Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday

"The Incredulity of St Thomas" by Caravaggio

My Companions: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.  Let us rejoice in the glory of God this Easter season! Forgive us Lord when, like Thomas, we stubbornly seek signs and proof of Your most wonderful love. Thank you especially for the wonderful gift of Your Son and for all our blessings: our health, our work and our opportunities to play.  Please continue to comfort those who suffer sickness, anxiety and other challenging times.

Birthdays: Steve Jacobs (4/27)

Keeping In-touch: We had a wonderful celebration of Holy Week and Easter Sunday.  Although we fought a virus through the week we seemed to beat it and celebrated Easter at Lori Beth and Tony's: Nathan entertains all of us...

St Joseph the Carpenter Georges_de_La_Tour

The Readings: Second Sunday of Easter  or Divine Mercy Sunday

May 1st is also the feast of St Joseph the Worker

Fr. Foley's Reflections: A Broken Heart


My thoughts... and an invitation to you.  I had chosen St. Joseph as my confirmation patron and I pray especially this week that he "bends the Lord's ear" to bless our work of The Emmaus Institute. We will share our story and vision with people in Illinois and Michigan.  We have so many advocates in the communion of saints both among us (mortal) and "those who have entered through death into the fullness of God" (immortal). So let us join with Thomas, Joseph and All Saints in our worship and in our work for the Kingdom of God. Let not our fears or our doubts lessen the powerful, all encompassing love of God.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you,

John

Do you have a comment or insight to share?

Easter Sunday: Solemnity of the Resurrection of The Lord

Supper at Emmaus, Caravaggio

My Companions: Glory, Glory, Glory Lord for you are all life in the heavens and on the earth!  Forgive us our failures to serve and to find You in all things.  Thank You for all Your blessings.  And please give us all we need: especially the courage to pass through sufferings and expect Your power to restore us to full life.

Birthdays: Donna Van Dusen (4/21), Kevin Norton (4/22); Anniversaries: Fr. Michael Carvill (4/22), Ed & Betty Lay would have celebrated 64 yrs (4/23).

Keeping In-touch: I completed my taxes with an hour and a half to spare, then crashed with an illness that took me for a day or so.  We received some very needed rain and prepared the soil for Marge's garden between storms.  The blossoms delight our sense of sight and smell and the waking flowers decorate our yard.  Marge is under the weather but we will experience great joy at our celebration of Easter, visiting with family and friends.  Please have a most wonderful Easter and live the Resurrection we will celebrate.

The Readings: Easter Sunday: Solemnity of the Resurrection of The Lord 

Fr. Foley's reflections: Dawn

  my reflection: I don't want to suffer or die but I have come to know that passing through little sufferings brings me to little "resurrections" and I expect to experience life now and the fullness of life in days to come.  I'm overwhelmed by Mystery and have experienced the Resurrected Jesus through my companions and the concrete events of Sacrament.  I can't "prove" this Great Love, but I experience it... even in moments of anxiety and suffering.  What an awesome responsibility we have: to allow The Lover, The Love, and The Beloved to become incarnate in us!!  We are a Resurrection People.

May the Peace of Christ be with all of you,

John


Contribute to our prayer, leave a comment with your insights.

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

My Companions: Let us pray, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord!  Can we ever begin to imagine Your Glory!  Our failure to do so causes us alienation from our own selves, from our brothers and sisters, from creation, and from You; forgive us. Thank you for all your blessings: for the health and growth of Joseph Foresman, who is now seven months old, for our medical providers and the tools they have to help us live fully, and for the opportunity to celebrate our love for you (worship) with our brothers and sisters.  And, Lord, bless us with all we need.  Especially care for those who live in the war-torn parts of our world and those who continue to suffer from natural and human disasters.  Also we have a special request for the men of the Davis family who will attend a retreat together for the first time this weekend.

Birthdays: Pat Serveiss (4/16), Ron DiSanto (4/16).

Keeping in-touch: We had a wonderful encounter this week with Haley and Eddie Foresman's son, Joseph.  You may remember how we prayed for him seven months ago when he came into this world early weighing only a couple pounds.  He is a beautiful little baby growing and doing what little babies do.  Marge & I visited the doctors and are on the right track to grow older together!  We've returned to our rec-center routine.  It's Spring-time in the Rockies so Marge has plenty to do in her garden, I'm very busy with the end of the term, and our weather brings surprises of snow one day and sun-bathing temperatures the next.

Readings: Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion  

Fr. Foley's Reflection: The Man Who Would Be King: "So, at last, Jesus was doing it, the thing he had preached about. Give yourself for others. Now he was showing real kingship."

My comments and an invitation for your post: Our assembly this weekend leads us to Holy Week.  I hope we all take the time to participate in these celebrations of the our sacred celebrations of our faith.  We really experience the lows and highs of life as we follow Jesus through the crucifixion and His Resurrection.

May the peace of Christ be with all of you.

