Quad

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones" - Mt 18:8

2010-10-02T08:50:00.000-05:00

For me today's First Reading and Responsorial Psalm touched my heart. In the first reading, Jb 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17, Job reaffirms his love and devotion to the LORD. For this affirmation, "the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his eariler ones." Job got to see his children's, children's, children and lived to 140 years old. Job also did something, which was unheard of at the time - he gave his daugthers an inheritance along with their brothers. A truly just man for his time and ours as well.

The Responsorial Psalm, Ps 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130, response for today is the second part of a threefold blessing, which the LORD taught Moses. The full blessing from the book of Numbers 6:24-26 -

The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

May we all have the face of the LORD shine upon us today and for all the days of our lives.

pax vobiscum

P.S. Let his face shine: a Hebrew idiom for "smile."
P.P.S. Peace: the Hebrew word includes the idea of "prosperity, happiness."

Attribution:

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.

My 9/11 Moment of Truth

2010-09-11T09:45:00.000-05:00

My 9/11 Moment of Truth:
“God has a plan for your life.” I have heard the phrase countless times and never really doubted it. But it took a jolt to bring that truth home more deeply.

"...That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock." (Luke 6:48)

Almighty God, to whom share we go in our sorrows and our joys? You alone have the words of eternal life. Help us all this day to hear, to believe, and to obey.

Hear the word of the Lord! (Isaiah 1:10)

2010-07-12T06:05:00.000-05:00

"Cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim" (Isaiah 1:16-17)

Oh Lord open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise.

2010-07-08T08:17:00.001-05:00

As I enter into prayer today, as I enter into this conversation with the Lord, I too ask Him to open my lips to speak to Him, but first for open ears to listen to Him.

A few days ago Pope Benedict XVI high-lighted the life of Pope Celestine V with these simple words:

We live in a society in which we are so caught up in initiatives or activities we often don't have time to listen, nor enter into dialogue with each other. Let's not be afraid to listen to immerse ourselves in silence. So we can hear not only voice of God, but also that of our neighbor. We should be attentive and discover God through grace. God always anticipates us so we can recognize His grace in every good and beautiful thing.

Lord allow me to be a humble servant and see the beauty in all your creation.

The Solemnity of the most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

2010-06-06T09:23:00.000-05:00

Today's readings help us celebrate Jesus' interaction with us and within us. In our communion with God we are challenged to understand how we are thinking of the presence of Christ in us and around us, how we love Christ in our lives and the lives of others, and how we serve God in actions or in-actions in our daily lives.

St Augustine, the philosopher and theologian living in the Roman Africa Province, wrote on the Body and Blood of Christ. In receiving communion we are in communication with God. By receiving Christ, He not only feeds us physically, but also asks us to consider how "You will be changed into Christ."

Today's three readings go into detail through a chronological look where this Solemnity originated.

Gn 14:18-20 - Reading 1 Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine
blesses it for Abram
1 Cor 11:23-26 - Reading 2 St Paul asks us to "Do this in remembrance of me." until the Lord comes.
Lk 9:11b-17 - Gospel Jesus, himself, "said the blessing over them, broke them"

Keep Memorial in Memorial Day

2010-05-27T18:35:00.002-05:00

Those Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, Brothers, Sisters, Husbands, and Wives who served our country - THANK YOU!

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

2010-01-01T08:49:00.000-06:00

I can think of nothing better than wishing everyone a blessed happy new year than by reciting the blessing the Lord said to Moses in the book of Numbers.

Nm 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

2009-12-30T09:27:00.000-06:00

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.

The Feast of Holy Family - Jesus, Mary and Joseph

2009-12-27T08:40:00.000-06:00

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

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T09:12:00.002-06:00

Peace and Merry Christmas to all!

2009-12-24T11:09:00.001-06:00

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?

2009-12-23T19:01:00.001-06:00

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

2009-09-13T11:23:00.002-05:00

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!

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

2009-09-06T09:12:00.004-05:00

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!

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

2009-08-30T08:48:00.003-05:00

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.

Talk Radio = Madness in Crowds?

2009-08-19T06:21:00.002-05:00

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

2009-08-17T19:28:00.002-05:00

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.

Sweet 16 x3

2009-08-16T09:05:00.000-05:00

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!

2009-07-26T08:58:00.004-05:00

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

2009-07-24T22:20:00.001-05:00

Metal in the sky

Finding our way through prayer

2009-07-24T05:45:00.001-05:00

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

A new shepard; A new Kingdom

2009-07-19T09:31:00.004-05:00

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."

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2009-07-12T08:05:00.002-05:00

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.

Fireworks over Lake Michigan

2009-07-05T16:53:00.000-05:00

Trust in God banishes fear

2009-07-05T09:25:00.005-05:00

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

2009-06-28T09:01:00.001-05:00

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?"

2009-06-21T07:57:00.000-05:00

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

2009-06-18T06:26:00.001-05:00

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

What's love got to do with it?

2009-06-07T11:51:00.003-05:00

...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

2009-06-06T22:58:00.003-05:00

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

1024x768 version

320x240 version

Regional Track Meet

2009-05-26T22:32:00.003-05:00

Link to the photos

Be one in the Truth!

2009-05-24T08:18:00.004-05:00

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

2009-05-18T20:21:00.002-05:00

JV Championships

Wisco JV Invite

2009-05-16T21:43:00.001-05:00

Photos from the Wisco JV Invite

Shuttle Atlantis - Transiting the Sun

2009-05-15T15:10:00.002-05:00

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"

2009-05-14T22:37:00.004-05:00

Classic 8 Outdoor Track Championships

The Very First 'Star Trek'

2009-05-14T13:50:00.001-05:00

Love, even to the point of self-sacrifice

2009-05-10T12:20:00.004-05:00

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

Burlington Demon Invite

2009-05-08T23:38:00.001-05:00

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?

2009-05-07T08:25:00.001-05:00

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!

2009-05-07T07:21:00.001-05:00

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

2009-05-05T21:56:00.001-05:00

Posted photos from the JV Coed track at South.

Increasing temperatures have led to the melting of mountain glaciers

2009-05-05T07:47:00.007-05:00

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

2009-05-03T08:39:00.008-05:00

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

2009-05-02T22:25:00.004-05:00

Line to the prom photos

Prom

02May09 Aurora Invite

2009-05-02T21:57:00.004-05:00

Link to the Aurora Invite Photos

02May09

01May09 Wisco Invite

2009-05-01T21:53:00.004-05:00

01May09

JV Developmental Meet 29Apr09

2009-04-30T21:55:00.006-05:00

Link to the pictures in the below slideshow.

30Apr09

Confirmation 2009

2009-04-30T21:54:00.002-05:00

Lord let your face shine on us today!

2009-04-26T08:46:00.004-05:00

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).

2009-04-24T13:46:00.008-05:00

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!

2009-04-19T08:54:00.002-05:00

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

2009-04-12T08:42:00.003-05:00

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!

2009-04-11T07:52:00.003-05:00

"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"?

2009-04-10T05:46:00.002-05:00

(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!

2009-04-09T05:48:00.002-05:00

"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?

2009-04-03T05:41:00.002-05:00

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?

2009-04-02T05:58:00.002-05:00

"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?

2009-04-01T05:46:00.003-05:00

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.

2009-03-27T05:43:00.003-05:00

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.

2009-01-10T09:22:00.002-06:00

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.

2009-01-08T05:50:00.004-06:00

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

2009-01-06T05:46:00.007-06:00

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?

Merry Christmas - 2008 in review

2008-12-12T12:28:00.006-06:00

On the first month after Christmas…we got snow.

On the second month after Christmas…we celebrated with a bunch of eagles and we got more snow.

On the third month after Christmas…Sara was still playing basketball after a 6 month season and we got more snow!

On the forth month after Christmas…We said see you in heaven to Marv & Ruth. Luke celebrated his Confirmation, and Sue & Bob celebrated 23 years of marriage and no snow!

On the fifth month after Christmas…Jena made the WSHS Poms Pons Squad, Luke started his 2nd year life guarding at Fox Brook. What no snow?

On the sixth month after Christmas…Jena, Leah, & Sara graduated from the 8th grade, Jena & Sara went to Washington DC to celebrate. Leah went off to Easter Seals camp. Sun but no snow.

