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  • Sunday Homily, February 17, 2013, 1st Lent C

     Readings:

    Deuternomy 26, 4-10,  He brought us out of Egypt.

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

    Romans 10, 8-13, The same Lord is Lord of all.

    Luke 4, 1-13, Jesus was led into the desert for 40 days.

    Curtis 2-17-13

    Curtis and Bill.



     
    Deuteronomy 

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

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

    Who & When: Though about Moses, Deuteronomy is a compilation of numerous sources.  Guess when: post Babylonian Captivity, say 555.  Easy to remember.

    Emma 2-17-13

    Emma arrives.

    Romans

    Paul writes to the Romans that all people, Gentiles as well as Jews, are invited to be part of the Christ event.

    Andrew 2-17-13

    Andrew and Danny arriving with Sir Charlie.

      Beware of Great Expectations: observations on a new pope

    I must confess that Monday morning when I first heard of Benedict’s retirement, I was excited.  “We might get a new man who is progressive and less authoritarian,” I thought.  With a little reflection I have two observations I would like to share with you from my perspective and experience.  Both fall under the Beware of Great Expectations heading.

    1. Beware of expecting a progressive pope.  The college of cardinals has been carefully screened to include only very conservative, corporate, follow the leader type men.  They will likely vote their kindred.
    2. Beware of the idea that a 3rd world man would be great.  Two Africans are mentioned, one I know, Cardinal Arinze from Nigeria.  I attended his "coronation" in ’76 or ’77. 

    One observation about him and many Africans is that in being converted they really bought into traditional Catholicism.  I knew a Tanzanian bishop who prohibited drums at liturgies because he thought they were pagan. 

    Moreover, the custom of the African tribe demands that a big man make a big impression, not the idea of being a servant or last.

     

    Leo 2-17-13

    Leo ready to dance. Check the video.



    Have a Happy Lent?

    Looking forward to Lent this year?  I confess that I was not.  Maybe it has come too quickly after Christmas this year.  However, I know I mildly dreaded it until.  Until we had our Ash Wednesday Mass at Marlene’s house.  Something happened there, some grace of being at home.  I felt peaceful about it all.

    Ryan 2-17-13

    Ryan arriving with his dad, Jim.

    So what are we going to do about this Lent?  Three observations.

    1.  As a community you all will be invited on several occasions.  We will have a food drive next Sunday and a general pick up by Soul’s Harbor’s truck another Sunday.  One Sunday we will have one of our penitential rites, probably the Sunday just before Palm Sunday. 

    Georgie 2-17-13

    Georgie ready to suit up.

            2.    I am going to invite you most Sundays to have a happy Lent.  It is Spring Training time.  Instead of focusing on the negativity  and the bad, focus on getting back in shape, from taking a daily walk to riding your bike around The Lake, White Rock.  Pass out compliments, like I mentioned last week.

    Zoe 2-17-13

    Zoe arriving with her brother and mom, Buddy and Michelle.

              3.  I am also going to kick off a special project.  For years before I moved out of Jesuit I had a men’s group in the evening maybe two Tuesday a month.  It was both fun and profound.  I did not have furniture enough for all who came.  So I would take all the furniture out and I lay cushions all along the walls of the small office I had.  Everybody sat on the floor. 

    Bernadette 2-17-13

    Our candidate for pope, Bernadette, wondering where all the kids went.

    I want to start a new group, a lunch group.  All you guys here are invited.  Tentatively, it will be Fridays, 1:00, Jason’s Deli here at Collin Creek Mall on Central.  It won’t be every week usually, mostly when I can come.  I’ll send out a note to everyone.  2 guys, 20 guys, who knows? 

    Jerry 2-17-13

    Mike, Jerry, Shirley, and Maureen.

      

    Why am I doing this now?  Good Lenten Penance!  Lenten penance with Stack.  Get you to heaven quicker.  Actually, it is because I miss you guys.  I may see everybody Sundays, but I don’t get to find out how it is going.  It will be great fun.

    You women can rejoice that the old guy is out of the house for a while each week.   

    So, what are you going to do to have a happy Lent?

    IMG_0320

    Rosemary reading her blessing.

     

     

  • Reminder for Sunday, November 18, 2012, 32nd & Last Ordinary Time B

    Welcome:  Catholic Mass with coffee & juice & specials on the house served afterwards. 

    Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community & Stack.    Again, Welcome.

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

     

    Cookies 11-16-12

    cookie time, Emma and Georgie

     

    Cathy 11-16-12

    Cathy with recuperating foot

     Readings:  –  from Thanksgiving Day 

     Sirach  50, 22-24,   May he grant you joy of heart.

    Psalm 113,   Blessed be the Name of the Lord forever.

    1 Corinthians 1, 3-9,   You were enriched in every way.

    Luke 17, 11-19,  Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks? 

     

    Leo & Choir 11-16-12

    Choir Member Leo with truck
    Ray Makeover 11-16-12

    Ray makeover a la Leo

     Community Bulletin Board:   

    1.   For the Love of the Kids, December 8.  You must sign up ahead of time if you want to help.  The link:   Loveforkidsinc.org

     2.   Next Community Brunch, December 9, Second Sunday of Advent, plus collection for Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center.  See the handouts for special needs.

    3.    Want to serve Thanksgiving Dinner at Soul's Harbor, Thanksgiving Day?  Check with Brent, 214-596-8225, or with me.  Time, 8:00 to about 1:00. 

    4.  Advance notice: Christmas Eve Mass, 4:00 P.M.

     

    Kevin 11-16-12

    Kevin ready to go
    Offertory 11-16-12

    Offertory with Loretta, Doug, and Cliff

        

      What's going on in our Catholic World:     

     

    1.   Bishops' plan B post election, National Catholic Reporter, November 11,  600 words,   Download Bishops' Plan B 11-16-12

        2.  Bishops' letter on U.S. economy, National Catholic Reporter, November 13, 750 words,   Download Bishops & Economy 11-16-12

    Coffee Shoppe 11-16-12

    Coffee Shoppe with John & Jean

    Poncik 11-16-12

    Mr. Coffee Shoppe, Bill Poncik

    True? 

    No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.

    Lou Sabin

     

    Sisters 11-16-12

    Sisters, Zoe and Georgie

    Twins 11-16-12

    The Twins, Buddy and Torri with Zoe, Randolf, and Michelle

     See you Sunday, November 18 

     J.S., 214-783-0443

     

    Delgado Corner 11-16-12

    Delgado corner

     

    Ro 11-16-12

    The Birthday Girl, Rosemary

     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.

       

     

     

  • Sunday Homily September 9, 2012, 23rd Ordinary Time B

    Readings:  

     Isaiah, 35, 4-7,  The eyes of the blind will be opened

     Psalm 146,  Praise the Lord, My Soul

     James, 2, 1-5,  Did not God choose those who are poor?

     Mark, 7, 31-37,  Immediately, the man’s ears were opened.

      

    John and Kevin 9-9-12

    John and Kevin at the beginning of Mass

      

    A few words about today’s readings 

    1st reading from Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Ch. 35

    You know well how the Old Testament prophets operated: telling the Jewish people, “You’ve done wrong”, then prophesying “Yehweh will punish you”, and then prophesying “there will come a time of repentance and blessing from Yahweh who is merciful”. In today’s reading Isaiah is prophesying a time of healing and blessing.

