautiful green.  The lawn mower guys were out and where they had passed the rows & patterns made it super special.

 

 

 

 

Georgie reads our Blessing of the Candles.  I hope you know, Dearest Georgie, how terrific I think you are.

 

 

We  tunnel under 5 or six bridges on this trail.  One for me is breath taking.  Going north I come out of the Skillman tunnel, cross over a quaint steel & wooden bridge, look ahead for about ½ a mile, and see the trail meandering along often with other bikers, see a blue sky framed by a V of large green trees, and take in wilderness on my right and left. This cannot be Dallas.  It takes my breath away.

Taste & See the Goodness of the Lord.

Another biking blessing came this week Friday, when I actually had enough stamina to keep up with Rosemary, who this year leaves me in the dust.  It should be humiliating.  I’m actually quite proud of her, remembering that Sunday when she crashed and ended up with 9 screws in her left elbow.  As I tell her, the good professor is the one who sees his student do better than the old professor.

 

 

 

 

Sisters act, Jessica and Renee.  Welcome home, Jessica, from Boston, and congratulations, Renee, upon becoming an officially licensed architect.

 

 

Then there is Jim Mahar, the professor at St. Bonaventure who set up Bona Responds.  A great person always, but especially when he phones me about a story that touched him.

The scene: Sierra Leone.  Jim has worked there and has organized a bit.  One of his local teams was planning a talent show for kids to earn money.  They had prizes for the winners.  Until they were all stolen.

The police catch a guy.  Jim’s man, who has been even accused of stealing the awards, goes to see the guy and explains what all the gifts are for.  Jim even talks with the guy by phone.   He finally admits that he stole the awards and wants to give them all back.

The charges are all dropped and the guy even asks if he can join the group which is trying to help others with this talent show.

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Dallas, My Dear Paul.  The last time we met up was at your wedding with Lori in Ashville, NC.  Wish Lori had come with you.

 

 

When did you last Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord?

 

 

Communion with Jan on bread and Lynda on grape juice.

 

 

 

Zoe says, "Welcome in, Everybody."

 

 

Readings:  

 

Exodus 16, 2-4, 12-15,   The whole community grumbled against Moses & Aaron

 

Psalm 78,   The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

 

Ephesians 4: 17, 20-24, You must no longer live as the Gentiles do.

 

John 6: 24-35,  It was not Moses who gave them the bread from heaven

 Ragbrai (honest, no bragging) report this Sunday.  Prepare yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

Important Board of Directors Meeting.

 

Exodus observations:

What:

 Exodus is a fun book and a good read.  It comes after Genesis & it has three main sections.

 One – the struggle between stubborn old Pharoah vs Moses & Yahweh.  Pharoah loses.  You can imagine the Passover had a significant impact. 

 

 

 

Every year the USAF comes to Ragbrai not just to ride, but to help, with dropped chains like me, flat tires, injuries.

 

Two – the time of wandering in the Sinai desert and the covenant, that is, the 10 Commandments

Three – the coming into the Promised Land. 

This all took around 40 years, and so we have stories in-between.  Today’s is one of these, showing Yahweh feeding his grumbling people 

 

 

 

 

USAF in action, bandaging up an injured female rider.

 

 

When written:

Toward the end of the Babylonian Captivity, around 550 before Christ

Who wrote it:

Not Moses, but people who lived centuries after this mythical character.  How much of this is historical is a question.  The story greatly encouraged the Jewish people enslaved in Babylon. 

 

 

 

 

At the final town of the week's ride, Davenport, this year the USAF riders enter in formation, as they told me.   145 strong this year, the most ever.  I remember 9-10 years ago they came with 45 riders.  I would be most moved to watch them enter 'in formation.'

 

 

Our selection:

An amusing account of the Jewish people grumbling against Moses.  They say they would prefer to be back in Egypt than in this infernal desert where they are wandering in the heat & sand.  We can sympathize with them in these days of 100’s.  They did not have a/c.   So Yahweh feeds them.  See how.

 

                             

 

After entering in formation, they take a group foto.

 

 

Want to get a people jolt, see their craziness, see their goodness?  Ride Ragbrai

For those of you not familiar with the Ragbrai event, it is a Sunday to Saturday bike ride across Iowa from west to east, from the Missouri River to the Mississippi, a distance of ca. 500 miles.  15 thousand are registered, another 15 thousand ride unregistered.  So it is crowded everywhere.

 

 

 

 

The little Iowa villages have the most beautiful, shady central squares/parks.  Ideal for a nap, a snack, a mid-day break

 

 

Three highlights for me. 

First of all, a lot of families ride together.  Sometimes they have dad pulling two attached bikes.  One time I ride up behind this woman who has a carrier on her front wheel.  I suspect from behind that she probably has a little kid in the carrier.  As I come up beside her I greet her and ask her if she has room for one more in her carrier.  I look at the carrier again and cannot believe my eyes.  She has 3 little kids in the carrier and they are having a fun time playing and talking to people like me. 

Later in the afternoon I ride up on her again.  She and the kids probably passed me walking through one of the achingly pretty little Iowa towns, maybe while I was taking a nap under one of the huge shade trees.  This time the kids are all asleep on each other.

 

 

 

 

Every need is catered to.

 

 

Another thing I found touching and amusing was the presence of dogs in the ride.  For instance, one guy had a medium sized, black maybe shepherd-lab mix.  He pulled a little cart with one rear wheel.  The dog, which was well trained, sat on the cart and accepted homage from everybody.  Later I saw the guy climbing a high hill and the dog was trotting along side.

I think my favorite dog was a little white dog that looked like Aviana, all white, but was a little smaller.   This little doggie belonged to a young woman.   Where did she have the dog?  On her back, front paws almost up to her shoulders, back paws splayed out on her lower back. She was wearing like a small back pack with holes in the bottom.  This little dog let you know it was there.  I was barking constantly, first to the left, then to the right.

 

 

 

 

 

University of Iowa campus, Iowa City, the yard of the medical students' fraternity house.  We covered their yard.  We were 55 in our group and ca. 30 tents.  My tent, the green one with the towel on top.

 

 

 

The final story has to do with me dropping my bike chain one afternoon.   I was entering a small town and had to climb over a trestle.  At the top my chain jumped off when I down shifted.   Trestles seem to target me.  The only other time I remember having this problem was a few years ago coming in to Wichita Falls from the Hotter N Hell.

So I turn my bike over and start to replace the chain.  Almost immediately two guys ride up and offer to help.

The goodness of people.  These are two special guys in beautiful blue & white bike uniforms, USAF. 

 

 

 

 

All this luggage came out of that bus.  It is located at Davenport, the final town and will return some of this luggage and cover the roof with standing bikes.  On our way home to Ames.

 

 

There were 145 USAF riders this summer, up from 45 a few years ago, guys, girls, black, white, Hispanic. They come not just to ride, but to help riders whose chains have fallen off, who have flat tires, or who have gone down & injured themselves.  They are there on Air Force time to help.  I saw them everywhere and was always moved and proud.

 

 

 

 

How did I get in here?  How do I get out??

 

 

So, who wants to sign up for next year?  David and Dana are going.  Unfortunately, I cannot accompany you.  I don’t have the stamina I had even last summer.   It is time for me to hang up my Ragbrai medallion.

 

 

 

 

Good Morning to Iowa.

 

Note: we are now meeting at Legacy Academy.

 

 

 

Can it get any better than Emma lighting the candles?

 

 

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Where is everybody?  Well, it does look like every chair is occupied.

 

 

 

Readings:  

 Exodus 16, 2-4, 12-15,   The whole community grumbled against Moses & Aaron

 Psalm 78,   The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

 Ephesians 4: 17, 20-24, You must no longer live as the Gentiles do.

John 6: 24-35,  It was not Moses who gave them the bread from heaven

 Ragbrai (honest, no bragging) report this Sunday.  Prepare yourself.

 

 

 

 

Offertory with Hugh, Sydney, and Mary.

                                                                                                   

 

Community Activities:  

 

ROMEO MEET: Friday, August 3, Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.  Welcome all wakos, you will fit right in. 

JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together), September 7, 12;00, Ocean Seafood, Spring Creek & Coit.   

 

 

 

 

Looks like trouble brewing with Ben, Cody, & Olivia.

 

 

True?

 

Everyone should have themselves regularly overwhelmed by Nature.

George Harrison

 

 

See you Sunday.

J.S., 214-783-0443

 

 

 

Shonda, where is David??

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Could that be David & Dana?

Emma lighting the candles.

 

Readings:  

 Jeremiah 23, 1-6,  Woe to the shepherds who mislead the flock.

 Psalm 23,   The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.   (a good one!)

 Ephesians 2, 13-18, He is our peace.

Mark 6, 30-34,  They were like sheep without a shepherd.

 

The Offertory with Cindy, Bill and Marlene.

 

 

Homily:

 

I was asked by my older brother’s extended family to lead them in a Memorial Service at the National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa this past week.   It was special; binding us together from coast to coast.

                                                                          

John at the Consecration.

 

In last Sunday’s gospel reading, when Jesus gave his apostles power over unclean spirits, he sent them forth. They were to stay with those who welcomed the Good News, preaching to them to repent and receive the Holy Spirit.  Those who chose to be led by the Holy Spirit were anointed with oil receiving forgiveness from their transgressions.

 

The Eucharistic Ministers, Patricia, Jan, Claire, Lynda, Tom and Geri.

 

Recall that the twelve were told to take nothing with them on their journey, except for one thing. Do you remember what it was? I propose to you that it was obviously a tradition of the Early Church which still exists. For example, if our Bishop Edward Burns would have come to our community, this morning, his purpose would have been made known to us by the fact that he carried a staff on his journey here; It signified that he came as the Good Shepherd, who would spread this table before us, with the fish and bread, the Liturgy of Word and Eucharist.  

                                                                                                                            

Mike sharing his Homily with us.

 

At the end of the celebration, he would have also anointed each of us with oil, to become Christ in the world, to be the Anointed One, who not only receives; but bestows spiritual healing, to those in need. The spiritual health we grant to one another with the anointing at the end of Mass engenders a faith to be healed not only spiritually but physically, too.

                                                                                                                   

Communion.

 

I encourage you to take a few minutes to read and think about the very short story between last week’s reading from the Mark Gospel and this week’s reading.  The story gives an example of the worldly power that made John the Baptist collateral damage.

                                                                                                                                       

 

 

 

The Our Father.

 

 

 

 

Says Our Dearest Tori, "Welcome, Everybody."

 

 

Readings:  

 Amos 7, 12-15,  The Lord said to me,”Go, prophesy.”

 Psalm 85,   Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

 Ephesians 1, 3-14, In love he destined us for adoption to himself.

Mark 6, 7-13, Jesus sent them out two by two. 

 

 

 

 

 

They are back, Folks, Shonda & Ben.  So good to have you both with us like usual.  Thanks, David, for carrying the load often.

 

 

Amos  observations:

Author: Amos or his scribe.  He was a shepherd of sheep & tended sycamore trees.  One of the 12 minor prophets of the OT, minor because of smallness of the works.  Amos has only 9 chapters.  Usual pattern of prophets: 1. predictions of dire times for evil behavior; 2. predictions of better times in the future. 

Date: Ca. 777 (a memory help), after the kingships of David & Solomon, time of King Jeroboam of the northern kingdom, called Israel vs the southern kingdom, called Judah (where Jerusalem is).   The northern half of the state is still undefeated.

         

 

 

Time for thanks to our God.