On the seventh month after Christmas…Sara started summer basketball. Jena goes to Pom camp and her team wins first place! Believe it, no snow.

On the eighth month after Christmas…Sara and Leah join volleyball at WSHS. Jena has a permanent smile from all her Pom Pon work. Luke soars like an Eagle. Luke starts his senior year, and Jena, Leah, and Sara start their freshman year at WSHS, and no snow.

On the ninth month after Christmas…Sara learns how to serve, bump, set, spike. Jena learns to triple twirl. Leah joins clubs. Luke part-time high school senior and part-time college freshman. Hey, but we got no snow.

On the tenth month after Christmas…Hey was that a snowflake I saw? Yup! Leah sung wonderfully in the fall choir concert!

On the eleventh month after Christmas…Hey what is that white stuff blowing on the ground? SNOW?! Sara played basketball at St. Cat’s for WSHS – that makes two of us who have played on the best hardwood in Wisconsin.

On the twelfth month after Christmas…Yeah, Oh yeah we got snow. Leah auditioned for the stage crew and put on a wonderful Christmas choir concert at WSHS. Jena masters the quadruple twirl. Luke becomes pacman and wears togas?

Peace and Love to all of you.
Bob, Sue, Luke, Jena, Leah, Sara, & Trixie

St Paul teaches us to know Christ

2008-11-06T09:25:00.004-06:00

Christianity is not an easy path to follow, but a demanding climb illuminated by the light of Christ and his great hope. - St. Paul

Pope Benedict's weekly catechesis on the life and times of St. Paul talked of:

In preaching Jesus Christ risen from the dead Paul was concerned to hand down what he himself had received from the Apostles. He proclaims not only the fact of the resurrection, but its' rather significance in Christ who died and rose for us who have been saved and made righteous in the sight of God. The resurrection reveals Jesus' the true identity as the eternal son of God and the Lord of the living and the dead. We for our part are called to be fully configured to Him in the mystery of the passover from the death to life. Our present sufferings become a sharing in Christ own sufferings and death. By the hope of the resurrection even now draws us to the fullness life with all the Saints in his Kingdom. Salvation, Paul tells us, comes from confessing with our lips that Jesus is Lord and believing in our hearts that God raised him from the dead. With the Apostles then, let us strive even more fully in faith and hope to know Jesus Christ and the power of his resurrection.

Words to live by 1,700 years later.

2008-08-28T08:30:00.005-05:00

Pope Benedict in his weekly catechesis talked about Saint and Doctor of the Church, Augustine. In the talk he mentioned:

St. Augustine was a passionate believer who recognized the importance of bringing together faith and reason,

Teaching that we should believe in order to understand and to understand in order to believe.

The particular message St. Augustine has for the men and women of today is perhaps on our need for truth. In his own search for God’s truth St. Augustine said:
You were within me, and I sought You outside in the beautiful things You made, You were with me but I was not with You. You cried out and broke open my deafness. I tested You and now I hunger and thirst for You.

How great is your faith?

2008-07-31T11:54:00.004-05:00

Are you willing to wait or do you want immediate gratification?

Someone asked of St. Augustine:

How come God doesn't respond to our prayers? How come we are met so often with silence?

To which, St. Augustine is reported to have said:

That you might be inspired to persevere in prayer and there by allow your heart expand so as to receive the gift that God wants to give you.

Through perseverance we learn to wait and appreciate the gift all the more then it does arrive.

Lord, give my heart patience to know, love, and do your will through my actions.

Fight for what is right!

2008-07-29T05:37:00.006-05:00

Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day.

EPHESIANS 6:13

When was the last time I prayed for an enemy?

Transform my passions, Lord Jesus, into the white hot fire of your love.

Be not afraid.

Show me the light.

2008-07-26T09:18:00.003-05:00

What is done in darkness needs to have light shown on it.

Duty to Live in the Light

Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.

EPHESIANS 5:11-14

Open my eyes, O Lord. Help me to see your light in all its glory.

Rules for the new life

2008-07-25T05:41:00.002-05:00

Put away falsehoods, speak the truth....Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil.

EPHESIANS 4:25-27

Did I give way to "bitterness and anger" in any way today?

Lord Jesus, not even the smallest act of kindness escapes your notice. Let it not escape mine either.

Who's your Daddy?

2008-07-24T05:47:00.003-05:00

Who made you? Are you self-made, or made in the likeness of God through Christ?

...be renewed in the spirit of your minds...

EPHESIANS 4:23

How clearly do I perceive the presence of God in my life and in the world?

You call us, O Lord, to be partners with you in the new creation. Help us to respond to that call with all our hearts, souls, and mind.

The Holy Spirit is bonds of unity with the blessed Trinity. Unity is communion, love, and giving. - Closing of WYD '08 Pope Benedict

The Church is in us

2008-07-23T05:44:00.002-05:00

The common mystery of the our faith is the nature of the "gloried" body of the risen Christ. In the writings of the Acts of the Apostles and other writings of Paul Christ no longer has the limitations of a physical body. Jesus Christ appears when and where he chooses. Paul's image of the Church is very similar, it is here there and everywhere. The Church is in me, in you, in them. The Church is Christ's body; we are the Church.

From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the body's growth and builds itself up in love.

EPHESIANS 4:16

How have I been the instrument of the Christ's love in the flesh today?

O loving God, who put me together in my mother's womb, bring me today more closely into the Body of Christ.

Unity of the Body

2008-07-22T05:40:00.005-05:00

We are of one body, one body of Christ!

Striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace
EPHESIANS 4:3

Where is the connection between inner peace and outer peace most clearly manifested in my life?

Lead me , Lord Jesus, on the worthy adventure of a life of discipleship.

Hope you gotta try it sometime.

2008-07-21T05:41:00.003-05:00

Hope for every believer "may have the power to grasp...what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge."

That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend.

EPHESIANS 3:17-18

When was the list time I was aware of God's love in my life?

Today, my loving Father, I place myself within your loving hands.

We are one because God is one

2008-07-20T08:48:00.007-05:00

Jew, Greek, Arab, European, Asian, Christian, Indian, Russian, Brazilian, Ephesian, Muslim, Oceania, God has granted us all access to his kingdom.

"In the former ages this mystery was not made known to the whole world, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:...the Gentiles have become fellow hearers, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the spreading of the good news."

EPHESIANS 3:2-6

How actively do I seek unity within the Church and between the Church and the world?

Help me to remember this day, Lord Jesus, that whenever two or more are gathered in your name there you are, too.

One in Christ

2008-07-19T08:47:00.002-05:00

For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity....

EPHESIANS 2:14

Do we have the right balance? Do we have the Right Relationship with Christ? Do we have "Shalom" the Hebrew word for peace, which means much much more. It is a state of being; where all creation interacts with one another in harmony as God intended.

In what ways have I been an instrument of peace?

Come, O Spirit of Peace. Fill my heart with your presence that I might go out and transform the world.

OMG 50 Megapixels - not for your family vacation

2008-07-18T08:55:00.002-05:00

In a day when most consumer digital cameras are in the range of 7 to 12 megapixels HasselBland has updated its' digital camera. The previous version only was a 39 megapixel.

This beast is geared toward photographers who shot photographs for (I can't say photos or pics when talking about this camera - it just seems wrong) billboard, high-end glossy magazines and the like. Most of these photographers have not moved to the digital domain, they still use media film and shoot in the 50 to 200 ISO range.

More can be seen on this at: uncrate

Can't have one without the other - faith and works

2008-07-18T05:38:00.002-05:00

All of us once lived among them in the desires of the flesh and the impulses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest.

EPHESIANS 2:3

In what ways has my faith and experience of the presence of the risen Christ changed the way I live?

Lead us, Lord Jesus, from the stifling confines of a life apart from you to the golden country of your presence.

Having faith, true belief, really is seeing

2008-07-17T05:39:00.002-05:00

May the spirit of wisdom and revelation result in knowledge of Him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call.

EPHESIANS 1:17-18

What is the world that I see when I look out of my window?

Open my eyes, Lord, to the creation of awesome beauty in the ordinary events and meetings of my life.

God's love is no fictious story

2008-07-16T05:43:00.003-05:00

As he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will.

