30 April 2011

Ronald Rychlak on Catholics as Stewards of God’s Creation

"After the Vatican recently hosted several international conferences on the environment and environmental problems, headlines reported that the Catholic Church is finally jumping on the environmental bandwagon. They were wrong on two counts. First, Catholic teaching has long been that care for the earth is both a duty that we owe to God and a reflection of our respect for each other. So, the Church isn’t some Johnny-come-lately to protecting the planet. Second, the Church’s understanding of what it means to be a good steward is not precisely in line with the thinking of many modern environmentalist."

In an October 2008 article in Catholic Answers, Ronald J. Rychlak (see previous post) wrote about God calling on humans to be good stewards of His creation.

To access this article, please visit:

Catholic Answers: Should Catholics Be Environmentalists? (October 2008)

Ronald Rychlak on Civil War General William Rosecrans

"Most people know that John F. Kennedy, elected in 1960, was the first Catholic president of the United States. Many are also aware that Al Smith was the first Catholic to run for the presidency, in 1928. Very few, however, know about the Catholic Civil War general who almost became Abraham Lincoln's vice-president and would have been in line to succeed him when he was assassinated."

In a recent essay, Ronald J. Rychlak (a Catholic lawyer, jurist, author, and political commentator) writes about General William Rosecrans, an Ohio native (and great-grandson of Stephen Hopkins, colonial Governor of Rhode Island and a signer of the Declaration of Independence) who was noted for a number of accomplishments.

To access Mr. Rychlak’s complete article, please visit:

Ronald J. Rychlak: The First Catholic President -- Almost (29 APR 11)

Background information:

Wikipedia: William Rosecrans

Army of the Cumberland: William S. Rosecrans Source Page

American Civil War: William Starke Rosecrans

Citizendia: Ronald J. Ruchlak

Wikipedia: Ronald J. Rychlak

The Culture of New England: Rhode Island's May Breakfasts

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove are the various traditions that have come together to make up the fabric of life in this region. One such tradition is the holding of May Breakfasts in Rhode Island.

The first May Breakfast was held in 1867 at the then Old Quaker Meeting House (the first church in Cranston). It was held as a fund raising event to raise funds for a new building. The congregation is no longer her, but the idea has continued to develop. Now May Breakfasts are held by church communities, volunteer fire companies, and a variety of other non-profit organizations throughout the state.

For more information about the May Breakfasts of Rhode Island, please visit:

Quahog.org: May Breakfasts

Rhode Island Roads: The one true sign that Spring has arrived

New York Times: Rhode Island's May Breakfasts Keep Sizzling (15 April 1984)

Drinking Water Week 2011

The week of 1-7 May is Drinking Water Week 2011. As we head into this week, the American Water Works Association notes that “A safe, reliable water supply is critical to the success of any community. It creates jobs, attracts industry and investment, and provides for the health and welfare of citizens in ways ranging from disease prevention to fire suppression. We often take water supply for granted until it is threatened, either by drought, water main breaks, or some other event.” Drinking Water Week is designed as an opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in their daily lives.

 2011 Drinking Water Week Banner

For more information related to Drinking Water Week 2011, please visit:

AWWA PSA: "Water. Celebrate the essential."

American Water Works Association's Drinktap Website

"Up from the Grave He Arose"

As our Easter celebration continues, I offer "Up from the Grave He Arose" (sung by Daniel Thornton):

Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly Looks at the Church's Process for Canonization

Tomorrow, 1 May (Divine Mercy Sunday), Pope John Paul II will be beatified. This weekend's edition of PBS's Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly looks at the Catholic Church’s complex procedure for declaring someone a saint, a system that has evolved since the thirteenth century.

To access this presentation (the video plus a transcript), please visit:

PBS: Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly: Path to Sainthood (29 APR 11)

Supplemental information:

PBS: Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly: The Saints: “Flesh and Blood Human Beings”

PBS: Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly: Sainthood Process: Thousands of Pages

Reflection Starter from Pope John Paul II

"True holiness does not mean a flight from the world; rather, it lies in the effort to incarnate the Gospel in everyday life, in the family, at school and at work, and in social and political involvement." - (Blessed) Pope John Paul II

29 April 2011

Discover New England

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. There is an organization, Discover New England, that serves as the official tourism organization representing the New England region.

Discover New England is a non-profit cooperative marketing entity funded by the participating states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The work of Discover New England is focused in the following three areas:
  • raising international consumer, travel trade, and media awareness of New England as a memorable, high-quality, four-season destination;
  • educating the New England hospitality business on how to work with and generate new business from the international market; and
  • expanding the New England product offered by international tour operators and US receptives and helping them set up itineraries, market the region, and contract accommodations.
For more information about Discover New England, please visit:

Discover New England

National Attention Begins to Gather on CT Case Involving Homeless Woman Charged with Illegally Registering Child in Wrong School

A case of a homeless woman facing charges of illegally registering her son in a Norwalk, CT, public school is beginning to garner national attention.

Media reports:

Christian Science Monitor: Homeless child enrolled in wrong school: What should happen to him? (28 APR 11)

Huffington Post: Homeless School Theft Case: No Winners Here (28 APR 11)

Connecticut Post: Lawmakers raise questions in case of homeless woman enrolling son in Norwalk school (28 APR 11)

Hartford Courant Blog: CT Confidential: Homeless Mom Case Is A Black Eye For Norwalk (28 APR 11)

Norwalk Citizen (Commentary): MariAn Gail Brown: Homeless mother Tanya McDowell faces a cruel prosecution (28 APR 11)

New York Times: In a Mother’s Case, Reminders of Educational Inequalities (27 APR 11)

Fox News: Arrest of Homeless Connecticut Woman for Enrolling Son in School Illegally Sparks Debate (26 APR 11)

Stamford Advocate: NAACP lawyer to defend homeless mother (26 APR 11)

Hartord Courant (Commentary): 'Stealing' An Education For Her Son (26 APR 11)

Norwalk Citizen: Homeless woman's arrest for sending son to Norwalk school stirs debate (21 APR 11)

The Hour: Tracking illegal students began last year at Norwalk schools (18 APR 11)

MSNBC: Homeless Woman Busted for Son's Schooling (17 APR 11)

"Crown Him with Many Crowns"

As our Easter celebration continues, I offer "Crown Him with Many Crowns":






Background information:

CyberHymnal: Crown Him with Many Crowns

Center for Church Music: Crown Him with Many Crowns

Fr. Peter John Cameron, OP, on John Paul II and Art

“The year after Karol Wojtyła became Pope John Paul II, the new Holy Father made an apostolic journey to the United States. He attended a concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and afterwards said to the musicians, ‘Your artistic creation . . . exalts what is human and reaches what is religious and divine.’

“He continued, ‘I extend my respectful greetings to all the artists of this land, extolling the role they are called to play . . . for the advancement of true culture . . . in the whole world.’”

In a recent reflection, Father Peter John Cameron, O.P. (editor-in-chief of Magnificat and founder and artistic director of Blackfriars Repertory Theatre), offered some comments on Pope John Paul II as an artist and on John Paul’s perspective on art.

To access Fr. Cameron’s commentary, please visit:

Father Peter John Cameron, OP: John Paul II the Artist

Reflection Starter from Pope John Paul II

"The question confronting the Church today is not any longer whether the man in the street can grasp a religious message, but how to employ the communications media so as to let him have the full impact of the Gospel message." - (Blessed) Pope John Paul II

Flooding Hits Northern Vermont

Northern Vermont has been hit by flooding in the wake of recent storms. This includes Lake Champlain, which hit a record-high water level of 102.14 feet above sea level (severe flooding can occur as of 101.5 feet).

Media reports:

Burlington Free Press: Flood warning continues as Lake Champlain reaches a new high (28 APR 11)

Burlington Free Press: Wind, storms may add to Vermont flooding concerns (28 APR 11)

WCAX-TV: Rising lake leaves waterfront properties swamped (28 APR 11)

NECN: Some roads remain closed after Vermont flooding (28 APR 11)

VPR: Floodwater Begins To Recede; Lake Champlain Reaches Record Level (28 APR 11)

WCAX-TV: As floodwaters subside, cleanup begins (28 APR 11)

VPR: Spring Floods Contribute To Lake Champlain Pollution (28 APR 11)

Burlington Free Press: Vermonters keep an eye on rising water (27 APR 11)

VPR: Rivers Jump Banks And Rush Through Northern Vermont Communities (27 APR 11)

Burlington Free Press: College student rescued after getting stranded on a rock in Lamoille River (27 APR 11)

Burlington Free Press Photo Gallery: Vermont flooding

Burlington Free Press Photo Gallery: Lake Champlain Flooding

Background information:

Vermont Division of Emergency Management

Burlington, VT, National Weather Service Forecast Office

Wikipedia: Lake Champlain

28 April 2011

Saturday Is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) second National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is this Saturday, 30 April. More than 5,100 sites nationwide have joined the effort that is designed to prevent pill abuse and theft. The free event will be held from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. These sites include 68 in Connecticut, 156 in Maine, 173 in Massachusetts, 85 in New Hampshire, 30 in Rhode Island, and 62 in Vermont.

Public health, law enforcement, and other government and community representatives will be working at these sites to collect expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs that are potentially dangerous if left in the family’s medicine cabinet.

Last September, Americans turned in over 242,000 pounds (121 tons) of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites throughout the U.S. Also last fall, Congress passed the Safe and Secure Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow users of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them. The act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances. DEA is presently drafting regulations to implement the act.

Collection sites in local communities may be found by going to http://www.dea.gov/ and clicking on the “Got Drugs?” banner at the top of the home page. This link connects to a database that citizens can search by zip code, city, or county. This site is continuously being updated with new take-back locations. In addition, there is a public service announcement about the initiative at http://www.nationaltakebackday.com/ (click on the “Partnership Toolbox).

This initiative is designed to address a public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are high - more Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin combined, according to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Studies show that individuals that abuse prescription drugs often obtained them from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

"Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones"

As our Easter celebration continues, I offer "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones":





Lyrics:

Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
Bright seraphs, cherubim and thrones,
Raise the glad strain, Alleluia!
Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers,
Virtues, archangels, angels’ choirs:

      Refrain:
         Alleluia! Alleluia!
         Alleluia! Alleluia!
         Alleluia!

O higher than the cherubim,
More glorious than the seraphim,
Lead their praises, Alleluia!
Thou bearer of th’ eternal Word,
Most gracious, magnify the Lord.

      Refrain

Respond, ye souls in endless rest,
Ye patriarchs and prophets blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Ye holy twelve, ye martyrs strong,
All saints triumphant, raise the song.

      Refrain

O friends, in gladness let us sing,
Supernal anthems echoing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One.

      Refrain


Background information:

Cyber Hymnal: Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones

Wikipedia: Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones

Exploring the Heritage of New England: New Hampshire and Its Presidential Primary

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove are the various cultures and traditions that have come together to make up the fabric of life in this region. One such tradition is New Hampshire's presidential primary - the first primary in the series of primaries that lead up to the selection of the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees in each election cycle.

For more information about New Hampshire's presidential primary, please visit:

New Hampshire Political Library

Wikipedia: New Hampshire primary

Winning New Hampshire (documentary on the New Hampshire primary)

Russell Shaw on the Development of a New Catholic Subculture

Catholic writer Russell Shaw recently commented on the development of a new Catholic subculture that is making itself visible throughout the U.S.A. One concern he raises regarding this process is the growth of a clique mentality (my words not his) or a “a self-regarding, inward-looking ghetto.”

However, he does offer hope – evangelization, “with particular attention paid to former Catholics and nominal Catholics teetering on the brink.”

To access Mr. Shaw’s complete post, please visit:

Russell Shaw: Tending the New Catholic Subculture (25 APR 11)

Reflection Starter from Saint Faustina

"Jesus, You have given me to know and understand in what a soul's greatness consists: not in great deeds but in great love." - Saint Faustina  (Diary of St. Faustina, #889)

27 April 2011

Northeast River Forecast Center

The Northeast River Forecast Center, one of thirteen National Weather Service River Forecast Centers in the United States, is co-located with the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Taunton, MA. The center provides daily river forecasts and flash flood guidance for New England and for most of New York State. The office is open from 6:30 AM until 11:00 PM 365 days a year, and it is open 24 hours a day during times of increased flood potential.