John

Contribute to our prayer, leave a comment with your insights.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Vincent Van Gogh- La Résurrection de Lazare 

My Companions: Let us praise God and seek His Glory in all things; let's reflect on the little things we may have done to shine light in our world and resolve to miss fewer opportunities; may our hearts be filled with gratitude: especially for friends and companions, and let us ask for our needs: healing for Katie Frodl, Fr. Ed Poehlmann; comfort for John Fitzgibbons and Fr. Bill Miller; peace in war-torn countries; and continued help for the disaster areas of our country.

Birthdays: Adam Olson (4/3), Mark Schnitzer (4/3), Dani Schnitzer (4/6)

Keeping In-touch: We celebrate weather diversity in Colorado!  Fishing at a local pond on Saturday in eighty degree temps and a first team tennis practice with die-hard members in the corn-snow on Sunday reveal weather-schizophrenia in the Denver area.  It was a hard week, with the loss of Marge's friend, but also a week of joy with the support of friends. The baseball season has begun!

Readings: Fifth Sunday of Lent

Fr. Foley's Reflection: Love and Death "Death does not erase love, it brings you more deeply back to it, to the place you came from—love’s rich loam."
a few comments: Witnessing Marge grieve the loss of her friend, Nancy, last week startled me to feel the hurt of a great loss.  Jesus brings Lazarus back to life after four days of death but Lazarus, with Mary and Martha, will again experience loss and pain.  In waiting to attend to Lazarus before he passed, Jesus challenged us to seek the Love at the base of life... and at the base of even death.  Maybe when we think God has not answered our prayer, we need to look deeper with faith and hope and find Love.


May Christ's peace be with you all,


John


... do you have an insight?  or a grace you might share?

Nancy Fitzgibbons

On Wednesday, March 30th, Marge's good friend, Nancy Fitzgibbons left our world after her battle with cancer.

See Nancy's web site at
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nancyfitzgibbons

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Fourth Sunday of Lent

My Companions: As always, let us praise Our Creator for all the live that is given to us.  Let us seek forgiveness for our sins and experience the love that annihilates them. Let us thank the Lord for all good gifts.  And let us bring our petitions to the Giver of all good gifts: especially eternal life for Nancy Fitzgibbons who passed to the Lord's bosom this morning at about 6:00.  Lord, please console Fitz, John Fitzgibbons, and all Nancy's family and friends.  Also, Lord, please heal my grandson, Nathan, quickly (he fell and broke his collar bone). And please heal Fr. Ed quickly (blew-out knee).  Lord, comfort all who suffer in Japan, Libya and every place your people grieve and suffer injustice.

Birthdays: Adam Olson (4/3), Mark Schnitzer (4/3), and Dani Schnitzer (4/6)  (if you participate in our prayer and preparation for the weekly assembly, send me your birthday/anniversary and/or correct me if I'm mistaken. jwl)

Keeping In-touch: As you see, we're stricken with sadness with the passing of Marge's good friend Nancy Fitzgibbons (I will add a memorial post when I receive a picture).  Even when one believes in the resurrection, it's not easy to live as a "resurrection people."  We so enjoyed our time with the grand-children.  We're looking forward to (baseball) opening day!

Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent

Fr. Foley's Reflection: An Eye Witness
My Comments: So often we are blind.  We do not choose correctly those who should lead (sons of Jesse in the first reading).  We misjudge and rely on "common sense" (blind man in the Gospel).  Can we turn to the Lord to be our Shepherd?  Can we expect to live in "green pastures"?  I hope that in times of pain or times of wonderful celebration of life, all of us can experience the awesome Love that calls us to serve, to heal and to rest in the goodness of God.

May Christ's Peace be with us all,

John

Leave a comment... how have you been chosen?  How can you rest in God's goodness?  How do you see more clearly?

Third Sunday of Lent

Woman at the well

My Companions: Let us praise God: His glory we find in water... and all the life within us.  Let us seek forgiveness of our failure to share that water, and all good things with our brothers and sisters. Let us fill our hearts with gratitude for all good gifts.  And let us request all we need allow His Kingdom to come to fruition in us!  I have a special request for your prayers for Tim Brich who died March 18th and for his wife Jeanne and their daughters Abby and Allie and all their family and friends.  Also, our friend, Andy Ondish, lost his father and Andy had back surgery.  Continue to pray for all the people on our list especially Nancy Fitzgibbons who is now in the hospital with much pain.

Birthdays: Karen Carnegie (3/22), Rachel (Kobza) Varra (3/23), Sallie Dembeck (3/23), John Lay (3/24), Mark Ross (3/29), Michael Olson (3/29), Marty Sipos (3/30), Fran Kehoe (4/1).

Keeping-intouch: I'm late again but we have been celebrating my birthday all week... I'm basking in all the attention from family and friends.  I hope to live my 60s with greater gusto than I did my 50s.

Readings for Third Sunday of Lent

Fr. Foley's Reflection: Nothing Else
My Comments: This gospel reading has been one of my favorites since the 60s when Peter, Paul and Mary (singing group, not Saints) sang Jesus met the woman at the well and I began to reflect on Jesus' love and forgiveness; how he calls, even me, to "tell everyone I know" how "He told me everything I ever did!"  The woman asks "How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?"  Too often I wonder how Jesus can ask me, a sinful man, to be His hands and heart and mind...  I'm not worthy but the Lord makes me worthy!!!

May the Peace of Christ be with you all,

John

Leave a comment... maybe the Lord wishes to touch others through your insight today!!!

Second Sunday of Lent

My Companions: We have moved our clocks forward and I notice birds chirping away when I rise in the morning.  With new life budding around us we naturally adore our Creator when we pause and notice our Life-giver in all things. Of course, we still miss opportunities to bring life to others or make selfish decisions; but sorrow for these failings is met with the warmest reconciliation from Our Lord.  Hopefully the gratitude in our hearts for our blessings, and even trials, grows and enriches our days as we thank our Heavenly Father. And we continue to ask for "our daily bread" comfort for all those suffering in our world: "please Lord bless all the victims of natural and political disasters; and help our friend, Nancy, as she continues to again fight the cancer that has returned; help all of us to move closer to you this Lent."

Birthdays: Suzie Perry (3/16), Charlie Stevens (3/17), Lindsay Smith (3/17), Rick Dunn (3/17), Trish Buckley (3/17), Bob Weed (3/18), Chris DeBaar (3/19)

Keeping In-touch: It's Wednesday already! The week flew by.  I had good news about potential accounts in Illinois and Michigan, enjoyed a couple lunches with friends and even sneaked away to drowned a couple worms in a local pond a couple times (I went fishin' not catchin').  We were on Spring Break for the traditional college students but I started an online class.  You know, no rest for the....

Readings: Second Sunday of Lent

Fr. Foley's Reflections: Brilliant Suffering


My comments & the invitation to share your insights
Once again I was struck by St. Peter's reaction in the Gospel reading for Sunday.  The apostles experience Jesus in the fullness of His humanity and divinity and Peter wants to build a monument.  I guess that I'm a lot like St.Peter: I always want to do something rather than revel in the glory God presents to me in all the blessings I enjoy.  Likewise, Fr. Foley hit the nail on the head today when he calls us to see the glory through suffering.  There is so much suffering with earthquakes and political dishevelment; it's really a challenge to see God through all of it... a challenge we can arise to in Christ.


May the peace of Christ be with you all,


John

First Sunday of Lent

My Companions: I haven't kept-up with our blog this year and, since Lent begins this week, I'll get back to my encouraging words.  We have so many reasons to pray: to adore the Lord who brings us life each minute, to seek forgiveness from our sisters and brothers and the Lord for poor choices of action and/or inaction, to express all the gratitude in our hearts, and to "seek our daily bread."  I'm so thankful that niece, Molly, is recovering from her blood clot, that niece, Katie, will bring new life to our world and nephew, Tim, will study for priesthood with the Holy Cross Fathers.

Birthdays: (some catch-up here & always appreciate help for those I miss) Alan Kobza (1/1), Sue Ross (1/1), Rebecca Muniz (1/3), Jack Parise (1/7), Cullen Stevens (1/11), Kathy Schaefer (1/15), Mary D. Norton (1/15), Barry Martin (1/17), Pete Rogers (1/17), Marty Munos (1/19), Gary Smith (1/21), Julia Brumbaugh (1/22), Molly Komon (1/23), Michael Sheeran (1/24), Ed Lay (1/27), Karen Adkins (1/28), Mary Olson (1/29), Colleen Weed (1/30), Paul Alexander (1/31), Vicki Schnitzer (1/31), John Kane (2/1), Mike DePriest (2/1), Ed Luckett (2/2), Mohamed Lofty (2/10), Jim Makin (2/11), Lori Beth Gulmantovicz (2/14), Matthew Lay (2/16), Byron Plumley (2/18), Tony Gulmantovicz (2/22), Michele Lay (2/23), Mitch Ross (2/23), Tom Leininger (2/24), Tom Duggan (2/26), John Lay (the younger 3/10)

Keeping In-touch: Marge and I began the year on a business/vacation trip to California and I was able to take second trip to Chicagoland.  I'm busy with my traditional college students and now an online CPS course.  Marge has begun to do her Stevens Ministry Work and funeral lunches.  Otherwise it's "same-old, same-old."  I have lost over thirty pounds and even though I "cheated" for the first part of the year, more carbs and less exercise, I'm getting back in the routine.

Readings: 1st Sunday of Lent
     (also, here are the Ash Wednesday Readings)

Fr. John Foley's reflections: Traps

My comments (and invitation for your post)
We're going to try to go to the Stations of the Cross weekly this year.  And since I've "given-up" all kinds of good food and drink to "loose my fat," there's not much there to "give-up," I will write this blog each Sunday evening... and get back into the habit.  Lent is a time set aside "to get in shape."  These little things may help us tune-into the Lord and live in the glory He wishes for us.

The story of the woman, the serpent, the husband and the forbidden fruit presents an icon of our experience of deceiving ourselves and deceiving others.  Hopefully our Lenten practice will help us see through that which keeps us from living with the utmost integrity.  And, like Jesus, we can see through the false promises presented to us and live as a people filled with the Unconditional Love of Abba.  That love fulfills more than all fortune, fame or power.  Let's find it in all things.

