John Stack Ministries Announcements & Reminders – Page 161 – Stay connected with our Catholic community through weekly Mass announcements and recaps, fostering faith and fellowship in every gathering.

Announcements

ByRosemary February 16, 2014

Rosemary’s Blessing

May God’s love and mercy encircle you today

With living laughter that renews and saves.

May bright hope lead you further on your way

And in your life may you celebrate his word

And be a witness to a gentle and gracious Lord.

A Book of Irish American Blessings & Prayers Andrew Greeley

Connie reading Sirach.

Our Special Thanks:

For Reading: Connie & John
For The Team: Georgie & Kevin
For the Communion Bread: Alison
For the Wine & Cups: Sir Charlie & Jan
For the Pictures & Video: Rick & Beth, Mike & John
For the coffee and pastries: Mike & Geri, Jackie and Jerry and Denni.
For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
For the Music: Ray & Shonda & Bethany (and Leo)

John reading 1 Corinthians.

Birthdays: Dick Thompson ((last Tuesday), Rosemary (18^th, Saturday), Ray Winkler

Anniversaries:

John & Lambrini (20^th, Tuesday)

The baptism of Charlotte, Andrew, Chloe, Claire, Charlotte, The O.G., and Andrew's brother, Matthew.

Please Remember these special people:

That Charlotte, the little girl we baptised Saturday, have a life peaceful, happy, and full of fun along with her sister, Chloe; Jackie Urbanczyk's recovery; From Mary Hall, Debbie Hooper with serious cancer; for a special girl named Missy; John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli; Charlie's brother in law with cancer; Jean O'Donnell's brother, Louis; Fred and Maureen’s friend, Real Giguere; Mary Templeton seriously hurt in a surfing accident (from Chris Phipps & Beth); Beth Dugan's dad struggling with prostate cancer; from Rob, the brother of his business associate who has cancer; Frank’s sister, Grace Campos, 84, with stage one;

Charlotte's baptism, a beautiful day but the water was cold.

Diane McClurg's mom having a hard time making the transition to assisted living; Dee's friend, Don Fox, with cancer; Dick Thompson's daughter, Teri Jill & her cousin Terri. Barb & Warren's new grandbaby, Leighton Elizabeth, and their friends, Mike and Tara, and her dad in ICU; Judy Carrell's friend, Matt Larson; Alexander Occhipinti; Rita; the Silvers, dad, Dave, and son, Andrew;

The beautiful Charlotte.

Bernadette Delgado's mom; Gilberto's mom and brother; Tom and Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, and Diane Kreeitzer; Connie Doherty's mom and her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret and Jim; our friends, sons, and daughters in the military, including Cole Carey, Ryan McClurg heading to Korea, and Chebino; cure for autism from Laura Chollick; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

The whole Charlotte family, the baptism taking place in Tom & Denni's backyard, the same place where Andrew & Claire married, and where Chloe was baptised.

Your Finances: February 16, 2014

Expenses: $1885.00

Outreach: $ 895.00

Our beautiful Chloe, the dancer, with Claire and Andrew.

We Donated this week:

Nothing special this week.

Thanks for your Generosity.

Have a Good Week, J.S

(214-783-0443)

Charlotte says, "Who is this crazy old geezer?"

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.

Reminders

Reminder for Sunday, February 16, 2013, 5th Ordinary Time A

ByRosemary February 12, 2014

Peace, Fred and Barb.

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

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

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

A Light, Sienna.

Readings:

Sirach 15, 15-20, Before man are life and death, good and evil.

Psalm 119, Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 2, 6-10, We speak a wisdom to those who are mature.

Matthew 5, 17-37, If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.

Leo, "Where's that Cupcake?"

Community Events:

1. ROMEO lunch Friday, February 14, Jason's, 1:00, Welcome all Old Geezers & kids. Don’t get in the way. The old geezer is coming from having a colonoscopy Friday morning, coming hungry.

2. The Women's Lunch Group on 1st Thursdays, The Olive Garden, 1:00, Central and Plano Pkwy, northbound service road. For more info talk with Carol or Bernadette.