To access a current map of observed and forecast river conditions in the region, please visit:

Northeast River Forecast Center

This Week’s New England City & Town Weekly Dispatch

To access this week’s issue of New England City & Town Weekly Dispatch, please visit:

New England City & Town Weekly Dispatch - 27 April 2011

Vermont: Fletcher Allen Health Care Helping Solve Unexplained Deaths of Young Children

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove is a rich mixture of individuals and community service organizations that are working to address a particular concern or group of concerns.

One such example is Dr. Jason Johnson, whose encounter with a 2,700-year-old Egyptian mummy ended up helping Vermont doctors and law enforcement officials uncover truth in the unexplained deaths of young children.

To access a Burlington Free Press article about Dr. Johnson and the work of Fletcher Allen Health Care (the University of Vermont's teaching hospital), please visit:

Burlington Free Press: CT scans of Egyptian mummy help Vermont solve crimes (26 APR 11)

"Day of Resurrection"

As our Easter celebration continues, I offer "Day of Resurrection" (attributed to Saint John of Damascus):

Msgr. Charles Pope on the Decline of Marriage, Industriousness, and Religiosity in the U.S.

Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) recently wrote a thoughtful commentary on a talk given by Charles Murray at the American Enterprise Institute and a related magazine article by Rich Lowry in Real Clear Politics. The talk and article focused on important social trends in the United States, including the decline of marriage, industriousness, and religiosity.

To access Msgr. Pope's post, please visit:

Msgr. Charles Pope: Civilization Killers – On the Decline of Three Basic Cultural Indicators and What it Means for America (25 APR 11)

Background information:

Real Clear Politics: Rich Lowry: 'Coming Apart at the Seams' (12 APR 11)


American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research: Charles Murray

CBS News 60 Minutes Presentation: Mount Athos

On Easter Sunday, Myrna and I "happened to" catch a CBS News 60 Minutes presentation on Mount Athos. This remote peninsula in northern Greece is a place that millions of Orthodox Christians believe to be the most sacred spot on Earth.

The center of Eastern Orthodox Monasticism and the location of twenty monasteries, prayers have been offered there every day, with no interruption, for over a thousand years. It was set aside by emperors to be the spiritual capital of Orthodox Christianity and has possibly changed less over the centuries than any other inhabited place on the planet.

To access this 60 Minutes presentation, please visit:

CBS News: 60 Minutes: Mt. Athos, Part 1

CBS News: 60 Minutes: Mt. Athos, Part 2

CBS News: 60 Minutes: Extra: Life on Mt. Athos

CBS News: 60 Minutes: Extra: Don't call it art!

CBS News: 60 Minutes: Extra: Bastions of the Orthodox faith

Background information:

Mount Athos

Wikipedia: Mount Athos

Reflection Starter from Pope John Paul II

"Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes." - (Blessed) Pope John Paul II

26 April 2011

Work of Police and Firefighter Artists on Display in Bridgeport

The Bridgeport, CT, Art and Cultural Council is hosting an exhibit, “Art in Force,” at the Arcade Mall in Bridgeport. This exhibit is displaying artistic creations by local police and firefighters.

To access a Connecticut Post article on this display, please visit:

Connecticut Post: Local police and firemen show off creative side (23 APR 11)

Background information:

Bridgeport Art and Cultural Council: Art in Force

Bridgeport Arts + Cultural Council

"The Strife is O'er"

As our Easter celebration continues, I offer Handbell Choir of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Atlanta, GA, playing "The Strife is O'er":




Background information:

CyberHymnal: The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio on Continuing the Easter Celebration

"It’s rather ironic. Catholics pray, read scripture, and go to daily Mass during Lent. And then Easter Monday comes, and the Churches are empty.  For the early Christians, Easter was celebrated at high pitch for eight days, and then at a more moderate but still festive pace for another 42 days, till Pentecost."

In this essay, Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio reflects on Easter and the importance of continuing the Easter celebration:

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: The Meaning of Easter

Writer’s Investigation of Christianity Leads to His Conversion

“It was the worst news I could get as an atheist: my agnostic wife had decided to become a Christian. Two words shot through my mind. The first was an expletive; the second was ‘divorce.

“I thought she was going to turn into a self-righteous holy roller. But over the following months, I was intrigued by the positive changes in her character and values. . . .”

In a recent commentary, writer Lee Strobel explains why his investigation of Christianity led to his becoming a Christian.

To access this essay, please visit:

Wall Street Journal: Speakeasy: How Easter Killed My Faith in Atheism (16 APR 11)

Literature from Massachusetts: Ernest Thayer and "Casey at the Bat"

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove is a rich mixture of literature - including writers from this region and literary works set in this region.

There is a baseball related poem that I was first introduced to in a Walt Disney animated version: "Casey at the Bat." Later on, while I was teaching at Saint Patrick School in Providence, I included it my 8th grade literature curriculum (reading it, with a certain dramatic flair, in the spring). The poem was written by a Massachusetts native, Ernest Thayer (who was born in Lawrence and raised in Worcester).

* * * * *

The poem was first published in the San Francisco Examiner in 1888:

Casey at the Bat
(A Ballad of the Republic, Sung in the Year 1888)

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day;
The score stood four to two with but one inning more to play.
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A sickly silence fell upon of the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair.  The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast.
They thought if only Casey could but get a whack at that -
We'd put even money now with Casey at the bat.

But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was lulu and the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.

But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,
There was Johnnie safe at second, and Flynn a-hugging third.

Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-
"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one," the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on the stern and distant shore.
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted some one on the stand;
And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult, he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;
But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, "Strike Two."

"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "fraud";
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed;
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out.


* * * * *

For more information about "Casey at the Bat", please visit:

Wikipedia: Casey at the Bat

Joslin Hall Rare Books: Ernest Lawrence Thayer and "Casey at the Bat" 

Baseball Almanac: Casey at the Bat by Ernest Thayer

Ezine: Casey-at-the-Bat

"Casey at the Bat" as Recited by DeWolf Hopper

For more information about Ernest Thayer, please visit:

Wikipedia: Ernest Thayer

NNDB: Ernest Thayer

Reflection Starter from Pope John Paul II

"Do not be afraid of God's mystery; do not be afraid of His love; and do not be afraid of man's weakness or of his grandeur! Man does not cease to be great, not even in his weakness. Do not be afraid of being witnesses to the dignity of every human being, from the moment of conception until death." - (Blessed) Pope John Paul II (from his book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope)

25 April 2011

Pope Benedict on Living a Holy Life

In a general audience during Lent, Pope Benedict XVI said there are three simple rules for living a holy life:

“Never let a Sunday go by without an encounter with the risen Christ in the Eucharist; this is not an added burden, it is light for the entire week.”

“Never begin or end a day without at least a brief contact with God” in prayer.

“And along the pathway of our lives, follow the road signs that God has given us in the Ten Commandments, read in the light of Christ; they are nothing other than explanations of what is love in specific situations.”

To access a Catholic News Service report about Pope Benedict’s talk, please visit:

CNS: The Pope's 3 Simple Rules for Holiness (13 APR 11)

Community Service in New Hampshire: Anthony Fernandez and Extreme Youth Athletic Training

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove is a rich mixture of individuals and community service organizations that are working to address a particular concern or group of concerns.

One such example is Anthony Fernandez and Extreme Youth Athletic Training, an initiative he started after he got in serious trouble with the law, two of his brothers got caught up in street life and eventually killed themselves with drugs, and he made promises to his mother moments before she died six years ago.

To access a Nashua Telegraph article about Anthony Fernandez and Extreme Youth Athletic Training, please visit:

Nashua Telegraph: Former athlete teaches kids what he learned, forgot (19 APR 11)

"Alleluia! Sing to Jesus"

As our Easter celebration continues, I offer "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus":



This hymn (originally entitled "Redemption through the Precious Blood") was written by William Dix as a communion hymn for Ascension Sunday. This hymn was inspired by Revelation 5:9. The tune to which it is most commonly sung is "Hyfrydol," written by Rowland H. Prichard.

Reflection Starter from Pope John Paul II

"Not all are called to be artists in the specific sense of the term. Yet, as Genesis has it, all men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece." - (Blessed) Pope John Paul II (in a letter to artists, 4 April 1999)

24 April 2011

Pope Benedict’s Easter Urbi et Orbi Message

“Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and across the world, Easter morning brings us news that is ancient yet ever new: Christ is risen! The echo of this event, which issued forth from Jerusalem twenty centuries ago, continues to resound in the Church, deep in whose heart lives the vibrant faith of Mary, Mother of Jesus, the faith of Mary Magdalene and the other women who first discovered the empty tomb, and the faith of Peter and the other Apostles.”