EPHESIANS 1:4-5

How clearly do I see God's plan unfolding in my life?

Thank you, gracious God, for all of the riches of grace you have lavish upon us.

Can I see very far?

2008-07-15T05:42:00.003-05:00

Whether writing a letter or typing an e-mail, when you want something noticed your write it bigger or bolder or in caps. That is exactly what Paul did when closing his letter to the Galatians.

See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand!

How much better to see things and to drive the point home!

If today I were to die, would the overwhelming experience of my life be of love?

Let not the trees of our imperfections and failings, Lord Jesus Christ, blind us to the forest of God's love.

Have I sowed the right seeds?

2008-07-14T05:50:00.004-05:00

Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

GALATIANS 6:2

Nurture the seeds of gentleness, compassion, patience, and humility within my community and my heart, Lord Jesus.

Wisdom & Understanding

2008-07-11T05:55:00.002-05:00

Now you, my friends, are children of the promise.

GALATIANS 4:28

Guide me, O Holy Spirit, beyond the words on the page to the Word through which all that exists has been created and is sustained.

Are we afraid to be free?

2008-07-10T05:39:00.002-05:00

How can you want to be enslaved...again?

GALATIANS 4:9

Lead me, O Holy Spirit, beyond the prison walls of my fears and superstitions toward the limitless horizons of God's love.

Have you checked your sump-pump, lately?

2008-07-09T07:47:00.003-05:00

Every once and a while you need to check out the things you take for granted. Things like the sump-pump in your basement, your hot water heater, your furnace, your family, your friends, your kids, and especially your spouse.

Steven Covey had a process he called sharpen the saw. Every so often you need to attend to the tools, the those who make your life easier. Make sure the saw is sharp so when you need it, it will be there for you.

Take time, sharpen your saw, check on your sump-pump, focus on what is important get it done. Believe it, when this is done that voice in the back of your head won't seem to be pest, because the important things won't be in those messages. Rather the work on your desk, on the project, around the corner can be done with more serenity and with less distractions.

So go out there and let your dog kiss you! Hug your kid! Love life! Right before you go to bed each night tell your spouse you LOVE them. Keep that saw the sharpest! Oh and by the way check on your sump-pump, a wet basement can ruin a positive state of mind! ;)

Happy Independence Day - 2008

2008-07-05T09:50:00.004-05:00

This has been a nice week. God has blessed us with a good family, good friends, and good fun. The 4th of July is a special time for me. I have many memories of parties, parades, and fireworks. I hope you enjoyed your 4th of July. Here are some photos I took of our fireworks.

Providing Automatic Geotagging in Digital Cameras

2008-06-05T10:20:00.003-05:00

How many times have you wonder where did I take that photo? Well with geotagging photos that question is answered. Here is a site that does a much better job oa describing it than I can.

Link to Geotate Providing Automatic Geotagging in Digital Cameras

Tips & Techniques for test taking

2008-06-04T09:04:00.005-05:00

There are strategies for taking standardized tests like the ACT or SAT college entrance exams. I tried to gathered these tips from various sources. This tips don't ensure getting a high score/rank.

Know the requirements before going to take the test.
1. Material needed (i.e., calculator, No. 2 pencils, watch)
2. Materials NOT allowed (cell phones, etc.)
3. Valid proof of identification.
4. etc.
Know the instructions before going to take the test. Use the time saved during the test to work on questions. This amazingly simple item can save you valuable test taking time. When taking practice tests become very familiar with the instructions for the test and for each section of the test. This allows the test taker to skim the instructions for anything new or changed from the practice test and focus only on those items.
Answer easy questions first! Mark the ones skipped in the exam book so you can quickly return to them later. Spend only seconds on the easiest questions, which should allow you to spend 1-2 minutes on the hardest ones.
Guessing is permitted - Yes, guess! Most multiple choice questions with four choices.

At least one answer is usually not even close - eliminate it.
One answer is plausible but could also be eliminated.
That leaves two answers, which are close to each other - focus on these two when guessing.

Avoid errand marks on the answer sheet. A computer scans the sheet and doesn't know the difference between a correct answer and careless doodle.
Keep on making sure you are marking the right spot on the answer sheet. Make sure the test section and question match the section and question on the answer sheet.
Don't change an answer unless you are sure you made an error. Your first answer is most likely the correct answer.