Who let these guys in?, Jim, Tom, and John.

What's going on in our Catholic World:

1. Veterans' Suicides, Corpus; Observer, February 2, 600 words, Download Veterans' Suicides 2-12-14

2. U.N. on the pedophile crisis, Corpus, February 5, 1150 words, Download U.N. on pedophile crisis 212-14

3. Francis the Troublemaker, Corpus;Catholic Sun, Febraury 5, 1000 words, Download Francis Troublemaker, 2-12-14

4. Francis, a Harley man?, Bonhams, February 6, 300 words plus pix, Download Francis' Harley 2-12-14

A Light, Tori.

True?

Kindness is a language the blind can see and the deaf can hear.

- Mark Twain

Healing, for Mabel.

See you Sunday, February 16, 2014, 6^th Ordinary Time, Cycle A

J.S., 214-783-0443

Fred with Martha and Maureen.

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.

Coffee Shoppe with decor by Mike in honor of Valentine's Day, Hue, Jerry, John, and Mike.

A Light, Harper.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Reminders

Sunday Homily, February 9, 2014, 5th Ordinary Time, Cycle A

ByRosemary February 9, 2014

Readings:

Isaiah 58, 7-10, Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless.

Psalm 112, The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.

1 Corinthians 2, 13-16, I came to you in weakness and fear.

Matthew 5, 13-16, You are the light of the world.

Harper says, "I am so happy to be back. Time for cupcakes yet?"

Isaiah reminders, again—

Author: This is Isaiah #3, the composer of chapters 56-66. Isaiah #3 lives after the Israelites have returned to the ruined city of Jerusalem. It is a very depressing experience after the exuberance of being allowed to depart from slavery in Babylon. Like returning to your shattered home after a tornado, hurricane, or forest fire.

Date: Ca. 555 before Christ, the composition. The Jewish people of Jerusalem are home again.

Subject: A great day will come for you Jews. You will be a bright light at dawn and your wound will be healed (of your defeat and slavery), if you take care of your neighbor, providing food, clothing, and shelter. The corporal works of mercy.

Sienna says, "Welcome, Everybody."

Do-ers and Be-ers

I would like to propose this morning that all the world is divided into two groups. Group one is the doers. Group two is the beers. I know, a bunch of you guys are ready to sign up for the beers. Me, too. I’ll get you in cheap if you are nice to me. I know, dream on.

I would further suggest that both of these types of persons are okay. In fact, both are lights to the world. The readings today say that you are a light to the world if you feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless. Excellent, I buy that. We try to do that as a community.

Brookyn sharing her charm with everyone.

In fact, I have an example of a person who wants to remain nameless because she is embarrassed. However, if you marry a priest, all bets are off. No respect, no refuge.

This nameless person and her girl friend, Barbara, take Meals on Wheels to about a dozen poor people in North Dallas every Thursday. Heat, cold, or snow, as was the case last week, they bring food to these people, some of whom are home bound. They know each person by name and there is a mutual caring love.

Erin, Momma to Sienna and Brooklyn, waits to receive her Cupcake of The Week about 3 weeks late.

They are doing what Isaiah and Matthew are exhorting us to do. And they are lights to my world.

The second group brings light to our world just by their being here, by their very presence. Three examples of what I mean.

Monday evenings Rosemary & I go dancing at the Farmers’ Branch Senior Center. Last Monday there were about 50 pairs of people, despite the cold and crazy weather. The folks are mostly singles with a few couple mixed in These people are lights. They are lights to me just by being there.

Zoe sharing her charm with everyone.

There is even one lady who comes all the time. She is blind. I hope to dance with her one evening. She is a light perhaps to the whole room.

Secondly, last week Rosemary & I were honored to have the chance to coordinate the wedding at TCU of a charming couple. Just their presence, their joy and their enchantment were lights to me and to a large group of people in that chapel.

Georgie preparing to suit up.

Yesterday I sat down with another couple, in fact, our Rebecca Senter and her fiancé Rob Scott. We are planning their April wedding. I am so touched just by their presence.