                                                                                                        

    2nd reading from the Letter of James,  Ch. 2

    As Stack said last week, James was the administrator of the Jerusalem Christian community.  Paul refers to him as “ the brother of Jesus”. His letter was probably written around the year 50 AD which would make it the earliest writing in the New Testament, still over a generation after Jesus.  It was written to the “dispersion”, that is, to Jews who were followers of Jesus and were scattered outside Israel. The letter of James is one of 5 small books in the New Testament that were disputed in the early church, and were not accepted as inspired books of the Bible until the early 5th century, The other 4 were the second and third letters of John, the second letter of Peter and the letter of Jude. The Letter of James acquired special significance at the time of the Reformation in the 16th century when the priest Martin Luther said this letter’s emphasis on good works contradicts Paul’s doctrine that we are justified by faith.  Luther also disagreed with the Council of Trent that the Letter of James refers to the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. James Ch 5:14 reads, “Is there anyone sick among you? He should ask for the presbyters of the church. They in turn are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

     

    3rd reading from the Gospel according to  Mark,  Ch. 7

    Mark’s Gospel was written with non-Jewish readers in mind. We know this because there are very few quotes from the Old Testament in Mark, he explains particular Jewish customs, and he translates any Aramaic expression into Greek, as in today’s reading where the Aramaic word “Ephphatha”, is translated into the Greek word for “Open” or “Be opened”.

                              

    Bernadette 9-9-12

    Bernadette reading Isaiah

                                                                                                          

    Mary Ellen 9-9-12

    Mary Ellen reading James

                                                                                                

    Homily        

    For over twelve years, John Cade, in addition to his private practice of counseling, has worked in an agency setting with victims of violence, including victims of sexual assault. Currently he serves on the board of the non-profit Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center or DARCC. Since the theme of our gathering today is healing, John invited Monica Urbaniak, a bi-lingual counselor at the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center (or DARCC) to speak about the work of DARCC. Monica will talk about what DARCC is, what they do, and what they need from the community to maintain and enhance their services.

           

    Monica 9-9-12

    Monica speaking to us

                                                                           

  • Sunday Homily June 17, 2012, 11th Ordinary Time

    Readings:  

    Ezekiel 17, 22-24, Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it.

    Psalm 92, Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

    2 Corinthians 5, 6-10, We are always courageous.  

    Mark 4, 26-34, Through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.

     

    Leo 6-17-12

    Leo & his momma, Shonda

    Observations on Ezekiel

    Who:  Ezekiel is one of the Big 3 prophets.  Why?  48 chapters.  The other 2: Isaiah & Jeremiah.  Lots of chapters.

    Ezekiel was born into the priest class.  He later was considered a prophet.  When he was about 25 he was swept up in the Babylonian captivity, around 590. 

    Emma 6-17-12

    Emma wiating for the cookies

    When: It covers the period of the Captivity, but it is composed toward the end of the Captivity, around 550, before Christ.  This is Ezekiel’s material, but it has been saved and edited by his fellow priests.

    Brooklyn 6-17-12

    Brooklyn ready to roll

    Message:

    1.  Ezekiel warns the people that they will be punished for their bad ways, for example, the Captivity.
    2. He promises comfort and a brighter future for the captive, especially envisioning a restored temple (which was done until when?  The year 70, when the Romans finally destroyed the temple & the priestly cast ceased to function, to this day).
    3. An amusing vision: The Dry Bones, chapter 37.

    Today’s selection: Consolation.  Watch for a comforting message about a cedar tree.

    Sienna 6-17-12

    As Sienna escapes across the stage, Brian climbs the stairs two at a time in hot pursuit. Who won?

    Sources: Good News Bible, New Interpreter’s Study Bible, Wikipedia

     

    Blessing A 6-17-12

    All males in the community receiving a special community Father's Day Blessing

    Father’s Day

    In honor of Father’s Day I want to tell you 4 vignettes that I saw this weekend at a wedding Rosemary & I celebrated in Marshall, TX.  Two of the fathers are the couple’s dads.  The other two are guys I saw in action.

    Blessing B 6-17-12

    The community blesses

    The wedding was for Kyle Dansby, a boy whom I have known and loved since way back in the nineties when he & often his two younger brothers helped me as altar servers at St. Mark’s.  Ashli Marie Acker was Kyle’s fiancé’.

