Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the little opportunities You present to us each day.

Fr. Scott Hurd on the Value of Little Things

". . . The sociologist who created [The Journal of Mundane Behavior] did so because he was concerned that his professional colleagues virtually ignored the study of the everyday behavior that fills most people's lives.

"The same might be said of many people's attitudes about the practice of religion. They give much attention to what they think are the 'big issues', while they write off the seemingly small, trivial, and routine things as being insignificant or unimportant. Jesus, however, suggests otherwise. In today's gospel parable, servants were praised and blessed precisely because they had been faithful in 'small matters.' In other words, Jesus stresses that when it comes to our journey of faith, it's the little things that can mean a lot. Small, unnoticed acts of faith, kindness, service and generosity, and fidelity to our daily routines and duties, are essential for our spiritual growth and are important in the eyes of our Lord. Yet this is a truth that is tempting to forget, immersed as we are in a culture which esteems public recognition and the grand gesture."

In a recent reflection on last Sunday's Gospel reading (Matthew 25:14-30), Father Scott Hurd (Executive Director of the Archdiocese of Washington Office of the Permanent Diaconate) writes about "the love that Jesus calls us to when he tells us to be faithful in small matters."

To access Father Hurd's complete post, please visit:

Fr. Scott Hurd: Little Things Mean a Lot (13 NOV 11)

Reflection Starter from Thomas Merton

"We are so obsessed with doing that we have no time and no imagination left for being. As a result, men are valued not for what they are but for what they do or what they have - for their usefulness." - Thomas Merton

American Legion Quaker City Band: "Midnight Fire Alarm"

In this video, the American Legion Quaker City Band performs "Midnight Fire Alarm" (Composer: Harry Lincoln):

New England Municipal Government News Headlines

Recent news stories related to municipal government in New England include these articles:

CT: Utilities urged to prepare for bigger storms (Connecticut Post)

ME: Charging for trash disposal effective for increasing recycling rates (Bangor Daily News)

MA: Foxboro will help seniors get rid of storm debris (The Sun Chronicle)

NH: Town land purchased for farming (Concord Monitor)

RI: Cost savings seen in wind, solar generation, audit of buildings in Westerly (Westerly Sun)

VT: Burlington High revives Pep Band after years of inactivity (Burlington Free Press)

Background information:

Bath, ME, Public Works Department

City of Bath, ME

Maine Resource Recovery Association

Maine State Planning Office

Town of Foxborough, MA

Town of Canterbury, NH

Town of Westerly, RI

Burlington, VT, School District

City of Burlington, VT

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for creating us as unique individuals, each with our own special gifts, and for placing us where You are calling us to serve You and to serve Your people.

Deacon Scott Dodge on Being God's Gift

Deacon Scott Dodge, who serves in the the Diocese of Salt Lake City, recently offered a thoughtful reflection on using the gifts God has given us in the place He has put us.

To access Deacon Scott's post, please visit:

Deacon Scott Dodge: Watching our language (14 NOV 11)

Creativity and Time

Deacon Greg Kandra recently shared an interesting video on the effects of time on creativity:

The Deacon's Bench: Go ahead. Take your time. (14 NOV 11)

Reflection Starter from Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

"You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint or no saint at all." - attributed to Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (Saint Thérèse of Lisieux)

New England Municipal Government News Headlines

Recent news stories related to municipal government in New England include these articles:

CT: Town of Stonington sued over dog's confinement (The Westerly Sun)

ME: Winthrop to outlaw selling of fireworks (Kennebec Journal)

MA: Group pitches autonomous schools for city (Standard-Times)

NH: Hooksett police study finds distrust rampant on force (New Hampshire Union Leader)

RI: New system makes school lunch service easier (Woonsocket Call)

VT: Oversight virtually absent with Vermont search warrants (Burlington Free Press)

Background information:

Town of Stonington, CT

Town of Winthrop, ME

New Bedford, MA, Public Schools

City of New Bedford, MA

Town of Hooksett, NH

North Smithfield, RI, School Department

Town of North Smithfield, RI

NFPA and USFA Initiative to Put a Freeze on Winter Fires

As winter draws closer and home fire deaths begin to increase, the National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Fire Administration are issuing reminders that fire safety and prevention are especially important in the coming months. Because home fires are more prevalent in winter than in any other season, NFPA and USFA are once again jointly sponsoring a special initiative – Put a Freeze on Winter Fires – to help raise public awareness about winter fires.

The USFA’s Winter Residential Building Fires report shows that each winter an estimated 108,400 residential building fires occur in the United States, resulting in 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries, and $1.7 billion in property loss.  Cooking is the leading cause of winter residential building fires at 36 percent followed by heating at 23 percent.  Winter residential building fires occur mainly in the early evening hours, peaking from 5 PM to 8 PM.

The NFPA and USFA recommend following these safety tips to prevent winter home fires:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period, turn off the stove.
• Space heaters need space; keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from each heater.
• Check electrical cords often and replace cracked or damaged electrical or extension cords. Do not try to repair them.
• Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your home. They are not designed for this purpose and can be a fire hazard. In addition, carbon monoxide (CO) gas might kill people and pets.
• Do not put your live Christmas tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
• Avoid using lighted candles. If you must use candles, place them in sturdy candleholders that won’t burn.
• If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes and smoke outside.

For more information about the causes of winter fires, winter storm fire safety, holiday fire safety, and tips that will help prevent the incidence of fire in the home, please visit the USFA website at www.usfa.fema.gov/winter and the NFPA website at www.nfpa.org/winter.

American Education Week

This week, the week of 13-19 November, is American Education Week. This week is observed to honor the efforts of students to learn; to recognize the professionalism and dedication of teachers, support staff and other educators; to thank parents and members of the community who help students succeed; and to rededicate the community at large to quality public education for every student.

Presidential Proclamation:

Presidential Proclamation - American Education Week, 2011

Background information:

National Education Association: American Education Week