Pope Benedict XVI gave his traditional Easter Sunday Urbi et Orbi message this morning.

To access the full text of Pope Benedict’s message, please visit:

Vatican Radio: Full text Easter Sunday Urbi et Orbi (24 APR 11)

Easter Celebration in Latin in Southeastern Connecticut

A recent Connecticut Post article offered a look at the celebration of Easter at a Latin Mass in southeastern Connecticut.

To access this article, please visit:

Connecticut Post: A medieval Easter for the faithful  (23 APR 11)

Background information:

The Saint Gregory Society

Archdiocese of Hartford: St. Stanislaus Church, New Haven

Wikipedia: St. Stanislaus Parish (New Haven, Connecticut)

Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church in Norwalk, CT

Wikipedia: Saint Mary Church (Norwalk, Connecticut)

Christian Music in New England: SoulFest

A number of people throughout the six New England states participate in activities involving Christian music. Many of these are musicians or other artists who primarily serve their local church community. Other artists play at a variety of different venues and special events (as well as possibly playing at their local church).

In addition to Sunday and other church services which include music, other venues host regularly scheduled coffeehouses or other events which include the presentation of Christian music. These presentations may include traditional, contemporary, gospel, Christian rock, or other music of any of a variety of other genres.

One annual Christian music event in New Hampshire is SoulFest, a multi-day music festival (and family retreat) which is held at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford. There are five stages, with over 100 artists and speakers.

This event is usually held on the first weekend of August. This year it will be held 3-6 August.

For more information about SoulFest, including a schedule of upcoming events, please visit:

SoulFest

New England’s Fire Service Heritage: Limestone Fire Department (ME)

Over the past couple of centuries or so, a number of fire companies were established to protect cities, towns, villages, and other districts throughout this region from the dangers of fire. This was a gradual process, and many times it was an action taken after a serious fire had affected the community.

As an example, the Limestone Fire Department was formed in 1903 to protect this Maine community. Town citizens donated time and materials to build the first fire station.

The department initially had about twenty members, and the equipment was horse-drawn. The first motorized piece of apparatus was received in 1924.

For more information about the Limestone Fire Department, please visit:

Limestone Fire and Rescue History

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, Fall River, Massachusetts

New England is the home of a number of beautiful cathedrals, the cathedrae of the various Roman Catholic dioceses located in this region.

One of these cathedrals is the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Fall River, Massachusetts. The Diocese was established in 1904, and Saint Mary’s was chosen to be the cathedral. Construction was begun on the current structure in 1852, and it was dedicated on 16 December 1855. The steeple was completed in 1858.

For more information about the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, please visit:

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption

Diocese of Fall River Catholic Education Center: A Virtual Tour of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral

Wikipedia: St. Mary's Cathedral and Rectory (Fall River, Massachusetts)

South Coast Photo: 1/31/2009- St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River

Facebook: St. Mary's Cathedral and Rectory

Background information:

Diocese of Fall River

Google Map: Second and Spring Streets, Fall River, Massachusetts

Communities in Maine: Topsham

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove is a rich mixture of communities of various sizes - including cities, towns, boroughs, villages, and plantations.

One such community is Topsham, a town in Maine. With a population of over 9,000, the town occupies 32.0 square miles of land in Sagadahoc County. The town is named after Topsham, England.

For more information about Topsham, please visit:

Wikipedia: Topsham, Maine

Town of Topsham

YouTube: Topsham Maine

Topsham’s Historic District Commission: Topsham, Maine Historical Walking Tour

Archiplanet: Topsham, Maine

Topsham Fair

Mindat: Topsham, Sagadahoc Co., Maine, USA

Reflections on the Meaning of Easter

As our Easter celebration continues, I offer these reflections on this day and its meaning:

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: The Meaning of Easter

Deacon Curtis Turner: Happy Easter – Jesus is on line one

Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.: Aslan and the Meaning of Easter

Easter Sunday: Solemnity of the Resurrection of The Lord

Today is Easter Sunday – the Solemnity of the Resurrection of The Lord. The assigned Readings for the Mass of Easter Day are Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; and John 20:1-9. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 118 (Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23).

This Gospel reading is as follows:

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”

So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

Some reflections on these readings:

The Lectionary: Celebrating the joy of Jesus’ triumphant resurrection (21 APR 11)

Fr. Scott Hurd: More than Words (23 APR 11)

Dr. Scott Hahn: April 24th, 2011 - Easter Sunday

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary: Hesychius of Jerusalem

"Jesus Christ is Risen Today"

As we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, I offer this version of"Jesus Christ is Risen Today" (church unknown):




Background information:

Oremus Hymnal: Jesus Christ is risen today

Reflection Starter from Pope John Paul II

"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." - (Blessed) Pope John Paul II

23 April 2011

A Conversion Story

The U. S. Conference of  Catholic Bishops Media Blog recently offered this conversion story by Jewish comedy writer Tom Leopold who is to be baptized in tonight’s Easter vigil:

USCCB Media Blog: “I Just Can’t Make It Alone!” Tom Leopold’s Conversion Story  (21 APR 11)

Novena of Divine Mercy

In one of His apparitions to Sister (now Saint) Faustina, Jesus requested that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy. This novena would begin on Good Friday and would have a special intention to pray for on each day.

Saint Faustina wrote in her diary that Jesus told her, "On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy. . . . On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls."

The intentions for each of these days are:
  • 1st day (Good Friday): all mankind, especially sinners;
  • 2nd day (Holy Saturday): the souls of priests and religious;
  • 3rd day (Easter Sunday): all devout and faithful souls; 
  • 4th day (Easter Monday): those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him;
  • 5th day (Easter Tuesday): the souls of separated brethren;
  • 6th day (Easter Wednesday): the meek and humble souls and the souls of children;
  • 7th day (Easter Thursday): the souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy;
  • 8th day (Easter Friday): the souls who are detained in purgatory; and
  • 9th day (Easter Saturday) : the souls who have become lukewarm.

For more information, please visit: 

EWTN: The Divine Mercy Novena

187th Infantry Brigade (Separate)

When I was actively involved in the U.S. Army Reserve, the unit I was in for the longest period of time was a separate infantry brigade, the 187th Infantry Brigade. I was part of Company D, a direct support maintenance company, part of the 187th Support Battalion. We operated out of a facility in Hingham, Massachusetts.

As a second lieutenant, I was platoon leader of the Supply Platoon. After being promoted to first lieutenant, I became shop officer, overseeing the various maintenance operations. In addition to the Supply Platoon, we had platoons that were responsible for automotive repair, weapons repair, electronics (primarily radio) repair, and service and recovery (including welding and recovery and towing of vehicles).

I was pleased to recently discover a Wikipedia entry and a Facebook page for the brigade:

Yesterday Was Earth Day

Yesterday was the 41st Anniversary of Earth Day, a day that was established to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. Initially the focus was on the United States, but, twenty years later, it became an international event.

This year there were and are a number events that have been held or will soon be held throughout New England, the rest of the United States, and numerous other nations throughout the world. Some of these are sponsored by local  (or other) governments, others by non-profit organizations, others involve citizens doing specific projects on their own.

To access some of the Earth Day events in New England, please visit:

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection: Earth Day Events in Connecticut

Portland Press Herald: Events meld Earth Day, Good Friday

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection: Earth Day 2011: Events in Massachusetts

New Hampshire Audubon: Earth Day Festival at Massabesic Center

Audubon Society of Rhode Island: Audubon Earth Day 2011

Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce: Science and Stories: Earth Day

Background information:

US EPA: Earth Day

Earth Day Network

Earth Day Network: A Billion Acts of Green

Wikipedia: Earth Day

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources: Earth Day Every Day Ten things you can do to help keep Vermont green

Recycling Information from the Northeast Resource Recovery Association

In recognition of Earth Week (this week), the Northeast Resource Recovery Association is sharing a logo design created by a school recycling club in keeping with the educational outreach programs that they have worked on.

To access this item, which includes some statistics about the value of recoverable materials being sent to landfills, please visit:

NRRA: Full of Scrap: April 18th, 2011

Brattleboro, VT, Five-alarm Fire Strikes Brooks House

Firefighters from a number of communities fought a five alarm fire at Brooks House, 120-136 Main Street (also 4 High Street), Brattleboro, VT, on Sunday, 17 April.

