Masterpiece: "Everything's Coming Up Roses"

It's time for some more barbershop harmony. Here is a presentation of "Everything's Coming Up Roses" by Masterpiece:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of the various genres of music.

Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS, on Love of God

"Love of God has never been easy for me. During formation and my early priesthood, I often felt like an imposter. I kept thinking I should be feeling more or doing more. People talked about being on fire and I would have settled for a slow burn. In addition to that, I was supposed to be formed in the tradition of Francis de Sales who wrote the book on loving God. His other classic is actually called the Treatise on the Love of God. When asked if I had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I would often think, 'Well, I have a working relationship with Jesus Christ.'"

In a recent commentary, Father Joe Newman, OSFS, reflected on the relationship between love of God and love of neighbor..

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

De Sales Weekly: Provincial's Reflection: Love of God (30 NOV 23)

Reflection Starter from John F. Kennedy

"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." - John F. Kennedy

Vermont Bluegrass Session Band: "Banks of the Ohio"

One of the treasures of New England is the great variety of music in our region. Some of this music (of whatever genre) is provided musicians from the region; other music is provided by artists visiting the region from other areas.

One such example is Vermont-based Vermont Bluegrass Session Band.

Background information:

Vermont Bluegrass Session Band

In this video, the Vermont Bluegrass Session Band is presenting "Banks of the Ohio":

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of those who minister in the dentistry field.

Cecilia Pigg on Balance in Advent

"Imagine the following situation drawn out in a comic strip. In the first panel, you see me hurrying to wash dishes with one hand as I stir the pots on the stove with the other. The next series of panels show me reading recipes, loading the dishwasher, and then typing in my shipping and billing information on Etsy to buy Christmas presents. . . .

"In the comic strip’s next-to-last panel, you see my face close-up, with a light bulb lit up over my head. Then in the final image, you see me gather my kids around me to read a story, after sending a text that says, 'I'd love to visit, see you soon' to my friend.

"What was the lightbulb moment in my life two weeks ago? I realized that I want to have a 'Mary' Advent this year, not a 'Martha' one. I want to spend my holiday season more focused on people than on the decorations, food, presents, etc. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening and engaging with Him. . . ."

In a recent commentary, writer Cecilia Pigg reflected on the ways in which one can focus on what is important during the season of Advent..

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

Aleteia; Cecilia Pigg: Advent helps make Christmas more about people than things (28 NOV 23)

Reflection Starter from Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Waiting is an art that our impatient age has forgotten. It wants to break open the ripe fruit when it has hardly finished planting the shoot. But all too often the greedy eyes are only deceived; the fruit that seemed so precious is still green on the inside, and disrespected hands ungratefully toss aside what has so disappointed them." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Petersens: "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of The Petersens presenting "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow":

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of opportunities to share the Gospel message.

Br. Jerome Masters, O.P., on Disc Golf and Discipleship

"If you ever have the joy of taking a drive through the Piney Woods of East Texas you'll find three things: pine trees, churches, and disc golf courses. The game of disc golf, for those who have no idea what it is, is similar to golf. Just replace the clubs and balls with frisbees and the holes in the ground with baskets, and you've got disc golf. I was introduced to the game by my brother-in-law in high school and was immediately hooked. I got to go out to the course, play 18 rounds and, if I had someone with me, have a pretty decent conversation."

In a recent commentary using the example of disc golf, Brother Jerome Masters, O.P., reflected on the importance of "creatively inviting people into the truth of the Gospel."

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

Dominicana: Disc Golf and Discipleship (28 NOV 23) 

Reflection Starter from Dorothy Day

"As we come to know the seriousness of the situation, the war, the racism, the poverty in our world, we come to realize that things will not be changed simply by words or demonstrations. Rather, it's a question of living one's life in a drastically different way." - Dorothy Day