Extra, extra... Special blog post: Cameron James Frodl

Another member of "the community of saints" arrives before All Saints Day.  Cameron James Frodl came into the world about 7:00 A.M. (Grand Rapids, MI Time) weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz.  Grandpa Patrick called to tell us the good news and Auntie Molly posted this picture on Facebook.  We're told everyone is doing well.  Congratulations Katie and Jim....

Solemnity of All Saints

My Companions: We’re still waiting for Katie (Norton) Frodl and Jim to have their baby… any day so we’ll pray for an easy healthy start to a new “saint.” The cold weather, and snow in Denver tonight, will make survival more difficult for the homeless among us, so let’s remember them as we use the gifts we have with a sense of stewardship. And let’s pray for and with All Saints, those we recognize among us and all with whom we pray who have gone before us. Also pray for all our intentions listed on this blog, especially those who are sick and all who need good work. And please protect all our offspring on the road and in the air these next couple days.


Birthdays: Hayley (Smith) Foresman 10/27, Jason Schnitzer 10/27, Tim Weed 10/28 and Mike Lay 10/31. Anniversary: Judy and Larry Lay 10/29.

Keeping-in-touch: Our small church community enjoyed entertaining our parish priests… we always have fun when we gather together. And Marge and I celebrated the weekend liturgy at St Ignatius Loyola Parish: Fr Eustace has a wonderful, welcoming diverse assembly with whom it was a joy to pray. Our Emmaus projects keep me very busy. We had an opportunity to baby-sit Nathan William; Nana was in here glory!!! Otherwise, I’ve been busy with work and Marge is very busy getting ready for the Nebraska crew and our California clan who will arrive in a couple days.

The Readings:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/110109.shtml

Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley: “These (last two beatitudes) sound like curses, not blessings—who could want such treatment?”
http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/AllSaints110109/reflections_foley.html
My Comments: I love this feast day, All Saints. The blessings, beatitudes, leave us with a great challenge and magnificent hope for how we expect to live in the community of love that will have no end.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you.
John

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: Many have asked for prayers from us. Praise God with me for the gift of new life in Nathan William and (niece) Katie’s due date is tomorrow (more signs of the glory of God). Even more good news: our Julie and Jason are “with child.” Let’s thank God for all our good fortune in supportive family and friends and ask that God heal the hurting people among us, especially those who are haunted by their histories and need a special dose of God’s gracious love and forgiveness. It sounds like brother-in-law, Patrick, has found good doctors who will treat him. On a tougher prayer front: (niece) Molly’s Huntington disease stresses her and her family especially my sister, Judi, who asks for our prayers. Don’t forget to thank God for your vocations and opportunities to use gifts and talents; pray for those unemployed or underemployed, the homeless and the victims of bad economies, wars and greed.


Birthdays: Josh Parise 10/19, Clinton Ross 10/22, Don Lay 10/24

Keeping-in-touch: All activity of Nathan’s birth, care in the ICU and welcome to Lori Beth and Tony’s home (Tuesday afternoon) made everything else seem mediocre aspects of life: even the 6-0 Bronco record. We enjoyed some beautiful warm sunny days, and now it’s snowing… gotta love it! We’re looking forward to hosting dinner with our parish priests and our small church community members tonight.  And it's only a week until the Nebraska Crew and the San Jose Crew join us for a fall family gathering.  Everything else is day by day; one foot in front of the other...

The Readings:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/102509.shtml

Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley: “Can you and I see? If Jesus asks us, “What do you want,” how would we answer?
http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/30OrdB102509/reflections_foley.html

My Comments: I’m thinking of the crowd that tries to hush-up blind Bartimaeus because, recently, I have heard the pain of many other people. Too often I just don’t want to hear any more, I fail to see Christ in the other, and do not allow God to use my heart, my hands and my head.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John

The Gulmantovicz family is doing well, at home in Henderson... how wonderful!!!

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: It’s Friday: I waited long enough: we can “Praise the Lord for new life.” Nathan William Gulmantovicz was born yesterday around 3:00p weighing in at 8 lbs and towering 22 inches. We also had anxious news from Patrick, Marge’s brother, about “markers” from his previous surgery so I ask that you pray for guidance for his doctors as tests are done. We can pray prayers of gratitude for those who are finding work but remember also others who struggle.
Birthdays: Clarley Stevens 10/11, Nathan William Gulmantovicz 10/15/09. Anniversary: My mom’s passing 10/17
Keeping-in-touch: All the anticipation came to a head yesterday when we learned that Lori Beth and Tony now have a baby. And it was a crazy news day with excitement about a hot air balloon flying over Colorado while a six year old boy hid in a garage attic! I attended a Jewish-Christian Dialogue Dinner in Colorado Springs: an excellent event to grow in appreciation of one another.
The Readings: http://www.usccb.org/nab/101809.shtml
Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley: “Why does the trustworthy, loving, parental God permit suffering and catastrophe even when he has heard in detail the prayers of those about to be afflicted?” http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/29OrdB101809/reflections_foley.html
My Comments: My thoughts on this Gospel reading have been, “Watch what you ask for!” Do you really want to be on the right or the left as Jesus passes to His Glory? I guess we all long for the Glory of New Life but who really desires to be nailed to a cross?
May the peace of Christ be with each of you.
John

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: I ask you to pray this week with me for Emily and for all the women who chose life in difficult situations. We met Emily this week; she has nurtured the life within her and will give the new born son to Lori Beth and Tony when he is born, any day now. Pray also for all who enjoy health or renewed health; especially my father who hear good news from his medical tests. Let’s also pray for wisdom and seek that first; we’re told that the Lord will take care of the rest! As always, review our lists and let me know of your special prayers of praise, thanksgiving or other’s needs.

Birthdays Bill Smith 10/8, Cameron Stevens 10/8, Judy Lay 10/8 Anniversary: Mary & Patrick Norton 10/10

Keeping-in-touch: The moss doesn’t grow on anyone ‘round here. The rhythm of the academic year has beaten a rapid cadence already. And the seeds I’ve sown for The Emmaus Institute have begun to take root. I have a special excitement about the Interfaith Dialogue program and some other special projects. I had a wonderful trip to work with my friends in Las Vegas: that’s a crazy town with some amazing “regular” people. The anticipation of new life continues to increase in this family… we’re so richly blessed.

The Readings:

http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/101109.shtml

Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley: …Alas, the man is not quite ready after all. “At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/28OrdB101109/reflections_foley.html

My Comments: I often reflect on how, as my son-in-law tells his students, I have won the lotto simply because of my place of origin. With any kind of global view we must notice how rich we really are! But, shame on me when I see my glass as “half-full.” Hopefully I will grow in wisdom, let go of stuff and more fully follow Jesus.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John