"Unto the House of the Lord"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of "Unto the House of the Lord":

 

National Youth Sports Safety Month

April is being observed as National Youth Sports Safety Month, an observance designed to raise awareness of sports-related injuries in youth and the promotion of measures that can be taken to prevent these injuries.

Background information:

American Safety & Health Institute: April Is National Youth Sports Safety Month

National Council of Youth Sports: STOP Sports Injuries

Safe Kids Worldwide: Rules of the Game

National Athletic Trainers’ Association: Youth Sports Safety

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of keepsakes that trigger good memories.

Cerith Gardiner on What We Leave Behind

"As Artemis II traced its path around the far side of the moon this month, traveling farther from Earth than any human mission before, it did what these moments tend to do rather well: It made everything feel both very large and rather small at the same time.

"Because the moon, for all its stillness, is not empty. It carries the traces of those who have been there before, not just footprints, but objects, some practical, some surprisingly personal. Tools, rovers, fragments of spacecraft, but also things that were never strictly necessary: a small red Bible, messages of goodwill, a plaque quietly marking that human presence. . . .

"What's interesting is that none of these objects were strictly necessary. They were, in their own way, expressions of meaning, small attempts to leave something behind that said: This is who we are, this is what mattered to us."

In a recent commentary, writer Cerith Gardiner reflected on how this event invites a quiet reflection on the traces we leave behind.

To access Ms. Gardiner's complete post, please visit:

Aleteia: Cerith Gardiner: What will we leave behind for those we love? (19 APR 26)

Reflection Starter from Platus

"No man is wise enough by himself." - Titus Maccius Plautus

The Crests:: "My Juanita"

It's time for some more doo wop. Here is a presentation of "My Juanita" by The Crests:

 

Preservation Week

This week, the week of 26 April-2 May, is being observed as Preservation Week, an initiative designed to connect communities through events, activities, and resources that highlight what communities can do, individually and together, to preserve their personal and shared collections.

According to the American Library Association, Libraries alone hold 3 billion items in various collections (63 percent of the whole). Uncounted additional items are held by individuals, families, and communities. These collections include books, manuscripts, photographs, prints and drawings, and objects such as maps, textiles, paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and furniture. They also include moving images and sound recordings that capture performing arts, oral history, and other records of creativity and history.

Background information:

American Library Association: Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures: Preservation Week

Heritage Health Index: A Public Trust at Risk:The Heritage Health Index Report on the State of America’s Collections (2005)

Birthday Blessings, Laken!!!

Birthday greetings to Myrna's great-grandson, Laken, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the sacramental graces we receive when we are baptized.

Fr. Ceslaus Kowalkowski, O.P. on Our Call at Our Baptism

"Have you noticed any themes in the prayers at Mass this Easter season? The one that’' stood out to me the most is the Sacrament of Baptism. It seems like every few days one of the prayers at Mass refers to the newly baptized, specifically those who entered the Church at the solemn Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. It's made me consider: What exactly happened at their Baptism? What happened to all of us, for that matter?"

In a recent commentary, Father Ceslaus Kowalkowski, O.P., reflected on how, at Baptism, each of us becomes like Christ and are entrusted with a mission like His.

To access Fr. Ceslaus' complete post, please visit:

Dominicana: Me, Like Christ? (21 APR 26) 

Reflection Starter from B. C. Forbes

"Acting without thinking is like shooting without aiming." - B. C. Forbes

"Great Shepherd of thy People, Hear"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of John Newton's "Great Shepherd of thy People, Hear":