To learn more go to

Merry Christmas

2007-12-22T12:22:00.001-06:00

Here are pictures & words, which describe our lives in 2007.

May God Bless

you and your family

Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year

Spring

300m Intermediate Hurdles

Basketball Championship

110m High-Hurdles

22 years together

Long Jump

Shot Put

Flowers

400m

200m

100m

Summer

Florida Vacation

Bahamas' Cruise

Life Guarding

Eagle Project

Basketball

Snorkeling

Driving

NASA

Sand

Fall

National Honor Society

TOPs Soccer

Cheerleading

Super Goalie

Eagle Scout

Volleyball

Camping

Leaves

Winter

Service Hours

Basketball

Ski Club

iPods

Snow

ACT

Iraq - Yahoo! News Photos

2007-12-13T06:06:00.001-06:00

Iraq - Yahoo! News Photos

Mary the mother of Jesus is someone who knows how to love. To follow God's commandment to love freely, with all her might, with all her heart, with all her soul.

Imagine Mary standing at the foot of the cross. I only hope to have this kind of love for my sisters and brothers throughout the world.

God is love! God may we all love the world with no exceptions, as you do.

Is your house in order?

2007-11-17T08:33:00.001-06:00

What kind of an interior house have you built for God to dwell in?

God of Israel, keep your servant my father David that which you promised him.

1 Kings 8:25

Solomon built a temple that was made of material goods for God to dwell within. Those material items only last as long as someone maintains them. Solomon being given WISDOM, one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, realized that no thing of human construction could contain the vastness of a wonder, power, love that is God.

If you build a dwelling place for God start in your heart.

Awesome God, you who cannot be contained by buildings, help me to be truly awestruck by your very presence. Help me develop a sense of wonder about you.

Atheists only have visible means of support.

Wis 13:1-9
Yes naturally stupid are all who have not known God,
and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is,
and from studying the works did not discover the artisan;
But either fire, or wind, or the swift air,
or the circuit of the stars, or the mighty water,
or the luminaries of heaven, the governors of the world, they considered gods.
Now if out of joy in their beauty they thought them gods,
let them know how far more excellent is the Lord than these;
for the original source of beauty fashioned them.
Or if they were struck by their power and energy,
let them from these things realize how much more powerful is he who made them.
For from the greatness and the beauty of created things
their original author, by analogy, is seen.
But yet, for these the blame is less;
For they indeed have gone astray perhaps,
though they seek God and wish to find him.
For they search busily among his works,
but are distracted by what they see, because the things seen are fair.
But again, not even these are pardonable.
For if they so far succeeded in knowledge
that they could speculate about the world,
how have they been so slow to find their Master?

How do you see the world around you?

Why do we put human constraints on God?

Moving job offshore?

2007-04-26T09:21:00.000-05:00

10,000 Jobs To Move Offshore Under Barclays' Merger Plan

Link to 10,000 Jobs To Move Offshore Under Barclays' Merger Plan -- outsourcing merger -- InformationWeek

To have the right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing
it. - G. K. Chesterton - A Short History of England, Ch.10

Offshoring jobs is an answer to a relatively short-term financial issue. Who has the intellectual capital of how things ran? Will that knowledge get transferred, effectively? Why should someone help? Do the cost savings go toward funding a reward to the executive who architected the job transfer? Did that executive consider, what if I was one of the displaced workers? How does this effect the roof over their heads, food on their table?

Starting in '80s we saw worker rights slowly dwindle. Now granted many unionized businesses were constrained by work place rules and roles. Similar to lawyer joke:

How many personal injury attorneys does it take to change a light bulb?
Three - one to turn the bulb, one to shake him off the ladder, and the third to sue
the ladder company.

In many unionized workplaces to change a light bulb required more than 3. You needed:

An electrician to turn the light circuit breaker off.
A fork lift driver to operate the lift.
A custodian for access to the closet where the lights where stored.
Another custodian rated to get in a lift
A safety inspector

Was that really all necessary, I believe no. So hence in the '80s it started, but now we have who watching out for worker rights. 40 hours work weeks, who realy works forty hours any more? When I go home I may not be at my desk, but the thoughts are still churning. In the information age isn't that part of the job? When I worked on a lathe when I went home I was truly no longer working. Now when I leave the building where I sit for 9 to 10 hours Monday through Friday, I am still working.

