Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of summer participation sports for children and for adults.

Fr. Michael Rennier on How to Make a Decision

"When I was a child, our extended family would often gather at a local restaurant to celebrate special occasions. My grandfather would never look at the menu. The waitress would hand it to him, he would thank her, and then quietly place it on the table. I asked him once why he never took advantage of scouting out all the options. His response was that my grandmother already knew what he wanted to eat and would order for him. This, to the best of my memory, was his tried-and-true method for getting exactly the meal he desired. It always seemed to work.

"For a long time, I thought it an exceedingly odd approach. I'It’s a luxury to have our choices narrowed down. Perhaps this is why we’ve convinced ourselves to delegate our choices to an algorithm. Like a spouse who knows us inside and out, the algorithm predicts exactly what we want and takes care of it with no fuss. The future is frictionless. No choices need be made. ve come to understand it much more, though, as time has gone on and restaurant menus have expanded in size and scope. I’m becoming my grandfather, and have found myself losing patience with reading menus that are as long as a victorian novel. The choices are too varied. . . .

"It's a luxury to have our choices narrowed down. Perhaps this is why we've convinced ourselves to delegate our choices to an algorithm. Like a spouse who knows us inside and out, the algorithm predicts exactly what we want and takes care of it with no fuss. The future is frictionless. No choices need be made. . . .

"Decisions are increasingly being made on our behalf. There's comfort in this. And yet, it doesn't feel quite right, does it?

"Having too many options is paralyzing but no one really wants to give away all their decision-making. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Father Michael Rennier reflected on some of the ways one can "overcome the tyranny of overwhelming choices in order to become the sort of person who makes decisions."

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

Aleteia: Fr. Michael Rennier: How to make a decision (12 JUL 26)

Reflection Starter from St. Josemaría Escrivá

"Understand this well: there is something holy, something divine hidden in the most ordinary situations, and it is up to each one of you to discover it." - Saint Josemaria Escriva

Andre Rieu: "Edelweiss"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of André Rieu and His Johann Strauss Orchestra presenting "Edelweiss":

 

Thank Youi Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the continued newness You bring into our lives.

Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS, on Continual Newness

". . . Every day, God is doing something new.  One of the often-cited hallmarks of our Salesian Spirituality is its focus on the present moment.  We are invited to live this day well.  Every day carries a newness to it.  The truth is though, newness can be exhausting.

"I experience this newness and subsequent exhaustion every time I drive a rental car.  Where do I control the AC?  How do I turn on the lights?  Why are the windshield wipers moving?  All new.  All exhausting. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Father Joe Newman, OSFS, reflected on the blessing that newness, exhaustion, aging, wonder, confusion, curiosity, etc., are all signs that the Holy Spirit is at work.

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

De Sales Weekly: Provincial Reflection: Continual Newness (9 JUL 26)

Reflection Starter from St. Benedict

"He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands." - Saint Benedict of Nursia, whose memory the Church celebrates today (11 July)

"I Sing the Mighty Power of God"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of "I Sing the Mighty Power of God":

 

Belated Birthday Blessings, Anthony!!!

Belated birthday greetings to nephew Anthony, brother Jim's son, who recently celebrated his birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Birthday Blessings, Jeff!!!

Belated birthday greetings to family friend Jeff Myjak, who recently celebrated his birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Birthday Blessings, Allison!!!

Belated birthday greetings to great-niece Allison Tanner, who recently celebrated her birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belagted Birthday Blessings, Ava!!!

Belated birthday greetings to Myrna's granddaughter Ava Geoghegan, who recently celebrated her birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!