Finally, look around this community. You have to go no further than to Leo and Cowboy Cole, Emma and Zoe, Buddy and Tori, Chloe and Charlotte, to say nothing of Harper and Sienna and Brooklyn when they are here. Lights to the world? Absolutely. Totally, lights to me.

So what makes for a light to the world? Two things, not just one. First of all, obviously, we are invited and challenged to care for our neighbor. Excellent.

Leo says, "Hi, Everybody, Welcome in."

However, I would include people just as they are. You, I, all of us are lights. How so? Ever come away from an encounter with a person feeling happier, more peaceful, even delighted? The light has struck.

So how does it feel to be a light just by being here?

And again, who gives you light?

Emma, The Thinker, seriously at work here. Remember the sculpture?

Announcements

ByRosemary February 9, 2014

Rosemary’s Blessing

May we be blessed with

warm sun, gentle days and peaceful nights.

And may we show our gratefulness

by being warm and accepting of our neighbor,

gentle in criticism of ourselves and others,

and peaceful in your infinite love for us all.

J & R Creations

Tom reading Isaiah.

Our Special Thanks:

For Reading: Tom & Lynda
For The Team: Georgie & Kevin
For the Communion Bread: Alison
For the Wine & Cups: Sir Charlie & Jan
For the Pictures & Video: Rick & Jan, Mike & John
For the coffee and pastries: Mike & Geri, Jackie and Jan.
For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
For the Music: Ray & Shonda & Bethany

Lynda reading 1 Corinthians.

Birthdays: Dana Dinsmore (22, Friday), John Bresson (58, Tuesday), Hue Beavers (63, Tuesday), Scott Shaw (Tuesday) and Becky & Christine Shaw (20, Sunday, today)

Brooklyn and Leo.

Anniversaries:

John & Alison, (20^th, Friday)

Bobby & Debbie (28^th, Monday)

Sienna and Buddy.

Please Remember these special people:

Jackie Urbanczyk's recovery; From Mary Hall, Debbie Hooper with serious cancer; for a special girl named Missy; John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli; Charlie's brother in law with cancer; Jean O'Donnell's brother, Louis; Fred and Maureen’s friend, Real Giguere; Mary Templeton seriously hurt in a surfing accident (from Chris Phipps & Beth); Beth Dugan's dad struggling with prostate cancer; from Rob, the brother of his business associate who has cancer;

Cathy delighting us all by bringing Harper.

Diane McClurg's mom having a hard time making the transition to assisted living; Dee's friend, Don Fox, with cancer; Dick Thompson's daughter, Teri Jill & her cousin Terri. Barb & Warren's new grandbaby, Leighton Elizabeth, and their friends, Mike and Tara, and her dad in ICU; Judy Carrell's friend, Matt Larson; Alexander Occhipinti; Rita; the Silvers, dad, Dave, and son, Andrew;

Celeste coming in out of the cold.

Bernadette Delgado's mom; Gilberto's mom and brother; Tom and Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, and Diane Kreeitzer; Connie Doherty's mom and her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret and Jim; our friends, sons, and daughters in the military, including Cole Carey, Ryan McClurg heading to Korea, and Chebino; cure for autism from Laura Chollick; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

Bethany, Shonda, and Ray.

Your Finances: February 9, 2014

Expenses: $975.00

Outreach: $ 380.00

Video: Exit, Go, Make a Difference, 2 min.,

We Donated this week:

Nothing special this week.

Thanks for your Generosity.

Have a Good Week, J.S

(214-783-0443)

Rosemary getting ready to do her blessing.

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.

Reminders

Reminder for Sunday, February 9, 2014, 35th Ordinary Time, Cycle A

ByRosemary February 5, 2014

Cupcakes of The Week to Dana, Geri, Gil, Rick, and Megan.

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

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community & Stack & Mike homilizing.

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

Dana at 22 with her treasure, and with David, her dad, and Dawson and Darbianna.

Readings:

Isaiah 58, 7-10, Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless.

Psalm 112, The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.

1 Corinthians 2, 13-16, I came to you in weakness and fear.

Matthew 5, 13-16, You are the light of the world.

