First Sunday of Advent

My Companions pray with me: LORD, as we begin a New Church Year, may we praise You by living lives filled with Your Love. Help us prepare for the birth of Christ in our hearts. Forgive us our thoughts, words, and acts of alienation. And bless us with all we need; help us share our gifts with one another. Send your healing Spirit to all who are sick and/or recovering, especially my father and Danni. Please touch Chuck Olson and guide his doctors and and comfort my sister's (Mary) family.

 

Birthday: Kathy DePriest (12/3). In Memoriam: Chuck Weingart (11/28/1991), Ed Hogan (12/9/1999).

 
Keeping In-touch:  We enjoyed a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner at Lori Beth's in-laws and quietly spent the weekend watching football & puttering around the house. We brought about thirty people together for our first presentation and discussion of Catholics & Muslims. We celebrated Sallie's mother's life (Mary Jepson) at the funeral. And Marge worked a funeral luncheon at Nativity for Doris Weibel. Otherwise, I keep busy at Presentation School and Marge has prepared our home for decorating this weekend. 
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The Readings: First Sunday of Advent

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  I keep too busy to worry about "the end of the times" and I rest in the LORD's promise for ultimate peace. I'm challenged, more, to quiet myself in prayers of anticipation of a more full life in Christ this Christmas and through out the new year...

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Thanksgiving Day (special)

My Companions pray with me: Thank you LORD for all your gifts. Especially, thank you for my companions in prayer who encourage, support, and challenge me to know you and live in your most gracious love. Thank you for our lives of plenty and your promise of eternal life. Continue to help me to grow in gratitude and to more fully serve you and my neighbors. Help me to use all your gifts with responsible stewardship and love.

 

The Readings: Thanksgiving Day

Some Commentary:
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  I'm ashamed to admit that I have often received wonderful gifts of material, emotional and/or spiritual gifts and have failed to enthusiastically turned to the LORD and given heartfelt thanks. I'm more likely to focus on the benefits of others or my unfilled desires than to appreciate all the life with which I have been blessed: I'm a leper who "forgets" to return to give thanks to the LORD. How will you give thanks and nourish your heart of gratitude?

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, help us trust in your plans for us. Give us wisdom in these times of political and economic trial. Help us to see the signs among us and listen to the deep desire in our hearts that longs for you. Forgive us our selfishness and our choices that lead us away from you. Thank you for all our blessings, especially renewed health for Marge, Dani and Dad. Comfort us in our times of trouble; help us to trust in you. Let your light shine on all who have gone before us, especially Lester Prisk.

 

Birthday: Megan Lay (11/19), Fr. Michael Carvill (11/21), Lacey Kobza. Anniversaries: Michael & Dani Schnitzer (11/19)  In Memoriam: Richard Smith Jr. (11/19/1968), Richard Smith (11/20/1984).

 
Keeping In-touch:  Our week has been full as Marge had her port removed and is recovering from the procedure and I traveled to Chicago-land to visit my father who is home now recovering from his stay in the hospital. I will have the opportunity to visit with family while in the Chicago area to attend meetings at the annual American Academy of Religion event. And we're all looking forward to "turkey-day." Hopefully we will all celebrate our hearts of gratitude and put all the mercantile activities in context.
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The Readings: Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  I'm struck by the apocalyptic flavor of our readings this weekend as I listen to the reports of the build-up for an invasion of Gaza. This world seems to be headed to fall over many "cliffs." We do live in a time of crisis. I hope I will become aware of the signs opened to me. I hope we will all contribute to the welfare that the LORD wants for all.

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, help us to trust in you as did the widow of Zarephath and the poor widow at the treasury. Help us to know your awesome love for us, especially in trying times. With this trust give us hearts of gratitude: thank you for all your blessings and promises. Forgive us our selfishness and lack of trust. May we be fully alive and bring you glory. Please send your healing love on Danni, Dad, and George as they all continue to recover.

Birthday: Pat Dolan (11/14), Jim Shato (11/15), George Stevens (11/17). In Memoriam: Louise Smith (11/16/2005).

 
Keeping In-touch:  GREAT NEWS: Marge received a clean bill of health from her oncologist today! I'm posting toward the end of the week because I've been busier than usual. I began a part-time job as a cafeteria manager for my friend, Fr. Ed's Parish, this week. This will help us in some "tough times" and I'm serving with delightful people and precious children. My friend, Bill, helped me to accumulate my 10,000 steps/day a couple times this week running me around the tennis courts. While much of our nation suffers challenging weather, we have enjoyed some beautiful days. My father was hospitalized at the start of the week but is scheduled to return to his home on Saturday. Hopefully some diet changes will help his "roughed-up" insides. I'm very fortunate to have planned a trip to Chicago to see him and attend some AAR meetings next week. Thanks for your prayers for him.
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The Readings: Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  I know I become discouraged and don't really trust that the LORD will "write straight with crooked lines," especially when I'm dealing with "the Scribes and the Pharisees" of our day. I do much better when I'm better with my prayer & meditations...

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...