First Sunday of Advent (starting the year late again)

My Companions: As we celebrate the first part of the Church Year let us continue our prayers of thanksgiving for all the gifts the Lord has given us to help build God's Kingdom.  I have much good news to share: Pat Serveiss has recovered well from the awful spider bite; Joseph Gregory Foresman now weighs-in over six pounds and lives at home with mom, dad and sisters; Gina Leba's brother has his heart issues regulated; Nancy Fitzgibbons looks very good... and it's nice to share "good news."  Let's pray that this holiday season gives up opportunities to open our hearts to the glory of Christ in our world.


Birthdays: Kathy DePriest (12/3)

Keeping in-touch: Marge and I had a very nice, quiet Thanksgiving.  We're "enjoying" our trips to the rec-center on Mon, Wed and Fri.  We'll get in shape now that we're "younger elders" (Marge found the classification somewhere).  We're looking forward to our trip to Chicagoland for Katie Lay's wedding and some holiday time with our son, daughters and grand children and Dad and all my sibblings. We have the Christmas decorations in the yard and I completed a nativity scene for Mark and Sue.
The Readings: First Sunday of Advent

Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley, "Advent is like this. A time to pull in our scope a bit and realize that emptiness is a healthy and normal part of our lives. We are continually refilled if we let ourselves be. Strange to say, waiting for fulfillment is also itself a fulfillment. It lets us be what we are—not God but human."
My comments: Reading The Apocalypse as we ended the liturgical year, I spent many moments reflecting on how people missunderstand that challinging part of Scripture.  The writer encouraged his faithful readers to see the glory of Christ among us... to live in the fullness of faith.  But we're overly concerned about "the end times" and/or "The Second Comming of Christ" and may fail to celebrate the glory of God in all things.  I hope this Advent will be a time of renewal, a time of awareness with moments that "take our breath away."
May the peace of Christ be with each of you,

John

The Solemnity of Christ the King

My Companions: Let's pray in thanksgiving for all the gifts of our Loving God.  Let's pray for all in need of our prayer.  And let us pray that we grow in the wisdom of Christ the King who suffered for all and brings love and hope to all.
Birthdays: Clarley Stevens (10/11), Nathan Gulmantovicz (10/15), Ken Lay (10/15), Josh Parise (10/19), Clinton Ross (10/22), Don Lay (10/24), Jason Schnitzer (10/27), Hayley Foresman (10/27), Tim Weed (10/28), Mike Lay (10/31), Lugaid Brugha (11/2), Elonore Kobza (11/4), Larry Pribyl (11/4), George Stevens (11/17), Megan (Lay) Stevens (11/19), Lacey Kobza (11/21).  Anniversaries: Elizabeth Lay (d. 11/17), Carol & Andy Ondish (11/22), Larry & Judy Lay (11/29), Shelley & Ken Lay (11/1),

Keeping in-touch: As we prepare to celebrate this feast of Christ the King, a King who hangs on a cross, I'm struck that this is the last Sunday of our Church year: the next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent.  So much has happened this last year and I, for one, have had trouble keeping-up on this treadmill of everyday life.  I've missed too many blog posts, passed-up exercise periods, neglected letters or cards I wanted to send and on, and on...  It's is good to have a new start!

The Readings: The Solemnity of Christ the King

Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley, "Why should a kind man, one of the people, have to suffer? Because he was one of us. Why do we have to suffer? Because that is the way of the world. Why didn’t Christ the King change the world and make things perfect? He did, but not in the way we had expected."
My comments: Like many others, I often want a royal king to fix all the suffering and right all the wrongs.  A suffering king challenges me so much to look for what is really important.  Maybe with more prayer and fasting I can open myself to the wisdom the Lord wishes to show me today and every day.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you,

John

Dan Gravelyn: Thank you for your prayers for Karen, Dan and family

Dan Gravelyn 1951 - 2010

GRAVELYN - Daniel R. Gravelyn, age 51, passed away Saturday, October 9, 2010, after a hope-filled and courageous battle with leukemia in the loving arms of his devoted wife, Karen, and surrounded by family. Visitation will be held Sunday, October 17th at O'Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Dan's life will be celebrated on Monday, October 18th at Ada Congregational Church, 6330 Ada Dr. SE at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Gary Burdick, officiating. (from the obituary)

Barnes & Thornburg Remembers the Life of Partner Daniel R. Gravelyn

Attorneys and staff at Barnes & Thornburg honor the life of partner Daniel R. Gravelyn, who passed away Saturday, Oct. 9, after a courageous fight against leukemia. He is survived by his wife, Karen, and daughter, Sarah. 

Dan, 51, served as chair of the Grand Rapids office litigation team and co-chair of the firm-wide Antitrust and Trade Regulation Practice Group. He also was instrumental in helping to build the Grand Rapids office. He represented clients across the country in the litigation of complex business disputes, including antitrust, business torts, product liability defense and securities matters. In addition, he defended clients in white collar criminal investigations and prosecutions. 

“Dan was known nationally as a tremendous legal mind and someone who was a tireless advocate for his clients’ interests,” said Tracy T. Larsen, managing partner of the firm’s Grand Rapids office. “Most importantly, though, we remember him as a great friend and partner with whom we shared many wonderful memories. While we grieve for a life lost and the family he leaves behind, we will cherish the time we spent with him as a colleague and friend.”

During his legal career, Dan was recognized in the 2007-2010 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Antitrust. He served in various leadership positions in the Michigan and Grand Rapids legal communities. He was a past chairman of the Michigan Bar Association Section on Antitrust, Franchising and Trade Regulation and a member of the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Michigan and the ABA Section on Antitrust Law. 

Outside of his legal work, Dan loved to play hockey and was an avid hiker and mountain climber. He climbed many of the tallest mountains in the world and always returned with some amazing stories and pictures of places where words would not do them justice.   

He graduated cum laude from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. He received a bachelor’s degree with honors from Michigan State University in both political science and economics. Dan also was a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and was admitted to practice in both Michigan and Illinois. 

Dan was involved in the Grand Rapids community and served as a director and member of the Executive Committee of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, and as a commissioner on the Grand Rapids Planning Commission.

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: Let's pray that we grow in gratitude for all the gifts given to us (OT & Gospel this week).  And let us pray that we will trust in the Lord, "if we have died with him, so shall we live with him." (Paul's letter to Timothy).  Give us the vision to know Your way, Lord, especially comfort Karen and Dan (Dan has been given less than a day to live; from the doctors assessment), bring healing to Pat (an infection came back) and thank you Lord for the progress of Joseph Gregory (gained another pound ~ 3 now).

Birthdays: Judy Lay (10/8), Bill Smith (10/8), Cameron Stevens (10/8).  Anniversaries: Pat and Mary Norton (10/10)

Keeping in-touch: It has been a busy work-week.  We decided not to go camping and try to catch-up on all our reading: Marge with Stephens Ministry and John with school work and web pages.  We visited with quite a few faculty/staff friends at the Faculty Appreciation Dinner.  Baseball season has ended for the Rockies, but a local boy pitched a no-hitter in the post-season (Roy Halladay from Arvada West for Phillies).  I did get to play a little tennis; and I've decided to get in shape!!!

The Readings: Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley, "When people on retreat realize, over time, how deeply they have been loved, their great desire is to give to the lover, to give in return."
My comments: As I write this blog entry I can only think of Karen and Dan (on what we're told is Dan's last hours).  For me it is Providence that I read the second reading where St Paul writes:

I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,

so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,

together with eternal glory.

This saying is trustworthy:

If we have died with him

we shall also live with him;

if we persevere

we shall also reign with him.

There is so much we do not understand and we suffer with those we love.  God's not answering our prayers the way we wish; but He's listening, and He's answering in some way we will one day know.  May we realize, "How deeply we have been loved."

May the peace of Christ be with each of you,

John

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time




Allegory of Faith

  My Companions: Let's pray for all those who cry out to the Lord because of their experiences of violence and ruin (Habakkuk); Lord hear their cry and help us do the work of rebuilding and peace-making.  Let us pray that our faith may grow, maybe to the size of a mustard seed (Luke), that we may, with joy, do what we have been called to do for God's Kingdom.  Also continue with our special prayers for Dan Gravelyn, Joseph Gregory Forseman and Pat Serveiss.  Also, remember Fr. Tom Foley (86) who left us Sept. 23rd.


Birthdays: Evan Joshua Parise (9/1), Mike Pintek (9/7), Mary Kate Weed (9/13), Taylor Smith (9/13), Margaret Lay (9/19), Fr Eustace Sequeira (9/20), Chris Lay (9/23), Eric Olson (9/25), Karen Grossaint-Long (9/26).  Anniversaries: Julie & Jason Schnitzer (w. 9/5), Lori Beth & Tony Gulmantovicz (w. 9/7), Gary & Joan Carnegie (w. 9/8), Evelyn & Jim Green (w. 9/13), Chris & Dave DeBaar (w. 9/18), Willalee Haris (d. 9/19), Chris & Don Lay (w. 9/20), Mary & Chuck Olson (w. 9/23), Fr Tom Foley (d. 9/23), Becky Peterson (d. 9/30)

Keeping in-touch: I have missed sharing this with you for the whole month of September.  I wish I could say, "Oh, I stole away for a thirty day retreat, like some of my Jesuit colleagues do." but that would be a lie.  I simply kept busy with other things.  We enjoyed a wonderful gathering of our son, daughters & sons-in-law, and especially our grandchildren, Labor Day weekend at the YMCA of the Rockies.  The time was much too short.  I began a full teaching load: two traditional college courses and two adult evening courses.  I thoroughly enjoy the younger students (and have always enjoyed my adult students, but I breathe a sigh of relief that those courses ended last night).  We completed a major migration of the Denver Deacon's VLE to a new server (learning curve almost did me in!!).  I took our "dog & pony show" to the staff of Our Lady of Fatima Parish and will do a presentation for parishioners of our parish, Nativity of Our Lord, tomorrow.  The network builds slowly.  I had a wonderful breakfast with my friend, Dave Larson, as he passed through town on his way to help his brother plow the fields.  And I enjoyed a round of golf with my highschool tennis partner, Bob Blackburn, and one of my present tennis opponents, Mike DePriest, as Bob did his whirlwind of golf trip through some western states.  We received a wonderful gift: Joseph Gregory who's ready to take-on the world early (born at 26 weeks, weighing in at 2 lbs); he's doing well but keep praying for his "fight for life."  The challenging news last month included, Dan Gravelyn's fight with cancer has taken a bad turn and our friend Pat Serveiss took a spider bite that sent her to the emergency room where we could have lost her had doctors not acted quickly.  I expect a quieter October... just looked at the calendar: forget that!!

The Readings: Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley, "God is saying, “I understand your sorrow and I will make things better.” The big problem is that “wait for it” part. God will make things better but not yet."

My comments: I think we "cry-out to the Lord" because we don't see "the big picture."  I wonder what we would think/feel if we did have a birds-eye view of that painting.  Could we really handle the Mystery, the Love that consumes all the pain and suffering and "makes it right at a time beyond our knowing"?  How wonderful to live, with others, committed to the One who brings real satisfaction, security and development to our lives.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you,

John

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Where will you sit at the dinner?

My Companions:  Let's pray for all the young people that return to "hit the books."  May they grow not only intellectually and physically but also in wisdom and love of God and others.  And help all the teachers in their preparation; may we teach with enthusiasm and joy! (I wrote this yesterday and received Karen's call for more prayers in the evening: see comments)

Birthdays: James Carnegie (8/26).  Anniversaries: Fr Joe Hirsch (d. 8/24), Mike McClanahan (d. 8/28)

Keeping in-touch: We are enjoying a cooling day today; it seems the summer has been especially hot in the Denver area. We touched base with our friend, Gina Feely, and learned about her study of St Paul at Notre Dame University.  Makayla and Julie return to Denver for almost two weeks.  We're all looking forward to our family reunion on Labor Day Weekend; that should be a good time for story-telling!

The Readings: Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley, "Deep within our own selves, in imitation of Jesus, we are capable of making room for love to live in us."
My comments:  Many people have taken our Gospel reading to heart: have you noticed how the back of the church fills up first?  Most of the people I know do "conduct themselves with humility."  I guess the longer we live, the more we take note of how little we know and how short is our time on this planet.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you,

John

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: Please pray with me in thanksgiving for Dan's progress (see Karen's comment).  And also remember Mary C Kircher who passed away this week. Pray for all those who suffer from storms and flooding as well as others with health issues, my sister, Judi, and her daughter, Molly.  Also pray that we recognize the glory and power of God in our lives.

Birthdays: Margie (Czarnecki-Norton) Pintek (8/16),  Katie Lay (8/19).

Keeping in-touch: Our visit with Pat Dolan was wonderful.  We drove Shrine Pass on the way home; that was an adventure.  I'm training the Staff at Immaculate Conception for their use of The Emmaus Institute tools; I so much appreciate their vision and excitement!  Margaret's garden produces much fruit.  The high point of my week was my first meeting of my grand daughter, Makayla; we're looking forward to spending more time with her and Julie when they come back to Denver next week.

The Readings: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley, "Get to know God now. Do not delay till you get to heaven’s gates and have nothing to show for yourself."

My comments: This seems to be a tough gospel, as Fr. Foley comments.  And it is a challenge to improve our efforts at prayer and meditation.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you,

John

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

My Companions: Please pray with me for Dr. Phil Bammer who had a heart attack and died on Saturday.  Continue to remember all the people on our lists.  And may we open ourselves to God's Glory as Mary did! 


Birthdays: Neil Cyrus (8/11).  Anniversary: Michele & Mike Lay (8/12)

Keeping in-touch: Dr. Phil (Dr. of Chiropractic) relieved me of intense pain in my back and knee and it seemed like a miracle.  I had not seen him for years but often thought of his gentle, respectful spirit.  He was six months younger than I am; the news of his passing makes me, again, wonder about how fragile life is.  This weekend we will have the opportunity to visit with Pat Dolon in Vail; she graced us with the most wonderful hospitality two years ago when we were in Ireland.  Our summer has been filled with good trips to the Mountains; we had a good time with Connie, Alan, Rachel and Peter as they shared "the ghost stories from the Stanley Hotel": they were much more calm than Stephen King's stories.

The Readings: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley, "Mary had a lifelong habit of listening to God’s love. She knew the Holy Spirit when she received it."
My comments: My imagination is so puny!  What can it mean to become one, body and soul, with God?  This world is probably more strange than we can (are capable) imagine (Tom Martin).  Some of my protestant friends (or even protesting Catholics) have a difficult time with this wonderful feast, but, for a simple guy like me, it stretches my imagination.  How wonderful a more full experience of the communion of saints will be!

May the peace of Christ be with each of you,

John

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: Please pray with me for Fr. Jack Teeling, SJ who passed away in hospice care at the Jesuit retirement residence in St. Louis.   And we continue to thank God for the renewing health of Dan.  Also continue to pray for Dave's mother (see comment from him) and my friend, Ed Luckett, for renewed health and thanksgiving for successful completion of his CPE work in Salt Lake.  May we live as faithful people.  