                

Geography: Note the two kingdoms, Judah in the south, Israel in the north.  Amos tended sheep in a little town called Tekoa, 10 miles south of Jerusalem, in Judah, the south.  He is sent by Yahweh to Bethel, a small but important town in the northern kingdom, 10 miles north of Jerusalem, to warn the people of Israel & their king Jeroboam that Yahweh was mad at them.  The wicked high priest of Bethel, Amaziah condemns Amos for his interference.

 

 

 

 

Who let all these crazy people in??

 

 

The Setting: a time of prosperity.  But Yahweh is mad at the greed of the wealthy and their oppression of the poor (which ties into our gospel talking about walking lightly through life).  We know the people of this kingdom of Israel are headed for annihilation by the Assyrian nation.  And they will disappear as a significant body.  

Our Selection, chapter 7:  Amos describes three visions or dreams he has had.  Amaziah, the priest, gives it to him for spreading these visions around.  Then, Amos responds and socks it to Amaziah with a hammer.

 

 

 

 

Emma doing her magic with our candles.

 

 

Take Nothing for the Journey

I apologize this morning for telling you a story that some of you will probably remember.  However, the event so speaks to the gospel this morning that I can not pass it up.  Another African story.

One evening in Tanzania I boarded an overnight train in Dar es Salaam, the capital.  I would get off the next morning in the region near Kilimajaro where there was a Jesuit house that I used as a base when I was not on the road giving seminars or retreats. 

 

 

 

Thanks for bringing up our gifts, Kevin, Connie, & John. 

 

 

I had bought my ticket just the afternoon of the trip.  No compartments were available, which were not much anyway.  Two shared the compartment and an upper bunk came down.  You had to be careful in the little stations, because thieves would look in the window and grab.  So, no big loss.

I had to take general booking.  This entitled me to a place on the train, not necessarily a seat.  It is not air conditioned and can be a bit warm. 

I started out sitting on a suitcase I traveled with.  There were mothers with little kids and a few chickens all around my area at the end of one train car.   I expected it would be a long night, but I would get where I wanted to go and then sleep extra.

 

 

 

Cody & Ben, you are having too much fun.

 

 

About midnight the train stopped, like in the middle of nowhere.  We sit there.  No explanation, nothing.   I finally join others getting off.  I lie down on the rocks on the edge of the track, my case under my head so no one would snatch it, and wait.  And wait.  We sit there with no explanation until about 7:00 the next evening. 

Just like Mark recommends in the gospel today, I had boarded that train with nothing to drink or eat.  Looking back, I cannot believe I was so stupid.  Normally I would never have set out without water. 

 

 

 

 

 Communion for Bill.

 

Why did I not ask the Tanzanian ladies for a drink?  I could easily talk Swahili with them.  Trouble was, they did not often purify their water and I was afraid of it.   So there I sat, now in the shade.  I look around.  Everyone on that train is Tanzanian.  I am the only white guy, which I am at home with.

Suddenly I see up the track maybe 4 or 5 cars ahead of me a white couple.  They must have extra water.  Hooray.  They are Germans, but speak English with no problem.

We hang out.  They saved me, and let me tell you a quickie about how I saved them.

 

 

 

Communion for Dee & Ray.

 

 

We were  seated in the shade of a Frangipani tree I can still clearly remember.  All the passengers were seated along the train in the shade.  Next to us was a momma with her baby.  At one point the momma gets up and goes into the train leaving her baby in the shade on a small blanket.

The German guy who was about 6, 4 gets up and takes a picture of the baby.  Bad move.  Someone on the train sees him, tells the momma, she tells her husband, and he comes out yelling with a bunch of people.  He wants the camera.  He wants to take the German to the police, wherever that might be.

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome back, Sophie, so nice to see you with us.

 

 

So, I stepped in.  We all sat down under the trees and I talked.   I finally got the father to allow the German to go to his compartment, cut off the baby’s picture, and give it to the man.  

He cuts off  the end of the film, brings it back, and gives it to the man.  It is black, of course, and the man is angry again. 

I explain how all the film is black until it is developed.  The crisis comes to an end. 

