Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, may I give You glory by putting You first. May I forgive others and seek forgiveness because I put You first. May I live in gratitude because I put You first. And may I freely seek blessings in Your goodness because I put You first and You want me to ask. Please guide the doctors with Michelle Hardy's treatments that begin tomorrow. Please calm John Hoiland and guide his doctors in open-heart surgery 3/13. And be with Billy Maggio on his trip to Lourdes.

Birthdays: Tom Leininger (2/24), Tom Duggan (2/26).

 
Keeping In-touch: The Olympics have concluded and baseball has yet to begin...what will be the diversion in this house? I find much joy and some stress in all my Emmaus and Regis work. Marge keeps busy with her service and planning our February birthdays celebration. We're livin' the high-life.

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The Readings: Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments: 
Ok, I will not worry about how I'll get all these papers graded; I will not worry about how I'll keep paying the house payment or these increased insurance premiums; I'll not worry about eating less and getting in shape (hey, round is a shape). I'll just be concerned...
We will always have worries. The point I take from this Gospel is, what will I put first? No matter what will happen, God will never forget me. I may need to suffer physically, intellectually, emotionally, and/or spiritually but Our Father will never forget me. So when push comes to shove, can I put The Lord first: morning prayer, thanksgiving at meals, listening in celebration and study, evening prayer.... really a true relationship with God?
It's not, "Don't worry, be happy." but "Don't worry, love God and neighbor."

Fr. Udick: Denver Jesuit and Psychologist Dies

Fr. Udick (left) and Father General Nicolás in October 2013

I took psychology courses from Fr. Udick as an undergraduate at Regis College in the early 70s. Many people touch our lives and we will know them more fully in the Resurrection of Christ.

Fr. William “Bill” Udick died Sunday (Feb. 16, 2014) at Fusz Pavilion, the Missouri Jesuits’ nursing care center in St. Louis. He was 89 and had been a Jesuit for 71 years.
A Denver native, he graduated from Regis Jesuit High School and attended Regis University for one year before entering the Society of Jesus at the former St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Mo., in 1943.
He studied Latin, Greek philosophy and theology at Saint Louis University.
From 1949 to 1952, he taught Latin, English and religion at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo.
He studied theology at St. Mary's College in St. Mary's, Kan., where he was ordained to the priesthood in June 1955. He served as assistant to the novice master at St. Stanislaus Seminary from 1957 to 1962 where he encouraged novices to live their Jesuit vocation conscientiously.
Fr. Udick returned to Rockhurst in 1962 and taught religion for eight years while earning a master’s degree in religious education from Fordham University in New York.
In the early 1970s, he completed a doctorate in psychology from Boston College and then joined the psychology faculty at Regis University where he taught for 18 years. He also had a clinical practice.
After retiring from teaching, Fr. Udick devoted many years to pastoral and sacramental ministry at parishes in the Denver area.
In 2006, he joined the community of Fusz Pavilion, where he prayed for the church and Society of Jesus. Despite his declining health, he remained gracious and friendly.
He is survived by his brother, Charles Udick, and several nieces and nephews.

Barbara Weed DeWitt

September 12, 1922 - February 17, 2014

WEED (DeWitt), Barbara E (nee Slanger), age 91 , of Grand Rapids, died Monday, February 17, 2014 at St. Ann's Home. Barbara was born on September 12, 1922 in Grand Rapids, daughter of the late Fred and Helen "Nell" (Jirous) Slanger. She was also preceded in death by her husbands Vern C. Weed and Harold DeWitt, daughter-in-law Mary A. Weed, sisters Loretta Jane Miller, and her husband Floyd, and Betty Worden and her husband Jack. Barbara is survived by her sons Richard C. (Linda) Weed of Stockbridge , GA and Robert J. (DeAnna) Weed of Grand Rapids, grandchildren Debra Lassaline, Michelle (William) Lawver, Timothy R. Weed, C.S.C., Colleen M. Weed, and Mary Kate Weed, and great grandchildren Trevor and Nicole Lassaline. She was a member of St. Alphonsus Parish.

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, may Your name be glorified by our love for our enemies, please forgive us when we fail to do so, thank you especially for Your gift of mercy, and give us all we need this week to live lives filled with love and mercy.

