John Stack Ministries - Weblog

Sunday Homily 10-30-11, 31st Ordinary Time & All Saints

 

Readings:   Malachi 1, 14-2, 8-10, Why do we break faith with each other?; Psalm 131, In you, Lord, I have found my Peace; 1 Thessalonians 2, 7-13, We were gentle among you; Matthew 23, 1-12, Whoever exalts himself will be humbled.

Observations on Malachi:

 Interesting notes, a review:

                   1.  This is the last book of the Old Testament.    

                   2.  A little book, only 4 chapters.

                   3.  Last of the 12 minor prophets ( minor because of their small content )

 Author: Malachi means “my messenger.”  The writer’s real name is unknown.

 Date: 400-500 years before Christ.  This is deduced from the emphasis on the temple and the priesthood, and the word “governor” used one time.  Governors ruled after the Babylonian Exile, ca. 590-550, kings before.    

 The temple was rebuilt ca. 520 after the Israelites came back ca. 550 from the Babylonian Exile.  The Persian ruler Cyrus let them return & rebuild the old walls & temple. 

 Message:  Beware, you priests and people, because you are lax, corrupt, and cheating god of his rightful offerings.  

 

Today’s Message:

                   1.  Yahweh is speaking, actually to the priests, though in the official reading this reference is edited out.  I printed off the more complete reading. 

                   2.  You priests, I will curse you if you do not honor my name.

                    3.  I have made you contemptable because you don't follow my ways.  Again, note the Prophet's message: 1. condemn behavior, 2. promise punishment, 3. consolation after the conversion.

                   Sources:  Good News Bible; New Interpreter’s Study Bible; The Minor Prophets by Al Maxey (on line); & Wikipedia

 

All Souls Day

Let me give you bit of history and the thinking behind this All Souls' Day.  Five observations: the theology, purgatory-limbo, a legend, pre-Christian practices, and today.

1.  The Theology.  All Souls' Day is part of a package with All Saints.  The idea is: on All Saints' Day we honor all those who are enjoying the beatific vision, that is, heaven, the saints.  On All Souls' Day we honor those who have died but have not reached heaven because they had penance to do. 

What if we think they are all already in heaven?  Then we could pray to them rather than for them.

The old theology is talking mortal & venial sin here.  If the person died with mortal sin, they are you know where. Those with venial sins have to go through purification and purging, which brings us to All Souls' Day and purgatory.

2.  Purgatory & limbo.  People ended up in purgatory to purify themselves with suffering, before being allowed into heaven.  Limbo was for whom?  It was for people, especially children who died without being baptized.  They remained there how long?  Forever.  Can you imagine a baby there or even in the old purgatory?

At least the Catholic Church this year or last acknowledged that the limbo idea was bogus.  The pope said it does not exist and never did.  Though many consider purgatory to be in the same class, it still exists.  Want to know how we know?  The pope is offering indulgences.  The indulgence is for the soul in purgatory.  It speeds up the process.  There are partial & total indulgences.  We can win them for these souls and get them out or we can win them for ourselves. 

For instance, on the last feast of Peter & Paul, Rome offered an indulgence if you visited a church named after one or both of these two, and you recited a prescribed menu of prayers. 

3.  The legend.   It happened around 1000 A.D. that a monk, St. Idolo, from the French monastery of Cluny was shipwrecked on a desolate island as he returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, i.e., Israel.  On the island he met a poor hermit.  The hermit told him that among the rocks was a crevice from which came the anguished voices of the many suffering in purgatory.  Likewise, listening carefully you could hear the devils cursing that living people were speeding up the sufferings of these souls by praying and doing penance for them. 

Some time after this, i.e., 1000 A.D., the Cluny Monastery established an All Souls' Day.  Ca. 1300 Rome followed suit.  

4.  Pre-Christian times.  There is evidence that at least in Mexico numerous tribes had a day or period when the departed ancestors were honored.  The purpose was to honor them, remember their example, and to communicate with them.  Today in Mexico & in Hispanic families the Day of the Dead is still celebrated.  This custom has been celebrated for 3,000 years.

5.  Today.  Limbo has been discarded by Rome and many scholars consider purgatory a dinosaur idea from antiquity.  Consequently, All Souls' Day celebrates Samantha, my mom & dad, Rosemary's mom & dad, and all our loved ones pictured on the stage.  All Saints' Day handles the canonized and, I would suggest,  these people, too.    