Birthdays: Gary Carnegie (8/7). 

Keeping in-touch: Matt's moving-out and we're both doing planning work for our Fall class schedules.  Marge and I will have another RMNP camping experience this weekend and will enjoy the cool of the mountains.

The Readings: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley, "In the modern world we develop substitutes for trust and human bonding."
My comments: I wonder what I will be doing on the Day of the Lord??  I'll probably be playing "catch-up" as always...

May the peace of Christ be with each of you,

John

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: Please pray with me for my Aunt Agnes Klaus (Dad's Sister) who went to her eternal reward yesterday, Monday, and for all who have gone before us in the sign of faith.  And let us pray prayers of thanksgiving and praise for Dan's progress, Steve's healing and the clean bill of health for Julie McKay.  As we're reminded in the Gospel for this weekend, we do not know what tomorrow will bring so we should reflect on the "treasure" we store: Lord, all we need is Your love.

Birthdays: Cameron Ross (7/26), Marie Friedemann (7/28), Ted McMurdo (7/29), Karen (Norton) Gravelyn (8/1). 

Keeping in-touch: Except for the Rockies forgetting how to win baseball games, we have been enjoying "the dog days of summer."  Matt's traveling and visiting family and friends and we're kept busy with friends: another trip to the mountains and the Dixons (Kim, Amanda & Matthew) stopped in for a short visit.

The Readings: Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley, Could God say, “You fool” to us? Are we hoarding what we have, even if we are poor? Are we being children of God or children of mammon?
My comments: I was reminded about the vanity of "stuff" as I watched the film clip of my friend's house burn to the ground.  Sure, he had insurance; sure, the "stuff" will be replaced... but it makes you think of what really matters!

May the peace of Christ be with each of you,

John

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: We continue to pray for Dan, that the bone marrow transplant takes and he can avoid infection.  Karen gives us updates and they're fighting a good fight.  Also, my Nephew, Steve Lay, broke his leg and had to have surgery.  Help him heal quickly and fully so he can attend the police academy. Let's pray for Dad's friend, Lou Hall who died last Friday and for all our loved ones who have gone before us.

Birthdays: Larry Lay (7/14). Anniversaries: Birdene DeBoar (7/12 d. '07), Megan & Cullen Stevens (7/14).

Keeping in-touch: Marge and I snuck-away again to RMNP and camped Thursday evening.  We climbed to Emerald Lake and were reminded of achy old joints and extra pounds!!  We met new people and enjoyed the wonderful beauty of the Park.  And it was a good break from the 90s and 100s temps.  Matt had some visitors and we have many thanks to Mark Ross for fixing the electrical problem of one Sarah's car.

The Readings: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Comments on the Readings: Fr. Foley, "Real hospitality means a two-way relationship in which host and guest open to each other and become present to one another in various ways."
My comments: I hope we can all welcome everyone we encounter and appreciate the gifts and ministries we each provide.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you,

John

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Companions: Let us pray for our neighbors, the people we encounter in our travels: our friends and relatives and all who cross our path.  So I'm thinking now of the husband of my niece, Dan; the bikers of Cycling for Change; and everyone who touches my life.  Lord, help us to care for those we encounter and apply the serenity prayer to: accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Birthdays: Fr. Ed Poehlmann (7/4), Danielle Lay (7/7), Dave Larson (7/9), Kathleen Angel (7/10), Katie (Norton) Frodl (7/10), Ryan Beck (7/11),  Anniversary: John & Maggie Lay (7/11 -- 1st Anniversary)

Keeping-in-touch: While friends and family bake in the eastern part of the country, we have enjoyed rainy days and wonderful 9th innings of baseball!!  Our participation in the Cycling for Change Events in Denver provided experiences we will remember for many days.  We're celebrating Matthew's opportunity to teach and coach at the high school he attended, Broomfield High School.  And we're bemoaning the quick passing of summer: it's already All Star Week so the summer's half over.

The Readings: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Comments on the readings: Fr. Foley: "This is not too mysterious or remote. Start now. Become what you were made to be. It is written within you."
My Comments: I have no great insights other than "the law is written on our hearts" and "our neighbor is the person we encounter."

May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John

Special Prayer Request for Dan

Dear Companions-in-Prayer,

Below please find a special prayer request from Uncle Pat

Thank you for your prayers,

John

John, I am forwarding the last 2 updates Karen sent out. Maybe you have already seen them. I can't remember who I've sent them to.

 

What neither of the updates mention is that Friday they told Karen and Dan that he has only about a 10% chance of surviving the chemo he will be getting over the next few days. Maybe you could send out an emergency prayer request on your blog.

The picture is of http://jonmsweeney.wordpress.com/2008/01/26/nennolina-child-saint/

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Companions: Let us pray for all who have gone before us: Tom's brother, Pat Duggan, died on the 18th, and for all who struggle with illness: my sister, Judi, is in the hospital; but we have good news that Dan's treatments have been successful thus far and the transplant is planned for July 8th (please continue to pray for Dan and Karen).  Let's pray for the poor as we work to understand the dynamics of poverty and work to do good work.  And pray for all our intentions either listed here or floating in cyberspace!  

