Birthday greetings to niece Courtney, whose birthday is today!!! May this day and the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!
30 September 2020
Birthday Blessings, Myrna!!!
Happy Birthday, Myrna! May the Lord shower you with an outpouring of
special blessings this day and throughout the upcoming year!
Philip Kosloski: How St. Jerome Dealt with His Excessive Anger
"Anger is a feeling, and in itself it is not sinful. It is even possible that anger can spur us on to do something heroic and stand up for those who are being persecuted.
"However, it is much easier to let anger consume us, and then our words no longer reflect our Christian faith.
"St. Jerome knew this too well, as he was widely known for his excessive anger. He wasn't proud of his anger and often regretted his words immediately after he said them."
In a recent commentary, writer Philip Kosloski reflected on some of the ways in which Saint Jerome dealt with his anger..
To access Mr. Kosloski's complete post, please visit:
Aleteia; Philip Kosloski: How St. Jerome dealt with his excessive anger (30 SEP 20)
Reflection Starter from St. Jerome
"To saints their very slumber is a prayer." - Saint Jerome, whose memory the Church celebrates today (30 September).
29 September 2020
Gaither Vocal Band: "We Have This Moment, Today"
As we continue to live this day, I offer this version of the Gaither Vocal Band presenting "We Have This Moment, Today":
Br. Brendan Baran, O.P., on His Grandfather's Advice on Prayer
"My grandfather was a man of hard-earned
wisdom. In 1984, he wrote a letter to my cousin, who was preparing to
receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Ailing in health, assailed by
repeated heart attacks and spreading cancer, 'Grandpa John' provided for
my adolescent cousin a reflection upon God's role in his life. The
letter explains how 'in 1945, desperate with a drinking problem,'
Grandpa John joined the nascent Alcoholics Anonymous; it was there that
he came to believe 'that God would help me.' He explained to my cousin
that 'each of our lives is likely to contain crises which can be
resolved only by turning to God. He helps all those who turn to Him. . .
. But many people are lost, never solving their crises.' In all of our
crises, great and small, we always can turn to God for help through the
act of prayer."
In a recent commentary, Brother Brendan Baran, O.P., reflected on the importance of turning to God in prayer and of making prayer a habit.
To access Br. Brendan's complete post, please visit:
Dominicana: A Grandfather’s Advice on Prayer (24 SEP 20)
Reflection Starter from the Book of Tobit
"Bless God and give him thanks before all the living for the good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Proclaim before all with due honor the deeds of God, and do not be slack in thanking him. A king's secret should be kept secret, but one must declare the works of God and give thanks with due honor." - Raphael the Archangel to Tobit and Tobiah (Tobit 12:6-7)
28 September 2020
National Chimney Safety Week
This week, the week of 27 September-3 October (the week before Fire Prevention Week), is being observed as National Chimney Safety Week.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 17,600 chimney fires occurred annually in the United States between 2015 and 2017,. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that over 500 people die per year due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Background information:
Bill Withers: "Lean On Me"
Music of various types has been interwoven into the history of the United States (going back to the original thirteen colonies). Among this music is "Lean on Me," presented here by Bill Withers:
Thank You, Lord
Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of the ministry of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and other similar ministries.
Sarah Robsdottir on Advice from Mother Teresa on Becoming Closer to Jesus
"Coffee in hand, I started off the other morning zombie style - scrolling Facebook and ignoring the many things I had to do, including leading my kids in our customary prayer time.
"So when a video popped up on the screen titled 'Mother Teresa taught me this simple trick to become closer to Jesus,' I called the kids over - delighted to turn some spiritual instruction over to Father Gary Caster, a priest I've heard speak now and then, one who never disappoints.
"'Before you get out of bed,' he shared the story of guiding his sister on the basics of pursuing a spiritual life after she'd left the faith for 30 years, 'Say ‘Good morning, Jesus.'"
In a recent commentary, writer Sarah Robsdottir reflected on the importance of this advice form Mother Teresa.
To access Ms. Robsdottir's complete post, please visit:
Reflection Starter from St. Vincent de Paul
"We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God." - Saint Vincent de Paul, whose memory the Church celebrates on 27 September
27 September 2020
Ps Helen Yawson and the Harmonious Chorale: "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds"
As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of Ps. Helen Yawson and the Harmonious Chorale presenting "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds":
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Ezekiel 18:25-28, Philippians 2:1-11, and Matthew 21:28-32.
The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 25 (Psalm 25:4-9).
For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:
YouTube: Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 25 Remember Your Mercies O Lord)
The Gospel reading is as follows:
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,‘ but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?"
They answered, "The first."
Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him."
Reflections on these readings:
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sunday Reflections: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time September 27, 2020
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 27, 2020)