What special blessing did you receive from one of these people pictured or whom you remember in your heart?

Picture 1:    Special altar & special display for All Saints & All Souls

Picture 2:    Mass Begins

Picture 3:    Sienna with Rosemary & Brian & Payton

Picture 4:    Leo & mom, Shonda

Picture 5:    Shonda, Bethany, Ray, & Jon

Picture 6:    Some of the Ekes, Marlene, Mabel, Cindy, Zaeli, & Bill

 

Announcements

Rosemary's Blessing: 

May the Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over, and our work is done.

Then in your mercy, may you grant us a safe lodging,
and a holy rest, and peace at the last.

 

 Special Thanks:

• For Reading: Mike & Geri Moran 
• For Serving:  Kevin on band competition 
• For the Communion Bread: Alison
• For the Wine Cups: John & Alison
• For the Music: Ray & Shonda & Bethany & Jon
• For the Pictures & Video:  Jan & Rick & Richard
• For the altar & sound:  Jackie & Hue
• For the coffee & specials:  Mike & Judy Carrell, Jackie & Joan 
• For all who helped arrange the altar & stage, Denni & Tom Zurchin, Geri & Mike Moran, Marilyn & Ron Ackerman, Sandra & Chuck Pratt, and Mary Ellen.  Thanks so much.

 

Birthdays:   Zoe (3 last Friday), John DeGenova (52), Megan Dulenti (16), Ed Kless (Monday) & Christine (Saturday), & Rob Robinson (today)

Anniversaries:   

Bill Ekes & Zaile (2nd)

 

Please Remember:

Mike Miller's recuperation from his eye operation, Mike and Dee's daughter, Lisa;  Bernadette Delgado's brother, Danny, & Gilberto's mom;    Chuck Pratt's recuperation;  Judy Carrell's mom, Marie, 93;  Jackie Ritter's good friend, Narges Akbari, with colon cancer;  Marilyn Ackerman's brother, Dick, recuperating from a back operation;   Grace LeBlanc's niece Carlin, 13, with hodgkins; Warren & Barb's friend, Mike, fighting cancer & Barb's dad with hip surgery; Charlie Sawtelle's buddy, Moe, with cancer;  Jack Carlson's brother, Bob, with a stroke; Tom & Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, & Diane Kreeitzer;  Connie Doherty's mom & her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter, & John's dad moving into assisted living; Jean Wright's daughter, Mary; Angie Carroll's mom, Mary Lou Kendrick, with cancer; Kerry's sister Maura with her second cancer; Theresa McClure's dad; Theresa Quinn's dad; Rita Dore; Hugh Bivona's sick friends Bob & Bonnie; Rick Urbanczyk’s mom, Irene; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; our friends, sons, & daughters in the military, including Trey Bailey, Ryan McClurg, Chebino; George & Marianne's sons & Linda's son, plus Stacie & Ben White & their niece with leukemia; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick; Fred's friend John with cancer;  for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

Picture 1:    Mike &          

Picture 2:    Geri Moran                                          

       Video:    Mass Beginning

 

Finances: October 30, 2011, All Saints

Expenses:   $855.00

Outreach:   $370.00 

Thanks for your Generosity

Have a Great Week, J.S (214-783-0443)

 

JSM Mission-Faith Statement

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live.

   

 

Reminder for Sunday 10-30-11, 31st Ordinary Time & All Saints

Mass: Coffee & juice, pastries & specials on the House.

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with Stack, Welcome

 Place: Vines High School, 15th between Custer & Independence, south side, Plano

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                              Picture Picture  1:    The music team, Bethany, Ray, & Jon                                   

Picture 2:    Broard president, Tom, with the financial picture of the community.  Thanks, all.         

Picture 3:    Leo finding his legs          

Picture 4:    Fred with Sandra & Jerry trailing           

Picture 5:    Geri & cane because of her toe                        

 

 Community Bulletin Board:

1.  Schedule of upcoming events:  

       1.  This Sunday, October 30, All Saints-All Souls anticipated.  Bring pictures of people you would like to be remembered & place them on the stage, like usual.