Birthdays: Christine (Lay) Parise (6/30),  Randy Lumpp (6/30),  Allyson Morris (7/1)

Keeping-in-touch: We've kept busy and cool as the summer heats-up.  We'll camp with the Lincoln grand children, their parents and our small church community this weekend.  Then we'll return to finish-up classes, promote the C4C Denver Event, and plan for Fall Courses.  I've begun building a course (for blended, online and in person, adult education on "Poverty in America" and received some good input from my friend, Dave Larson; this is a complex issue and we need to dialogue and examine assumptions... like so many things.  Maybe some of you who read this blog once-in-a-while would like to join in the creation and participation of this effort!?!

The Readings: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Comments on the readings: Fr. Foley:  "Jesus is saying that Christianity (and Catholicism) are challenges, not just warm blankets. Jesus values God more than safe sleep, than family funerals, even more than courtesy to family and friends."
My Comments: As Fr. Foley comments: Jesus gives us some hard, difficult challenges in this reading.  We really can't "look back" if that takes us away from living the life given to us to participate in the Kingdom of God!  Also, the second reading presents a challenge that is sometimes hidden: have we really accepted God's love for us and thus develop a healthy "self-love"?  How can we "love others as we love our self" if we do not take time to rest in the loving presence of God, who is Love?

May the peace of Christ be with each of you. 

John

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: Let us pray that our eyes and hearts open to the revelation of Jesus as he turns to us and asks, "Who do you say I am?"  Lord, help us know your glory as we become one with the One who suffered and died because of our selfishness and greed.  Help us turn to one another in loving kindness and be the mind and heart and hands of Love in our community.  Help us live with compassion and bring joy to all who suffer and all who celebrate Your glory in our midst. My friend Tom Duggan's brother, Pat, is receiving home hospice care and in his last days and my colleague, Gina Leyba, told me that her brother, Daniel, was rushed to the hospital with heart problems... please be with them Lord.

Birthdays: Andrew Kornacki (6/15), Jim Frodl (6/19), Stephen Lay (6/19), Greg Serveiss (6/20)
Anniversaries: Tom Feely (d. 6/20)

Keeping-in-touch: We enjoyed meeting and listening to Noel Sheth S.J. from India who shared his experince and scholarship on Hindu and Christian thought and practice: "Avatars & Incarnation."  This opened my eyes, again, to the Mystery of the Incarnation.  And Marge voiced the second reading: In Christ there is no male/female; Jew/Gentile, master or slave. I fought a flu bug or something which made me think again of others who are really sick; we count our blessings for our good health.  We're enjoying summer and looking forward to camping with our SCC and Julianne and Charlie.  Marge's garden took a terrible hit of 3" of hail but she's nursing her plants and enjoys her farming activities.

The Readings: Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Comments on the readings: Fr. Foley: And then, at last, Jesus asked the question that meant the most to him. It is the heart of the Gospel and the root of Jesus’ heart:  “But who do you say that I am?”
My Comments: I've always told my students that their answer to this crucial question of Jesus, "Who do you say I am?" probably says more about them than it does about Jesus!  Hopefully we can move beyond our projections and appreciate the revelation of Christ.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: Let us praise the Lord for all the good gifts we have been given, especially our "companions in prayer."  Let us remember all the needs on our lists and those that remain unwritten.


Birthday: Julianne Stevens (6/10) , 
Anniversaries: Melissa & Neil Cyrus (6/8),  Bob & Ann Romadka (6/8),  Randy & Renee Lumpp (6/8),  Marge & John Lay (6/8), Mr & Mrs Carnegie (Gary's parents 6/8),  Mary (Norton) Weed (d. 6/12).

Keeping-in-touch: We're keeping busy with summer things: garden, BBQs and working to stay cool (or warm, depending on the Colorado Day).  We had a nice celebration of our anniversary cooking a special meal at home.

The Readings: Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Comments on the readings: Fr. Foley: “Usually you and I have it backwards." We think we have to get rid of all our sins and turn into perfectly loving people in order for God to love us.."
My Comments: Like the Pharisee we pay too much attention to others sins and not the times we "miss the mark"!

May the peace of Christ be with each of you. 

John

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

My Companions: As we prepare to gather this week and celebrate in a special way the presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist let us pray for all our needs and praise God for all God's goodness.  Help us to serve and comfort one another and all our neighbors.

Keeping-in-touch: Another week almost slipped-bye!  Marge and I enjoyed a one night camp-out on our land in Park County; it's beautiful up there.  And we joined Fr Ed's Memorial Day Party at Twin Lakes.  I've been busy working with the C4C Group in Denver and hope we can collect 4,000 summer survival kits for Stout Street Clinic and Samaritian House.  Marge and Matthew have been fixing-up our yard and flower garden after the mess from last Saturday's hail storm.

The Readings: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Comments on the readings: Fr. Foley: “And that is why we go to Church. In order to find the answer to our Spiritual quest in the fleshly presence of Christ."
My Comments: As I meditate on the mystery of the the Body and Blood of Christ I'm filled with awe at this Mystery through which we concretely encounter Christ.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John