Want to know why poor Denver last? Try Fred. With Carol and Rick.

Community Events:

1. ROMEO lunch Friday, February 7, Jason's, 1:00, Welcome all Old Geezers & kids. The Old Geezer will miss to attend a seminar on psychology.

2. The Women's Lunch Group on 1st Thursdays, The Olive Garden, 1:00, Central and Plano Pkwy, northbound service road. For more info talk with Carol or Bernadette.

Leo checking out the scene.

What's going on in our Catholic World:

1. The Francis Revolution, National Catholic Reporter, January 29, 1000 words, Download Francis revolution 2-6-14

2. Francis taps a reformer, National Catholic Reporter, January 30, 400 words, Download Francis taps reformer 2-6-14

3. Family Survey in Germany & Switzerland, National Catholic Reporter, Febraury 4, 830 words, Download Family Surveys 2-6-14

Recharge time.

True?

If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk?

Albert Einstein

Sir Charlie trying to fool Geri and Gil.

See you Sunday, February 9, 2014, 5^th Ordinary Time, Cycle A

J.S., 214-783-0443

Got problems? Ken & Cindy got solutions.

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.

Somebody say, 'Old Geezers?'

Zoe says, "Goodbye for now."

Homilies

Sunday Homily, February 2, 2014, Presentation, Cycle A

ByRosemary February 2, 2014

Readings:

Malachi 3, 1-4, Yes, he is coming, says the Lord.

Psalm 24, Who is this kind of glory? It is the Lord.

Hebrews, 2, 14-18, That he might be a merciful and faithful high priest.

Luke 2, 22-40, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to the temple to present him to the Lord.

Zoe says, "Welcome, Everybody."

Homily by Mike

Helen Roberta Marina Lazio was the woman that my Father married. What do I remember most about my mother? She loved to pray. She said the whole rosary every day of the last 25 years of her life. The Joyful Mysteries were her favorites for they fit well with her prayer to Mary.

Recall that the Hail Mary begins with words from the angel Gabriel [Hail Mary full of grace; the Lord is with you] at the Annunciation event and are followed by Elisabeth’s greeting to Mary at the beginning of the Visitation [Blessed are you among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb].

Leo & John saying, "Come in, it's fun here."

The first two chapters of the Luke gospel give us the Joyful Mysteries: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Birth of Our Lord, the Presentation, and the Finding of the boy Jesus in the Temple. Today’s Feast of the Presentation happens to be the fourth Joyful Mystery.

To help us understand more fully today’s feast, let us take a short journey within the two chapters. It begins with the story about Zechariah and Elizabeth. They are both Levites and he is also a priest. They are righteous before God and keep all the commandments of the Law; however she is barren.

Mike talking about the Presentation.

They represent Judaism that is not bearing fruit, they pray for its fulfillment and God hears their prayer. Their son will be John the Baptist, the messenger of our first reading. Gabriel is now sent to Mary to announce that she will give birth to a Messiah king, and she comes to realize that the fruit she will bear fulfills the yearning and expectation of his coming given within the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms.

Offertory, Joe, Jimmy, Doug, Mike and Cliff, a rough crew.

Gabriel tells Mary that her elderly cousin Elizabeth is not longer barren, and immediately she sets off to visit her. Elizabeth greets Mary with the words, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’ Elizabeth and Zechariah know that Mary is to give birth to the Messiah, and they reveal the role of John the Baptist to prepare the people for his coming. Now, recall the words of Christ, the Good Shepherd to Peter at the end of the John gospel. Three times he says, ‘Feed my Lambs.’

Time to wake up, Tori, with her grandfather, Gil.

Lambs in the Gospel are those who have heard the words of the Good Shepherd and follow him. So, we are now presented in the Luke gospel shepherds who are watching over their flock, lambs, when angels make them aware that the Christ child will be found in a feeding trough, a manger, wrapped in stripes of cloth, a shroud.

The shepherds are to perceive the Christ child as the Suffering Servant and Lamb of God of the Good News. The Word and the Bread blessed and broken are food for the lambs. The feast of the birth of Christ [Christ Mass is the Christ Liturgy] is a feast of the liturgy the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist: food for the soul.

Buddy looking for that Cupcake of The Week.

The Christ child [the Word and Sacred Meal that fulfilled the written expectation of the Law, Prophets and Psalms] in the feeding trough, the Church, is now intimately understood by Simeon in the temple when he says Isaiah’s words, ‘My eyes perceive the salvation which God has prepared for the nations, a light to enlighten the gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.’

Cowboy Cole and Diane ready to get inside out of the cold.

In that same way we are to manifest the Word and the Bread blessed and broken in our lives, to become the Body of Christ in the world! Liturgically we put on Christ to become the Light of the World when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, receive a baptismal robe, and a candle lit from the Easter candle.

Remember the song, ‘This little light of mine…’ Recall the Matthew verses of a baptismal liturgy: "You are the Light of the World. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden, and no one lights a lamp to put it under a bushel, they put it on the lampstand, where it gives light to all who are in the house. In that same way, let your light shine before men so that seeing your good works they too may give glory your Father who in heaven.

Brent, the Soul's Harbor director, receiving $2000 from our community.

Announcements

ByRosemary February 2, 2014

Rosemary’s Blessing

May we light our world with

love for the poor and marginalized

care for the abused

and sensitivity to the person next to us.

J & R Creations

Chuck reading Malachi.

Our Special Thanks:

For Reading: Chuck and Erin
For The Team: Georgie & Kevin
For the Communion Bread: Alison
For the Wine & Cups: Sir Charlie & Jan
For the Pictures & Video: Rick & Jan, Mike & John
For the coffee and pastries: Mike & Geri, and Jackie and Jan.
For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
For the Music: Ray & Shonda & Bethany

Erin reading Hebrews.

Birthdays: Tom Quinn (Saturday), Katie Urbanczyk (28, Friday), Geri Moran (61, Friday), Kayla (5, Wednesday) Lisa Anderlick (28, Wednesday), Natalie Gorman (12, Wednesday), Candy Kern (Tuesday), Gilberto (Tuesday), Kevin Bresson (25, Monday), and today, Sunday, Rick Turner (55) and Megan Ekes (30), plus Erin, whom I missed last week.

Wedding flowers, Robert Carr Chapel, TCU.

Please Remember these special people:

Jackie Urbanczyk's recovery; From Mary Hall, Debbie Hooper with serious cancer; for a special girl named Missy; John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli; Charlie's brother in law with cancer; Jean O'Donnell's brother, Louis; Frank Esparza recuperating from an operation; Fred and Maureen’s friend, Real Giguere; Mary Templeton seriously hurt in a surfing accident (from Chris Phipps & Beth); Beth Dugan's dad struggling with prostate cancer; from Rob, the brother of his business associate who has cancer;

Wedding of Amy Alexander and Josh Gardener.

Diane McClurg's mom having a hard time making the transition to assisted living; Dee's friend, Don Fox, with cancer; Dick Thompson's daughter, Teri Jill & her cousin Terri. Barb & Warren's new grandbaby, Leighton Elizabeth, and their friends, Mike and Tara, and her dad in ICU; Judy Carrell's friend, Matt Larson; Alexander Occhipinti; Rita; the Silvers, dad, Dave, and son, Andrew;

Presentation of The Wedding Tree.

Bernadette Delgado's mom; Gilberto's mom and brother; Tom and Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, and Diane Kreeitzer; Connie Doherty's mom and her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret and Jim; our friends, sons, and daughters in the military, including Cole Carey, Ryan McClurg heading to Korea, and Chebino; cure for autism from Laura Chollick; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

Amy and Josh exit and enter their new life.

Your Finances: February 2, 2014

Expenses: $1565.00

Outreach: $ 530.00

Video: Exit, All the Ends of the Earth, 2 min., plus a happy Leo with cupcake

We Donated this week:

$2000 to Soul's Harbor via Brent, the director.

Thanks for your Generosity.

Have a Good Week, J.S

(214-783-0443)

Josh's family.

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.

Reminders

Reminder for Sunday, February 2, 2014, Presentation, Cycle A

ByRosemary January 29, 2014

Georgie ready to act as a server.

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

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community & Stack & Mike homilizing.

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

Tori following her big sister.

Readings:

Malachi 3, 1-4, Yes, he is coming, says the Lord.

Psalm 24, Who is this kind of glory? It is the Lord.

Hebrews, 2, 14-18, That he might be a merciful and faithful high priest.

Luke 2, 22-40, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to the temple to present him to the Lord.

Cupcakes of The Week, Sir Charlie, Mike, Randolph, and Sara with her momma, Tracy, and Tori racing by.

Community Events:

1. ROMEO lunch Friday, January 31, Jason's, 1:00, Welcome all Old Geezers & kids.

2. The Women's Lunch Group on 1st Thursdays, The Olive Garden, 1:00, Central and Plano Pkwy, northbound service road. For more info talk with Carol or Bernadette.

Hawaii dreaming in winter in Dallas. I want a shirt like that.

What's going on in our Catholic World:

1. Criminal investigation of the Legion of Christ?, National Catholic Reporter, January 24, 900 words, Download Criminal investigation of Legio 1-30-14

Offertory, Judy, Mary Jane, John, and Mike.

True?

“I have never looked upon ease and happiness as ends in themselves – such an ethical basis I call the ideal of a pigsty. The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth.”

Albert Einstein

Brunch with Geri, Kathy, Sandra, and an old geezer.

See you Sunday, February 2, 2014, The Presentation

J.S., 214-783-0443

Tom and Jim offering Free Advice.

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.

Birthday abuse from Romeos Ray and John with others hiding, at Jason's Deli. The girl with the broom is trying to sweep everyone out.

Homilies

Sunday Homily, January 26, 2014, 3rd Ordinary, Time, Cycle A

ByRosemary January 26, 2014

Sarah says, "Hi, Everybody, Welcome."

Readings:

Isaiah 8, 23-9, 3, The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light.

Psalm 27, The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?

1 Corinthians 1, 10-13, I urge you that there be no divisions among you.

John 1, 29-34, The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light.

Leo says, "Come in, Folks, there's cupcakes."

Isaiah reminders, again—

Author: This is Isaiah #1, the composer of chapters 1-39. Even though Isaiah #1 lives before the Babylonian Captivity, he still sees that a great day a bright day will come to the Jewish people.

Date: Ca. 555 before Christ, the composition. The Jewish people of Jerusalem are about to be defeated and carried off into slavery

Subject: A great day will come for you Jews. A special leader will be born. You will be a beacon to others, glorious, and a light to nations everywhere. You might easily recognize parts of this reading. From where? The Nativity readings.

This is the last week we will have these Isaiah readings which I love. I will miss them. Until next Advent.

Chuck and Sandra.

Serenity Prayer

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. In honor of Chuck Pratt

The People who have walked in Darkness have seen a Great Light

I would like to talk this morning about our old friend, Chuck Pratt, who moved to the other side December 8. I would like to tie up my thoughts with two gorgeous lines from our readings. The first is from my beloved Isaiah, the second from the Psalm, 27. Namely, The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. Recognize the line? It’s from the Christmas liturgy. Secondly, from the Psalm, The Lord is my light, whom should I fear?

Chuck at 5, ca. 1943

I would propose that Chuck was and is a light. Let me offer four reasons.

First, look at the family. With the gorgeous Sandra (how did he ever win you? Must have tricked you.), we now have with us Chip and Pam and Chris, all lights, reflecting Chuck and Sandra, and in their own right. And that is only the beginning. Chip has Kathy, Pam has Mark, and Chris has Cecily. And we have the little lights, equally bright, Maddie (TCU) and Alex, Olivia and Amelia. With lights like these what have we to fear?

Chuck and his girls, Maddie (TCU), Olivia, and Amelia.

Secondly, beyond the family Chuck had his AA community. Chuck had over 25 years of sobriety. I stand in awe of people who have done this. My sister, Kathey, has been in AA for years and I am so proud of her. Chuck and she were friends. At Chuck’s 75^th birthday party last October I was humbled to be in the same room with so many special lights from AA.