       2.  November 6: Mike Carrell will offer us a homily and we will baptize Brooklyn.

       3.  November 12, Saturday, 8:00-1:00, Pizza & Paint Party, Rita's house, 1311 Brentwood.

       4.  December 4, John Cade celebrates our Mass.

       5.  December 10, Love for Kids Christmas Party in Flower Mound for handicapped kids.  loveforkidsinc@yahoo.com

       6.  December 11, Thanks Brunch in gratitude to our Board and particularly to Ron Kovatis, Penny Morrow, & Cathy Goode, who are retiring.  Special guest homilist, Jamie Rose. 

Also, as soon as LifeNet gives us the date of the Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless, I will let everyone know.

2.   Directory will be available again this Sunday.  

3.   Three openings on our board.  Welcome.  Let one of us know if you would be willing to help out for a year or two.  One meeting every quarter.

 

What's going on in our Catholic World:

1.  A Jesuit in El Salvador, National Catholic Reporter, October 24, Download Jesuit in San Salvador 10-28-11

  2.  McBrien on Catholicism's strengths, National Catholic Reporter, October 24, Download Three strengths of contemporary Catholicism 10-28-11

3.  Results & lessons from survey of U.S. Catholics (long but instructive), National Catholic Reporter, October 24, Download U.S. Catholic Survey Results 10-28-11

    Video: The Gloria

 

                         

 

True?

 

   Video: Final  Blessing

  

See you Sunday, October 30, All Saints

J.S. (214-783-0443)

  

JSM Mission-Faith Statement 

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live

 

 

 

 

 

 

Readings:   Malachi 1, 14-2, 8-10, Why do we break faith with each other?; Psalm 131, In you, Lord, I have found my Peace; 1 Thessalonians 2, 7-13, We were gentle among you; Matthew 23, 1-12, Whoever exalts himself will be humbled.

Sunday Homily 10-23-11, 30th Ordinary Time

Readings:  Exodus 22, 20-26, I am compassionate; Psalm 18, I love you, Lord, my strength; 1 Thessalonians 1, 5-10; Matthew 22, 34-40, Love the Lord and love your neighbor. 

Exodus:

What: One of the great books of the Bible, the second book of the O.T.  A good read.  The name  means 'departure' and refers to one of the most important events in Israel's history, the departure of the people of Israel from Egypt where they had become slaves after going there to escape drought in their own land.

Author: not Moses, but a bunch of people putting together the story most likely after the Babylonian Captivity, therefore around 500 B.C.E.

Our selection:   comes from the "Book of the Covenant," that is, the law or commandments.

The materials in the book are akin to many legal codes of the ancient Near East, the most famous of which is the Code of Hammurabi, 20th Century B.C.E.

Today's reading comes from a section of the code dealing with the laws of social conduct.  They inculcate a social ethic based upon compassion.  Abstract justice is not enough, especially for the underprivileged.  The lesson was obviously chosen to go with the summary of the Law that forms the gospel reading. 

Watch how at the end Yahweh (that is, the person writing in Yahweh's name) says he is compassionate just after declaring he will kill certain types of people if they are not compassionate.

Matthew:

What:  another example of the cultural game of "gotcha," challenge & reposte. 

Background:  The Pharasees identified 613 commandments in the Torah (first 5 books of the O.T.)  248 were positive ("thou shalt"), and 365 were negative ("thou shalt not").  How could anyone remember all of them?  Were some more important than others?  See where we are going?   Our Gospel, "the Greatest Commandment?"

Some teachers distinguished between "heavy" and "light" commandments.  The "Ten" are examples of the heavies.  An example of a light commandment is in Deut. 22, 6-7, which stipulates that a person who finds a bird's nest with a mother sitting on eggs or with young may take the young but must let the mother go.  The reason for observing all these commandments: "That it may go well with you, and that you may live long."  (Deut. 5, 16; 22, 7)

Resources: The New Interpreters Study Bible; St. Louis U. Liturgical @ Liturgical.slu.edu

 

The 3 Great Commandments

A priest in Chicago who is a psychologist and whom I admire, Andrew Greeley, tells the story of a woman who had three or four kids.  As she was bringing up the family she noticed that so many of the children around her were rebellious, disrespectful, lazy, and without discipline.  She determined that her kids would be respectful, active, and disciplined. 

She demanded they assume responsibility in the house for various chores, they had strict curfews and limits, and they were disciplined when they failed or were disobedient.  Time outs, privileges taken away, groundings, no TV, no cell phones, and so forth.  All were used to maintain discipline. 

The kids grew up, were successful, and all moved away.  Seldom did Mom hear from them.  One day when she was talking with her youngest, a girl, who was celebrating her birthday, the mom asked her why she and the others never kept in touch.  Had she not trained them all well for life and taught them discipline and integrity?  "Yes, Mom," the girl replied.  "But I never felt you loved us. I was a project."

Matthew in today's gospel explains what the two greatest commandments are, love God & love your neighbor as yourself.  Over the years I have taken a psychological approach to these two, noting that there really are three.  The third command is implicit, love yourself.  My observation is that, first, loving myself is often the hardest, and second, it is the foundation of the other two.  Can't love God or anybody else very well if I hate myself.

Today, however, I would like to make some observations about two groups of people, the Pharisees and the neighbor.  This will give you an idea why the question of the Pharisees is important and a trap. 

About the Pharisees, a rather crazy group of people not even absent from our own times.  The word means 'separate.'  The Pharisees saw themselves as separate and so did the people.  They were separate because they obsessively and rigidly observed the law. 

Their goal was to win Yahweh's favor by being perfect and at the same time act as an example of righteousness to the people.  Their road map was the law.  Guess what the law meant for the Jew of this time.  Yes, like I mentioned, over 600 commandments, some heavy, some light.

The Pharisees studied and meditated on these laws.  The poor people, the people who had to work could never hope to focus on all these laws, which is why the Pharisees were mostly rich and, therefore, separate from the people.

A question these pharisees struggled with was are all laws equal because they all come from Yahweh, or are some more important that others.  This was how the pharisees were trying to trap Jesus, make him choose one of these 600 laws.  He sidesteps the trap and pronounces the two laws which sum up all the laws. 

The sad side of the pharisees' life style is that they are obsessed.  Religious obsession can be as harmful to your health as drugging, drinking, or smoking.  Love is minimal here.  In fact, fear is probably the motivator.  Whatever, the relationship between God and the law observer is not the standard that Jesus is suggesting.

Which leads to the neighbor, the person I am challenged to love as I love myself.  Two observations.

First, there are two groups of my neighbors, immediate and remote.  The immediate neighbor is my family members, my village neighbor, the people I encounter daily or regularly.  The remote neighbor is the alien mentioned in the the Exodus reading, the kid being made to be a soldier in Darfur, the mother in Guatemala, our mother & daughter in Cuernavaca, Mexico, the sick who come to CCAC.  I would even suggest that the pharisee is my neighbor.    

Secondly, while Jesus says that I am challenged to love my neighbor as myself in this setting, in another place he raises the stakes.  He says to love my neighbor as "I have loved you."  Pretty lofty demand.  Infinite demand, infinite acceptance, again. 

I am convinced that loving a god we cannot see or touch, if that is possible, is built on loving others, which is built on loving myself, something the sad, obsessed pharisee cannot do.  Thank God that none of you are pharisees, or you would not be here. 

As we head into a marvelous time of our year, Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, we begin with Halloween this week. 

Give me one way you are showing or telling your love for somebody. 

Picture 1:   Frank & Mary Esparza with Frank's sister (celebrating 84 years from CA), Grace & her husband John Campos                                   

Picture 2:    On their 7th Anniversary, Christine & Ed with their son, Sean, and Cara, also today, 3 years old                          

Picture 3:    Zoe

Picture 4:    Torri with her daddy, Randolph

Picture 5:    The Girls, Connie, Joan, & Charlotte

 

Announcements

Rosemary's Blessing: 

May we know that we are loved,

And because of that love,

May we love ourselves,

Love our neighbor by giving unto them, and

Love our God by living life to the fullest.

J and R Creations

 

 Special Thanks:

• For Reading: The Shaws, Lily & Scott  
• For Serving:  Kevin  
• For the Communion Bread: Alison
• For the Wine Cups: Sir Charlie & Jan
• For the Music: Ray & Bethany & Jon
• For the Pictures & Video:  Jan & Beth & Richard
• For the altar & sound:  Jackie & Hue
• For the coffee & specials:  Mike Carrell, Jackie & Joan 
  

Special Notice:  This Sunday, October 30, we will anticipate the celebration of All Saints & All Souls.  Please bring pictures of those you would like to remember in a special way.  We will put them on the stage like we usually do for this feast.   

 

 

Birthdays:  Cara Kless (3 today)*, Zoe (3), Patricia Jansky (13th), Debbie Braun, Chuck Pratt (73)   

Anniversaries:   

Ed & Christine Kless (7th today)*parents of Cara

 

Please Remember:

Bernadette Delgado's brother, Danny, & Gilberto's mom;    Chuck Pratt's recuperation;  Judy Carrell's mom, Marie, 93;  Jackie Ritter's good friend, Narges Akbari, with colon cancer;  Marilyn Ackerman's brother, Dick, recuperating from a back operation;   Grace LeBlanc's niece Carlin, 13, with hodgkins; Warren & Barb's friend, Mike, fighting cancer & Barb's dad with hip surgery; Charlie Sawtelle's buddy, Moe, with cancer; Mike & Dee's daughter;  Jack Carlson's brother, Bob, with a stroke; Tom & Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, & Diane Kreeitzer;  Connie Doherty's mom & her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter, & John's dad moving into assisted living; Jean Wright's daughter, Mary; Angie Carroll's mom, Mary Lou Kendrick, with cancer; Kerry's sister Maura with her second cancer; Theresa McClure's dad; Theresa Quinn's dad; Rita Dore; Hugh Bivona's sick friends Bob & Bonnie; Rick Urbanczyk’s mom, Irene; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; our friends, sons, & daughters in the military, including Trey Bailey, Ryan McClurg, Chebino; George & Marianne's sons & Linda's son, plus Stacie & Ben White & their niece with leukemia; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick; Fred's friend John with cancer;  for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

   

Picture 1:    The Shaws, Lily and   

 Picture 2:    Scott    

 Picture 3:    The Front Row              

Picture 4:    Rosemary blessing                                  

       Video:    Mass Beginning

 

Finances: October 23, 2011

Expenses:   $1730.00

Outreach:   $1125.00  

Thanks for your Generosity

Have a Great Week, J.S (214-783-0443)

 

JSM Mission-Faith Statement

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live.

   

Reminder for Sunday 10-30-11, 31st Ordinary Time & All Saints

Mass: Coffee & juice, pastries & specials on the House.

Time: 9:30; Stack celebrating

 Place: Vines High School, 15th between Custer & Independence, south side, Plano

  
  
Readings:  Exodus 22, 20-26, I am compassionate; Psalm 18, I love you, Lord, my strength; 1 Thessalonians 1, 5-10; Matthew 22, 34-40, Love the Lord and love your neighbor. 

                                                                                                                                                                                              Picture Picture  1:                                   

Picture 2:                                             

Picture 3:           

Picture 4:           

Picture 5:                         

 

                    

Community Bulletin Board:

1.  Schedule of upcoming events:  

       1.  This Sunday, October 30, All Saints-All Souls anticipated.  Bring pictures of people you would like to be remembered & place them on the stage, like usual.

       2.  November 5: Mike Carrell will offer us a homily and we will baptize Brooklyn.

       3.  November 12, Saturday, 8:00-1:00, Pizza & Paint Party, Rita's house, 1311 Brentwood.

       4.  December 4, John Cade celebrates our Mass.

       5.  December 10, Love for Kids Christmas Party in Flower Mound for handicapped kids. loveforkidsinc@yahoo.com

       6.  December 11, Thanks Brunch in gratitude to our Boards and particularly to Ron Kovatis, Penny Morrow, & Cathy Goode, who are retiring.  Special guest homilist, Jamie Rose. 

 2.   Directory will be available again this Sunday.  

3.   Three openings on our board.  Welcome.  Let one of us know if you would be willing to help out for a year or two.  One meeting every quarter.

 

 

 

What's going on in our Catholic World:

It is not widely known by Catholics in the pews, but on the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27, a new, more formal language for the Mass will be introduced in parishes in North America.  The following articles explain. 

1.   On the language change, Commonweal, June 30:   Download It doesn't sing, 10-11

 2.  On the language change, Huffington Post, August 30:  Download New Mass Language 10-11   

  

Picture 6:    

 Picture 7:                               

 

True?

"The person who says it cannot be done

 should not interrupt the person doing it"

 

   Video: Final  Blessing

 

See you Sunday, October 30, All Saints

J.S. (214-783-0443)

  

JSM Mission-Faith Statement 

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Homily 10-16-11, 29th Ordinary Time

 Readings:  Isaiah 45, 1-6, Who is Cyrus?; Psalm 96, Give the Lord glory and honor; 1 Thessalonians 1, 1-5; Matthew 22, 15-21, Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.