Birthdays: Byron Plumley (2/18), Chloe Carlson (2/21), Tony Gulmantovicz (2/22), Mitch Ross (2/23), Michele Lay (2/23). In memoriam: Pat Bruno (2/18/2013), Richard Smith Jr (2/18/1968).

 
Keeping In-touch: We're enjoying the balmy weather here (60° +) as we watch our friends and neighbors to the East being bombed with snow and cold. We're also enjoying watching the Winter Olympics.

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The Readings: Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments: 
We are all called to be saints. It is soooo difficult to love those who hurt us, to pray for our enemies. But that's the challenge of this Gospel.
And I have found that, when I examine the actions of my enemies, the behaviors that hurt me, I notice that I have the potential to act likewise toward others. This is behind the need to forgive and love our selves for we can be our own worst enemies.
If we choose the path of "on my way to perfect," we must accept God's awesome love for us and pass that commitment for the satisfaction, security, and development to all our brothers and sisters... especially our enemies, those who hurt us.

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

My Companions pray with me: LORD, may we give You glory by following Your commandments. May we know Your awesome love for us and how Your commands bring us the fullness of life. Forgive us for our failures to follow. Thank You for Your great love. And please provide us all we need: guide the surgeon at Larry Grau's operation this week. 

Birthdays:  Avery Johnson (2/10), Mohamed Lofty (2/10), Bob Romadka (2/11), Jim Makin (2/11), Lori Beth (Lay) Gulmantovicz (2/14), Mary Throne (2/16), Matthew Lay (2/16).

 
Keeping In-touch: We're enjoying the Winter Olympics and a bit of a thaw in our weather. Otherwise, we're living the high-life!

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The Readings: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments: The Gospel challenges me to check my anger and my cravings. It's so much easier to condemn all the junk we encounter rather than live with compassion and withhold judgments.

John

Dialogue with others in a  small, online, Gospel sharing group.

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: We praise you Lord for all the gifts You have given us. Help us to bring You glory by living fully and serving Your Kingdom. Forgive us for the times we have covered our light. Thank You for Your loving kindness. And give us all we need; help us to realize the difference between wants and needs.

Birthdays:  Ed Luckett (2/2), Anita Dunn (2/5).

 
Keeping In-touch: Living in the Denver Area we have experienced as much colorful orange this week as we have fluffy white snow. We're sharing our lives these days with Caitlin Throne who's living with us as she participates in an internship. It's been fun to re-connect with the Thrones. Otherwise, we're doing well with our ministries and with resting by the hearth.

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The Readings: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments: I came back from my annual retreat last weekend with much compassion for men who have lived difficult lives and with much gratitude for all the wonderful people events of my life. The Gospel this week challenges us to be our best selves, to let our light shine, and to contribute all we can with the salt of our talents.
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John

Dialogue with others in a  small, online, Gospel sharing group.

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, help us to be wise in the ways of the world, but never let us be separated from You

Birthdays: Margaret Lay (9/19), Al Scheive (9/20), Fr. Eustace Sequeira (9/20), Sophie Schnitzer (9/20). Anniversaries: Evelyn & Jim Green (9/16), Don and Chris Lay (9/20). In memoriam: Willalee Haris (9/19/2009).

 
Keeping In-touch: Well, the rains came. Many are suffering, remember them in your prayer. Our basement flooded but we're drying out and looking to celebrate Broomfield Days.

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The Readings: Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  This Gospel, on first take, is difficult because it seem that the crafty, too proud and too lazy steward is rewarded for his corruption. We should imitate the cleverness not the corruption.
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An Invitation: Hopefully, this blog enriches your celebration of the Liturgy at the gathering of your community each week. We do not field many "Comments, Reflections, Insights..."  Sharing your thoughts and feelings on the Gospel may enhance your celebration even more. I have another gift for you: I'll build you a small group Gospel sharing site for groups of 4 to 8 people. See an example here.

Become a Host or Hostess for your Gospel sharing group this week.

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, thank You for Your great love that searches for us when we go astray, that brings us back to unity with You and our sisters and brothers, that calls for celebration in this life and forevermore. Forgive all our "sword-rattling" as individuals or nations. Let us see Your glory in all we encounter and in Your creation. Please bring peace to our world.

Birthdays: MaryKate Weed (9/13), Taylor Smith (9/5).

