Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for Your constant reaching out to us at whatever point we are at in our lives.

On the Importance of Catholics Reflecting God in Their Lives

“People aren’t hearing us. People aren’t seeing us.

“That’s why it’s nothing short of urgent that as Catholics we hear the message, not only of the Holy Father’s bold, historic and jolting move to renounce the papacy, but also, from a communications point of view, the message of his entire papacy.

“The message: Catholics, be who you claim to be — live lives of prayer and faith.”

In a recent National Catholic Register commentary, Kathryn Jean Lopez, editor at large of National Review Online and nationally syndicated columnist, reflected on the importance and urgency of each Catholic encountering Christ and reflecting God’s light and face with his/her life.

To access her complete essay, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Benedict’s Message: Go to Jesus (28 FEB 13)

Reflection Starter from Saint Augustine

“Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.” – Saint Augustine

National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

The week of 3-9 March is being observed as National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. 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. The theme of the week is “Be a Force of Nature.”

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:

• inform the public about the severe weather hazards in their locality;
• provide information that can be used to prepare individuals and communities for severe weather events; and
• motivate individuals and communities to take actions that will prepare them in the event of a severe weather disaster and to share their preparedness steps with others.

For additional information related to National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, please visit:

NWS: Weather-Ready Nation: Be a Force of Nature: National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

NWS: Severe Weather Awareness Week

FEMA: Ready.gov: Severe Weather

NOAA: Weather-Ready Nation: Building a Weather-Ready Nation, one kit at a time

North Hampton, NH,Town Hall Named to the National Register of Historic Places

The North Hampton, NH,Town Hall, which was built in 1844, has been named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Media report:

Hampton Union: Crowning achievement: Town Hall named to national registry (1 MAR 13)

Background information:

North Hampton Heritage Commission

Town of North Hampton, NH

Wikipedia: North Hampton, New Hampshire

National Park Service: National Register of Historic Places

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the increasing singing of birds in the morning as our region moves toward spring.

On the Last Day of Pope Benedict’s Papacy

“Benedict XVI’s final moments as pope yesterday were in keeping with his simple, understated character.

“There was no drama, no long speeches or self-indulgence — simply an acceptance of a reality and a prevailing sense of trust that Christ is at the heart of the Church, sentiments Benedict expressed to cardinals earlier in the day.”

A recent National Catholic Register article chronicled the last day of Pope Benedict’s papacy. The article also reported on the Vatican activities as it began the sede vacante period.

To access the complete National Catholic Register article, please visit:

National Catholic Register: On His Last Day as Pope, Benedict’s Character Shone Through (1 MAR 13)

Reflection Starter from Benjamin Franklin

“The best thing to give your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to a mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.” – Benjamin Franklin

Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for March

The Holy Father’s prayer intentions for March are:

General intention: “That respect for nature may grow with the awareness that all creation is God’s work entrusted to human responsibility.”

Mission intention: “That bishops, priests, and deacons may be tireless messengers of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.”

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for all You have done for and through Pope Benedict XVI during his pontificate.

Msgr. Pope on the “Our Father” and the Common Good

“It is a very brief word that begins the Lord’s prayer, ‘Our’, as in ‘Our Father.’ Note that it is in the first person plural. Such a little insight, yet such a powerful one.

“We live in times that emphasize the first person singular: I, me, mine my rights, my opinion, my choice, my lifestyle, my personal statement, my personal relationship with God, the God of my understanding, etc.

“We could probably do with a little more the first person plural. Our Lord, our Father, our family, our children, our Catholic faith, our heritage, our common lot.”

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the balancing of the dignity and the rights of the individual with the common good.

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

Msgr. Charles Pope: First Person Plural (21 FEB 13)

Reflection Starter from Thomas à Kempis

“If you cannot make yourself what you would wish to be, how can you bend others to your will? We want them to be perfect, yet we do not correct our own faults.” - Father Thomas à Kempis ( in The Imitation of Christ)