Isaiah observations: This selection comes from what is considered Isaiah 2, the author of the Book of Consolations, written after the first 39 chapters and during the Babylonian captivity.    Isaiah speaks from Yahweh's perspective and He is calling someone by name.

So, who is Cyrus?   Cyrus the Great of Persia, modern Iran, built the first great empire, which extended as far as Athens in Greece.   He was a benevolent emperor of his people and the people he conquered, for instance, the Israelites.

Isaiah 2 is championing Cyrus because he hears of Cyrus coming and hopes Cyrus will defeat the Babylonians and set the Israelites free to return to Jerusalem.  This is exactly what Cyrus does.  Where is Babylon?  Try 50 miles south of Baghdad on the Euphrates River.  What is left?  Rubble. 

Thessalonians:

• Time written: ca. 50 A.D.   Considered Paul's first letter, and, in fact, the earliest written document in the N.T.
• Place: Paul was writing in Corinth, Greece to the town in northern Greece, Thessalonica, at the northern corner of the Aegean Sea.  He had founded a community there.
• Purpose of writing: to comfort and encourage the new Christians of Thessalonica, most of whom were Gentiles.    He sent Timothy to see how things were going.   The report Timothy brought back was largely favorable—hence the warm tone of the opening thanksgiving, which forms the main part of today’s reading. But there were also a few problems in Thessalonica; we will meet them on the thirty-second and thirty-third Sundays.

Resources: The New Interpreters Study Bible; St. Louis U. Liturgical @ Liturgical.slu.edu

 

Matthew observation: Render to Caesar

Matthew lifts this story right out of Mark.  The story is a game that was popular among the intellectuals in Jesus time, like a game of verbal chess.  The object was to confound your opponent so that choosing either one of two answers springs a trap. 

Watch the smarmy language of the Pharisees and you can almost see them salivating at the impending kill.  

The trap: do you think it lawful to pay the tax to Caesar or not?  Jesus confounds them by choosing both.  Jesus wins the game. 

Why do Mark & Matthew use this story?  To show how Jesus is superior.  He is worthy of being followed and listened to.

 

 

Me, a Light in the World? 

I want to talk about the alleluia verse, “Shine like lights in the world.” 

After getting ordained at old St. Rita’s in June of 1971, I was sent to Miami to work as a chaplain in the big medical complex known as Jackson Memorial.  It was like Parkland and Southwestern Medical.  

The Jesuits of my southern province had a big parish right in the middle of downtown Miami, and part of the team worked the hospitals.  I was a summer helper and loved it. 

One day after I had been there about a week, a little blond  girl of 10 or 11 was brought into the burn ward.  Ever been in a burn ward, a children’s burn ward?  Tough places.  I spent a lot of time in these wards.

The girl, Anna, had been with her family on a sail boat.  Somewhere along their trip the boat had passed under a bridge.  Anna was standing on the edge of the boat with her back leaning against one of the guy wires.  

As the boat went under the bridge, the mast touched an electrical line.  The electricity went down the mast and the guy wire.  Anna was electrocuted and burned.  Fortunately, she was hurled into the cool water which helped to stop her burns.  

However, her back and the insides of her thighs and legs were seriously burned.  She would stay in Jackson for 2 to 3 months, even after I had to move on.  

I got really close to Anna & her family.  I visited her first & last every day and I was privileged to be allowed by the doctors to hold her hand when her bandages had to be changed.  Her parents had to leave the room.  You know how this is such a high tension time.  It used to leave me shaken.  

I talk about this because the alleluia verse tells us to be lights in the world.  I think this is what it means.  I was privileged to be with that little girl & her family in such a horrible experience.  It is reciprocal: she was a light in my world.

The good news is that Anna finally did leave the hospital all healed up.  I never had the opportunity  to see the family again, but I corresponded for years with the mom.  Somewhere during my time in Africa, the connection got broken.  I know that maybe 15 years later her mom wrote me that Anna had married and had a little kid.

In whose world are you a light today?  

Picture 1:    Mass Begins

Picture 2:    Bethany       

Picture 3:    Miguel

Picture 4:    Delgado Corner with Fred

Picture 5:    Justin

Picture 6:    Emma  

 

 

 

Announcements

Rosemary's Blessing: 

May we shine like lights in the world

Never hiding the brightness under a basket

But rather spreading the glow of God’s love

To all we come in contact with.

J and R Creations

 

 Special Thanks:

• For Reading:  Jackie & Richard 
• For Serving:  Kevin on band competition 
• For the Communion Bread: Alison
• For the Wine Cups: Alison 
• For the Music: Ray & Bethany & Jon
• For the Pictures & Video:  Jan & Rick & Richard
• For the altar & sound:  Jackie & Hue
• For the coffee & specials:  Mike Carrell, Jackie & Joan & Carol 
• For the help from so many who helped clean up the glass after Rosemary fell down during Mass

   

 

Birthdays:  Amy Carey (22), D'Arcy Drescher, & Richard Eschelbrenner (today)

Anniversaries:   

Richard & Sheila Baack (29th)

 
 

Please Remember:

Bernadette Delgado's brother, Danny, & Gilberto's mom;    Chuck Pratt's recuperation;  Judy Carrell's mom, Marie, 93;  Jackie Ritter's good friend, Narges Akbari, with colon cancer;  Marilyn Ackerman's brother, Dick, recuperating from a back operation;   Grace LeBlanc's niece Carlin, 13, with hodgkins; Warren & Barb's friend, Mike, fighting cancer & Barb's dad with hip surgery; Charlie Sawtelle's buddy, Moe, with cancer; Mike & Dee's daughter;  Jack Carlson's brother, Bob, with a stroke; Tom & Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, & Diane Kreeitzer;  Connie Doherty's mom & her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter, & John's dad moving into assisted living; Jean Wright's daughter, Mary; Angie Carroll's mom, Mary Lou Kendrick, with cancer; Kerry's sister Maura with her second cancer; Theresa McClure's dad; Theresa Quinn's dad; Rita Dore; Hugh Bivona's sick friends Bob & Bonnie; Rick Urbanczyk’s mom, Irene; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; our friends, sons, & daughters in the military, including Trey Bailey, Ryan McClurg, Chebino; George & Marianne's sons & Linda's son, plus Stacie & Ben White & their niece with leukemia; a cure for autism from Laura Chollick; Fred's friend John with cancer;  for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

   

Picture 1:    Jackie                                

Picture 2:    Richard                       

Picture 3:    Leo & Alison          

Picture 4:    Buddy                              

       Video:    Mass Beginning

  

Finances: October 16, 2011

Expenses:   $830.00

Outreach:   $500.00  

Q3 Financial Report Download Q3 Financial Report

Thanks for your Generosity

Have a Great Week, J.S (214-783-0443)

 

JSM Mission-Faith Statement

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live.

  

 

 

Reminder for Sunday 10-16-11, 29th Ordinary Time

Mass: Coffee, pastries, & specials on the House.

Time: 9:30; Stack celebrating

 Place: Vines High School, 15th between Custer & Independence, south side, Plano

   
  
 Readings:  Isaiah 45, 1-6, Who is Cyrus?; Psalm 96, Give the Lord glory and honor; 1 Thessalonians 1, 1-5; Matthew 22, 15-21, Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.
 

 
                                                                                                                                                                                               Picture Picture  1:   The music team                            

Picture 2:    Wendy                                     

Picture 3:    Emma & Beth    

Picture 4:    Emma    

Picture 5:    Leo & Alison      

Picture 6:    Cole         

 

                    

Community Bulletin Board:

1.   November 5: Mike will homilize and we will baptize Brooklyn,    

2.   Survey report this Sunday.  

 

 

 

What's going on in our Catholic World:

1.   Fr. McBrien on Rosary history,  National Catholic Reporter, October 3:  Download The Rosary 10-14-11

2.  Fr. McBrien on the "Irish Spring," National Catholic Reporter, October 10: Download Irish Spring 10-14-11

3.  Eugene Kennedy on the Reform of the Reform, National Catholic Reporter, October 7: Download Reform of the Reform 10-14-11

 

   

Picture 7:    Brooklyn & Erin             

Picture 8:    Sienna             

Picture 9:    Lacee & Lorynne       

Picture 10:  Cruz & Carlos

Picture 11:   Cruz & baptism tree           

 

True?

You can destroy your now by worrying about tomorrow. 

JANIS JOPLIN

 

   Video: Final  Blessing & Wendy's Bon Voyage (10 min.)

  

 

See you Sunday, October 16

J.S. (214-783-0443)

  

JSM Mission-Faith Statement 

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Homily 10-9-11, 28th Ordinary Time

 Readings:  Isaiah 25, 6-10 (fun reading about the next life); Psalm 23, I shall live in the House of the Lord all the days of my life (Psalm of consolation); Philippians 4, 12-20; Matthew 22, 1-14, The king throws a wedding feast.

Isaiah:  This is Isaiah I, a great reading.

Psalm 23:

Number of Psalms: There are 150 psalms, which are religious songs.

Authorship: Jews, Muslims and Christians for centuries considered King David to be the author.  73 psalms use his name.  Today, however, scripture scholars know numerous authors composed the psalms and they were passed down ca. 500 years in an oral, sung form before they began to be written down ca. 600 B.C.E.  King David lived ca. 1000 B.C.E.

 

Life is a Banquet

I had a Jesuit friend named Tom Barbarito who was in the class behind me.  Italian.  About 5 feet 5, like 5 by 5. Quite rotund in his early years.  No way athletic.  In fact would shudder at the prospect of exercise or physical work.  Intelligent and very amusing mostly at his own expense.  He was pastor of St. Rita for many years. 

Our selection from Isaiah 1 about the banquet was his favorite reading of all time.  He loved to eat.  We used to have what were called first class feasts in the early years of my Jesuit life.  These were special meals on Christmas, Easter, and church holidays.  The meals were excellent Cajun cuisine put together by our cajun cooks from southwest LA, Opelousas & Lafayette.  And Tom was from New Orleans, as were many in the classes those days.  We got to talk in the refectory on the occasion of these meals, all 150 of us.

 

I can still picture Tom squaring off for one of these meals, his white cloth napkin tucked into the collar of his cassock European style, getting elbow room, and proclaiming that he was ready.  He used to declare that he could not wait for the heavenly banquet referred to here in Isaiah.  Today Tom is enjoying that banquet because he died maybe ten years ago with a brain tumor.  And he died skinny, so he now may eat all his favorite foods without guilt. 

I think of Tom whenever this reading comes up.  Our readings today are so Tom Barbarito, eating, feasting, enjoying the cup running over.  Besides that,  we got the king throwing a wedding banquet and getting mad because the invited did not come.  Then one guy gets kicked out for not having a wedding garment on.  What is going on?   Three observations.

 

First, remember for whom Matthew is writing.  He has an agenda when he puts parables into his work.  Initially he writes to warn the Jewish people about how they are losing it in not recognizing Jesus.  But equally he is addressing the Gentiles, letting them know that Jesus welcomes them also.

As in all parables, check out the symbolism of the gospel.  Obviously the king is Yahweh.  Who else?  Who are the invited to the wedding feast?  The Jews?  Who are the good & bad street people? 

 

Second observation, we are invited.   There is a banquet out there, a feast on a mountain top, a feast of rich food and choice wine.  Tex Mex & Blue Bell?  We are invited, despite the fact that we are the street people.  In fact, I would propose that we are all street people, bad and good, Gentile and Jew. 

The third observation is that the banquet on the mountain top, the marriage feast is taking place today.  I can be tempted to think the feast takes place in the next life.  In fact, I think a lot of poor people and slaves were fed this nonsense so they would not try to fight back against oppression.  Everyday is a banquet.

 

A final post script: what about the poor guy without the wedding garment?  He gets treated pretty harshly, especially so after the king invites all the street people in, both good and bad. 

To attempt an understanding, I think we go back to the symbolism which is the currency of parables.  What could he symbolize?  What is the wedding garment symbolizing?  Gratitude?  Or cynicism?   Maybe he was not grateful, but was critical and cynical, thinking he was entitled to all this, the attitude that seems to be so prevalent in our contemporary culture.  Consequently, the man was not thrown out.  His ingratitude never allows him in.  We can be the man without the wedding garment.

 

My friend Tom Barberito I am sure is enjoying his wedding banquet in the next life.  We are invited to enjoy the banquet today with gratitude.

 On the 1 to 10 scale, where is your gratitude, where is your cynicism?

Picture 1:    Mass begins

Picture 2:    Lorynne & Lacee with their grandmother, Marilyn

Picture 3:    Sienna

Picture 4:    Robyn & Erin

Picture 5:    Wendy

Picture 6:    Jean & Jack, Wendy's parents