 
Keeping In-touch: The heat slowed us down last week, but we're enjoying a break at the start of this week. We enjoyed the Broncos football opener. I guess we're just active with friends and the start of the academic year.

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The Readings: Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  The Good News has been a bit challenging the past few weeks, but this weeks Gospel allows some time to contemplate the awesome love and desire The Lord has for us as He searches for us and then celebrates with us. He forgives us and calls us to be lovers again!
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An Invitation: Hopefully, this blog enriches your celebration of the Liturgy at the gathering of your community each week. We do not field many "Comments, Reflections, Insights..."  Sharing your thoughts and feelings on the Gospel may enhance your celebration even more. I have another gift for you: I'll build you a small group Gospel sharing site for groups of 4 to 8 people. See an example here.

Become a Host or Hostess for your Gospel sharing group this week.

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, how could we love You with all our heart, all our mind, and all our soul if we did not know of Your unconditional love and desire for us? Forgive our lack of mindfulness and awareness of Your love. Help us to know that we can "go and sell everything" but find abundant life in You. You will provide for all we need.

Birthdays: Joseph Foresman (9/3), Eric Carlson (9/5), Mike Pintek (9/7). Anniversaries: Julie (Lay) & Jason Schnitzer (9/5), Carman & Leo Albiniak (9/6), Lori Beth (Lay) & Tony Gulmantovicz (9/7), Joan & Gary Carnegie (9/8); In memoriam: Emma Lay (9/5/1974).

 
Keeping In-touch: Our week was filled with joy: dinner at Grau's, golf with high school tennis partner, and dinner with old friends from high school; and work: Marge with care-giving and John with "academic catch-up." The U.S. Tennis Open on T.V. and the good start to Notre Dame and University of Colorado football season leads us to an active fall.

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The Readings: Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  This Gospel challenges my attachment to people, especially my Bride, family, & companions, and to things, but most of the "stuff" I appreciate because it allows me to enjoy the people. The challenge is to always put The Lord first and not forget He will provide all I need.
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An Invitation: Hopefully, this blog enriches your celebration of the Liturgy at the gathering of your community each week. We do not field many "Comments, Reflections, Insights..."  Sharing your thoughts and feelings on the Gospel may enhance your celebration even more. I have another gift for you: I'll build you a small group Gospel sharing site for groups of 4 to 8 people. See an example here.

Become a Host or Hostess for your Gospel sharing group this week.

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, help us not to seek anything but Your Will for us. Let us bring You glory by living with the dignity of Your sons and daughters. Forgive us for loosing perspective and lording over others. Thank You for all Your blessings. And please grant health and comfort to our sick, opportunities for the oppressed, and eternal life to all who precede us in death with the hope of the resurrection.

Birthdays: James Carnegie (8/26), Evan Parise (8/31). In memoriam: Mike McClanahan (8/28/2009)

 
Keeping In-touch: Although we stayed home, our week passed-bye quickly. I played golf and tennis; Marge cared for her charges. Our friend Kim visited as she took "her baby" to college. We celebrated the summer at the Parish BBQ. We finally made arrangements for our trip to celebrate Lacey Kobza's wedding.

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The Readings: Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  I know I have nothing for which to be haughty. And I'm not a "Stargazer"; I don't keep track of movie-stars, star athletes, or other celebrities.  But I also know that I enjoy inviting friends and others who share my outlook to dinner, or tennis, or golf... This Gospel leaves me with quite a challenge to reach-out to sons and daughters of The Lord that the world does not recognize!

An Invitation: Hopefully, this blog enriches your celebration of the Liturgy at the gathering of your community each week. We do not field many "Comments, Reflections, Insights..."  Sharing your thoughts and feelings on the Gospel may enhance your celebration even more. I have another gift for you: I'll build you a small group Gospel sharing site for groups of 4 to 8 people. See an example here.

Become a Host or Hostess for your Gospel sharing group this week.

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, please fuel the fire of our desire for You. Change our hearts of stone and make them receptive flesh to accept Your friendship and love. May we know you more fully in Word and Sacrament that our encounter may bring You glory.

Birthdays: Katie (Lay) Johnson (8/19). Anniversary: Mark & Vicki Schnitzer (8/20). In memoriam: Fr. Joe Hirsch (8/24/2009)

 
Keeping In-touch: We enjoyed our last scheduled summer camping trip and watched the "energizer bunny," Nathan, play with the natural toys of Rocky Mountain National Park. We saw that Julianne & Charlie took their first canoe trip in Iowa. We enjoyed the cooler days... but the heat has returned to the Front Range.

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The Readings: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  If Jesus says, "I don't know you," you must not have accepted His Love. The goal, object, end of our longing for Truth, Beauty, Love is the Unity of the Body of Christ. Why don't we believe, so often, that God's love is infinite and unconditional? Let's live in that Love and invite others to join us.

 

An Invitation: Hopefully, this blog enriches your celebration of the Liturgy at the gathering of your community each week. We do not field many "Comments, Reflections, Insights..."  Sharing your thoughts and feelings on the Gospel may enhance your celebration even more. I have another gift for you: I'll build you a small group Gospel sharing site for groups of 4 to 8 people. See an example here.

Become a Host or Hostess for your Gospel sharing group this week.

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, this is a hard Gospel! No one desires division among friends, family, or even communities of work or play. Every one says they want the truth. I guess the division You bring unveils the hypocrisy of our sin. Help us love and bring You glory, forgive us our comfort in lies, thank You for all Your gifts, and please provide our needs as we serve the needs of others.

Birthdays: Margie (Czarnecki-Norton) Pintek (8/16). Anniversary: Michele & Mike Lay (8/12).

 
Keeping In-touch: I guess we had a normal week, whatever that is? I played some tennis, celebrated Gary's birthday and toasted "good-bye" to neighbors, Eric, Chrisy, & Chloie.

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The Readings: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  Jesus, as Fr. Barron says, compels a choice. Too often we "domesticate Jesus." This Gospel challenges us to know Jesus and make Him the center of our lives.

 

An Invitation: Hopefully, this blog enriches your celebration of the Liturgy at the gathering of your community each week. We do not field many "Comments, Reflections, Insights..."  Sharing your thoughts and feelings on the Gospel may enhance your celebration even more. I have another gift for you: I'll build you a small group Gospel sharing site for groups of 4 to 8 people. See an example here.

Become a Host or Hostess for your Gospel sharing group this week.

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, help me to trust in You and to know Your loving trust. I desire to receive You in my daily life and be ready for the glorious forevermore You have promised. May I praise You with my life, know Your forgiveness, gratefully share Your blessings, and call on You for all my needs.

Birthdays: Gary Carnegie (8/7), Bev Grau (8/8) Neil Cyrus (8/11). In memoriam: Lina Kilday (8/6), Phil Bammer (8/7), Jean Lay (8/8), Mike Howard (8/10)

 
Keeping In-touch: We did have a wonderful time celebrating Tim Weed's profession to Holy Cross Fathers in Colorado Springs, he now begins four years of study in Theology at Notre Dame University. I played golf for the first time this year, tennis was rained-out, but we appreciate the "pennies from heaven" as the "monsoon flow" has returned to Colorado.

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The Readings: Nineteenth Sunday in OrdinaryTime

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  It may be fitting that I have a few people to remember from my calendar this week. The Gospel calls us to be ready for The Lord's Return. Thinking about our inevitable death gives us an opportunity to reflect on how we live our lives. And knowing Christ, we should live our lives with joy!

 

An Invitation: Hopefully, this blog enriches your celebration of the Liturgy at the gathering of your community each week. We do not field many "Comments, Reflections, Insights..."  Sharing your thoughts and feelings on the Gospel may enhance your celebration even more. I have another gift for you: I'll build you a small group Gospel sharing site for groups of 4 to 8 people. See an example here.

Become a Host or Hostess for your Gospel sharing group this week.

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, help me to be mindful of what captures my time and my treasure. It is all nothing compared to the love you have for Your people. I give You all my concern and worry; with my focus on Your love, I will live fully today and not be called "you fool" at my death.

Birthdays: Birthdays: Ted McMurdo (7/29), Karen (Norton) Graveland (8/1), Maggie (Wdowiarz) Lay (8/2).

Keeping In-touch: I celebrated an ol' man's birthday (brother Larry: sixty years, and surprised) and visited my dad and family. Bill & Gloria took us with their family to a Rockies Game...we had a suite time... and the Rockies even won the game. Today, we listen and watch the rain as we enjoy a weekend at home! (a good time not to camp with family or friends). And we look forward to attending Tim Weed's profession to Holy Cross Fathers next weekend in Colorado Springs. The time with family will bring us joy.

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The Readings: Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  I worry these days about our future years: should we move to a smaller place? Can we make ends meet until pay-off the house? Will taxes, insurance, drugs and medical care overwhelm us? So I take note at the Good News for Sunday: none of this matters; live each day, you may be dead tomorrow... anyway, The Lord's love brings all life.

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

I'm doing a new thing

I have not kept this "Companions-in-Prayer" Blog and have been working on another effort to pray and encourage others to share the Gospel and to encourage people to prepare for the Sunday Liturgy and to share the Gospel with one another.

Please take a look at the page from The Emmaus Institute Website and check-out this example from last quarter:
http://partners.emmausinstitute.org/course/view.php?id=87

Each week has a picture, a link to the readings, a link to further reflections on the readings, a video (not connected to the readings) and a discussion space for the 4 - 8 people that choose to connect with one another.

Each quarter of the year we begin a new.

I provide a new section each week for the groups.
And this is all free for small groups (families, small church communities,...)
Let me know what you think.
Host your own group.

Many blessings to all,
John

Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)

My Companions pray with me: LORD, help us to know Your love and Your mercy. We praise you with a heartfelt "my LORD and my God!" Forgive us for hiding from Your love and Your mercy; forgive us for our fear and our doubt. Thank You for the glory of Your life within us and for all Your blessings that we regularly take for granted. Please comfort all who are sick especially Aunt Grace and Larry & Bev's four elderly family members.

Birthdays, Anniversaries, & In Memorium: My calendar is empty next week... let me know if I have missed you.
 
Keeping In-touch:  I've not written a blog post for some time. My dis-ease of busy-ness and ill health have passed so I pray with you again. Actually one of our companions mentioned yesterday that he read my posts, so I'm motivated to pray in this way again. We are celebrating the Spring and had a beautiful celebration of Easter last Sunday. Marge excitedly anticipates the visit of her good friend, Gail, next week and I'm finding some new routines for better physical and spiritual health. We chomping at the bit to begin our summer camping trips. 

The Readings: Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J. 

 
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  This Gospel is so challenging: we live in fear and have many doubting moments. We need only to experience Jesus' greeting of "Peace be with you." and we will have more abundant life... how easy this is to write, what keeps us from the fullness of the experience?  I hope we will let our worries and our doubts dissipate this week so the Love of Christ flows through us more fully.

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: LORD, forgive me for my impatience when others will not accept the gifts I offer. Help me put my disappointment at rejection in the context of Jesus and his message being rejected by his contemporaries and so many men and women through history. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may give you glory by a living a life of joy and service. Thank you for all the wonder of Your creation and Your gift of life and health. Continue to bless and heal our family members and friends who struggle these days, especially those on our lists. And help all parents and parents-to-be bring the glory of Your life to their children; especially bless our friends who seek to adopt a child in our sick culture where many babies are discarded before they have a chance to show Your Glory. Bless all who have gone before us, may they bask in Your perpetual light! Amen.

Birthdays: Avery Elizabeth Johnson (2/10), Mohamed Lofty (2/10).

Keeping In-touch:  I'm very happy to have completed "Inside Islam" with the men of Nativity (St. Joseph's Group). And I'm happy to be very active with college classes to teach. Marge and I have enthusiastic anticipation for our visit with Julz and her babies (our grandchildren), Makayla & David, in the middle of the month. Otherwise we're just "living large" expecting the best in life.

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The Readings: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J. 

 
My comments and an invitation for your comments:  This week one of my students wrote that Jesus' message is simplistic: love God and each other. I guess, in a way, that is simple, until you begin to reflect on how easy it is to be impatient, jealous, pompous, rude, and quick-tempered. Why is it so difficult to let others love you? Why is it so difficult to allow God to love you? Why can't we just walk through the crowd when we are rejected? I'm over 60 years old and I'm only beginning to know the LORD's awesome love for me, I'm only beginning to really feel the love of others, I'm only beginning to let that light shine through me.  How about you?

John

Comments, Reflections, Insights...