    Blessing C 6-17-12

    Robyn & Erin offer their blessings

    The first time I noticed something special was at breakfast yesterday morning in our motel, Comfort Suites.  Rosemary & I were seated at a table in the dining room about 9:00.  In comes a young couple with a girl about 3 and a boy who was placed in a high chair. 

    This little boy fell immediately in love with Rosemary.  To see her he had to turn around left in his chair.  Despite dad’s efforts to interest him in eating, the little boy just watched Rosemary.  Food went uneaten and even on the floor.

     

    Dansby Family 6-17-12

    The Dansby Family, Clark, Charlie, Kyle, Janet, & Randy. The Marshall Court House is where Kyle works as an Assistant D.A.

     

    We talked with the little boy who never spoke, just watched.  Despite dad’s plans and despite the mess, dad never lost his cool.  When it was time for them to leave, he simply cleaned up, held out his arms, and the little boy put up his arms to be held.  I was touched, especially by his not placing project over people.

    Later at the wedding, which was outdoors across the plaza from the pretty Marshall courthouse in a small park with a gazebo attached to a building.  So there was a stage effect.  We had two little flower girls, Lily & Abby.    Kids are always a delight at a wedding and these little girls were no exception. 

     

    Ashli & Kyle 6-17-12

    Ashli & Kyle Married

    First, they got lost trying to choose which access to get up on the gazebo stage.  So I went and helped them up.  Then, as the wedding progressed, they were everywhere.  They went up and down, they went to pick up their flower baskets, and they were chatting with the bride’s maids.  Dad never got flustered.  Nor did anyone on the stage.  Instead of being seen as distractions, they were celebrated as delights.

    Another example of people over project.

    Then there was Ashli’s father.  Nice guy, congenial, probably in his fifties.  Then I discover he has recently obtained his doctorate and is teaching at a college maybe in Beaumont.  I am most impressed because I was trained as a Jesuit and still believe it that we never stop learning.  Life is an adventure in learning.  And here is an example.

    Flower Girls 6-17-12

    Our very entertaining flower girls

    Finally, Kyle’s dad.  I discovered that when Kyle was about 2 or 3 his mom died of cancer.  She was only about 34.  I cannot imagine how difficult this must have been.  I talked with him just a little bit about the event and he admitted that it was really, really tough. 

    Later, fortunately, he met his present wife and has two more sons.  Faithfulness.

     

    Technology 6-17-12

    Technology to the rescue. The Bible was left in the girls' dressing room. So Kyle's brother, Charlie, brings up the Corinthians reading on his iPhone

     

    These four guys touched me each in their own special way.  The two fathers of the little kids reminded me of my own struggle with placing projects over people.  Ashli’s dad exemplifies the ideal that learning is a lifelong adventure.  And Kyle’s dad, faithfulness.

    How are you blessed by the dads in your life?

    How are you dads blessing our world?

     

  • Can you at TypePad please tell mye why I cannot up load pictures when I am away from my home computer. I am on the road, using my lap top and cannot load pictures. This is the third time I have experienced this inconvenience. Otherwise, things are okay.

  • Sunday Homily 9-18-11, 25th Ordinary Time

    Readings:  Isaiah 55, 6-9; Psalm 145, The Lord is near to all who call upon Him; Philippians 1, 20-27; Matthew 20, 1-16.

     

    Brief teaching on Liturgy of Word before first reading:

    The disciples of Jesus were not only Jews, they continued to be Jews after Jesus Christ ascended into heaven by their presence in the temple and synagogue.  After attending the Sabbath service in the synagogue, on the first day of the week they would gather at someone’s home to celebrate the Lord’s Supper where they shared memories of His teachings and sayings.  But the early Church having no gospels did not have a Liturgy of the Word. The Jews, who believed that the Messiah had come-the Christ, were most likely not concerned that they didn’t have a Liturgy of the Word.  Why? They had the synagogue prayer and Scripture service on the Sabbath that continually catechized the Jewish communities.  It wouldn’t be until after the Jewish believers of Christ were being excluded from the synagogue and temple, thrown out and persecuted, that they realized how much they needed the gospels to be written for a Christian Liturgy of the Word to catechize new converts Sunday after Sunday. 

