NWS Boston is sponsoring Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Southern New England during this week (31 October-4 November). The National Weather Service office in Norton, MA, will feature a different winter-related topic each day during the week
For more information related to Winter Weather Preparedness Week and the daily topics, please visit:
"Every October 31st, the celebration of All Hallows Eve, now more commonly known as Halloween, takes over the streets. Households hand out candy to children who say 'trick or treat' and hope they don't get raisins or apples in their bags of goodies. Groups of friends find trails, houses, and theme parks that advertise 'spooky' or 'haunted.' Jack-o-lanterns sit on porches as little works of art. Families use cobwebs as decorations instead of using brooms to clear them. Blood, skeletons, and screams are in abundance.
In a recent commentary, Lauren Woodrell, editor at Magis Center, reflected on how this Celtic celebration"On November 1st, and throughout the Month of November, the Catholic Church honors all the saints - our brothers and sisters who have traveled the road we now traverse and have finally received their reward in the Kingdom of Heaven. Devotion to the saints is one of the beautiful hallmarks of Catholic life. We love our saints, we turn to them for assistance, and we admire their example of holiness and courageous faith.
"But when I think about the saints and study their
lives, the question that comes quickly to mind is this: why can't I be a
saint? Why can't I be holy like they were? . . ."
In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence
(RI), reflected on how those we revere as saints really wanted to be holy, taking seriously their spiritual lives.
To access Bishop Tobin's complete essay, please visit:
The Imitation of Christ: Why You And I Aren't Saints (27 OCT 22)
"Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
As our Sunday celebration continues, I offer this version of the Medical Mission Sisters presenting "Zacchaeus":
Today the Church celebrates the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Wisdom 11:22-12:22 16-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-22,
and Luke 19:1-10. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 145 (Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14).
For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:
YouTube: Responsorial Psalm: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time I Psalm 145
The Gospel reading is as follows:
At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."
Reflections on these readings:
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time October 30, 2022
St. Paul Center: Lover of Souls: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Magis Center for Catholic Spirituality: Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Word on Fire: You Have Been Loved Into Being (Cycle C * 31st Week of Ordinary Time)
Birthday greetings to Leslie Ann Ascencao, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!
Birthday greetings to nephew James Fedoras, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!
"Recently I was talking to a group of young adult Catholics and mentioned
a gospel passage that they said they had never heard. It is the Gospel
of the Temple Tax and how Jesus told Peter to go catch a fish and, in
its mouth will be a coin that will pay the Temple Tax for Jesus and
Peter. In a certain sense it is one of the more charming gospel passages
and kind of 'cool.' It shows Jesus' sovereignty over creation and the
rather interesting twist of finding money in the mouth of a certain fish
from a large large of likely millions of fish. In the Holy Land today,
when you have a meal near the Sea of Galilee, many of the restaurants
serve 'Peter's Fish' that is served with a coin in its mouth."
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on this Gospel story in which a quiet miracle affirms "Peter's faith in Jesus' divinity and Sonship without confronting others who were not yet ready to hear or believe this."
To access Msgr. Pope's complete posts, please visit:
Community in Mission: Of a Lesser-Known Gospel Story that is Pretty "Cool" (26 OCT 22)
"We must not fear moments of sadness and desolation, but be confident and sure that the Lord never abandons us, and with Him close by, we can overcome every temptation." - Pope Francis
As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Charlotte Church presenting "Danny Boy":
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:
WPRI-TV: Johnston firefighter running 4 races for Florida nonprofit (21 OCT 22)
Concord (NH) Monitor: An era disappears - a sad note for old pianos (30 JUL 22)
Penobscot Bay Pilot (Camden, ME): Massive duck returns to Belfast Harbor with an updated message: Greater Joy (23 OCT 22)
New England Historical Society: Destruction of the Caleb Cushing: Confederate Pirates in Maine
The Daily News of Newburyport (MA): Learning math with 'dream come true' in Amesbury (15 NOV 21)
WPRI-TV: Narragansett couple transforms basement into nefarious Harry Potter alleyway (28 OCT 22)
Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of those who support families with developmentally challenged children.
When Anitra Rowe Schulte gave birth to her first daughter, she wasn't prepared for a child who suffered from a rare chromosomal condition called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. With time, prayer, research, and a supportive community, Anitra has built a fulfilling life for the daughter she dubs "Miss E" online, while also working to create a more welcoming world for other children and families dealing with disability. That's one of the reasons she wrote the children's book Dancing with Daddy, which was inspired by an experience in her family's life - and which recently earned a Christopher Award.
Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome manifests itself through low muscle tone, facial differences, congenital heart defects, communication delays, problems ingesting food, seizures, and mobility issues that require a wheelchair. During a Christopher Closeup interview, Anitra recalled that she and her husband, Dan, felt "isolated and alone, and were struggling to find resources" during Miss E's early days. It wasn't until Anitra was referred to the website WolfHirschhorn.org that they found a community of people who helped them understand the supports their daughter would need.
In addition, Anitra had her Christian faith to lean on. Every day, she would pray, "God, can You please help me through this day? I want to help my girl grow. This is outside of what I feel like I can do. What can You do? How can You take the wheel here?" Anitra added, "When my daughter had seizures . . . and her life feels like it's in your hands, it was such a relief to know it's not. She was in my hands, but she was also in His hands."
As time passed, Miss E started being fed through a feeding tube. She has struggled with speech delays, but has learned to communicate through gestures and the PODD Communication Book. And she uses a wheelchair to get around. Perhaps most importantly, Anitra and her husband went on to have two more daughters, who have become Miss E's biggest supporters and companions. That's evident in the illustrations in Dancing with Daddy, which was inspired by Dan taking all three of their daughters to a school dance. The book highlights Miss E picking out a dress in the store, eating dinner with her family, and, of course, dancing with her father. Though Miss E suffers with physical disabilities, the book shows that her mind and imagination are rich.
Creating a spiritual foundation for Miss E is also a priority for the Schultes. Anitra explained, "My husband is Catholic...and we go to Mass. We also go to another church that is non-denominational Christian . . . that has a program that is supportive of individuals with disabilities and that [offers] support during Sunday school lessons. . . . So we’ve had this beautiful balance of both. [Miss E] did go through the process to have First Communion and has done her Confession. . . . Her augmentative communication has made that possible."
All of Miss E's achievements would not have been possible without Dan's love and support. He doesn't let challenges stand in their family's way. "He and [Miss E] have a special relationship," Anitra concluded. "Her verbal language is starting to emerge. And at bedtime, it's just Dada, Dada, Dada.... . . . When I see them dancing together and spending time together, it warms my heart because I can tell how much my daughter loves it. For the two of them to have those special moments together, from a mom's perspective, i'’s everything. It's part of that full family dynamic that makes me feel so blessed."
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
"Live your life as if it were important - take yourself seriously. Create your life intentionally; actively make it what you wish it to be." - Michael Gerber
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, (29 October). The free event will be held from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. As of this writing, there are 618 collection sites planned in New England, including 80 in Connecticut, 84 in Maine, 184 in Massachusetts, 129 in New Hampshire, 42 in Rhode Island, and 51 in Vermont.
Public health, law enforcement, and other government and community representatives will be working at these sites to collect expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs that are potentially dangerous if left in the family’s medicine cabinet.
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's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Charles Avison's Concerto VI in D major, as presented by Ars Lyrica Houston:
"Last week I was on the 45-minute drive from my home in Adrian, MI, to my office at St. Francis High School in Toledo, OH. That afternoon I presided at the funeral of Brother James Dorazio, OSFS. Brother Jim died on October 9 at 88 years of age. The day was well planned. My morning was filled with setting up the reception at the Oblate residence, setting up the church, meeting the funeral directors, informing lectors and other ministers at the Mass of their responsibilities, and greeting Brother Jim's family from PA and MD.
"As I drove, thinking about the funeral and Brother Jim, a man I've known for over 50 years, I also began thinking of my older brother's funeral, which occurred just five days before. . . .".In a recent commentary, Father Jack Loughran, OSFS, reflected on the grief he felt on these occasions and on the consolation he received through Christ and His resurrection.
To access Fr. Loughran's complete post, please visit:
De Sales Weekly: Provincial's Reflection: Gratitude through Grief (27 OCT 22)
"But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit.Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life" - Jude 20-21
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:
Dominicana: You Will See Angels (27 SEP 22)
National Catholic Register: Blogs:Joanna Bogle: Remembering Queen Elizabeth II's Catholic Connections (21 SEP 22)
Aleteia: Cecilia Pigg: Why your marriage doesn't need more date nights (27 SEP 22)
Catholic News Agency: An expert answers 6 common reasons for not going to confession (22 OCT 22)
Rhode Island Catholic: The Quite Corner: Religion is a revelation from God (13 OCT 22)
Dominicana: Name Dropping the Only Name that Saves (17 SEP 21)
Tomorrow, 28 October, is being observed as National First Responders Day, an observance designed to to recognize the “hard work of the heroic men and women who risk their lives and take action when disaster strikes.”
Presidential Proclamation:
The White House: A Proclamation on National First Responders Day, 2022
Related media:
U.S. Department of Commerce: Celebrating Our Nation’s First Responders
"Here's good news in a major new survey done with US Catholic priests: the majority of them are happy in their vocation. But the study, which surveyed 3,516 priests from 191 US Catholic dioceses, also showed that many priests display signs of burnout - especially younger priests. And diocesan priests fare worse than those who belong to religious orders.
"Priests surveyed also said that they find
significant support in their lay friends - so that should motivate us to
think about how we can be better friends to the priests we know and
love. We should never assume that they have the support they need, so
here are a few ideas to consider."
In a recent commentary, Zoe Romanowsky, Lifestyle Editor at Aleteia, reflected on some of the ways one can support his/her priest(s).
To access Ms. Romanowsky's complete post, please visit:
Aleteia: Zoe Romanowsky: 7 Ways to support your priest (26 OCT 22)
"The servant-leader is servant first, it begins with a natural feeling
that one wants to serve, to serve first, as opposed to, wanting power,
influence, fame, or wealth." - Robert K. Greenleaf
". . . The Catholic Encyclopedia says “The virtue of humility may be defined: 'A quality by which a person considering his own defects has a lowly
opinion of himself and willingly submits himself to God and to others
for God’s sake.'"
In a recent commentary, writer Gene Van Son reflected on the relationship between pride, humility, temperance, and wisdom.
To access Mr. Van Son's complete post, please visit:
Catholic Stand: Oh Lord, it's Hard to be Humble, When You're Perfect in Every Way (10 OCT 22)
"We are free to choose our actions, . . . but we are not free to choose the consequences of these actions." - Dr. Stephen Covey (in First Things First)
October is being observed as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCASM), the nineteenth year of this annual initiative designed to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. NCSAM is a collaborative effort between government and industry designed to that ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online, while increasing the resiliency of the Nation during cyber-threats.
Resources:
National Cybersecurity Alliance: Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Birthday greetings to Christopher Medeiros, husband of Myrna's daughter Mimi, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!
As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of Johnny Cash presenting "Jesus Was a Carpenter":
". . . Before his public ministry, Jesus was not known for his elegance of speech or his miracles. On the contrary, his fellow Nazoreans were surprised by his words and deeds: 'Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son' (Matt 13:54–55)? He certainly had a reputation, but only as a simple laborer. . .
"Yet, we who follow this humble
carpenter are all too quick to complain when the work assigned to us is
beneath our dignity, unworthy of our talents - as if these were our own in
the first place (1 Cor 4:7)."
This week, the week of 23-29 October, is being observed as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.
This year HUD, EPA, and CDC will be posting social media messages corresponding to daily themes:
Childhood lead poisoning is considered one of the most preventable environmental disease among young children. However, an estimated 250,000 U.S. children have elevated blood-lead levels. A simple blood test can prevent permanent damage that will last a lifetime.
During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strives to:
During this week, a number of states and communities offer free blood-lead testing and conduct various education and awareness events.
Background information:
CDC: National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
CDC: Lead Poisoning Prevention Tips
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes
It's time for some more barbershop harmony. Here is a presentation of "If You're Happy and You Know It" by the Clutch:
Thank you, Lord for the blessing of school extracurricular activities and the many ways in which they help participants develop.
"I live on a very busy highway, one that sees lots of traffic every day. And of course, over the years, the highway has slowly deteriorated, marked with ever-growing bumps and valleys, potholes and pockets, making the road nearly un-drivable at times, and very noisy too!
"Thus I was thrilled when the State began repaving the road a few months ago. It was a major project, involving lots of planning and strategy, but kudos to the Department of Transportation for their excellent work! . . .
"It was an interesting process to watch. . . .
"Now, of course, this article isn't about the science of paving roads, but rather, to suggest that the repaving of the road is an apt analogy of the spiritual life. And the question is, how do we provide a safe and smooth road to heaven?"
In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on this analogy, including the importance of removing all that is old and broken in our lives (the potholes of our spiritual life) and repaving our spiritual life by intentionally practicing goodness and kindness, putting on virtue, and trying to be more like Jesus every day.
To access Bishop Tobin's complete essay, please visit:
The Imitation of Christ: Paving The Road To Holiness (20 OCT 22)
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