04 November 2018
Reflection Starter from Pope Francis
"We need smiling Christians, not because they take things lightly, but because they are filled with the joy of God, because they believe in love and live to serve." - Pope Francis
03 November 2018
On Finding God's Will for Our Lives
"When I was a kid, we had no problem making choices. We went with our
gut, and if someone disagreed, we 'shot it out' with Rock, Paper,
Scissors or tossed a coin, then threw ourselves into whatever it was.
"Somewhere along the line, things got complicated. We read 'Two Roads Diverged in a Yellow Wood' and learned that a choice can define a life. Wanting to do God’s will, we began to agonizing over those choices.
"Sometimes I wonder if we're meant to get as worked up about 'life choices' as we do. 'Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not unto men,' St. Paul told the Colossians in 3:23, clearly more interested in the how than the what. . . .
"Fulfilling what we do know to be God's will for us ought to be our top priority. . .
"Each of us has God-given talents and abilities, a unique background and circumstances. We are to be responsible stewards of those gifts, so we can 'go and bear fruit' in his love. And to help us do that, we have a conscience and the ability to reason.
"And we have free will.
"Part of being human is making choices, even when it's hard. In doing so, we learn to follow God and hear his voice. We grow in faith. And although God shows us the goal and provides signposts along the way, long stretches of our path may lie in darkness.
"That's where the trust comes in. . . ."
A recent Magis Center blog post re-published a post from the Ascension Blog that offered practical steps for discerning and following God's will.
To access the complete post, please visit:
Magis Center: 5 Steps to Finding God's Will for Your Life (1 NOV 18)
"Somewhere along the line, things got complicated. We read 'Two Roads Diverged in a Yellow Wood' and learned that a choice can define a life. Wanting to do God’s will, we began to agonizing over those choices.
"Sometimes I wonder if we're meant to get as worked up about 'life choices' as we do. 'Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not unto men,' St. Paul told the Colossians in 3:23, clearly more interested in the how than the what. . . .
"Fulfilling what we do know to be God's will for us ought to be our top priority. . .
"Each of us has God-given talents and abilities, a unique background and circumstances. We are to be responsible stewards of those gifts, so we can 'go and bear fruit' in his love. And to help us do that, we have a conscience and the ability to reason.
"And we have free will.
"Part of being human is making choices, even when it's hard. In doing so, we learn to follow God and hear his voice. We grow in faith. And although God shows us the goal and provides signposts along the way, long stretches of our path may lie in darkness.
"That's where the trust comes in. . . ."
A recent Magis Center blog post re-published a post from the Ascension Blog that offered practical steps for discerning and following God's will.
To access the complete post, please visit:
Magis Center: 5 Steps to Finding God's Will for Your Life (1 NOV 18)
Reflection Starter from Matthew
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." - Matthew 11:29-30
02 November 2018
Massachusetts Dairy Farm of the Year
"Will Rogers, cowboy philosopher, actor and humorist, once
said, 'The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn't still be a
farmer.'
"William P. 'Will' Rogers, dairy farmer, would agree with that sentiment. And yes, he considers himself an optimist.
"Mr. Rogers, who milks a herd of 65 Holstein, Brown Swiss cross, and Normande cross cattle, ships 7,500 pounds of milk every other day through the Agri-Mark dairy cooperative.
"He is this year's winner of the Green Pastures Award, named Massachusetts Dairy Farm of the Year by the New England Green Pastures Program."
A recent Telegram & Gazette article profiled William Rogers and his insights on farming.
To access the complete Telegram & Gazette report, please visit:
Telegram & Gazette: Warren dairy farmer prefers simple approach beneficial for the land and animals (28 OCT 18)
Background information:
UMass Extension: New England Green Pastures Program
"William P. 'Will' Rogers, dairy farmer, would agree with that sentiment. And yes, he considers himself an optimist.
"Mr. Rogers, who milks a herd of 65 Holstein, Brown Swiss cross, and Normande cross cattle, ships 7,500 pounds of milk every other day through the Agri-Mark dairy cooperative.
"He is this year's winner of the Green Pastures Award, named Massachusetts Dairy Farm of the Year by the New England Green Pastures Program."
A recent Telegram & Gazette article profiled William Rogers and his insights on farming.
To access the complete Telegram & Gazette report, please visit:
Telegram & Gazette: Warren dairy farmer prefers simple approach beneficial for the land and animals (28 OCT 18)
Background information:
UMass Extension: New England Green Pastures Program
The Potential for Good in Ordinary Lives
Well, it's that time of year again! No, I don't mean pumpkin spice season. That's been well underway for a few weeks now. What I'm talking about is the release of The Christophers' newest edition (Volume 53) of our annual book of daily stories and reflections, Three Minutes a Day. What is the book's purpose? Here's what the founder of The Christophers, Father James Keller, had to say many years ago:
"Stop and think why it is important to set aside a few still moments each day when you can renew your contact with God and with your own inner self. . . Action in any crucial area of public or private life . . . must flow from a sure grasp of divine and human values. This book starts with familiar, everyday anecdotes - one for each day in the year. It seeks to draw from them spiritual meaning, to show that even the most routine event in the most ordinary life can be charged with great potential for good."
Here is one of the Three Minutes a Day entries about the positive influence of an ordinary life: "You already have three healthy children. You don't need this burden." That's what author Melissa Kuch's grandparents were told by doctors in 1954, when their son Peter was born with Down syndrome. But the couple ignored their advice to institutionalize Peter, choosing to love and raise him instead. Though Peter endured health struggles, he became "the heart of this family," writes Kuch on her website. "Peter's innocence always focused on the good things. He always said grace before eating, raising his glass and toasting 'To all the family. Peace to the world, we do need it.'"
Kuch came to love her Uncle Peter as she was growing up. And though he passed away at age 64, she cherishes the example of his life. She writes, "I try to see the world through Uncle Peter's eyes . . . all of us united in love and understanding. Toasting to a world, praying that there will be peace . . . We do need it. When you are searching for God's blessing in life, look around you - you may discover that it was right beside you all this time."
Three Minutes a Day also includes stories of forgiveness. For instance, Margaret Berberich dreaded moving in with her aging father after her mother died. The two had never gotten along because he was "harsh and judgmental," she wrote in Guideposts. But Margaret and her husband were dealing with financial burdens, so this was the best option. "Lord, how can I take care of this man I don't really care for?" she prayed. "Teach me how to love the unlovable."
Margaret discovered that her father had reached a level of helplessness due to "age-related dementia," so she drove him to doctor's appointments and tended to his needs. One day, after offering him his favorite ice cream bar. He responded, "Margaret . . . Thank you. You take such good care of me."
Margaret was floored. She wrote, "I felt the knot inside me come loose. . . . Dad and I had both been brought low by circumstances beyond our control, and in this new place, there wasn't room for anger or resentment. There was peace, tenderness, even love. That was really why God had brought me here, I realized.. . . . . For a chance to settle the past and to finally have a relationship with my father."
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
"Stop and think why it is important to set aside a few still moments each day when you can renew your contact with God and with your own inner self. . . Action in any crucial area of public or private life . . . must flow from a sure grasp of divine and human values. This book starts with familiar, everyday anecdotes - one for each day in the year. It seeks to draw from them spiritual meaning, to show that even the most routine event in the most ordinary life can be charged with great potential for good."
Here is one of the Three Minutes a Day entries about the positive influence of an ordinary life: "You already have three healthy children. You don't need this burden." That's what author Melissa Kuch's grandparents were told by doctors in 1954, when their son Peter was born with Down syndrome. But the couple ignored their advice to institutionalize Peter, choosing to love and raise him instead. Though Peter endured health struggles, he became "the heart of this family," writes Kuch on her website. "Peter's innocence always focused on the good things. He always said grace before eating, raising his glass and toasting 'To all the family. Peace to the world, we do need it.'"
Kuch came to love her Uncle Peter as she was growing up. And though he passed away at age 64, she cherishes the example of his life. She writes, "I try to see the world through Uncle Peter's eyes . . . all of us united in love and understanding. Toasting to a world, praying that there will be peace . . . We do need it. When you are searching for God's blessing in life, look around you - you may discover that it was right beside you all this time."
Three Minutes a Day also includes stories of forgiveness. For instance, Margaret Berberich dreaded moving in with her aging father after her mother died. The two had never gotten along because he was "harsh and judgmental," she wrote in Guideposts. But Margaret and her husband were dealing with financial burdens, so this was the best option. "Lord, how can I take care of this man I don't really care for?" she prayed. "Teach me how to love the unlovable."
Margaret discovered that her father had reached a level of helplessness due to "age-related dementia," so she drove him to doctor's appointments and tended to his needs. One day, after offering him his favorite ice cream bar. He responded, "Margaret . . . Thank you. You take such good care of me."
Margaret was floored. She wrote, "I felt the knot inside me come loose. . . . Dad and I had both been brought low by circumstances beyond our control, and in this new place, there wasn't room for anger or resentment. There was peace, tenderness, even love. That was really why God had brought me here, I realized.. . . . . For a chance to settle the past and to finally have a relationship with my father."
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
Reflection Starter from e. e. cummings
"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." - e. e. cummings
01 November 2018
Military Family Appreciation Month
The month of November is being observed as Military Family
Appreciation Month, an observance designed to honor and recognize
families of members of the U.S. Armed Forces for their sacrifices,
commitment, and contributions in support of our military and nation.
Related information:
Military.com: 4 Ways to Recognize Military Family Appreciation Month
Learning Liftoff: How to Celebrate Military Family Appreciation Month
YouTube: 2018 Military Family Appreciation Month
Related information:
Military.com: 4 Ways to Recognize Military Family Appreciation Month
Learning Liftoff: How to Celebrate Military Family Appreciation Month
YouTube: 2018 Military Family Appreciation Month
On a Lourdes Miracle Converting an Agnostic Physician
"From the time of Blessed Mary's first apparition to Bernadette Soubirous, the water from the
Lourdes Grotto has been a source of miraculous healings both for those
who have visited the Grotto and even for those who used the water in
remote places. Since the time of Bernadette, over 7,000 miraculous cures
have been reported to the Lourdes Medical Bureau by pilgrims who have
visited Lourdes (which does not include miracles that have taken place
outside of Lourdes).
"There were so many purported cures associated with the water and Grotto of Lourdes that the Catholic Church decided to set up the Lourdes Medical Bureau to be constituted by and under the leadership of physicians and scientists alone. The objective of the Bureau is to render a judgment that a particular cure was near instantaneous, efficacious throughout the remainder of life, and in all other ways, scientifically inexplicable. The Bureau is constituted by 20 physicians and scientists. Its records are open to any physician or scientist who wants to make their own investigation or challenge to any particular case recognized as 'miraculous.'
"Since 1883, only 69 cases have been recognized as 'miraculous' according to the strict standards of the Bureau. But this does not mean that the 7,000 other cures were not miraculous by other standards. These cases simply cannot be shown to be completely scientifically inexplicable - though their occurrence could be truly extraordinary and possibly - or even probably - miraculous. . . .
"One of the most significant cases was the healing of Marie Bailly. Her case was witnessed by Dr. Alexis Carrell, and it eventually brought about his conversion."
In a recent post, Lindsay Rudegeair, Managing Editor of the Magis Center blog, offered an excerpt from Father Robert Spitzer's Contemporary, Scientifically Validated Miracles Associated with Blessed Mary, Saints and the Holy Eucharist.
To access Ms. Rudegeair's complete post, please visit:
Magis Center: This Lourdes Miracle Converted an Agnostic Physician (23 OCT 18_
"There were so many purported cures associated with the water and Grotto of Lourdes that the Catholic Church decided to set up the Lourdes Medical Bureau to be constituted by and under the leadership of physicians and scientists alone. The objective of the Bureau is to render a judgment that a particular cure was near instantaneous, efficacious throughout the remainder of life, and in all other ways, scientifically inexplicable. The Bureau is constituted by 20 physicians and scientists. Its records are open to any physician or scientist who wants to make their own investigation or challenge to any particular case recognized as 'miraculous.'
"Since 1883, only 69 cases have been recognized as 'miraculous' according to the strict standards of the Bureau. But this does not mean that the 7,000 other cures were not miraculous by other standards. These cases simply cannot be shown to be completely scientifically inexplicable - though their occurrence could be truly extraordinary and possibly - or even probably - miraculous. . . .
"One of the most significant cases was the healing of Marie Bailly. Her case was witnessed by Dr. Alexis Carrell, and it eventually brought about his conversion."
In a recent post, Lindsay Rudegeair, Managing Editor of the Magis Center blog, offered an excerpt from Father Robert Spitzer's Contemporary, Scientifically Validated Miracles Associated with Blessed Mary, Saints and the Holy Eucharist.
To access Ms. Rudegeair's complete post, please visit:
Magis Center: This Lourdes Miracle Converted an Agnostic Physician (23 OCT 18_
Reflection Starter from Hyman Rickover
" I believe it is the duty of each of us to act as if the fate of the world depended on him. Admittedly, one man by himself cannot do the job. However, one man can make a difference. We must live for the future of the human race, and not for our own comfort or success." - Hyman G. Rickover
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