The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

On this Sunday past I wrote of the Feast of the Holy Family and quoted a little know author, Sirach, of the Old Testament.  It was a guiding passage for fathers, mothers, and children.  Today's first reading John is reminding us all to listen to God.  He is talking to you, to all of us, all we have to do is listen.  You oh Lord are my center of my life.  All I do should be for you.  I, though a sinner, open my heart to my God so I may hear him with my mind, my ears, and my soul.

1 Jn 2:12-17

I am writing to you, children,
because your sins have been forgiven for His name’s sake. 

I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know Him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young people,
because you have conquered the Evil One.

I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young people,
because you are strong and the word of God abides in you,
and you have over come the Evil One.

Do not love the world or the things in the world.
The love of the Father is not in those who love the world. 

For all that is in the world,
the desire of flesh, desire of the eyes, the pride in riches,
comes not from the Father but from the world.

Yet the world and its desire are passing away.

But whoever does the will of God live forever.

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The Feast of Holy Family - Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Today is the first Sunday after Christmas, which is a time for families throughout the world to celebrate.  In today's first reading there are parts which make the modern world uncomfortable, but the basis for the writing is justice.  For if you have justice, you will know peace.  If you know peace, you will find love.  Love comes from knowing the truth, and in truth you will find God.

God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her children.
Whoever honors their father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My child, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.

 Sir 3:2-6, 12-14

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Merry Christmas

Peace and Merry Christmas to all!

We have had a lot to rejoice about in 2009. I pray that your journey toward preparing a way for the Christmas this year has been fruitful. The journey of the Quads has been going well. At times we have made tremendous strides forward toward opening our hearts and ears to the word of God in our words and deeds. At other times our having hearts of stone and ears covered by earmuffs, but we are on a journey towards God. In the broader journey of 2009 we have truly journeyed.

We started out 2009 in Florida. What an experience to sit outside watching New Years fireworks at midnight wearing just a fleece with 1,000s of other revelers. It was the first time for us to celebrate for New Years in just a large celebration. Coming home from the Florida sun to the winter wonderland was a shock to our senses. Warmth is something we longed for after a long winter.

The warmth is what we experienced on our next journey. We traveled to the Atlantic coast of North Carolina during early August. Talk about warmth, nah heat is the better word. Staying on the coast it was beautiful, but if you go inland any distance you really feel the heat of summer. What a beautiful summer vacation spending good time with family in Marv’s home state. It would be pretty hard to beat the good memories of that summer vacation. That was not the extent of our journeys.

Little did we know in January we would be journeying to Oklahoma in November. Our son found a good opportunity in the U. S. Army to serve our country. So the family and my dad went off to Fort Sill, OK in November for his graduation from basic combat training (BCT). As parents were very fortunate to be able to promote him to Private First Class (PFC). In addition to being promoted he graduated from BCT in the top 10% of his class. Nothing is like Oklahoma in mid-November.

Our son graduated High School Engineering Academy in the spring, was a County Lifeguard during the summer, and went into the U.S. Army Reserves Corps of Engineers. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) is Plumber, or as he calls it 21kilo. He will have to learn to how to put up with poop literally and figuratively. He plans on attending university in the spring semester.

The girls journeyed from frosh to sophomores. They went from girls to ladies in their level of maturity. They are doing well in all aspects. They got their drivers license this fall, much to OUR surprise. Drivers licenses gives them level of freedom, this is yet another milestone on their way to adulthood. They is still very active in volleyball, basketball, track, cross country, dance, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), the Waukesha Health Academy, school with choir, Students Opposed to Drugs and Alcohol (SODA), Peer Power, AP coursework and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) which is a college-readiness program.

We, as parents are so proud of all four of our children.

Peace and Merry Christmas to all of you!

Oh Lord, how may I serve you?

Oh Lord, my heart is not proud. May I put aside for a moment my pride, and sense of self-importance I may have and place myself humbly in the hands of my God who knows all my faults and failings and loves me still.

If we look at some of the challenges of integral human development – the word development sometimes conjures up the idea of self-fulfillment – doing my own thing, not being bothered about others, let alone God. God’s plan for his people includes not only material prosperity but also certain spiritual goals.

Imagine our globalized world if all the world’s people served God with one accord, if all pride and haughtiness vanished, and everyone was humble and lowly, if dishonesty was no more, and fear was unheard of.

What does this vision say to you?

This vision may sound unrealistic and impossible to realize, and for human beings on their own it is. What is significant about the Christian Social vision is it incorporates the spiritual life. You can’t just treat people as though they were a bag of chemicals. The question of development is closely bound up with our understanding of the human soul in so far as we often reduce the self to the psyche and confuse the soul’s health with emotional well-being. These over simplifications stem from a profound failure to understand the spiritual life, the human person, the unity of body and soul, born of God’s creative love and destined for eternal life. The human being develops when he grows in the spirit. When his soul comes to know itself and the truths that God has implanted deep within.

When you enter into dialogue between yourself and your creator, how important is it to you to foster a healthy spiritual life?

I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works

One of the favorite readings from the Bible is that from today's Second read.

Jas 2:14-18

What good is it, my brothers and sisters,
if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can that faith save him?
If a brother or sister has nothing to wear
and has no food for the day,
and one of you says to them,
“Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well, ”
but you do not give them the necessities of the body,
what good is it?
So also faith of itself,
if it does not have works, is dead.

Indeed someone might say,
“You have faith and I have works.”
Demonstrate your faith to me without works,
and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.

I mention this today, because of an email I received today. This particular email I've seen many times before. But today, the connection to the letter James wrote to his flock in the first century is very clear. Here is the email, it is entitled The Brick:

Read this today and don't delete it even if you are too busy!! You'll see. THE BRICK A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, 'What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?' The young boy was apologetic. 'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do,' He pleaded. 'I threw the brick because no one else would stop...' With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. 'It's my brother, 'he said 'He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.' Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, 'Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me.' Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the boy who was handicapped back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. 'Thank you and may God bless you,' the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy! push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the car. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!' God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.. Thought for the Day: If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring. He sends you a sunrise every morning Face it, friend - He is crazy about you! Send this to every 'beautiful person' you wish to bless. God didn't promise Days without pain, Laughter without sorrow, Sun without rain, but He did promise Strength for the day, Comfort for the tears, and Light for the way. Read this line very slowly and let it sink in... If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Pass the message along God loves you!

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

“Ephphatha!” An old Aramaic word meaning "Be opened."

The Lord God wants us to be open to his love.
To be open to hear those who need our help.
To be open to do God's works.
To be open to

Jas 2:1-5

My brothers and sisters, show no partiality
as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
...have you not made distinctions among yourselves
and become judges with evil designs?

Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.
Did not God choose those who are poor in the world
to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
that he promised to those who love him?

Mk 7:31-37

...And people brought to him (Jesus) a deaf man who had a speech impediment
and begged him to lay his hand on him.
He took him off by himself away from the crowd.
He put his finger into the man’s ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue;
then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
“Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” —
And immediately the man’s ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly.

Are we open to listen to God today? Not only with our ears, but also by witnessing the good acts of others!

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The Dilemma of the Law : 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's readings are interesting to me. In the first reading (Dt 4:1-2, 6-8) Moses lays down the law.

you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.
Observe them carefully,
for thus will you give evidence
of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,
who will hear of all these statutes and say,
‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’

Then James writes in the second reading (Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27):

Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this:
to care for orphans and widows in their affliction
and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Followed by the Gospel (Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23) where Mark describes Jesus' confrontation with Pharisees. This is where the Pharisees try to get Jesus and his disciples in trouble for not following their strict literal, some would say fundamentalistic, interpretation of the Mosiac law. This is where Jesus steps up and teaches them a thing:

“Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:
This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.
You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”

He summoned the crowd again and said to them,
“Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.

“From within people, from their hearts,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile.”

Lord, grant me this day the gifts of wisdom and understanding. May I be wise enough to know what is right and wrong. May I understand the words of the Lord so I may be helpful.

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Talk Radio = Madness in Crowds?

I overheard a conversation this morning and couldn’t help but think talk radio plays to the madness of the crowd. Empathy is something talk radio will never promote. A wise friend of mine once told me, the IQ of the group is equal to the square root of summation of the groups IQ. In other words the larger the group the less intelligent they become. To me talk radio is the square root factor.

A few examples of this type of mob behavior are: Wild West posse, Hitler’s brown shirts, lynch mobs during the 60’s, and Iran’s Pasdaran. To me talk radio is good at getting the froth of individually intelligent people yet who are collectively an irrational mass looking something zombies out of the 1978 horror film, Dawn of the Dead.

If you have the time, you might be interested in a podcast This I Believe essay, Thoughts for Tomorrow, written in the 1950’s by Bernard Baruch. His words written over 50 years ago still ring true today. Here is a link to the essay and the mp3 file so you can listen to his essay in Bernard’s own voice - http://thisibelieve.org/essay/16354/.

The readings from Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

I had a hard time deciding upon which of the three readings from Sunday to list. I personally like the theme of this week, which is "Wisdom." She is one of the most precise gifts of the Holy Spirit. If you think about it, wisdom is what Paul describes in his letter to the Philippians -

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is love, whatever is gracious. Phil 4, 8

Here are the first and second readings from Sunday.

Prv 9:1-6

Wisdom has built her house,
she has set up her seven columns;
she has dressed her meat, mixed her wine,
yes, she has spread her table.
She has sent out her maidens; she calls
from the heights out over the city:
“Let whoever is simple turn in here;
To the one who lacks understanding, she says,
Come, eat of my food,
and drink of the wine I have mixed!
Forsake foolishness that you may live;
advance in the way of understanding.”

Eph 5:15-20

Brothers and sisters:
Watch carefully how you live,
not as foolish persons but as wise,
making the most of the opportunity,
because the days are evil.
Therefore, do not continue in ignorance,
but try to understand what is the will of the Lord.
And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery,
but be filled with the Spirit,
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts,
giving thanks always and for everything
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Sweet 16 x3

This weekend my three girls turned sweet 16!
16 years ago we were holding three new born premies in the St Joseph's Hospital NICU. Literally, I was holding their tiny bodies in my palm of my hand. They were tiny but we were blessed by God and graced by His holy Spirit for the past 16 years. Without the three of you our life experiences would have been limited to those of your older brother.

Because of you four wonderful kids, your mother and I have been given opportunities to meet some very wonderful people. Thank you!

I love you!

Each day is a blessing!

All our days have passed away in your indignation;
We have spent our years like a sigh.
Seventy is the sum of our years,
Or eighty, or ninety, or more,
If we are strong,
And most of them are fruitless toil,
For they pass quickly and we drift away.
May the gracious care of the
Lord our God be ours;
Prosper the works of our hands for us! - Psalm 90:9-10, 16-17

Lord, you know the numbers of our days
and the toil and
trouble we may encounter.
Give us the wisdom to cope
with these and to enjoy the blessings of each day.
The breath of fresh air.
The sunrise.
The warmth of a hug.
The smile of a friend.

Some metal in the sky

Metal in the sky

Finding our way through prayer

"Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth." PSALM 86:11

A new shepard; A new Kingdom

Trust in God!

Don't desire to change for our own sake but for God's sake.
Aren't we to seek lives of God's will not our own?
The reading below shows how the people of Israel seek a king to be like the surrounding kingdoms. Subdued by their cultural influence. When they should have been seeking what did God want for them.


Jer 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds
who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,
says the LORD.
Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,
against the shepherds who shepherd my people:
You have scattered my sheep and driven them away.
You have not cared for them,
but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock
from all the lands to which I have driven them
and bring them back to their meadow;
there they shall increase and multiply.
I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them
so that they need no longer fear and tremble;
and none shall be missing, says the LORD.

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
as king he shall reign and govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
"The LORD our justice."

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Bring no belt or purse - God will provide!

Gospel
Mk 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
but a walking stick—
no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals
but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
"Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them."
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Fireworks over Lake Michigan

Trust in God banishes fear

In trying times, times of economic hardship, emotional strain, physical demands for our labor; how does my faith in God help me cope?

NAB - Psalm 56

Trust in God

I
Have mercy on me, God,
for I am treated harshly;
attackers press me all the day.
My foes treat me harshly all the day;
yes, many are my attackers.
O Most High, when I am afraid,
in you I place my trust.
God, I praise your promise;
in you I trust, I do not fear.
What can mere flesh do to me?

II
All the day they foil my plans;
their every thought is of evil against me.
They hide together in ambush;
they watch my every step;
they lie in wait for my life.
They are evil; watch them, God!
Cast the nations down in your anger!
My wanderings you have noted;
are my tears not stored in your vial,
recorded in your book?
My foes turn back when I call on you.
This I know: God is on my side.
God, I praise your promise;
in you I trust, I do not fear.
What can mere mortals do to me?

III
I have made vows to you, God;
with offerings I will fulfill them,
Once you have snatched me from death,
kept my feet from stumbling,
That I may walk before God
in the light of the living.

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament © 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Lord, you are the light over my path. Throw away any fear from my heart. Give me the courage to speak your truths on my lips. Allow my shoulders strength to bear any burden before me. May your light guide me on the paths of righteousness and peace.

Talitha koum

Do we have faith enough to say to someone, arise!

Mk 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
"My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live."
He went off with him,
and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?"
But his disciples said to Jesus,
"You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, 'Who touched me?'"
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."

While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said,
"Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?"
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
"Do not be afraid; just have faith."
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
"Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep."
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child's father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum,"
which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

"Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"

Mk 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:
"Let us cross to the other side."
Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.
And other boats were with him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
so that it was already filling up.
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him,
"Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
He woke up,
rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!"
The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?"
They were filled with great awe and said to one another,
"Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

2009 Girls Blackshirt Tribute Video

Link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4423oMHisg

What's love got to do with it?

...For all that is comes from love,
tends toward love,
and moves under the impetus of love.
Only love makes us happy,
for we live in order to love,
and to be loved.

Prayed during the Angelus with Pope Benedict XVI this Sunday in St. Peter’s Square.

Blackshirt 2009 Tribute Video for Mens Track

Here is the link the to the video on YouTube -
1024x768 version
320x240 version

1024x768 version


320x240 version

Regional Track Meet

Link to the photos

Be one in the Truth!

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
"Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one....
Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth."

Jn 17:11b,17-19

Depending upon the Diocese you reside in the Lectionary for Mass for this Sunday may either be the Gospel of John (above) for the Seventh Sunday of Easter or the Gospel of Mark for the Ascension of the Lord.

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Classic 8 Lady JV Championships

JV Championships

Wisco JV Invite

Photos from the Wisco JV Invite

Shuttle Atlantis - Transiting the Sun

NASA - Transiting the Sun: "Transiting the Sun
In this tightly cropped image, the NASA space shuttle Atlantis is seen in silhouette during solar transit, Tuesday, May 12, 2009, from Florida. This image was made before Atlantis and the crew of STS-125 had grappled the Hubble Space Telescope.

The phtographer made this image using a solar-filtered Takahashi 5-inch refracting telescope and a Canon 5D Mark II digital camera.

Image Credit: NASA/Thierry Legault"

Classic 8 Outdoor Track Championships

The Very First 'Star Trek'

Love, even to the point of self-sacrifice

Children, let us love not in word or speech
but in deed and truth.
Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth
and reassure our hearts before him
in whatever our hearts condemn,
for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.
Beloved, if our hearts do
not condemn us,
we have confidence in God
and receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his
commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit he gave us.

1 Jn 3:18-24

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Burlington Demon Invite

Link to the the photo album - http://picasaweb.google.com/R.Quadracci/08May09?feat=directlink

Do we let other's tell us how to think?

I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.

Galileo Galilei
Italian astronomer & physicist (1564-1642)

A mirror of my kids best days!

This one goes out to my kids! I love you - Luke, Jena, Leah, Sara!

Taylor Swift   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

05May09 COED Track Meet

Posted photos from the JV Coed track at South.

Increasing temperatures have led to the melting of mountain glaciers

What has happened to the glacier on top of Kilimanjaro?
Increasing temperatures have led to the melting of mountain glaciers on Africa's major mountains. UNEP/GRID-Arendal - Publications - Vital Climate Graphics Africa

Glacier Retreat in Glacier National Park
Better put Glacier National Park on the bucket list to visit before 2030.
Glacier Retreat in Glacier National Park Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK)

Repeat Photography Project show the Grinnell Glacier retreat.

Retreat of Alaska Glaciers
The mountains didn't move!
August 1941 photograph is of Muir Glacier in Glacier Bay National Monument, Alaska

August 1950 photo documents the significant changes

August 2004 photo further documents the significant changes that have occurred during the 63 years between photographs

Cornerstone of our salvation

Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, answered them,...

He is 'the stone rejected by you, the builders,

which has become the cornerstone.'

There is no salvation through anyone else,

nor is there any other name under

heaven given to the human race

by which we are to be saved.

Acts 4:8-12

In the Roman world of Luke's day, salvation was often attributed to the emperor who was hailed as "savior" and "god." Luke, in the words of Peter, denies that deliverance comes through anyone other than Jesus.

Prom '09

Line to the prom photos

Prom

02May09 Aurora Invite

Link to the Aurora Invite Photos

02May09

01May09 Wisco Invite

01May09

JV Developmental Meet 29Apr09

Link to the pictures in the below slideshow.

30Apr09

Confirmation 2009

Lord let your face shine on us today!

Answer when I call, my saving God. In my troubles, you cleared a way; show me favor; hear my prayer.

How long will you people mock my honor, love what is worthless,
chase after lies? Selah

Know that the LORD works wonders for the faithful;
the LORD hears when I call out.

Let me be moved deeply with religious awe, and do not sin;
upon your beds ponder in silence.

Offer fitting sacrifice and trust in the LORD.

Many say, "May we see better times! LORD,
show us the light of your face!" Selah

But you have given my heart more joy than they have when grain and wine abound.

In peace I shall both lie down and sleep, for you alone,
LORD, make me secure.

[Psalm 4] An individual lament emphasizing trust in God. The petition is based upon the psalmist's vivid experience of God as savior (Psalm 4:2). That experience of God is the basis for the warning to the wicked: revere God who intervenes on the side of the faithful (Psalm 4:3-6). The faithful psalmist exemplifies the blessings given to the just (Psalm 4:7-8).

Young Men - Thursday, April 23, 2009 Brookfield East H.S. Spartan House of Speed Invite


Young Ladies - Wednesday, April 22, 2009 Brookfield East H.S. Spartan House of Speed Invite

Our sense of justice: use it or lose it!

You may have heard the saying:

No Jesus, No Peace -- Know Jesus, Know Peace

I'll add my twist to it,

No Truth, No Justice -- Know Truth, Know Justice!

What habits assist me in sharpening my acuity for the truth?

My Lord and my God, you send your son Jesus to be the way, the truth and the life. Shine on our path so we may follow him as disciples of the truth.

"Every head . . . sheared off" - Isaiah 15:2

A traditional sign of grief is what Isaiah is talking about in this verse. Family battles hurt the most! The Moabites were distant relatives of the Israelites (decendents of Lot a nephew of Abraham), this verse is in reference to the anger between two clans of the same family.

It is often family who we hurt the most by our actions, in actions, words, or silence.

Let this Easter be a time of for fogiveness, forgetting, living our faith, and loving!

Am I capable of feeling compassion for those I don't like or approve of?

Healer of every division, God Father of us all, you know the separations in the family of humanity. Lord God, bring hamrony to the nations and within families.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

Ps 118:24

In the end, only God wins!

"How have you fallen from the heavens, O morning star, son of the dawn!" - Isaiah 14:12

Lord, Father of us all, the giver of justice and judgement have the final victory. Help me to treat others, even my enemies, with dignityas a bearer of your device likeness.

Is it really between "us" and "them"?

(Lk 23:46) Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

God of every race and nation, people, and tongue - Bless the world and help us bring about the common good.

It's always time to give thanks!

"For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord." - Ps 89:2

How often and under what circumstances do we remember to give thanks?

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name." - Isaiah 12:4

Creator of the universe, the source of all life and hope - we praise you for your goodness, thank you for the opportunity of this day!

How do we become people of peace?

Where is the sin of pride and arrogance most on display in our times?

"Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war
anymore." - Isiah 2:4

Erternal God, it is your power and might alone before which the nations should bow. Teach us the virture of humility so that we might become people of peace.

Why should I change?

"Cease to do evil, learn to do good." - Isiah 1:16

Give me the wisdom to learn how to do good.

Are we worthy of our calling?

Are we strong enough to say what Isaiah said the God?

And I said, "Here I am; send me!" - Isaiah 6:8

Open our ears so we may hear and open our eyes so we may see the truth, however demanding it may be.

Ps 34:19 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

I bring my prayers, my thoughts, my deepest yearnings before the Lord to hear.

Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
"You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me."

How does the Lord's cry echo in our lives today? Have you loved today? Have you given of your heart?

What matters to humans doesn't matter to God.

Do not be afraid; just have faith. - MARK 5:36

How well do I balance the needs of the popular or famous and the anonymous or poor in my life? Do I care more about those in tabloid's than those around me? How can I help those who need help?

Grant me the grace, Holy Spirit, to see beyond the surface and into the heart of every person I meet.

I beg of you, make me clean.

It happened that there was a man full of
leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was;
and when he saw Jesus,
he bowed, begged him, and said,
“Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.”

Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,
“I do choose. Be made clean.”
Immediately the leprosy left him.
Then he ordered him to tell no one, but
“Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing
what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

The report about him spread all the more,
and great crowds assembled to listen to him
and to be cured of their diseases,
but he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.

- Lk 5:12-16


How am I like the leper reaching out to Jesus to be made whole? Full of the love of God.
Can I sense Jesus reaching out to touch me, to make me clean?
Will I be open to Jesus making me clean with his boundless generosity?

We all are Jesus' family

God is nothing but love.

Dare to give all for love.

Give of yourself without fear.

Is there a conflict in my life between the demands of my family, my job, my activities, and the demands of God?

Who are my mother and my brothers? - Mark 3:33

Dearest Mary and Joseph, as the earthly mother and father you called Jesus son. Help us to gain the love and faith you so perfectly possess. Mary and Joseph would you ask the Lord, for me, let me know love so I may clear the conflicts in my life.

Beloved, let us love one another,

because love is of God;

everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Whoever does not love does not know God,

for God is love.

God's love was revealed among us in this way:

God sent his only Son into the world

so that we might live through him.

In this is love:

not that we loved God, but that he loved us

and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our
sins. - 1 Jn 4:7-10

How might God's love be revealed through me and those I meet? Love can be expressed in many ways. Love is made real in what we say and in what we do and in how we treat other people.

In times when I am feeling weary and restless or even distent from God, when I don't feel love. I must remember it is God's saving action, not my action, that really counts.

How might I respond to the God of love, now?