Blog Post - 2/28/2022 - A Reflection on the Olympics - the 1936 Summer Olympics & the 2022 Winter Olympics

 

A Reflection on the Olympics - the 1936 Summer Olympics & the 2022 Winter Olympics

 

In our troubled contemporary world, the Winter Olympics were held in China. In 1936 the world was equally troubled, and the Olympics were held in Germany.  There are several lessons to be learned, take a few minutes to reflect on three U.S. Olympians from our 1936 team: track stars Jesse Owens, Louis Zamperini and rower Joe Rantz.  Take a few minutes to Google their stories, but suffice it to say now, they dealt with injustice, cruelty and they persevered in overcoming life’s hardships and man’s inhumanity to man.

The Winter Olympics recently ended in China, and we witnessed great performances, horrible controversies and were left to wonder where our world is headed. 

 

Maybe the Olympics should remind us that we have great potential given to us by God, but we are sinners in need of redemption, and redemption comes from Jesus Christ.  Spend some time today reflecting on how essential Jesus Christ to your life, how central He is in what you do and why you do it?

 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.

St. Irenaeus, ask God to help the Ukrainians.

And with St. Francis de Sales let us remember, "We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God."

 

 

 

 

 

Blog Post 2/27/2022 - Hope, Worship & Praise

 

 

Hope, Worship & Praise

 

Words of Hope

"'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  [JEREMIAH 29:11]

Words of Worship

“What is so important about worship?  To worship is to order the whole of one’s life toward the living God, and, in doing so, to become interiorly & exteriorly rightly ordered…. To signal to oneself what one’s life is finally about.”  [Bishop Barron]

Words of Praise

“O give thanks to the Lord for he is good,

for his love endures for ever.

Give thanks to the God of gods,

for his love endures for ever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

for his love endures for ever;

who alone has wrought marvellous works,

for his love endures for ever;

whose wisdom it was made the skies,

for his love endures for ever;

who fixed the earth firmly on the seas,

for his love endures for ever.

It was he who made the great lights,

for his love endures for ever,

the sun to rule in the day,

for his love endures for ever,

the moon and stars in the night,

for his love endures for ever.”  [Psalm 136]

 

Today spend time reflecting on the gift of Hope in a crumbling world, on why you worship & whom you worship and then offer Jesus Praise because He loves you.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.

St. Irenaeus, ask God to help the Ukrainians.

And with St. Francis de Sales let us remember, "We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God."

 

 

Blog Post 2/26/2022 - Homily Cycle II – 2/25/2020 OLPH School Mass – Relationships

 

Homily Cycle II – 2/25/2020 OLPH School Mass – Relationships

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022522.cfm

This morning we take time to pray for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters, asking God to bring an end to the war in the Ukraine.

Hail Mary …

Our readings today remind us to focus on our Relationships.  There are many Relationships in life, among of the most important are: God, married couples, parents and siblings.  From these we learn how to encourage each other to be the best person we can be.  St. Francis de Sales put it this way, “Be who you are and be that well, to give honor to the Master Craftsman whose handiwork you are.”

 Reflect on this Story – “What Goes Up Must Come Down”

A little boy was out in his backyard, throwing a ball up in the air.  An adult passed by and asked the boy what he was doing.  He replied, “I am playing a game of catch with God.  I throw the ball up in the air and he throws it back.” [Sermons.com {John Thomas Randolph, The Best Gift, CSS Publishing Company, Inc.}]

One might say it is a scientific fact that the ball will come back down, but it is also, a fact that the little boy has a relationship with God.  Our Human Relationships either help grow closer to God or keep us further away from God.

Lent starts next Wednesday, and I suggest you take some time to thank the Lord for your relationship with God.

 

In a special way our 8^th graders who this past Wednesday were anointed and sealed with holy chrism and received the sacrament of Confirmation and our second graders who made their 1^st Reconciliation/Penance a few weeks ago can thank God for their sacramental gift.  Their Relationship with God was strengthened, and so can our Relationship with God by playing catch with Him every day, i.e., praying.

A good marriage is based on caring and loving communication, so is good parenting, really so is any good Relationship and so it is with God and That is what prayer is all about.

 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.

St. Irenaeus, ask God to help the Ukrainians.

And with St. Francis de Sales let us remember, "We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God."

 

 

 

Blog Post 2/25/2022 – Pray for Peace

Pray for Peace

“Today and for the immediate future let us offer our thoughts and prayers up for our Ukrainian sisters and brothers.  God, Father of us all send Your Spirit of grace and peace upon those suffering under the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.  Bless Your people Lord God and may peace prevail soon in this area of conflict.”  [Deacon Kelly]

 

And so we pray, “O Lord Jesus Christ, Who said to Your Apostles: ‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you,’ regard not my sins but the faith of Your Church, and deign to give her peace and unity according to Your Will: Who live and reign, God, world without end.’” Amen [Prayer for Peace]

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.

St. Irenaeus, ask God to help the Ukrainians.

St. Francis de Sales lift our prayers to the Lord.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blog Post 2/24/2022 – What to do in Troubled Times

 

What to do in Troubled Times

Pray, “Hear my cry. Oh God!  

Be attentive to my prayer! 

From the ends of the earth, I call out to You;

When my heart grows faint. 

Lead me to the rock that is exalted. 

For You have been my Shelter;

A strong citadel in the face of the enemy.

I will abide in Your tabernacle forever.

O will take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.”

[A Guide to THE PSALMS of David, by Steven Rosner, Psalm 61:1-4, p. 215]

 

St. Francis de Sales advises us, "We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God."

 

Go to God and Trust in God.

 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.

St. Francis de Sales lift our prayers to the Lord.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.

 

 

Blog Post 2/23/2022 – Texting God

 

 

 

A Text Message to God

“Dear God, may Your Grace be the sun that never sets, may we walk in Your Light today.  May our lives be salt to flavor the lives of the people we meet, as Your Light shines through us to illumine our path.  Grant us the strength to accept Your Will to guide our journey and when our work here on earth is finished - bring us to the joy of Your Kingdom.”

 

I am waiting for Your response, text, voice, or in person.  🙏

Thanks & love.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.

St. Francis de Sales lift our prayers to the Lord.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.

 

Blog Post – 2/22/2022 – Sometimes we need to review how we look at the world.

 

Sometimes we need to review how we look at the world.

 

Maybe these two stories from the late author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia can help think about our worldview.

 

A four-year-old child lived next door to an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.  Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.  When his mother asked him what he said to the neighbor, the little boy said: ‘Nothing, I just helped him cry.’

 

An eye witness account from New York City, on a cold day in December, some years ago: A little boy, about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold.  A lady approached the young boy and said, 'my, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!' 'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,' was the boy's reply.

 

The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.  She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.

By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes.

 

She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, 'No doubt, you will be more comfortable now.'

As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked her: 'Are you God's wife?'

 

 

Today think about helping someone cry and seeing God in another person.

 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.

St. Francis de Sales lift our prayers to the Lord.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.

Blog Post 2/21/2022 - Rules to Make your Life Simple & Fruitful

 

Rules to Make your Life Simple & Fruitful

 

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton offers us this cogent insight, "What was the first rule of our dear Savior’s life? You know it was to do His Father’s will.

Well, then, the first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God;

secondly to do it in the manner He wills;

and thirdly, to do it because it is His will."

Reflect on Elizabeth Ann Seton's insights and consider them as guides for your life.

 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.

St. Francis de Sales lift our prayers to the Lord.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.

Blog Post 2/20/2022 - Living the Beatitudes in Today’s World

 

 

Living the Beatitudes in Today’s World

 

 

The “blessed” college lacrosse recruit . . . A college lacrosse coach had heard about a high school player who had all the tools. The coach went to see the student play and then met with him after the game, offering a scholarship to play for his team.

 

The student was interested, but declined, telling the coach he wanted to wait until next spring before making a formal commitment. But he did give the coach a verbal commitment to play for him in the fall. The coach said he would hold a

Scholarship for him.

 

Throughout the fall and winter, many college recruiters came to watch the student play,

hoping to sign him up. The student turned them all down.  When spring arrived, the coach met with the student again and the student accepted the scholarship. The coach asked why he waited so long to make his decision.

 

The student explained, “Coach, I don’t know if you noticed, but a lot of colleges come to see

me play each week. Most of my teammates weren’t getting scholarship offers or even being

recruited earlier this year, but now they are. By me not committing anywhere, all the

college coaches who were coming to see me play get a chance to discover how good some

of my teammates really are. If I signed early with you, all the other coaches would’ve

stopped coming to the games and none of my teammates would’ve gotten recruited.”

 

The coach was stunned. At an age when most young people are ambitious and self-absorbed, this 17-year-old was already thinking how he could help other people realize their own hopes and dreams.  [Connections Sunday February 2022 - From Stadium Status: Taking Your Business to the Big Time by John Brubaker.]

 

The Beatitudes call us to see beyond own needs and to work for the common good.  Jesus will measure our life not in terms of wins, wealth, power or fame but on what we do to promote the common good.

 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.

St. Francis de Sales lift our prayers to the Lord.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.

 

Blog Post – 2/19/2022 – Moms & Motherhood

Moms & Motherhood

 

St. Thérèse of Lisieux said, “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.”

 

On the lighter side on motherhood.

 

“My mother taught me religion. She used to say things like, ‘You better pray that comes out of the carpet.’

 

My mother taught me medicine: ‘If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they're going to freeze that way.’

 

My mother taught me how to be a contortionist: ‘Will you look at the dirt on the back of your neck!’

 

My mother taught me to appreciate a job well done: ‘If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning!’

 

My mother taught me about genetics: ‘You are just like your father!’

 

My mother taught me logic: ‘Because I said so, that's why.’

 

I don't know if any of you had mothers like that. Maybe we all had a mother like that. But here's a more profound question: Do you know anyone whose mother prays for them daily? Several of you are in that category.  [Sermons.com 5/09/2021]

 

 

That is the category my Mom was in, she prayed for her children daily, so today I close where I started, St. Thérèse of Lisieux said, “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.”

 

Today say a prayer of thanks for your Mom and for all Moms and for the Blessed Mother.

 

 

 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.

St. Francis de Sales lift our prayers to the Lord.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.

 

Blog Post 2/18/2022 - Homily Cycle II - OLPH School Mass

 

Homily Cycle II - OLPH School Mass

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021822.cfm

Last Sunday the Bengals and the Rams played in the Superbowl, and  we saw two outstanding Quarterbacks: Matthew Stafford of the Rams and Joe Burrows of the Bengals. But there is a famous quarterback who just retired, Tom Brady who many considered the G.O.A.T. [The Greatest of All Time].

 

In our reading from St. James, we are told that we need both Faith and Good Works.  St. Mark tells us to deny ourselves and take up our cross.  Lent begins in 12 days and maybe we can learn something from Tom Brady to help us prepare.  I mentioned earlier that G.O.A.T. – means Greatest of All Time, but goat can also mean someone who failed.

Part of Tom Brady’s success was the way he worked at getting better/improving.  He practiced getting 1% or 2% better each day.  Those goals were achievable, and he could consistently do them.

Part of Tom Brady’s success was the way he worked to improve.  His goal was to get 1% or 2% better each day, he knew he could do that each day.  He watched his diet, worked out ran, lifted weights and watched game films.

We have the sacraments, the Mass and our prayers to help strengthen us spiritually.  Also, we can consistently get better by 1or 2% by

1.     Listing to your parents/teachers carefully and attentively.

2.     Selecting one chore around the house you don’t help with now and do that chore for you parents.

3.     Pray each day.

Little by little your hands will be Christ’s hands helping out. And your heart will beat with God’s rhythm.  St. Teresa of Ávila said,  “Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which He looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good,

Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world.”  [St. Teresa of Ávila (attributed)]

That is what St. Mark means by taking up your cross.  Someday God will call you a G.O.A.T., you will be a saint, that is why God sent you to earth.  Think about how you can get better by 1% or 2 % each day, then do it.

 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.

St. Francis de Sales lift our prayers to the Lord.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.

 

 

 

Blog Post 2/17/2022 – A Hidden Treasure, a Gift of Friendship & Love

 

A Hidden Treasure, a Gift of Friendship & Love

Fifty-five years ago, on this day in Center Valley, I met a lovely young woman Joanne McDevitt who became my best friend and my wife and remains both today.  A hidden treasure studying at Gwynedd Mercy came to a “mixer” [dance] at Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales [now De Sales University] and our lives were blessed from above.  Our friendship and marriage [November 21, 1970] guided by our Guardian Angels has grown and matured through our years together.   Five adult children, three wonderful daughters-in-law, a terrific son-in-law and ten grandchildren [9 here and 1 in heaven].

We were fortunate to work together for many years at De Sales University where our love was strenghtened by the Salesian principal, “The measure of love is to love without measure.”  Our faith nourished by Word and Sacrament [in particular the Eucharist] at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bethlehem, PA.

In our current cultural climate, our prayer is for our children, grandchildren, our nation and our world, “May the Light and the Love of Jesus permeate all people and May His Kingdom Come.”  Pope Francis  reminds us that even the smallest act kindness and compassion  mirror God’s love, something our world desperately needs.  Here is our photo with our grandchildren in Sunset Beach, N.C. July 2021 [our daughter-in-law Amy and our son-in-law Kyle are holding our two youngest grandchildren, Elin and Kellen].

Dear God thank you, thank you, thank you for the hidden treasure I am blessed to share my life with as friend and wife. 

I love you, Joanne.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.

St. Francis de Sales lift our prayers to the Lord.

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.