Gas House Gang: "Great Day"

It's time for some more barbershop harmony. Here is a presentation of "Great Day" by The Gas House Gang:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of our Catholic schools and for the many ways You work through them.

Catholic Schools Week

This week, the week of 30 January-5 February, is being observed as Catholic Schools Week. This year's theme for Catholic Schools Week is "Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service."

This theme is designed to reflect that Catholic schools have a specific purpose to form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor and enrich society with the leaven of the gospel and by example of faith. As communities of faith, Catholic schools instill in students their destiny to become saints.  Academic excellence is the hallmark of Catholic education intentionally directed to the growth of the whole person - mind, body and spirit.  Finally, service is fundamental to Catholic education and the core of Catholic discipleship.  Service is intended to help form people who are not only witnesses to Catholic social teaching, but also active participants through social learning.

The Catholic Schools Week logo emphasizes that the Catholic school, like the Catholic Church, is not a building or an institution, but it is the people. A related National Catholic Educational Association statement: "As the people of God, we work together to bring the Kingdom of God to Earth and raise up the next generation to do the same. The image of teachers and students forming the foundation of the school shows that they are active people of faith who serve others and God. May we all strive to live in active service of Jesus and his mission as we nationally join together during Catholic Schools Week and always."

For more information related to this year's observance, please visit:

NCEA: National Catholic Schools Week

Background information:

National Catholic Educational Association

Media Report:

National Catholic Register: Catholic Schools Week 2022: Here’s What You Need to Know (31 JAN 22)

Reflection Starter from St. John Bosco

"Do not try to excuse your faults; try to correct them." - Saint John Bosco, whose memory the Church celebrates today (31 January)

"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "Love Divine,  All Loves Excelling":

 

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13; and Luke 4:21-30. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 71 (Psalm 71:1-6, 15-17). 

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: I Will Sing of Your Salvation. Psalm 71

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying: "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, "Isn't this the son of Joseph?"

He said to them, "Surely you will quote me this proverb, 'Physician, cure yourself,' and say, 'Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.'" And he said, "Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."

When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time January 30, 2022

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (January 30, 2022)

Crossroads Initiative: Why We Stone Prophets

The Quiet Corner: Everyone stands a chance at salvation (27 JAN 22)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of rocking chairs,

Msgr. Pope on Acclamations of Eucharistic Piety

"Let’s consider three rather humble but important moments that are often lost in the minds and hearts of the faithful - the Mystery of Faith,  the Amen, and the Agnus Dei. They rise in importance because they are moments that belong especially to the faithful rather than the clergy."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on these acclamations of Eucharistic piety that help frame the liturgy as prayers of a people who believe and celebrate what is announced.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: Three Underappreciated Acclamations of Eucharistic Piety (25 JAN 22)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"Consistent prayer produces progressive transformation, makes us strong in times of tribulation, gives us the grace to be supported by Him who loves us and always protects us." - Pope Francis

Audrey Assad: "Winter Snow"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Audrey Assad presenting "Winter Snow":

On the Psalms as the Prayers of Jesus, What Natural Law Is, and Other Catholic-related Topics

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:

Aleteia: Fr. Matthew Schneider, LC: What is natural law? (30 JUL 21)

Catholic Exchange: Science Confirms Saintly Wisdom: Reading Books [not the internet] Helps us to Pray (17 JAN 22)

The Coming Home Network: Nathan Wigfield: The Psalms as the Prayers of Jesus (30 JUL 21)

Respect Life Radio: David Closson: Amid all the confusion, what is your worldview? (24 JAN 22)

National Catholic Register: Commentaries: Life Lessons From Simone Biles: Throw Stones or Give Thanks? (30 JUL 21)

Magis Center: Toxic Globalization and The Catholic Framework for Economic Life (30 DEC 21)

Between The Paws: A severe mercy: learning the meaning of the cross through childbirth (13 AUG 21)

Discalced Carmelite Friars: The Once Missing then Present Christ of Edith Stein

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for Your Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament and for all that this means.

On Why Catholics Believe in the Real Eucharistic Presence

"Newman ministry recently posted some amazing infographics on Instagram beautifully explaining why Catholics believe in the Real Presence of the Eucharist.

"The slides use history, the Greek language, and biblical references that support and prove this belief.

"The Catechism of the Catholic Church also explains why the Church holds this belief as the 'source and summit' of our faith."

A recent ChurchPop post offered this presentation.

To access the complete post, please visit:

ChurchPOP: Why Catholics Believe in the Real Eucharistic Presence, Beautifully Explained in Infographics (27 JAN 22)

Reflection Starter from Leo Buscaglia

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." - Leo Buscaglia

On Vermont Locals Banding Together to Preserve Historic Store and Other New England-related Topics

A number of articles/posts have recently been published on a variety of New England-related subjects worth considering.

To access some of these, please visit:

Hingham (MA) Journal: Hingham church awards five residents with grants for community projects (10 JAN 22)

Valley News (Lebanon, NH): Locals band together to preserve historic store (17 JAN 22)

WCVB-TV: How Winnie the Pooh came to have a home in Massachusetts (13 JAN 22)

New England Historical Society: Bob Montana Brings Archie Comics to New Hampshire's Lakes Region

Bangor (ME) Daily News: A 19th-century Maine captain ran the only newspaper published at sea (13 DEC 21)

Sentinal & Enterprise (Westford, MA): Youngsters enjoy Leominster Public Library plant slime workshop (21 JAN 22)

New Hampshire Public Radio: Something Wild: How animals adapt to N.H.'s ice-scape (28 JAN 22)

Only In Your State: Maine: This Unique Bridge In Harpswell Is The Only One Of Its Kind In Maine

Muzio Clementi: Symphony No.3 in G major

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Muzio Clementi's Symphony No.3 in G major ("Great National Symphony"), as presented by the Philharmonia, conducted by:Francesco D'Avalos:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of good youth sports coaches.

Football Coach Teaches Cardinal Virtues

Sports are such an integral part of American life, and team sports, where many people learn how to operate under pressure and direct their energies towards the greater good. But we are only assured of imparting the deepest lessons to be learned in sports when we teach those lessons in an intentional way. Catholic University of America Head Football Coach Mike Gutelius has been teaching life lessons in an intentional way ever since taking charge of the CUA program in 2016. Gutelius graduated from CUA in 1992 and went on to enjoy a long career in coaching before returning to his Alma Mater. Reporting for CNA, Joe Bukuras writes, "Now in his 30th year of coaching, Gutelius has instituted a program in which he teaches the Catholic University Cardinals the cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude."

"There's a glory to be had if you're willing to sacrifice," Gutelius told Bukuras, adding, "Football players in general, they have that Don Quixote internal sense of wanting to go fight against something. They're ready to battle. No one today is pointing young men towards where the battlefield is. The battlefield is inside of each of us."

These are truly visionary words that should be heeded and emulated by every coach who cares about utilizing their program to build character. So much of sports culture today seems to view character building as a given and also as secondary to the goal of winning. But building character in the right way is not a given of participation in sports. Building character is not just about teaching people how to achieve, it's about teaching them what exactly we should be striving for outside of the game itself.

With the right approach, all the smaller lessons pertaining to the game can translate into larger lessons about life. The effort young people put into training and competing can translate into the self-discipline inherent to cultivating virtue. A stark dichotomy exists between those whose sports experience simply teaches them how to conquer in a worldly sense and those whose experience teaches them how to conquer themselves and gain the self-mastery inherent to the cardinal virtues that Coach Gutelius teaches his Cardinals. Cast in this light, we can see a struggle at play over the direction our country’s sports culture will lead us, and Catholics can play a big part in directing that culture towards cultivation of the kind of true character that builds joyful young people, capable of pursuing honor in service to those they love and to the common good.

So if you know any great high school football players, tell them about Coach Mike Gutelius. I'm sure he would value their contributions on the CUA football team. What's more, they might be provided the chance of a lifetime to grow into the men God wants them to be.

CUA Athletic Director Dr. Sean Sullivan certainly appreciates Coach Gutelius' efforts to form young men into, not just great football players, but great men. Summing up the importance of the wisdom Coach Gutelius imparts to his players, Sullivan said, "It can be difficult for any developing student-athlete to recognize the critical nature of making the right decisions off the field when so much of their focus relates to how to excel on it. However, Coach Gutelius consistently reinforces to his players how they must think beyond the immediate, the here-and-now, to position themselves through sound decision-making which will enable them to lead a life of virtue and of consequence."

This essay is this week's "Light One Candle" column by Father Ed Dougherty, M.M., The Christophers' Board of Directors ; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events. 

Background information:

The Christophers

Reflection Starter from St. Thomas Aquinas

"We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it." - Saint Thomas Aquinas, whose memory the Church celebrates today (28 January)

Sonny Rollins Quartet: "Moritat" ("Mack the Knife")

It's time for some jazz, a genre of music I enjoy. Here is a presentation of "Moritat" ("Mack the Knife") by the Sonny Rollins Quartet:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of broadcast radio and the many good ways in which You work through it.

Daniel Esparza on St. Thomas Aquinas' Remedies for Sorrow

"Chances are that while surfing the internet, you have bumped into a rather comforting phrase claiming that 'sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath, and a glass of wine,' attributed to Saint Thomas Aquinas. That is indeed a lovely combo. A glass of wine after or before a good bath can help most of us sleep better -ask any of your Mediterranean friends if in doubt. However (and sorry to burst your bubbles, pun intended) that is not what Aquinas said."

In a recent commentary, writer/scholar Daniel Esparza reflected on some cures for sorrow as offered by St. Thomas Aquinas.

To access Mr. Esparza's complete post, please visit: 

Aleteia: Daniel Esparza: St. Thomas Aquinas' (real) remedies for sorrow (26 JAN 22)

Reflection Starter from St. Angela Merici

"Do not lose heart, even if you should discover that you lack qualities necessary for the work to which you are called. He who called you will not desert you, but the moment you are in need he will stretch out his saving hand." - Saint Angela Merici, whose memory the Church celebrates today (27 January)

LaRae Quy on Becoming More Resilient

"During this pandemic, I’ve read many ridiculous articles about how resilience means 'bouncing through' our obstacles - as though riding out a pandemic is life on a trampoline. These Band-Aids of advice do nothing to encourage people to look for the deep healing they will need if they truly want to be resilient.

"To say we bounce back from adversity implies we ping back and forth until we return to the person we were before. But once we find ourselves on solid ground after experiencing a crisis, we know that we are different. We have been through something significant; we've seen battle and have survived. We have the scars to prove it.

"We don't bounce back; we move through.

"Resilience is the ability to adapt to our circumstances. When creatures adapt to their environment, it's because they can leave something behind as well as learn something new. In short, they change."

In a recent SmartBrief commentary, LaRae Quy offered some recommendations on how one may become more resilient. These ideas include building a strong social network and rising to a higher cause.

To access Ms. Quy’s complete post, please visit:

SmartBrief: How you can become more resilient this year (19 JAN 22)

The Pastels: "How Can I Thank You"

It's time for some more doo wop. Here is a presentation of "How Can I Thank You" by The Pastels:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of strength You give us each day.

Theresa Civantos Barber on Alice von Hildebrand and the Meaning of Life

"Alice von Hildebrand, famed Catholic philosopher and college professor, died last week at age 98. She had devoted her life to advancing the thought of her late husband, Dietrich von Hildebrand. But her work as a teacher, writer, and speaker stands on its own merits.

"In particular, she wrote often about the fundamental things in life - those transcendental truths that stand immutably in the face of moral relativism. . . ."

In a recent commentary, writer Theresa Civantos Barber reflected on some of the insights offered by Alice von Hildebrand, including the truth that our strength comes from God, not from ourselves.

To access Ms. Barber's complete post, please visit:

Aleteia; Theresa Civantos Barber: 5 Key insights on the meaning of life from philosopher Alice von Hildebrand (26 JAN 22)

Reflection Starter from St. Marianne Cope

"Let us make the very best use of the precious moments and do all in our power for His dear sake and for His greater honor and glory." - Saint Marianne Cope

On the Conversion of St. Paul and Other Catholic-related Topics

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:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: John Grondelski: The Conversion of St. Paul (25 JAN 22)

Magis Center: The Reluctance Of Males To Become Men: Failure to Launch (13 JAN 22)

The Catholic Thing: Cultural or Intentional? (27 JUN 21)

Aleteia: Violeta Tejera: Carlo Acutis' first stained glass window in jeans and sneakers (31 JUL 21)

Fr. Dwight Longenecker: The Catholic Faith and Buried Treasure (3 JUL 21)

Knowing Is Doing: When you teach about Jesus Christ, be urgent (13 JUN 21)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales" An Artist's Connection to Dorothy Day

Catholic News Service: Polish nuns killed by Soviet army as World War II ended showed courage (22 JUL 21)

National Poll Worker Recruitment Day

Today, 25 January, is being observed as National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, a national day of action established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to encourage potential poll workers to sign up to Help America Vote.

For more information related to this initiative, please visit:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission: National Poll Worker Recruitment Day

Facebook: Help America Vote: Be a Poll Worker

Keith and Kristyn Getty: "Be Thou My Vision"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of Keith & Kristyn Getty presenting "Be Thou My Vision":

 

Hmmm

Shared on Twitter by Sister Mary Joseph, SSCJ, USA Vocation Director, Sister Servants Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord for the great love You have for each of us.

Br. Finbar Kantor, O.P., on St. Agnes and Our Being Always Known and Loved

"In the sanctuary of the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, hidden away from the sight of every pew, is a small side altar backed by a mosaic reredos of Saint Agnes. Above the image of the virgin martyr is a quote: Ecce venio ad Te, quem amavi, quem quaesivi, quem semper optavi. This quote by St. Agnes, taken from the account of her martyrdom, is translated in tonight's Magnificat antiphon as, 'I am coming to you whom I have loved, whom I have sought and always desired.'

"The most stirring word in this quote is semper. St. Agnes lived and died for the one whom she “'always desired.' . . ."

In a recent commentary, Brother Finbar Kantor, O.P., reflected on how God knows and loves each human being from the beginning of his life and continues to love him for eternity..

To access Br. Finbar's complete post, please visit:

Dominicana: Always Known and Forever Loved (21 JAN 22) 

Reflection Starter from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"One of the great tragedies of life is that men seldom bridge the gulf between practice and profession, between doing and saying. . . . How often are our lives characterized by a high blood pressure of creeds and an anaemia of deeds!" - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (in Strength to Love)

National School Choice Week 2022

This week, the week of 23-29 January, is being observed as National School Choice Week, a grassroots initiative designed to focus on the need for effective education options for all children, including increased access to great public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, virtual schools, private schools, and homeschooling.

Planned by a diverse and nonpartisan coalition of individuals and over 200 partner organizations, National School Choice Week includes a number of events and activities that highlight support for school choice programs and proposals.

For additional information about National School Choice Week, please visit:

National School Choice Week

Background information:

Facebook: School Choice Week

Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice

Instant Classic: "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"

It's time for some more barbershop harmony. Here is a presentation of a medley of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Instant Classic: