28 January 2025

Villanova Pastoral Musicians: "O God Beyond All Praising"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of the Villanova University Pastoral Musicians presenting "O God Beyond All Praising":



Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of warm coats on a cold day.

Br. Patrick Bubel, O.P., on St. Thomas Aquinas and the Search for Happiness

"Crushed into near despair by a particularly nasty cold, a man reaches blindly into his pocket searching for relief. He grasps a cough drop - the sole salve for his burning throat - and unwraps it. Something catches his eye. He finds printed on the wrapper lines such as 'Impress yourself,' 'Bet on yourself,' and 'Elicit a few "wows" today.' His cough drop wrapper is giving him a pep talk. His happiness at these well-wishes, however, is fleeting. Try as he may to be positive, his cold oppresses him, his throat aches him, and his sorrow remains in him.

"If we want advice on happiness, we should turn to the happiest people alive - the saints, Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Although the Common Doctor of the Church is not known for his self-help books, he possesses a deep knowledge of the human heart. Writing centuries ago, Aquinas recognized a sobering, perennial truth . . ."

In a recent commentary, Brother Patrick Bubel, O.P., reflected St. Thomas Aquinas and his guidance on happiness and the search for it.

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

Dominicana: You Can(not) Make Yourself Happy (28 JAN 25)

Reflection Starter from St. Thomas Aquinas

"It is one of glories of the Scripture that it can embrace many meanings in a single passage." - Saint Thomas Aquinas, whose memory the Church celebrates today (28 January)

26 January 2025

Catholic Schools Week

This week, the week of 26 January-1 4ebruary, is being observed as Catholic Schools Week. This year's theme for Catholic Schools Week is  Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community."

This theme is designed to reflect that Catholic schools have an irreplaceable role in the Church's evangelizing mission. Building on the central goal of Catholic schools to form saints, Catholic schools teach and embrace the whole person, body, mind and spirit. The fact that all members of a Catholic school community share the Christian vision of faith that Christ is the foundation of Catholic education is what unites the school as a faith-filled community.


The Catholic Schools Week logo symbolizes the united community of Catholic schools - not a building or an institution, but people of faith serving God and others. No Catholic school can fulfill its educational role alone. As a community, Catholic schools are nourished and stimulated by the centrality of the word of Christ expressed through knowledge, service, scripture and sacramental tradition.
Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community is a theme on which to build a spirit of the gospel to benefit the human family

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

NCEA: National Catholic Schools Week

Background information:

National Catholic Educational Association

 

Sunday of the Word of God

This Sunday, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, being observed throughout the Church as Sunday of the Word of God.

Reflated items:

Catholic Culture: Background: Sunday of the Word of God (25 JAN 25)

Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis: Sunday of the Word of God - Jubilee of the World of Communication (26 January 2025)

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Sunday of the Word of God

"Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind":



Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time  The assigned readings are Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 ; and Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21.The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 19 (Psalm 19:8-10, 15).

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

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm / 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time / Year C / CBW#120 / Psalm 19

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: On The Wonder of the Word of God - A Homily for the Third Sunday of the Year (25 JAN 25)

Benedictine College: This Sunday, We Receive the Word of God in Communion; 5 Third Sunday Takeaways (23 JAN 25)

Word on Fire: You Can’t Give What You Don't Have (Cycle C * Ordinary Time * 3rd Week)

The Pilot: Echoes: Father Joshua J. Whitfield: Scripture Reflection for Jan. 26, 2025, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (22 JAN 25)

Thank You, Lord

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

Nathan Stanley on Engaging Others in One's Unique Mission

"I love reflecting on the incredible nature of our God and his magnificent creation of us. Through self-discovery and understanding who God made us to be, we can set the world ablaze. As St. Catherine of Siena famously said, 'Become who you are meant to be, and you will set the world on fire.' Embracing our true selves allows us to touch countless souls and leave a lasting impact."

In a recent commentary, writer Nathan Stanley, senior director of talent and leadership development with FOCUS, reflected on how each of us is crafted as God's unique masterpiece, designed to share our extraordinary gifts with the world.

To access Mr. Stanley's complete essay, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: Nathan Stanley: You Are God’' Masterpiece: Engaging Others in Your Unique Mission (25 JAN 25)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"May each of us, like Saint Paul, find our hope in the incarnate Son of God and offer it to others wherever hope has been lost, lives broken or hearts overwhelmed by adversity. " - Pope Francis

25 January 2025

Patsy Cline: "If I Could See The World"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Patsy Cline presenting "If I Could See The World":



On What Happened to Hanging Out on the Street and Other Topics

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

To access some of these, please visit:

Bloomberg CityLab: What Happened to Hanging Out on the Street? (23 JAN 25)

Hartford (CT) Courant: Commentary: We all make a tiny but important difference on earth (24 NOV 24)

Public Discourse: Emerging Tech and Religious Freedom (21 JAN 25)

Benedictine College: Media & Culture: Maggie Will Never Forget the Moment She Learned That Beauty Is Not Enough (15 NOV 24)

Governing Magazine: Foundation Money Is Changing the Economic Course of Cities (Winter 2025)

HR Magazine: How to harness the power of nature to transform your work culture (7 JAN 25)

Route Fifty: Slow approach to law enforcement AI could combat errors and bias, experts say (15 JAN 25)

EarthSky: Mercury images from final flyby of BepiColombo! (10 JAN 25)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of conversion experiences.

The Trials and Joys of the Holy Family

The story of the Nativity reminds us that God can bring good out of trials. For the Holy Family, the events surrounding the birth of Jesus proved to be enormously difficult. Nevertheless, these challenges ultimately brought about great joy - and this combination of trials and joy came to define their existence. They also define the existence of all who choose to follow in Christ's footsteps.

One can only imagine the mix of emotions that must have beset Mary and Joseph when they sheltered in a stable waiting for Mary to give birth and then fled Herod's Massacre of the Innocents - anticipation, worry, joy, fear, panic, relief. These emotions and the trials they endured made Mary and Joseph resourceful, a character trait they certainly imparted to Jesus, contributing to the fortitude He demonstrated in the most challenging moments of His life.

For the Holy Family, the joy of the Nativity and their relief in finding safety in Egypt infused their struggle with a sense of purpose by highlighting the peaceful way of life they sought together. We see this hunger for peace in all Christ taught to His disciples. In their joys and trials, the Holy Family learned to rely most fervently on one another, beginning with Jesus in the manger relying upon Mary and Joseph for protection at His most vulnerable.

Saint Josemaría Escrivá said, 'Every time Christmas comes around, I love to look at representations of the child Jesus. Statues and pictures which show a God who lowered Himself remind me that God is calling us. The Almighty wants us to know that He is defenseless, that He needs men's help. From the cradle at Bethlehem, Christ tells you and me that He needs us. He urges us to live a Christian life to the full - a life of self-sacrifice, work and joy."

The vulnerability God the Father allowed His Divine Son to experience as an infant foreshadowed the vulnerability Jesus ultimately felt called to submit to in laying His life down for us all. It was that vulnerability amid the tumult of His birth that taught the Holy Family their most important lesson, which was the necessity of relying on God and one another to survive the trials of life.

This is an important reason why the Nativity brings such peace to our hearts, because it shows us this way of mercy, where we rely on one another in a loving relationship with God to lead us to safety and happiness. This is the profound message of Christmas: that God has sent us a Savior willing to be vulnerable enough to join us in everything from trial to joy.

It is this astounding gift that gives rise to Christmas joy. G.K. Chesterton once gave an insightful explanation of the miracle at the heart of Christmas joy when he wrote, "Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home."

The trials surrounding the Nativity bring this beautiful paradox into focus, and the contemplation of this paradox can open our hearts - even the hardest of hearts [ because it reminds each one of us that Christ came for us personally. At our weakest and most vulnerable moments, Christ is closest to us, wanting to join us and lift our hearts to God. So, let us take joy in the Nativity even amid our trials because God has sent us a Savior who meets us where we are and leads us to salvation.

