"Unto the House of the Lord"

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

 

Congratulations Marc!!!

Congratulations to nephew Marc James (Fedoras), who recently named the inaugural Event Photographer of the Year at the Event Photography Awards 2026 in the United Kingdom. In addition, he also won the Best Portfolio award and was Overall Runner-up.

Well done, Marc!!! 

Media report:

Conference News: Event Photography Awards winners revealed – with first-time entrant taking Event Photographer of the Year (8 SEP 26)

National Farm Safety and Health Week

This week, the week of 21-25 September, is being observed as National Farm & Ranch Safety and Health Week. This year's theme is "Safety Today, Success Tomorrow."

 

Agriculture is recognized as one of the most hazardous industries in America and around the world. In the United States, over two million full-time workers were employed in the production of crops, livestock, and poultry in 2017. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, 417 agricultural workers died from a work-related injury.

Background information:

National Education Center for Agricultural Safety

National Education Center for Agricultural Safety: National Farm Safety and Health Week 2026

International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for inspirations and opportunities to "Not do."

John Cuddeback on Taking a Break

"I love the distinction between 'resting-from' and 'resting-in,' well enunciated by Josef Pieper. The height of life is in activities of 'leisure' where we rest-in what matters most, a great example of which is contemplation. But simply resting-from our work (or even resting-from our acts of leisure) is also deeply human. Sometimes we should just take a break. "

In a recent commentary, writer John Cuddeback reflected on the importance of taking time to "not-do."

To access his complete post, please visit:

LifeCraft: Just Taking a Break (26 AUG 26)

Belated Birthday Blessings, Nikki!!!

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

Reflection Starter from Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Every artist was first an amateur." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Help Us Accept Each Other"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of Fred Kaan's "Help Us Accept Each Other":

 

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings for the Mass during the day are Sirach 27:30-28:7 , Romans 14:7-9, and Matthew 18:21-35. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 103 (Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12).

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

YouTube: Psalm 103: The Lord Is Kind and Merciful

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?"

Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.' Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart."

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: Finding Forgiveness Through the Experience of Mercy - A Homily for the 24th Sunday of the Year (12 SEP 26) 

Benedictine College: This Sunday, Forgive the Way You Expect To Be Forgiven (10 SEP 26)

Word on Fire: Will the Good of the Other (Cycle A * Ordinary Time * 24th Week)

The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: The debt we owe ( 11 SEP 26)

The Pilot: Echoes: Deacon Greg Kandra: The challenging call to forgiveness ( 9 SEP 26) 

A Brimfield Memory

Today is the last day for this year's Brimfield (MA) Antique Flea Market. Before I met her, Myrna had been an independent antiques dealer with a booth at Brimfield and other shows. She introduced me to this experience (and it is that), and we ended up going 2 or 3 times over the years. Photos from our first tip (before we married) (as Adam stated, although it was related to another topic, it was a different world):

Belated Birthday Blessings, E-Lynn!!!

Belated birthday greetings to daughter-in-law Erin Lynn (Adam's wife), who recently celebrated her birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for inspirations to forgive those who have hurt us or who we perceive have hurt us, either intentionally or inadvertently.