Lop Notes

17 January 2025

Antonio Vivaldi:Sinfonia for Strings in G Major

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Antonio Vivaldi's Sinfonia for Strings in G Major (RV 149) as presented by Musica Antiqua Russica, directed by Vladimir Shulyakovskiy:

On Art in Revolutionary Times, Ripples from Acts of Kindness, and Other Topics

A number of articles/posts have recently been published on a variety of subjects worth considering.

To access some of these, please visit:

Modern Age: Art in Revolutionary Times (October 2024)

Aleteia: Some things are worth doing badly (6 JUL 23)

The Socratic Method: Scott Adams: 'Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.' (17 OCT 24)

Stateline: Independent pharmacies know their communities. But many are struggling to stay open. (17 JAN 25)

Government Technology: Indiana Student Creates World's Smallest Robot Arm (3 SEP 24)

Penobscot Bay Pilot (Camden, ME): God's time, war time, and daylight saving time (15 NOV 24)

SmartBriefL Why a classic Simon & Garfunkel song has workplace relevance 60 years later (2 JAN 25)

Public Discourse: A Restoration Worth Noting: Notre Dame Lives On (15 JAN 25)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of different types of alphabet books.

Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS, on the Season of Ordinary Time

"The Visitation Sisters gifted us all coffee mugs this year! They are identical and quote the passage from Esther 4:14, 'Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.' This empowering quote is matched by the inspirational message on the other side, 'The world needs who God made you to be.' Of course, I love this gift as Francis de Sales picks up on this same message when he writes, 'Let us be what God wants us to be. . . . Even if we were the most perfect creatures under heaven, what good would that do us if we were not as God's will would have us be?” "

In a recent commentary, Father Joe Newman, OSFS, reflected on the season Of Ordinary Time and being what God wants us to be.

To access Fr. Newman's complete post, please visit:

De Sales Weekly: Provincial Reflection: What God Wants Us To Be (16 JAN 25)

Reflection Starter

"Every person that you meet . . . you will leave for better or for worse, and that is your choice." - Advice given to Janet Lennon (of The Lennon Sisters) by her father, as she related in an interview on The Lawrence Welk Show

To access this interview on The Lawrence Welk Show, please visit:

YouTube: Janet Lennon discusses her time on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1955 to 1968

12 January 2025

"Hail to the Lord's Anointed"

As our Sunday celebration continues, I offer this version of "Hail to the Lord's Anointed":

The Baptism of the Lord

Today the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord The assigned readings are Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 or Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Acts 10:34-38; and Luke 3:15-16, 21-22.The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 29 (Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: The Baptism of the Lord: Psalm 29 - The Lord Will Bless His People [YEAR C]

The Gospel reading is as follows:

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: The Bountiful Blessings of Baptism - A Homily for the Baptism of the Lord (11 JAN 25)

Benedictine College: This Sunday, After the Baptism of the Lord, All Eyes Are On Us: 5 Sunday Mass Takeaways (9 JAN 25)

Word on Fire: Why Was Jesus Baptized? (Cycle C * Christmas Time * Baptism of the Lord)

The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: The anointing (10 JAN 25)

The Pilot: Echoes: Father Joshua J. Whitfield: Scripture Reflection for Jan. 12, 2025, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (8 JAN 25)

Thnak You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the graces You bestowed on us at our Baptism.

Elaine Gunthorpe on Doable New Year's Resolutions

"The new year is in full swing - and many use this time of year to set resolutions. However, it can be hard for a Catholic to make goals that are both practicable and conducive to spiritual growth."

In a recent commentary, writer Elaine Gunthorpe reflected on some goals that may help one keep Christ in the center of his/her daily life.

To access Mr. Clifford's complete essay, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: Elaine Gunthorpe: A Catholic Guide to New Year's Resolutions: 5 Doable Ideas (8 JAN 25)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, may we recall that we received the theological virtue of hope at our baptism. Let us give thanks for this gift and live it well, asking the Holy Spirit to help us grow in hope day by day." - Pope Francis

11 January 2025

The Petersens: "White Winter Hymnal"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of The Petersens presenting "White Winter Hymnal":

On the Quiet Majesty of the Married Life, Being Doers of the Word, and Other Catholic-related Topics

A number of articles/posts have recently been published on a variety of Catholic-related subjects worth considering.

To access some of these, please visit: