Reflection Starter from Viktor Frankl

"A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the 'why' for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any 'how.'" - Dr. Viktor E. Frankl

The Inspirations: "When I Wake Up to Sleep No More"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of The Inspirations presenting "When I Wake Up to Sleep No More":

Firefighter Safety Stand Down 2024

This week, the week of 16-22 June, is being observed as Firefighter Safety Stand Down 2024. an observance designed to highlight critical safety, health, and survival issues for fire service personnel. This year's theme, "Fire Training: Back to Basics,." focuses on the importance of a solid, foundational training program. The goal is to make sure everyone is ready to respond to the next emergency. Daily focus topics include building the foundation of a training program, assessing the needs of the community and department, safety during training, physical and behavioral/mental health considerations, and the twelve foundations of fire department training..

Fire departments throughout the U.S. are encouraged to suspend all non-emergency activity during Safety Week and to focus entirely on survival training and education until all shifts and personnel have participated.

For additional information related to Firefighter Safety Stand Down, please visit:

Safety Stand Down 2024

IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section

NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of those who work in funeral homes.

Br. Patrick Bubel, O.P., on Acts of Faith

"Planning outdoor events in the summer inevitably entails consulting weather reports. Did you hope to go to the beach for the day? Think again! Al Roker just told you there is a 90 percent chance of thunderstorms. While checking the forecast can be helpful, we often agonize over decisions because of weather reports . . . .

"We plan our lives around [weather reports], trusting the information we receive and acting on it.

"Put another way, we make acts of faith in weather reports. We personally do not know what the weather will be - we believe the words of a meteorologist or the percentages from a computer. We trust that the information we receive is true and then act on it, despite the inherent uncertainty with the whole enterprise."

In a recent commentary, Brother Patrick Bubel, O.P., reflected making acts of faith in various things in our day-to-day lives vis-à-vis acts of faith in Goad and things eternal.

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

Dominicana: Do You Believe in Weather Reports? (14 JUN 24)

Reflection Starter from Jared Silver

"Doing things is not the same as getting things done." - Jared Silver

Belated Birthday Blessings, Anthony!!!

Belated birthday greetings to nephew Anthony, whose birthday was yesterday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Forefront: "Ring-a-Ding-Ding!"

It's time for some more barbershop harmony. Here is a presentation of "Ring-a-Ding-Ding!" by Forefront:

 YouTube: Forefront - Ring-a-Ding-Ding!

National Waste & Recycling Workers Week

This week, the week of 16-22 June, is being observed as National Waste & Recycling Workers Week, an observance designed to celebrate and thank the women and men who work daily to keep our neighborhoods and streets safe and clean.

Background information:

Waste and Recycling Workers Week

Facebook: Waste and Recycling Workers Week

Solid Waste Association of North America

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for our fathers and the blessing they are.

Bishop Henning on the Challenge of Fatherhood

"Studies have demonstrated over and again that children have their best opportunity to thrive when they enjoy the blessing of a mother and a father. This is not to lessen the heroic contribution of many single parents or other family members who step in to assist. It is to say that we can and should still hope that each child might have good and loving parents who reflect God's gift of creating humanity 'male and female.'

"The state of our society is such that too many children do not have such blessings. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Bishop Richard G. Henning, the bishop of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on fatherhood and some of the qualities needed to meet its challenge

To access Bishop Henning's complete essay, please visit:

The State of Hope: The Challenge of Fatherhood (13 JUN 24)

Reflection Starter from Psalm 119

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path." - Psalm 119:105