This week, the week of 26-30 April, is being observed as National Playground Safety Week, an observance designed to assess playground safety and express gratitude to those who are making playgrounds safe.
Safe at Play: National Playground Safety Week
Background information:
Today the Church celebrates the memory of St. Pius V (Myrna and I are parishioners at Saint Pius V Parish in Providence, RI). The readings for the feast day include 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 and John 21:15-17, with a Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 110 (Psalm 110:1-4).
Background information:
It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Joseph Haydn's "Keyboard Concerto No. 11 in D major" as presented by the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen (Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic) with Mikhail Pletnev on piano, conducted by Iván Fischer:
Birthday greetings to granddaughter Adalynn, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!
The coronavirus pandemic prompted music great Harry Connick Jr. to create an album inspired by his religious beliefs. Titled Alone With My Faith, it consists of Christian classics, such as "Amazing Grace," Catholic hymns like "Panis Angelicus" and "Be Not Afraid," and original songs, including the title track. In that song, Harry explores the idea that despite not having all the answers to life's big questions, he knows he's never alone. The singer notes that he has found a way to integrate questions, and even occasional doubts, into a strong faith life.
During a Christopher Closeup interview, he told me, "My dad is my spiritual hero. His faith is stronger than almost anyone I've ever met. We talk about faith and what it means, and what it means to question things. . . . My dad was raised by two extremely devout Roman Catholics. They said the rosary every day, my dad had an incredibly fertile Catholic upbringing. My mom was Jewish and was non-denominational by the time I was born so I didn't even get baptized as a baby. I was 13 when I got baptized and confirmed. So my dad and I have a lot of good conversations. And I like where I am because I've asked a lot of questions, but I've also found a lot of answers."
Harry's faith was also shaped by his Catholic schooling in New Orleans. He recalled, "I went to Jesuit High School. I became close to many of the priests there. They were great spiritual advisors to me, and friendly to me. I lost my mom around the time I went to high school. I think about the President of Jesuit High School then, Fr. Tony McGinn. I was struggling, having some hard times, and he was incredibly patient and kind with me, so I felt at home in the Catholic Church."
Harry's father has taught his son to be aware of the movings of the Holy Spirit. When certain opportunities present themselves, for instance, the elder Connick says, "That’s the Holy Spirit talking to you. Say yes and listen." That's why Harry’s dad, age 95, is working to build a chapel to the Holy Spirit. He's even got an architect lined up and has already tapped his son to hold fundraisers for the project.
In retrospect, Harry can see how the Holy Spirit has worked in his life. For instance, his first job when he moved to New York City at age 18 was in a church. He recalled being broke and stopping by Our Lady of Good Counsel to ask if they needed a piano player. Father Richard Guastella offered Harry $25 to play two Masses on the weekends. Harry felt ecstatic. He recalled thinking, "You know how many ramen noodles I can buy with $25?! That'll set me up for the week!"
"The great thing about Fr. Richard," continued Harry, was that almost every Sunday, "he would take me across the street, and buy me a hamburger at this little restaurant. He was calm, he was measured. I was 18, and I needed someone like that in my life. He was so kind. He eventually became a monsignor, moved to Staten Island. I asked him if he would marry me and my wife, Jill, so he came down to New Orleans [in 1994]. Sadly, we found out that he died last year from COVID. So it's been a tough year. But those are happy memories for me, playing in that church."
This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column written by Tony
Rossi, Director of Communications, The Christophers; it is one of a
series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current
events.
Background information:
The Christophers
"A person who takes a walk of 100 feet and a person who walks 2,000 miles have one major thing in common. They both need to take a first step before they take a second step." - Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
A number of articles/posts have recently been published on a variety of Catholic-related subjects worth considering.
To access some of these, please visit:
Knowing Is Doing: The devil desires to isolate you from Christ, don't let him (22 FEB 21)
Religion Unplugged: 5 Catholic Books You Should Read This Easter Season (16 MAR 21)
The Pilot: Echoes: Echoes: Jaymie Stuart Wolfe: Tell it like it is (16 APR 21)
The Catholic Thing: Our Fourth-Century Christianity (19 FEB 21)
Standing on My Head: The Relevance of Reverence (10 APR 21)
First Things: Francis X. Maier: Somebody Needs To Be Dad (February 2021)
U.S. Catholic: There's more to St. Patrick than shamrocks and beer (March 2021)
The month of April is being observed as National 9-1-1 Education Month, an observance designed to ensure that the public is ready to access help during emergencies.
Background information:
Thank you, Lord for Your Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament and all that this means.
"The Eucharist is a central teaching of the Catholic Church that is today often misunderstood.
"While it is easy to see how the Eucharist might symbolically represent Jesus' Last Supper with his apostles, it isn't always clear that Catholics believe Jesus is present in a unique way.
"For Catholics, the Eucharist is not merely a symbol, but Jesus Christ himself."
In a recent commentary, writer Philip Kosloski
reflected on Jesus' Real Presence, including its scriptural basis and other related truths.
To access Mr. Kosloski's complete post, please visit:
Aleteia; Philip Kosloski: 5 Fascinating facts about Jesus in the Eucharist (18 APR 21)
"Start being brave about everything. Drive out darkness and spread light. Don't look at your weaknesses. Realize instead that in Christ crucified you can do everything." - Saint Catherine of Siena, whose memory the Church celebrates today (29 April)
It's time for some jazz, a genre of music I enjoy. Here is a presentation of "Blue Bossa" by The Sunrise Jazz Combo:
Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of free will You have given to each of us and for the grace to choose to follow You.
"I was asked recently what I thought was the most difficult thing about priestly life. I stumbled looking for an answer, but on reflection I have to say the most difficult thing is knowing what wonderful things God can do for people and knowing how their lives could be transformed, how they could receive healing, forgiveness and blessings - only to have them turn away and reject God's grace."
In a recent commentary, Father Dwight Longenecker (parish priest at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church,
Greenville, SC) reflected on God's mercy, free will, and salvation.
To access Fr. Longenecker's complete post, please visit:
Fr. Dwight Longenecker: To Seek and To Save (21 APR 21)
Background information:
Dwight Longenecker - Catholic priest and author
"How little do they see what really is, who frame their hasty judgment upon that which seems." - Daniel Webster
Belated birthday greetings to sister-in-law Alison (Jan's wife), whose recently celebrated her birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!
This week, the week of 26-30 April, is being observed as National Work Zone Awareness Week. This annual observance is designed to bring national attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones. This year's theme is "Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives."
Background information:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Operations
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
American Traffic Safety Services Association
As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of "My Lord, What a Morning":
"Food goes bad. That's why we use
expiration dates. Bread eventually molds. Dairy sours and fruit rots.
Even the manna, the miraculous bread from heaven for the wandering
Israelites, 'bred worms and became foul' when they disobediently kept it
overnight (Exod 16:20). Corruption, at least for ordinary food, is
natural. . . .
"Eating food is, in a way, a memento mori. It reminds us that we will die.
"The Eucharist reminds us of something else. . . ."
In a recent commentary, Brother Linus Martz, O.P., reflected on how, for now, the sacraments are the means by which we share in God's life and how, through the Eucharist, He "preserves our souls in divine life and prepares even our bodies for the day of resurrection."
To access Br. Linus' complete reflection, please visit:
Dominicana: Corruptible Food, Incorruptible Life (23 APR 21)
"Have you strayed from the path leading to heaven? Then call on Mary, for her name means 'Star of the Sea, the North Star which guides the ships of our souls during the voyage of this life,' and she will guide you to the harbor of eternal salvation." - Saint Louis Mary Grignion de Montfort, in (The Secret Of The Rosary)
The week of 26-30 April is being observed as Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Southern New England. During this week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is collaborating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide information to the public about the hazards of severe weather and steps people can take to ensure they’re prepared.
Every year, thousands of people are impacted by severe weather threats such as tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries.
The goals of National Severe Weather Preparedness Week are to:
For additional information related to National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, please visit:
National Weather Service: Severe Weather Preparedness Week: April 26th – 30th, 2021
It's time for some more barbershop harmony. Here is a presentation of a medley of "An Old Fashioned Girl" and "Sweet And Lovely" by Afternoon Delight:
YouTube: Afternoon Delight - An Old Fashioned Girl/Sweet And Lovely medley
Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of those people in our lives who have guided us and encouraged us.
"Unless you're from Western Pennsylvania or are fluent in Pittsburghese, you're probably not familiar with the word 'nebby.' Although it has distant British roots, the word is found most often today in the Pittsburgh lexicon. It's a very useful adjective that one dictionary defines as being 'nosy, snoopy or inquisitive.' There are some nouns that derive from the word nebby but since this is a family-friendly newspaper, I can't repeat them here. Pittsburghers will know what I mean.
"On one hand, being nebby is a normal human activity. I guess we all want to know what's going on, and what the real story is. We're curious to find out the details; what happened, how did people react, who said what to whom.
"But being nebby quickly crosses the line into unhealthy, unholy gossip. . . ."
In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence
(RI), reflected on how good communication and transparency are positive values to be sought
and practiced, but trafficking in rumors and gossip is
contrary to the Gospel.
To access Bishop Tobin's complete essay, please visit:
The Imitation of Christ: Don't Be So Nebby (22 APR 21)
"[Jesus] summoned the crowd again and said to them, 'Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.'" - Mark 7:14-15
As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of the Mississippi College Singers presenting "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need":
Today the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Easter. The assigned readings are Acts 4:8-12, 1 John 3:1-2,
and John 10:11-18. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 118 (Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 20-23, 26, 28-29).
For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:
YouTube: The Stone Rejected by the Builders Has Become the Cornerstone. Psalm 118 (B049)
The Gospel reading is as follows:
Reflections on these readings:
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sunday Reflections: Fourth Sunday of Easter April 25, 2021
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Fourth Sunday of Easter (April 25, 2021)
Crossroads Initiative: Is Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the Only Savior?
St. Paul Center: The Shepherd's Voice: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fourth Sunday of Easter
Magis Center for Catholic Spirituality: Fourth Sunday of Easter
The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine College: This Sunday, the Good Shepherd Is Also Our Judge (22 APR 21)
Word on Fire: Getting St. Peter's Sermon Right (Cycle B * Easter * Week 4)
National
Catholic Register: Sunday Guide: 'Good Shepherd Sunday' Reminds Us That Christ Is Our Salvation (22 APR 21)
Spirituality of the Readings: Is Greed a Virtue? (4th Sunday of Easter - Year B)
In Exile: Honoring an Abundant and Prodigal God (4th Sunday of Easter - Year B)
Glancing Thoughts: Doctors without borders (4th Sunday of Easter - Year B)
The Perspective of Justice: Who Cares? (4th Sunday of Easter - Year B)
The Word Embodied: Other Sheep (4th Sunday of Easter - Year B)
Let the Scriptures Speak: The Lame Walk: An Image of the Church (4th Sunday of Easter - Year B)
Historical Cultural Context: From Sheep to Shepherd (4th Sunday of Easter - Year B)
Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Basil of Seleucia (4th Sunday of Easter - Year B)
"In Wednesday's reading, the Acts of the Apostles sets forth an event that amounts to a tale of one Church in two cities or regions. It illustrates well a couple of points: that the Church is always in need of reform and that our lives are not merely about us and what we want. . . ."
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish,
Washington, DC) reflected on how our lives are not just about us, but also about "what others need, and what others see and can contribute."
To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: Your Life is Not About You, As Illustrated in a Biblical Story (22 APR 21)
"The Lord of life wants us to be full of life, and he tells us the secret of life: we come to possess it only by giving it away." - Pope Francis
As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Wendy Matthews, John Schumann, and Brian Cadd presenting "Waltzing Matilda":
Thank you, Lord, for Your constant presence in our lives, whether or not we are aware of it.
Lent 2021 may officially be over on Easter Sunday, but for many people, it feels like Lent 2020 never actually ended due to the hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Still, if we open our eyes and hearts, we can see and experience the light of Christ brought about by the Resurrection. That's what happened with Catholic author and radio host Katie Prejean McGrady. In August 2020, Katie, her husband Tommy, and their three-year-old daughter Rose moved in with her grandfather because they had to evacuate their Louisiana home due to Hurricane Laura. And, oh yeah, Katie was nine months pregnant at the time. The storm destroyed much of their town, so three weeks later, Katie gave birth in a different hospital than she had planned - though, thankfully, baby Clare was healthy.
Several weeks later, the McGradys returned home, only to have to evacuate again due to another hurricane. When they came back after that one, they discovered more damage to their home. Katie felt fed up. During an interview with me on Christopher Closeup, she recalled, "[I was] shaking my fist at the sky going, 'What did we do to deserve this? . . . We have gone where You've asked us to go, we have done what You've asked us to do, we have been open to life, we have been generous with what we have, and You're still going to come and topple the town and destroy our schools?!'"
Then, Katie felt the presence of God, reminding her that He is always faithful, even when His goodness is hard to see. "He will hand us things that we certainly can't handle on our own," Katie explained, "but that's an even deeper and more challenging invitation to continue to trust. . . . I can't say that there haven't been plenty of moments in prayer where I have raged and screamed and cried. . . . So I'm a work in progress in figuring that out."
Raging at God doesn't have to be a bad thing, however. Katie observed, "I think [God] would rather us tell Him how we feel than hide it. If I know my daughter is upset, I don't want her to run off and hide in her bedroom. I want her to sit there and tell me: I'm sad, I'm frustrated, I'm lonely. . . . The same thing is true of God. God wants to know [if] I'm upset, I'm confused, I'm angry. Don't be afraid to tell Him."
Despite the times of darkness, Katie was able to look back at those events and find God's presence as well, through her experiences with her grandfather. He had been living alone for more than a year, since her grandmother had to move into an assisted living facility due to dementia. And she died in June 2020. While the McGradys lived with him, he had a fuller house than he'd had in ages! Katie said, "There was so much life in that house for those eight weeks! Every morning, he would wake up - and he and my daughter . . . would sit on the back porch . . . and eat an oatmeal cream pie for breakfast. . . . They became best buds. . . . I got to bring my newborn daughter into the house. . . . [My grandfather] was so attentive and loving. . . . There was so much joy in being there."
Katie and her family are continuing to bring him that joy by visiting often, and FaceTiming with the kids on other days. Her story reminds us that we can be Christ for one another. Consider some ways that you can do the same. Happy Easter!
This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column written by Tony
Rossi, Director of Communications, The Christophers; it is one of a
series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current
events.
Background information:
The Christophers
It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Jan Ladislav Dussek's Concerto for two pianos and orchestra, op. 63, as presented by the Czech Philharmonic with František Maxián and Jan Panenka on piano, conducted by Sir John Barbirolli:
"The Bible is one of the most influential books of all time, yet many of us are not familiar with its history or development.
"The Bible didn't simply appear out of nowhere, or come down from the sky.
"The Bible is a written account composed by various individuals who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to record what they experienced.
"It was compiled over many centuries and has been in its current form since the 4th century."
In a recent commentary, writer Philip Kosloski offered a brief overview of the Bible and its development (including where it came from and its division into chapters and verses).
To access Mr. Kosloski's complete post, please visit:
Aleteia; Philip Kosloski: Brief overview of the Bible and its development (21 APR 21)
Tomorrow (Saturday, 24 April) the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is again coordinating a collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies (including many agencies throughout New England) to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from medicine cabinets. The free event will be held from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. These sites include (as of this writing) 71 in Connecticut, 143 in Maine, 191 in Massachusetts, 120 in New Hampshire, 39 in Rhode Island, and 55 in Vermont.
This National Take-Back Day is designed to provide an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction. These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and are considered an unacceptable risk to public health and safety.
This one-day effort is designed to bring national focus to the issue of increasing pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse. The program is anonymous, and it focuses on prescription and over the counter solid dosage medications (i.e., tablets and capsules). Intravenous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted. In addition, illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.
To view a list of collection sites in a specific state, please click on the following:
US DEA: National Take Back Initiative Collection Site Search
"It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start" - Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa)
Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of good religious art and opportunities to reflect on the images portrayed.
"Thanks to an unexpected bequest, New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art now boasts the largest collection of works by the Mannerist painter and nun Orsola Maddalena Caccia (1596–1676) outside the artist’s native Italy.
"Upon hedge-fund manager Errol M. Rudman's death last year, he surprised the Met with a gift that included three works by Caccia, whose art is rarely represented in US museum collections - or even outside of the convent in Moncalvo, Italy, where she lived and worked."
A recent article in Artnet News,reported on this bequest.
To access the complete Artnet News report, please visit:
"Be the person your dog thinks you are." - Sign outside an auto repair shop in North Providence, RI
Today is observed as Administrative Professionals Day. It is a time to offer our appreciation for and our gratitude to the to the hard working executive assistants and other office workers who make such a great difference to the administration of government functions in our communities.
It's time for some jazz, a genre of music I enjoy. Here is a presentation of "Pennies from Heaven" by Lester Young and associates:
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