Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: Randy had an MRI on his feet; let’s hope the doctors can find ways to cure/help him. Let’s pray for an excellent experience for the Cambodian girls that will study English at Regis and stay at the Lumpp’s. Pray for Marge’s friend, Nancy Fitz, operation to remove tumors. Let’s pray for all the travelers this holiday. And we’re thankful for all the moisture we have received in the Denver area.
Birthdays this week: Christine (Lay) Parise 6/30, Rev. Ed Poehlmann 7/4
Keeping-in-touch: This week we should slide back to normal, do chores around the house, catch-up on course-work and get ready for another trip. I’m enjoying the Wimbledon matches that I can see. Mike’s teaching me to play the game. I had a few hits in the Nativity Men’s Softball game but couldn’t put the ball over the plate; I served too many walks. Marge is doing better after the loss of her sister: we really appreciate your prayers.
The Readings:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/070509.shtml
Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley: “Let us take a different look at miracles… Doesn’t love have to be two-way?”
http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/14OrdB070509/reflections_foley.html
My Comments: I can relate to the readings soooo much! If Jesus could experience such rejection in his home town, why should I have such thin skin?? I will work to open myself to love and put our faith into practice.


May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: Summer is in full swing: we’ll celebrate Independence Day at the end of next week. I pray that we can “Live Free” not only politically but physically, emotionally and spiritually; actually I wish we could “live as one” in a community of loving people who seek not only the freedom to live as children of God but also acknowledge the interdependence of all humans called to be one in Christ.
Randy wrote: “Looks like Billy Maggio's liver is rejecting. Looks like no options left.” Please keep Billy and his family and friends in your prayer.

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Birthdays this week: Julianne Stevens 6/10; Andrew Kornacki 6/15; Jim Frodl 6/19; Stephen Lay 6/19 (I had to do a little catch-up!)
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Keeping-in-touch: Last week is a bit of a blur for us with Mary Weed’s funeral and our travel back home. This week has almost come to its conclusion before I’ve written on this blog for our preparation of Sunday’s scripture and to “keep-in-touch.” And in a little over a week, we will return again to the Great Lakes States to celebrate John & Maggie’s Wedding.

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The Readings:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062809.shtml
Comments on the Readings:

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Fr. Foley: “But Jesus was certain, with God’s own assurance, that love is stronger than death.”
http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/13OrdB062809/reflections_foley.html
My Comments: I could not find more appropriate readings for our present situation than those for this Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: we need to know that God did not create death but has power over it! Can we have the faith of the woman with the hemorrhage (long form of the gospel) and know that our “touching Our Lord” will heal us? Or that of Jairus, the synagogue official, who has the courage to seek out Jesus!
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May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John

Mary Weed 12/8/52 to 6/12/09

Mary Weed went before us in faith Friday, June 12th.

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She fought cancer for many years and taught us all about fighting with grace and dignity and love.

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We will all miss all the love she brought to this world especially: Bob, her husband of 27 years; her son Tim (24) daughters Colleen (22) and MaryKate (18); and her sister, Margaret, and brother, Patrick.

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As a brother-in-law, I knew Mary as a person who stayed "out of the lime light" but brought love and joy and service to others "behind the scenes." She looked for the positive in everyone... even me! I know she prayed for me especially when she read this blog. Her life was a service of care for her family of origin, her husband and children and all who needed a meal or an open ear.

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I remember how she kept Margaret informed on their aging parents (Aquinas and Alice) as Mary cared for them so well. Mary was Margaret's information source for the goings-on of the family. They loved each other deeply. Although we live twelve hundred miles apart, they shared their lives regularly with laughter and tears.

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Mary didn't really take to snow skiing (this was BB: before Bob) but we (Mary, Margaret and I) had a memorable experience. After our trials at Winterpark CO when we spent much of the evening stopped on Berthoud Pass behind a line of cars stopped because of an avalanche we invited two fellows from Georgia to joined us in our Chevy and keep from freezing to death in their air heated Volkswegan. I can still hear the laughter.

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Mary and Bob really lived their sacrament of matrimony: they showed us how their love for one another in good times and in times of suffering witness to Christ's presence in our world. Bob's care for his lovely Bride has impacted my soul as an example of true love.

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And you only have to visit with Tim and Colleen and MaryKate for a short while to see the effect Mary's love has had on her offspring. Those young people have suffered, and also enjoyed good times, with their mother. They have learned about true love and service from their parents.

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It took me a long time to "publish" this memorial because we're exhausted from travel and funerals... and there's a big hole in the hearts of the Weed and Norton clans. I'm certain Mary will have had patience with me!

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We love you, Mary, and await our celebration of the resurrection together in God's good time.

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: By now, most of our friends and relatives have learned of Mary Weed's passing on Friday: http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=128404648 She really did teach us that Christ does not give us short-cut through life; He promises that we will pass through suffering, as He did. The gift of her faith through her suffering will always be an example for me.

We did have some good news, that Rachel and Peter closed on a house.

Keeping-in-touch: We have enjoyed our vacation in Spain with Connie and Alan. We experienced a different culture, saw many sights and made some new friends. We will have many stories and pictures to share. I think our internal clocks will adjust... sooner or later!

The Readings: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062109.shtml

Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley: “The Gospel shows Jesus using the same confusing manner of love on the disciples in the boat.” http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/12OrdB062109/reflections_foley.html

My Comments: Who is this Jesus who calms the storm and asks us to have faith! In times of hardship and loss we really are challenged to have faith: an openness to allow God's love to work through us.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John