Getting back to my orginal point, just because you can do something should you do it. Just because you can move jobs off shore should you? Does that remove the ethics from the decision? I would argue no. What is the cost to the community? to the good-will the company had? Now that the jobs are moved to the other side of the planet does that make it easier to out-source them, not having any emotional care for them? So you moved the jobs to Mumbai, what happens when that work-force increases their cost? Do you move to Belarus? Then to Kazakstan? Then to Beijing? Then to Hamburg? Hamburg! Yup, because that is where the jobs started, but by now the moving out of the jobs so depressed the economic community that the standard of living is the lowest in the world it is now the cheapest place to do the work.

What is the reason for moving jobs offshore? To get the executives pay as big as possible? I think in the '80s executive pay was five times the average workers pay. Now in many large organizations it is 100s of times the average workers pay.

Counterrevolution

2007-03-12T07:58:00.000-05:00

In Fr. O'Hare editorial, see below the link, there are many points we as American need to be aware of what politicians are doing.

Link to Counterrevolution, Editorial in America, The Catholic Weekly Magazine

There is a phrase I like to borrow that points to the drive of human nature toward power -

Power Corrupts, Absolute Power Absolutely Corrupts

We always need to be on the guard against nationalism, secularism, or any ism as an excuse to not LOVE.

Here is a quote from April, 1946 at the Nuremberg trials:

“Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of
the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag
the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a
parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can
always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to
do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of
patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger.” – Herman Goering (Nazi
Reichsmarshall and Luftwaffe-Chief)

We can not afford to forget political leaders can get mis-guided. We need to be their vocal conscience to go back to the greatest of laws - LOVE.

Have your actions today been Good, Honorable, and True?

Nos autem gloriari

2007-02-16T12:24:00.000-06:00

We should glory in nothing but the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ: in Whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection; by whom we are saved and delivered.

Am I aware of how everything I have comes from God?
My life.
My security.
My freedom.

May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us; and may He have mercy on us. We should glory in nothing but the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mk 8:34--9:1
Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”

Walking!!!!

2006-11-25T08:54:00.000-06:00

The full video can be seen at:

Do I see God around me?

2006-11-24T08:10:00.000-06:00

Yesterday? Today? Tomorrow?

Can I become aware of God's presence here, now?

Can I recognize God in the ordinary place, in this ordinary looking people around me?

Lord help me notice the scared space within my life.

Lord help me become aware of the house of prayer within me.

Lord let me be aware of YOU in others.

We hope you had a wonderful 2006

2006-11-23T13:43:00.000-06:00

Where are you?

2006-11-20T12:36:00.000-06:00

Conservative - is that me?

2006-11-10T10:51:00.000-06:00

I recently listened to a podcast in which Andrew Sullivan - The Daily Dish - defined a conservative. My understanding of what he said is that a conservative:

Desires a government that is limited - but is necessary.
Wants to keep the separation of powers - we keep the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government separate. That doesn't mean to sign a bill into law and immediately follow-up the signing with a signing statement. In which the signing statement effectively states this law can be ignored. If the president doesn't like the bill, veto it. Since when did the executive branch become part of the legislative branch of government?
Desires a balanced budget where appropriate - need I say more.
Wants a prudent foreign policy - one in which we don't preemptively attack sovereign governments because we had a vision they are bad.
Desires a strong defense - key word is defense not offense.
Policies should be governed by a pragmatic political and civil discourse.

Do our current political leaders have the same definition?

Unjustifiable

2006-11-08T08:05:00.000-06:00

You cannot punish a crime with another crime.

The death sentence is a crime. Although the state who does the sentencing, but the state is not the owner of the life of its' citizens.

Life is a gift from the moment of conception to the natural end of life.

The death sentence is not the natural end. Because John Paul II in Encyclical Evangelium vitae said, today society has all the means to render a criminal innocuous without applying the death sentence.

Cardinal Renato Martino - President, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace