13 April 2019
Bruce & The Heartbreaks: "Bring Back Those Oldies"
As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Bruce &The Heartbreaks presenting "Bring Back Those Oldies":
George Weigel on God's Creation and Redemption
"A Lenten quiz: Which came first, God's creation of the world or God's
covenant with Israel? If we think in terms of mere chronology, the
answer is obvious. If we think theologically, however, we get a
different answer -- and the drama of creation, covenant, and redemption
comes into clearer focus.
"In 'Jesus of Nazareth - Holy Week,' Pope Benedict XVI teaches that God's covenant with Israel is not some sort of divine afterthought, an add-on or remedy for something that had gone wrong. No, the covenant and its fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of a son of Israel, Jesus of Nazareth, who inaugurates a new covenant including both Jews and Gentiles, are the very reasons why God created the world: 'According to rabbinic theology, the idea of the covenant - the idea of establishing a holy people to be an interlocutor for God in union with him - is prior to the idea of creation and supplies its inner motive. The cosmos was created, not that there be manifold things in heaven and earth, but that there might be space for the 'covenant,' for the loving 'yes' between God and his human respondent."
In a recent commentary, George Weigel (columnist and Distinguished Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, DC) reflected on God creating and redeeming the world so that His holiness might be shared by a people empowered by grace to live holy lives.
To access Mr. Weigel's complete post, please visit:
The Boston Pilot: Echoes: The Catholic Difference: Creation, redemption, martyrdom: A Lenten reflection (10 APR 19)
"In 'Jesus of Nazareth - Holy Week,' Pope Benedict XVI teaches that God's covenant with Israel is not some sort of divine afterthought, an add-on or remedy for something that had gone wrong. No, the covenant and its fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of a son of Israel, Jesus of Nazareth, who inaugurates a new covenant including both Jews and Gentiles, are the very reasons why God created the world: 'According to rabbinic theology, the idea of the covenant - the idea of establishing a holy people to be an interlocutor for God in union with him - is prior to the idea of creation and supplies its inner motive. The cosmos was created, not that there be manifold things in heaven and earth, but that there might be space for the 'covenant,' for the loving 'yes' between God and his human respondent."
In a recent commentary, George Weigel (columnist and Distinguished Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, DC) reflected on God creating and redeeming the world so that His holiness might be shared by a people empowered by grace to live holy lives.
To access Mr. Weigel's complete post, please visit:
The Boston Pilot: Echoes: The Catholic Difference: Creation, redemption, martyrdom: A Lenten reflection (10 APR 19)
Reflection Starter from Ezekiel
"Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit." - Ezekiel 18:31 (Today's Verse Before the Gospel - Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent)
12 April 2019
Georges Bizet: "Symphony in C"
It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Georges Bizet's Symphony in C, as played by the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra:
Thank You, Lord
Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of good counselors and for the many ways in which You work through them.
A Time of Transformation
Lent is a time to walk with Christ, to open our hearts and allow ourselves to be transformed by His love. The word "Lent" comes from the Old English word for "spring" because it is a time of renewal. Pope Saint Gregory the Great highlighted that Lent is not only a time of penance but also of joy because we strive most fervently to follow the path to eternal life.
This path of life stands in stark contrast to what Pope Gregory characterized as the way of death: the way of the world and pursuit of worldly things. This is why one key element of Lent has always been renunciation. We give things up and fast in order to discipline ourselves away from the temptations of the world so we can receive the gifts of the spirit.
So we should not look upon Lent as a joyless time. Rather, we should view it in the way great athletes approach a period of intense training or competition. These are things they look forward to because these activities lead to the rewards they seek - greatness, honor, and strength of character. Those qualities can be pursued for vain purposes, but they can also be sought for the glory of God.
St. Paul analogizes perseverance in faith to an athletic endeavor when he says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
When we walk in the path of Christ and unburden our souls from selfish desires, we become free to love more fully. This is the victory alluded to by St. Paul, and it is most definitely one worth striving for. Our Christopher News Note on Lent provides practical tips for achieving this victory within our hearts. In the same way that we take on challenges to abstain from indulgences and worldly attachments, we can also give up bad habits of the mind, heart, and soul. Our News Note states: Give up resentment, and become more forgiving. Give up hatred and return good for evil. Give up complaining and be more grateful. Give up pessimism and become more hopeful. Give up worry and become more trusting. Give up anger and become more patient. Give up pettiness and become more noble. Give up gloom and become more joyful.
So we can see how renunciation of worldly attachments opens us up to receive the fruits of the spirit. One of the great challenges in seeking these fruits lies in the realization of the sacrifice such pursuits entail. This is why many people remain lukewarm in their faith. But a lukewarm faith is not the faith of Christ. We are called to be on fire with the Holy Spirit.
While Lent is a 40-day walk with Christ, the Easter season is a 50-day celebration of His resurrection, culminating in Pentecost Sunday, when we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and followers of Christ. This was the miraculous intervention that set the world on fire with Christ's love for us all. And that fire is still burning. All we have to do is want it, like a great athlete striving for victory, and that desire will kindle within us the ability to take on the challenges of Lent. So let's embrace this time of year and walk with Christ for a brief time in the desert, preparing ourselves for the gifts of the spirit that await all who fight the good fight.
This essay is this week's "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
This path of life stands in stark contrast to what Pope Gregory characterized as the way of death: the way of the world and pursuit of worldly things. This is why one key element of Lent has always been renunciation. We give things up and fast in order to discipline ourselves away from the temptations of the world so we can receive the gifts of the spirit.
So we should not look upon Lent as a joyless time. Rather, we should view it in the way great athletes approach a period of intense training or competition. These are things they look forward to because these activities lead to the rewards they seek - greatness, honor, and strength of character. Those qualities can be pursued for vain purposes, but they can also be sought for the glory of God.
St. Paul analogizes perseverance in faith to an athletic endeavor when he says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
When we walk in the path of Christ and unburden our souls from selfish desires, we become free to love more fully. This is the victory alluded to by St. Paul, and it is most definitely one worth striving for. Our Christopher News Note on Lent provides practical tips for achieving this victory within our hearts. In the same way that we take on challenges to abstain from indulgences and worldly attachments, we can also give up bad habits of the mind, heart, and soul. Our News Note states: Give up resentment, and become more forgiving. Give up hatred and return good for evil. Give up complaining and be more grateful. Give up pessimism and become more hopeful. Give up worry and become more trusting. Give up anger and become more patient. Give up pettiness and become more noble. Give up gloom and become more joyful.
So we can see how renunciation of worldly attachments opens us up to receive the fruits of the spirit. One of the great challenges in seeking these fruits lies in the realization of the sacrifice such pursuits entail. This is why many people remain lukewarm in their faith. But a lukewarm faith is not the faith of Christ. We are called to be on fire with the Holy Spirit.
While Lent is a 40-day walk with Christ, the Easter season is a 50-day celebration of His resurrection, culminating in Pentecost Sunday, when we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and followers of Christ. This was the miraculous intervention that set the world on fire with Christ's love for us all. And that fire is still burning. All we have to do is want it, like a great athlete striving for victory, and that desire will kindle within us the ability to take on the challenges of Lent. So let's embrace this time of year and walk with Christ for a brief time in the desert, preparing ourselves for the gifts of the spirit that await all who fight the good fight.
This essay is this week's "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
"Most of the good maxims have been written.It only remains to put them into practice." - Source Unknown
11 April 2019
The Sacred Statue Restoration Ministry of Pete Fernan
"The kettle whistles in the kitchen at
2 in the afternoon every day in the home of Pete and Dorothy Farnan.
It's been a tradition in their household, tea at that hour, ever since
the two married in 2006.
"'I had her agree to that when we got married, tea every day at 2, right on time,' says the 95-year-old Farnan in a teasing way, a sweet smile on his face as he looks at his younger wife, as she calls herself, who is 91. It becomes apparent almost immediately how much they enjoy each other's company.
"After tea, he goes to the basement to begin another afternoon's work at what has become his avocation and passion, restoring and repainting religious statuary for Catholic churches. He's been doing it for about 15 years, never charging a penny. It is a labor of love that perfectly dovetails with two important parts of his life - his long career as a sign painter and his deep religious faith."
A recent article in the Keene Sentinel reported on Mr. Farnan's ministry in the Winchester, NH, area.
To access the complete Keene Sentinel report, please visit:
Keene Sentinel: In restoring sacred statues, Winchester's Farnan is a cut above (6 APR 19)
"'I had her agree to that when we got married, tea every day at 2, right on time,' says the 95-year-old Farnan in a teasing way, a sweet smile on his face as he looks at his younger wife, as she calls herself, who is 91. It becomes apparent almost immediately how much they enjoy each other's company.
"After tea, he goes to the basement to begin another afternoon's work at what has become his avocation and passion, restoring and repainting religious statuary for Catholic churches. He's been doing it for about 15 years, never charging a penny. It is a labor of love that perfectly dovetails with two important parts of his life - his long career as a sign painter and his deep religious faith."
A recent article in the Keene Sentinel reported on Mr. Farnan's ministry in the Winchester, NH, area.
To access the complete Keene Sentinel report, please visit:
Keene Sentinel: In restoring sacred statues, Winchester's Farnan is a cut above (6 APR 19)
"Rainbow Choir" Offers Affirming Life-Witness
"Fifteen elderly people with Alzheimer's disease from Bonheiden,
Belgium, came to Rome for a five-day pilgrimage with Cardinal Jozef De
Kesel, archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, on April 2. All of them are part
of the 'Rainbow Choir' at a home for the elderly in Bonheiden.
"The group met the Holy Father before his April 3 general audience in the Vatican's Paul VI audience hall. 'I think your song is made more precious by your vulnerability,' said Pope Francis to the senior singers, highlighting the consoling power of singing together in bearing the burden of the disease.
"Some representatives of the home as well as family members of the choir took part in the trip, which was hallmarked by encouragement and support from the Holy Father."
A recent National Catholic Register article reported on the Rainbow Choir's visit.
To access the complete National Catholic Register report, please visit:
National Catholic Register: Belgian Choir of Elderly People With Dementia Witnesses to Dignity of Life (10 APR 19)
"The group met the Holy Father before his April 3 general audience in the Vatican's Paul VI audience hall. 'I think your song is made more precious by your vulnerability,' said Pope Francis to the senior singers, highlighting the consoling power of singing together in bearing the burden of the disease.
"Some representatives of the home as well as family members of the choir took part in the trip, which was hallmarked by encouragement and support from the Holy Father."
A recent National Catholic Register article reported on the Rainbow Choir's visit.
To access the complete National Catholic Register report, please visit:
National Catholic Register: Belgian Choir of Elderly People With Dementia Witnesses to Dignity of Life (10 APR 19)
Reflection Starter from Psalm 105
"Seek out the LORD and his might; constantly seek his face. Recall the wondrous deeds he has done, his wonders and words of judgment. . . ." - Psalm 105:4-5
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