    Mass Begins 9-18-11 

    When the Matthew and Luke gospels were written, which were also meant to address the needs, tensions and concerns of the gentile and Jewish Christian communities, there should have been in one of them an acknowledgement of a Christian Liturgy of the Word that was being used prior to celebrating the Lord’s Supper.  There is, even though the Church has failed to recognize its presence during the past 19 centuries!  (Read the account in Luke chapter 4 when Jesus comes into the synagogue in his home town of Nazareth on the Sabbath to stand and give the reading, then sit to give the teaching. He was required to give a teaching on the words of Isaiah; but instead said that He had fulfilled the reading from Isaiah.  By doing so, the inspired writers are telling us that the words of Christ fulfill the reading from Isaiah as well as the synagogue service itself! What could it possibly mean to fulfill the Jewish ‘Liturgy of the Word?’ The inspired writers are presenting the Liturgy of the Word of the early Christian Church!  It fulfilled the Jewish Sabbath synagogue service but it didn’t abandon it! 

    Therefore the Christian Liturgy of the Word would include a first reading from either the Law and the Prophets as well as the singing of the Psalm…all of which are the expectation for the coming of the words of Christ and their teaching…then the words of Christ and their teaching which would fulfill the expectation of the first testament and psalm.  Therefore there would be a harmony between the testaments, and the Jewish Christians, intimately familiar with their Sabbath synagogue service, had the catechetical method of weekly evangelizing the converts to Christianity—besides telling us how the whole four gospels were written (the words of Christ will fulfill the expectation of his coming within the Law, Prophets, Psalms, Judaism and its feasts as well).

     The Team 9-18--11

    Homily:

    The parable beginning Matthew 20 on the landowner who goes to the marketplace to hire laborers for his vineyard can be readily understood if you understand the following symbolism (In doing so the words of Christ will fulfill the expectation of His coming from the prophet Isaiah who tells us that the Lord is generous, and that his ways are not our ways).

    The Guys 9-18-11 

    The dilemma of the parable is the reply made by the laborers to the landowner at 5:00 PM, an hour before sunset: ‘No one has given us the words that satisfy our spiritual hunger.’  (omitted the rationale from ‘no one has given us the words that satisfy our hunger’ to spiritual hunger) The landowner sends them into the vineyard where Christ is the vine. His words will satisfy their spiritual hunger.  The landowner is like a hound who has continually gone to the marketplace to bring back laborers who long to hear the words that will satisfy their spiritual hunger…so the landowner is the vine, the Christ.  The wage is that which is ‘righteous’, therefore what God would pay his laborers. 

    Leo 9-18-11 
     

    Christ is an advocate for his laborers by going to the ‘manager’ (his Father) asking him to give each laborer the wage of salvation beginning with the last and going to the first.  The wisdom of the parable come from the words of Christ, ‘I choose to give to the last the same as I give to you (the first)’. The first do not understand that the ways and thoughts of God are generosity and mercy.  Jesus tells them to ‘go,’ which in Greek is to leave without noise or fanfare… to rather come to their senses and rejoice with the angels over these last who have repented….

    Claire 9-18-11 

    Why is this parable placed where it is within the Matthew gospel?  Immediately following are the words of Christ on who is the greatest in the kingdom of God (the one who shows mercy and generosity by reaching out to the least by making them the first)

    Why is this parable placed within the Matthew gospel instead of the Luke gospel? The Jewish Christians are to reach out the gentiles (who are the last) with the inspired Liturgy of the Word to welcome them as the first!

    J & S 9-18-11 

    Picture 1:    Mass Begins   

    Picture 2:    The Team

    Picture 3:    The Guys, Jerry, Bill, Mike, & Tony

    Pciture 4:    Leo with Rosemary

    Picture 5:    Claire with her fiance & dad, Andrew & Tom

    Picture 6:    John & Sandra

     

     

     

     

  • Reminder for Sunday 9-11-11, 24th Ordinary Time, plus Special Commemoration

    Mass: Coffee, pastries, & specials on the House.

    Time: 9:30; Stack Celebrating

    Place: Vines High School, 15th between Custer & Independence, south side, Plano

     C.C. 9-9-11 
     
     
    Readings:  Sirach 27, 30-28, 7; Psalm 103, The Lord is Kind and Merciful, Slow to Anger, and Rich in Compassion (terrific line!); Romans 14, 7-9; Matthew 18, 21-35

      John 9-9-11 
                                                                      
                                                                                                                                  Picture Picture  1:    C.C.              

    Picture 2:    John                      

    Picture 3:    Leo & his dad,   

    Picture 4:    Ray    

     Leo 9-9-11 
           
        

    Community Bulletin Board:

    1.   Any families still looking for religious ed for your kids?  Just let us know.

    2.  This Sunday we will start having grape juice available for those who prefer not to take wine.  We may not do this every Sunday, but at least half the time.  Thanks to John Cade for the suggestion and apologies for being so insensitive to the issue for so long.  Vat.  II, of course, allowed this, but it was forbidden again duing J.P. II's time.

    3.  Michael Morwood's presentation, Sept. 24.  A married priest, excellent speaker, terrific ideas on our faith, Download Morwood Flyer 9-9-11

    4.  Yes, it is time for those of you who have asked: reservations for Christmas at the Dallas Smphony. 

         The plan: Dec. 15, Thursday, 8:00 P.M., $68.00 per ticket, group rate ($80.00 otherwise), Orchestra Terrace (the lowest terrace), because the main floor was too expensive.  Wine & cheese before the performance at The Parsonage.  Let me or Rosemary know.  Sunday, Sept. 25, last day to join us.  Sept. 26 we buy tickets. 

    5.  Next brunch Sunday, Sept. 25.  John Cade will celebrate the Mass in honor of his 50th anniversary of ordination.   

     Ray 9-9-11


    What's going on in our Catholic World:

    1.   Pope visits Germany,  National Catholic Reporter, September 2:  Download A German pope to Germany 9-9-11

     2.   McBrien on Detroit Diocese crushing debt, National Catholic Reporter, September 6: Download 54 million Detroit debt 9-9-11

    3.   An old Jesuit friend, John Dear, on 9-11 & the Christian message, National Catholic Reporter, September 7: Download Jesus and the falling towers 9-9-11

     Communion 9-9-11 
     

    Picture 5:     Communion helpers, Jackie, Tom, Lynda, Mike, Nancy, Jan, Patricia, & Sandra

    Picture 6:    Shonda & Ray & Jon      

    Music 9-9-11 

    True?

    Make your work your play and your play your work.

     PHIL JACKSON

     

       Video: Closing Song 

           

     

    See you Sunday, 9-11-11, a Special Sunday

    J.S. (214-783-0443)


     
     
     

     

     

  • Sunday Homily 5-8-11, 3rd Easter

    Readings: Acts of the Apostles 2, 14, 22-33; Psalm 16, Lord, You will show us the Path of Life; 1st Letter of Peter 1, 17-21; Luke 24, 13-35

     

    Acts observations—(Author, Date, Place, Subject), a repeat from Easter

     Author: This is Luke, the physician, the companion of Paul, the Gentile writing for Gentile Christians, and the same Luke who wrote the Gospel of Luke.

     Date: Around 65 years after Christ.  Probably just before the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (70 C.E., a big date in Jewish history), or Luke would have likely mentioned it. 

    Mass Beginning 5-8-11 

    Place: most probably Ephesus, today a ruin on the west coast of Turkey south of Constantinople.  Once this town was a major Christian center.

     Subject: the material works like in concentric, expanding circles, beginning in Jerusalem and ending in Rome after touching Judea, Syria, Ephesus, & Europe.  It treats activities in the early Christian community, some of which may describe they way they wished things were. 

     Sources: Good News Bible, New Interpreter’s Study Bible, St. Louis U. Jesuits’ Liturgical web

     Offeratory

    Mother's Day: a brief history–

    1.  Greece & Rome: Cybele was the mother of all gods

    2.  in the U.S.

        a.  Julia Ward Howe: during Civil War, ca. 1870,  as a counter to the tragedy

        b.  Anna Jarvis: 1912, pushed for 2nd Sunday of May, Mother's Day, with emphasis on the apostrophe, i.e., a single mother of a family, not all mothers.  Ended up regretting the day because of commercializaiton in the 40's before she died.  Hated Hallmark Cards' canned messages instead of personal notes.

     Cora 5-8-11 
       

    c.  President Woodrow Wilson: 1912, made it a national holiday.

    Sources: Legacy Project & Wikipedia

     

    Cura Personalis

    I have a Mother’s Day story for you.  It comes from of all places, Rosemary’s home, NYC, naturally.  We were just there this very hour last Sunday.

     The scene is this.  It is around 4:30 on a beautiful day, blue sky, 62 degrees.  The Ride began at 8:00, all 32,000.  We have traveled up 6th Avenue from Battery Park in Manhattan, through Central Park & Harlem, into the Bronx, passed through Queens into Brooklyn, and the 40 miles came to an end in Staten Island, near the Staten Island ferry, which we took to get to the starting line in Battery Park. 

    Liam 5-8-11 

     We have gone straight north and returned straight south.  This has not been a race, like the Hotter ‘N Hell here at the end of August, rather a stroll or a promenade.  I have never ridden in a tsunami of people until this event.  90 percent of the time I rode shoulder to shoulder with other riders, scrutinizing their every move so that I would not crash.

     At 4:30 on this lovely afternoon Bernadette is just arriving at the last bridge, the famous Verrazano Narrows, a bridge that goes up a good way before it comes down into Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island and the finish line. 

    Liam down 5-8-11 

     Bernadette is pooped as she begins this final ascent.  Everybody else in our group of 7 has already reached the end.  

     As Bernadette climbs bit by bit, she realizes that she cannot ride up to the top.  She gets off and starts pushing her bike up the bridge.  Remember, folks, this is New York City.

     Shortly after she begins trudging up the bridge a young man in his 30’s goes by.  Then he returns and stops.  “Would you like me to push your bike up the bridge?” he asks.  Remember this is New York City.  And this is a New Yorker, in fact, from Brooklyn, Bernadette tells me.

     Our New Yorker pushes Bernadette’s bike along with his own up to the top of the bridge. 

    Robinsons 5-8-11 

     When I was a Jesuit we were educated in a concept, cura personalis, which is Latin for personal care.  Advertising has made this term into a expression of narcissism, meaning my personal care.  In the Jesuits it was meant as a term for others, personal care of my brother & sister & my neighbor. 

     I would propose that this is a particular attribute of women, caring for others, which is what we celebrate today, Mother’s Day.  It is not limited to women, however.  This young man exemplified personal care.  In Luke’s story about the two guys on the road to Emmaus, who  is showing personal care?  Jesus.

     Today we honor the personal care of mothers.  We all, however, male or female, adult or kid, we all are called to personally care for our people.

     When was the last time you personally cared for yours?

     Thanks, Bernadette, for letting me tell your story.

     Picture 1:   Mass begins

     Picture 2:   Cameron & Nikki with their grandparents, Mary & Frank Esparza

     Picture 3:   Cora

     Picture 4:   Liam up, for the moment

     Picture 5:   Liam down & totally at home

     Picture 6:   Liam & Cora with their parent, Megan & Dave plus Megan's parents Rob & Beth

  • Reminder for Sunday 1-23-11, 3rd Ordinary Time

     
    Mass
    :   Coffee, donuts, & specials on the house.  

    Time: 9:30;  Tony Celebrating 

    Place:  Vines High School, 15th between Custer & Independence, south side

       
     Music 1-21-11 


     
    Readings: Isaiah 8, 23-9, 3; Psalm 27, The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; 1 Corinthians 1, 10-13; Matthew 4, 12-23

     Georgie 1-21-11

    Buddy & Torri 1-21-11 
     
     


     Community Bulletin Board: 

    Jane Drake has a job opening: Download Drake 1-21-11

    Anybody want to join some of us bike riding the 5 Boro in NYC, May 1?  Rosemary's home town, no less.  Registration is Feb. 1.  More info,  www.bikeny.org.

     

     Zoe 1-21-11 
     
      

       
    Picture 1:   The Music Machine, Wendy & ShondaRay & Jon       

    Picture 2:   Georgie & Kate selling G.S. cookies to Cindy & Marlene            

    Picture 3:   Buddy & Torri

    Picture 4:   Zoe & her dad, Randolph   

    Picture 5:   Two Guys & a Girl, Jerry, Mike, & Joan      

     Two Guys 1-21-11

    Church Happenings:

    1.  Any life left in Ecumenism, that is, more unity with other religions?  Download Greater Christian Unity 1-21-11

    2.  The Phoenix Catholic Hospital case:  Download Phoenix Hospital Case 1-21-11

       Bicicletas 2, 1-21-11 

         

    True?  

    The truth is more important than the facts.

    FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

    Picture 6:    Some of 1100 bikes for public use in Mexico City.  Pay $10 a year for a card to swipe on the post.  Stations located all over the city center.

    Picture 7:   Sunday morning on Reforma, the beautiful boulevard in the middle of Mexico City.  Street closed Sunday mornings for family strolls, bikes, skates, runners, walkers, prams, doggies.

    Picture 8:   Sunday morning strolling.  One reason why Mexico is worth it.

     Reforma 1-21-11

    Reforma 4, 1-21-11 
     
     

     See you Sunday, January 23, 2011

     J.S.   (214-783-0443)

      

     

     

  • Reminder for Christmas Eve & Sunday, 12-26-10

     
    Mass
    :   Coffee, donuts, & specials on the house Sunday, not Christmas Eve  

    Time: 4:00,  Stack & Tony Celebrating 

    Time: 9:30,  Sunday, Tony Celebrating

    Place:  Vines High School, 15th between Custer & Independence, south side

     
     Leo 12-23-10 
     
    Readings: 

    Christmas Eve: Isaiah 9, 1-6; Psalm 96, Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord; Titus 2, 11-14; Luke 2, 1-14

    Sunday, 12-26-10, Holy Family: Sirach 3, 2-14; Psalm 128, Blessed are Those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways; Colossians 3, 12-21; Matthew 2, 13-23 

     
    Sean 12-23-10 
     

    Community Bulletin Board: 

    Christmas Eve Mass: 4:00, Friday 

    Decorations for the stage, welcome! 

    Cara 12-23-10 
        
     

    Need a Taxi during the holidays:  our man, Rick Turner, the best, Jackie Johnson's husband, 214-707-6536

      
     Communion 12-23-10 
     

    Picture 1:   Leo preparing to be Jesus

    Picture 2:   Sean Kless with his mommy, Christine

    Picture 3:   Cara Kless with her daddy, Ed 

    Picture 4:   Communion prep

    Picture 5:    Wendy, Shonda, & Ray 

    Picture 6:    Rosemary preparing for the last blessing

     Video:          Rosemary's blessing & final hymn



       
     
      

     

    Choir 12-23-10 

    True?  

     But my heart is not weary.
    It's light and it's free.
    I've got nothing but affection for all those who've sailed with me.

    — Bob Dylan  

     Rosemary 12-23-10

    See you Christmas Eve & Sunday, 12-26-10

     J.S.   (214-783-0443)