 

 

 

 

So good to see you, too, Dear Leo.

 

I ended up climbing Kilimanjaro with the couple, which ended up being amusing.  He was an Alpine Mountain rescue expert, like a 4 on a 5 scale.  He could crawl across your ceiling holding on with his fingernails.  When we got to the top of Kilimanjaro he got altitude sickness and I carried his back pack.  Of course, I teased him mercilessly. 

I never saw them again, although they were begging me to come to Germany on one of my homeward trips.  I wanted to see the Berlin wall and never did.  She was East German, he West.

 

 

 

Hang in there, Buddy, we are almost up to Cupcake Time.

 

 

The story simply tries to show how literal reading of the Bible can get you into bad places. 

What  would you suggest is a positive in this story about traveling with nothing? Could this be what Francis is emphasizing when he talks about Less is Better?  Consumerism?

How is Less Better for you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: we are now meeting at Legacy Academy.

 

 

 

 

Three generations say, "Welcome in, Everybody," Gilbert, Michelle, and Zoe. 

 

 

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

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

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

 

 

 

A mouse under Kayla?  Denni knows!

 

Readings:  

 Amos 7, 12-15,  The Lord said to me,”Go, prophesy.”

 Psalm 85,   Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

 Ephesians 1, 3-14, In love he destined us for adoption to himself.

Mark 6, 7-13, Jesus sent them out two by two. 

 

 

 

 

Brother-sister team, Georgie & Buddy.

 

Community Activities:  

ROMEO MEET: Friday, June 13, Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.  Welcome all wakos, you will fit right in. 

JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together), July, TBA

 

 

 

 

 

Clerical Board Meet.   Are you trying to pull a fast one, Mike?

 

 

What is going on in Our Catholic World:

1. Family Separation vs Compassion, National Catholic Reporter,  7-12-18,    Download COMPASSION 7-12-18    

 

 

 

 

Father-son team. David & Dawson.

 

 

True?

 

Three things in life are important. 

The first is to be kind.

The second is to be kind.

And the third is to be kind.

 

Henry James

 

 

 

 

 

Healing Touch.

 

 

See you Sunday.

J.S., 214-783-0443

 

 

 

 

Some peoples' favorite time of our celebration, "It is Cupcake of The Week time, Everybody."  All these just in one July Week!

 

 

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.

 

 

Wake up, Buddy, we are almost done.

 

 

 

 

 

Note: we are now meeting at Legacy Academy.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th of July, let the parade begin.

 

 

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th to you, Beth & Emma, and welcome in.

 

 

Readings:  

 

 Ezekiel 2, 2-5,  Son of Man, I am sending you to the Israelites, rebels.

 Psalm 123,   Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy

 2 Corinthians 12, 7-10, A thorn in the flesh was given to me.

Mark 6, 1-6, A prophet is not without honor except in his native place 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome, Atlas, to your first ever 4th of July Celebration.   Your daddy, Brandon, will tell you all  about it.

 

 

Community Activities:  

 

ROMEO MEET: Friday, June 6, Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.  Welcome all wakos, you will fit right in. 

JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together), July, TBA

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations again, Wendy & Brandon.   What a wonderful little boy.

 

 

What is going on in Our Catholic World:

1.  5 things you can do to help the immigrants,  America,  , 7-5-18,     Download FIVE THINGS 7-5-18
2. Soul searching in a difficult time, National Catholic Reporter,  7-5-18,   Download SOUL-SEAECHING 7-5-18

 

 

 

 

 

Could this be a case of child kidnapping???

 

 

True?

 

Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked,

"How old was your husband?"

"98," she replied: "Two years older than me"

"So you're 96," the undertaker commented.

She responded, "Hardly worth going home, is it?"

 

 

 

 

I think so!  Is that a funny man, Atlas?

 

 

See you Sunday.

J.S., 214-783-0443

 

 

 

 

The Healing Touch.

 

 

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.

 

 

Our Father.

 

 

Peace, Everybody.