This essay is a recent "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 the Letter to the Colossians

"Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others." - Colossians 3:23

24 January 2025

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Serenade No. 12 in C Minor

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Serenade No. in C Minor as played by Camerata Pacifica:


 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord for the blessing of patron saints and for the many ways in which You work through them.

Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, on St. Francis de Sales

". . .As I was hurrying to give a presentation in the [Father Judge High School] auditorium, I stood back and watched as a freshman student council leader stood in front of a statue of St. Francis de Sales and told an eighth-grade visitor and his parents, 'This is St. Francis de Sales. He is our patron. That means he helps us. We try to live like him because he tried to live Jesus.”

"The Judge student never saw me, but the parents and the eighth-grader could see the smile on my face. . . ."

In a recent commentary on the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, Father Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, reflected on St. Francis de Sales and his spiritual values and teachings.

To access Fr. Kolodziej's complete post, please visit:

De Sales Weekly: Provincial Reflection: A Blessing to One Another (9 JAN 25)

Reflection Starter from St. Francis de Sales

"Don't get upset with your imperfections. It's a great mistake because it leads nowhere - to get angry because you are angry, upset at being upset, depressed at being depressed, disappointed because you are disappointed. So don't fool yourself. Simply surrender to the Power of God's Love, which is always greater than our weakness." - Saint Francis de Sales, whose memory the Church celebrates today (24 January)

20 January 2025

The Skyliners: "Since I Don't Have You"

It's time for some more doo wop. Here is a presentation of "Since I Don't Have You" by The Skyliners:


 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of opportunities to read during during the winter.

John Cuddleback on a Higher Approach to Self-care

"Popular trends today reveal that human nature is always ‘at work’ in people, inclining us toward various good things. At the same time, these trends can illustrate how misconceptions and disordered desires can taint or pervert such good inclinations. A growing emphasis of 'self-care' can be a case a point - and an important one in this time of new year resolutions. . . .

"But the astute observer needs to be discerning. For as in any area of how-to-do-human-life, there are always deeper principles in play: principles that are not obvious yet nevertheless make a real difference. Someone proposing an approach to 'self-care' might refer to the importance, for instance, of balancing physical and mental well-being. This of course is a great point. But how is this done? What do we mean by 'mental' anyway? Is this a balance between two equal parts? And in the end, what is the motivation or point of doing this self-care anyway?"

In a recent commentary, writer John Cuddleback, professor of Philosophy at Christendom College, reflected on two important principles related to self-care - loving God first and how one loves and acts him/herself is the foundation for how he/she loves and acts toward others.

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

Life Craft: Self-Care: 2 Principles of a Higher Approach (15 JAN 25)

Reflection Starter from Brené Brown

"Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up." - Brené Brown

19 January 2025

"Christ is Made the Sure Foundation"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation":



Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time  The assigned readings are Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, and John 2:1-11.The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 96 (Psalm 96:1-3, 7-10).

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

YouTube: Spirit & Psalm 2025 - Ordinary Time 2 - Psalm

The Gospel reading is as follows:

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from - although the servers who had drawn the water knew -, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: Biblical Basics about Mother Mary - A Homily for the Second Sunday of the Year (18 JAN 25)

Benedictine College: This Sunday, the Bridegroom Transforms Us; Five Takeaways from the Wedding at Cana (16 JAN 25)

Word on Fire: The Marriage of Divinity and Humanity (Cycle C * 2nd Week * Ordinary Time) 

The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: In the wedding (17 JAN 25)

The Pilot: Echoes: Deacon Greg Kandra: Scripture Reflection for Jan. 19, 2025, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (15 JAN 25)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of quiet snowfalls.

Br. Augustine Buckner, O.P., on Needing a Metronome

"The best moral formation often comes from music. It was my first year singing in our Dominican Schola and I was learning the intricate beauty of polyphony. A more seasoned brother leaned over and let me know that I'd really 'internalized the tempo.' 'Great!' I thought to myself, 'I'm getting the hang of this.' My face must have betrayed self-confidence since he went on to explain that this wasn't a good thing. His advice was simple, 'You need a metronome.'

"By 'internalizing the tempo' I had stopped paying attention to the movement of the whole choir. I was internally consistent, singing the right notes, all in good time, but I had fallen off from the piece as a whole."

In a recent commentary, Brother Augustine Mary Buckner, O.P., reflected on our need for a moral metronome'

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

Dominicana: You Need a Metronome (11 JAN 25)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"When the wine of joy and love is missing in our life, the Lord gives us the superabundance of His love. He brings into our lives the wine of the Holy Spirit, which is the wine of joy and hope." - Pope Francis

18 January 2025

The Crystals: "He's A Rebel"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of The Crystals presenting "He's A Rebel":



On a Maine Father-daughter Team Delivering Special Appreciation to Veterans 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:

The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, MA): Lawrence dancer taps her way to world stage (24 OCT 24)

Bulletin (Norwich, CT): Neighbors Against Cancer aims to help with bills not covered by insurance (17 JAN 25)

Only In Your State: Vermont: 11 Abandoned Places In Vermont That Nature Is Reclaiming

Boothbay Register (Boothbay Harbor, ME): Father-daughter team delivers special 'thanks' to veterans (13 JAN 25)

Only In Your State: New Hampshire: 14 Quirky Facts About New Hampshire That Sound Made Up, But Are 100% Accurate

Bangor (ME) Daily News: Aroostook's new international bridge named best in North America (18 JAN 25)

Kennecbec Journal (Augusta, ME): Kennebec County emergency physician program is saving lives, doctor tells Augusta councilors (20 SEP 24)

Taunton (MA) Daily Gazette: Neighborhood near Boston named one of coolest in world. (28 SEP 24)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, public art and those who create it.

Reflections Old and New

Around the time I turned 40, I realized that once the calendar hits September 1st, the days until the end of the year fly by at a rapid pace. This wasn't the case, of course, when I was a kid. The wait until the opening of presents on Christmas Eve seemed endless. But age brings a new perspective, right? Whereas then, I wanted life to speed up, now I'd love it to slow down a little. Unfortunately, I have no say in the matter, and here we are, already on the brink of another new year.

I can't help but think back to my childhood and my elderly aunts and uncles (at least they seemed elderly at the time). When the new year or a birthday approached, they would say, "So long as you've got your health, you've got everything." I didn't understand that sentiment at the time. Sure, good health is nice, but a new Atari videogame is pretty great, too! Now, after a year with a root canal, a slowly-healing sprain, and other minor medical issues, their words ring more true than ever! Plus, as a caregiver for my mother with dementia, challenges are never far away.

So, where does God fit into the picture? If I'm being truthful, I have to admit He has left me frustrated more than once. There are problems it would be easy for Him to fix, and yet He doesn't do so. I'm not talking about major medical healings; just small things. Those are the days when faith becomes a choice more than a feeling. It's nice to feel that spiritual connection with something bigger than myself - and I still do at times - but there are also hours or days when it feels absent.

That's where perspective comes in, where the concept of lighting a candle rather than cursing the darkness is a key to moving forward. Do I have problems? Absolutely! But you have problems, too, don't you? They're probably different from mine, but they still add stress to your life. Those are the moments when it's important to count your blessings and not just dwell on your difficulties. I've got a roof over my head, food on my table, a good job, decent health insurance, etc. On the days when frustrations threaten to overwhelm, I have to make a conscious choice to focus on the things for which I have to be grateful. No, it doesn't make everything better or my problems go away. But it does make a difference. Maybe the same can be said in your life.

So, as 2025 quickly approaches, I can't help but think of a New York Times article by Melissa Kirsch, who asked readers to send in the best advice they had received during the past year. Here are a few of the answers she received: 1) "Keep a running list of the nicest things anyone has ever said to or about you. It's a lifesaver on days when the world is getting the best of you." 2) "Life is too short not to tell the people you love that you love them." 3) "Instead of calling someone out, call them in: Invite them into a judgment-free conversation with the intention of promoting understanding."

I'll add my own and say: do your best not to dwell on negative emotions that drain the joy out of life. And do something that makes you smile. We're all getting older. We might as well make the best of it. Happy new year.

This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column 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

Reflection Starter from C. S. Lewis

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." - C. S. Lewis