Free Advice, White Rock Lake, W. Lawther Drive, a scene Chuck would have loved.

Thirdly, I was amused and touched that Chuck died Sunday, December 8. Know what date that is? The Immaculate Conception. Know what it is? It means Mary was conceived without Original Sin. God especially intervened to have her born sinless. She was born normal. I would suggest Chuck was born similarly, just like all babies. Like I’ve said before, what if there is no original sin?

Fourth. Rosemary & I were riding around White Rock Lake two weeks ago and I noticed these people with the sign, free advice. I’ve seen them before on Sundays when we were driving. Never when biking.

Sisters, Tori and Zoe.

I was 100 yards down West Lawther Drive when I thought to myself, I want to take their picture and see what is up. I told Rosemary to go on to the car and doubled back.

There were maybe three guys and two girls, middle aged, very friendly, and amusing. Suddenly it hit me. Chuck Pratt would have loved this little slice of Americana. Free Advice, wow. I could see him not only talking with these folks, but sitting down and joining their team. He had plenty of advice to offer.

I was a person walking in some darkness before Chuck came along and lightened my life with his friendship—and advice. How can I be afraid with a friend like Chuck?

How was Chuck a light for you?

Recognize? That's Buddy!

Announcements

ByRosemary January 26, 2014

Rosemary’s Blessing

May you be blessed with the gifts

of compassion to comfort those who mourn and hunger and thirst,

of strength to seek righteousness and peace,

and of joy to rejoice and be glad in the love of God.

J & R Creations

Sandra reading Isaiah 8.

Our Special Thanks:

For Reading: Sandra & Patricia
For The Team: Georgie & Kevin
For the Communion Bread: Alison
For the Wine & Cups: Sir Charlie & Jan
For the Pictures & Video: Rick & Beth, Mike & Connie & John
For the coffee and pastries: Sir Charlie & Jan, and all who made the brunch so special
For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
For the Music: Ray & Bethany

Patricia reading Corinthians.

Birthdays: David Ekes (53, today, Sunday), Randolph (Saturday), Leo, (6, John Cade’s grandson), Sir Charlie (Tuesday) and Mike Carrell ( Saturday), plus Erin, whom I missed last week.

Kevin ready.

Please Remember these special people:

Jackie Urbanczyk's recovery; From Mary Hall, Debbie Hooper with serious cancer; for a special girl named Missy; John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli; Charlie's brother in law with cancer; Jean O'Donnell's brother, Louis; Frank Esparza recuperating from an operation; Fred and Maureen’s friend, Real Giguere; Mary Templeton seriously hurt in a surfing accident (from Chris Phipps & Beth); Beth Dugan's dad struggling with prostate cancer; from Rob, the brother of his business associate who has cancer; Chiyoko Koiwai, who died this past week, a friend of Rick Cardenas

Emma delivering a birthday card toward the end of the celebration

Diane McClurg's mom having a hard time making the transition to assisted living; Dee's friend, Don Fox, with cancer; Dick Thompson's daughter, Teri Jill & her cousin Terri. Barb & Warren's new grandbaby, Leighton Elizabeth, and their friends, Mike and Tara, and her dad in ICU; Judy Carrell's friend, Matt Larson; Alexander Occhipinti; Rita; the Silvers, dad, Dave, and son, Andrew;

Georgie arriving ready to help.

Bernadette Delgado's mom; Gilberto's mom and brother; Tom and Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, and Diane Kreeitzer; Connie Doherty's mom and her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret and Jim; our friends, sons, and daughters in the military, including Cole Carey, Ryan McClurg heading to Korea, and Chebino; cure for autism from Laura Chollick; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

Bethany and Ray.

Your Finances: January 26, 2014

Expenses: $1215.00

Outreach: $ 460.00

Video: Exit, Let us build a City of God, 2 min.,

We Donated this week:

$300 to Plano Homes to pay for gas to take the residents to doctor appointments.

Thanks for your Generosity.

Have a Good Week, J.S

(214-783-0443)

The Celebration of Chuck Pratt begins.

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.