Firefighters were initially dispatched to the five-story structure at approximately 8:45 PM. The building contains 59 residential units and a number of businesses (the Book Cellar, Mole’s Eye Cafe, and Shaff Opticians).

Brattleboro firefighters were assisted by companies from a number of departments, including Dummerston, Putney, Vernon, Guilford, Wilmington, Bellows Falls, Westminster, Springfield, Marlboro, and West Dover, VT; Hinsdale, Chesterfield, West Chesterfield, Spofford, Keene, Swanzey, North Walpole, and Meadowood, NH; Hinsdale, NH; and Bernardston, Northfield, Greenfield, and South Deerfield, MA.

Media reports:

Brattleboro Reformer: From the ashes (21 APR 11)

Keene Sentinel: Brattleboro fire victims are allowed into their homes to check on what they left behind (21 APR 11)

Brattleboro Reformer: Main Street slowly returns to normal (20 APR 11)

Keene Sentinel: Fire caused by wire (20 APR11)

Keene Sentinel: DAMAGE DONE (20 APR 11)

Brattleboro Reformer: Brooks House building still sound (20 APR 11)

Brattleboro Reformer: Red Cross, social, civic groups rally to aid tenants (19 APR 11)

Brattleboro Reformer: Fire unites town (19 APR 11)

Keene Sentinel: Officials seek cause of Brattleboro blaze; shelter open to displaced residents (18 APR 11)

Keene Sentinel: Brattleboro closed (18 APR 11)

Brattleboro Reformer: Fire ravages Brooks House (18 APR 11)

WMUR-TV: Fire Seriously Damages Historic Vermont Building (18 APR 11)

YouTube: Brattleboro Reformer: Brooks House Fire (17 APR 11)

YouTube: Brattleboro Reformer: Brooks House Fire Day 2 (18 APR 11)

YouTube: Brooks House Fire - Brattleboro, VT April 2011

YouTube: Brooks house fire brattleboro vt.

Brook's House Fire.wmv

YouTube: Brooks House Building fire

Background information:

Brattleboro Fire Department

Town of Brattleboro

Wikipedia: Brattleboro, Vermont

Google Map: 120-136 Main Street, Brattleboro, Vermont

Connecticut River Joint Commissions: Brooks House

Brattleboro Reformer: Brooks House background (19 APR 11)

Holy Saturday

The the Church observes Holy Saturday. The day closes with the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter. However, the day itself is considered a time of quiet reflection on the events of the past few days.

In today’s Daily Ignatian Reflection from the Magis Instituet, Father Michael Maher, S.J., writes:

“‘Are you coming back to the house?’ Those of us who have had the benefits of an Irish upbringing recall this phrase, a phrase that ranged somewhere between a question and a command.  It is usually uttered graveside by the spouse of the deceased to those gathered around a newly covered grave.  This post graveside event is known as the ‘afterwards’ and entailed people returning to the family home of the deceased to reflect on the life and death of the dearly departed.

“No doubt after the crucifixion and the entombment of Christ the ‘afterwards’ included some discussion concerning what had happened. Not yet illumined by the Resurrection, one could image the range of conversation moving among memories, frustration, anger, confusion, and loss.  In many ways those of us who have experienced abandonment, confusion, and hurt gather with Mary and the friends of Jesus back at the house for the ‘afterwards.’  Back at the house we share our confusion about suffering, the consequences of when people hurt each other, and the painful separation caused by death.

“Today is Holy Saturday, it is the ‘afterwards’ of Good Friday, a time when we pray and reflect in Mary's house about the events of Good Friday and all that that day means and represents, as it embraces all the losses and hurts in our own lives.  Tomorrow is Easter, but that is tomorrow.  Today we sit with Mary and her friends with our cup of coffee, eating tuna hot dish and talking about and listening to what God has given us on Good Friday.”

For more information about the Magis Institute, please visit:

MAGIS Center for Catholic Spirituality

"Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)"

As we continue this Holy Triduum. I offer this presentation of  "Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)" by Johnny Cash, the Carter Family (featuring Anita Carter), and the whole ensemble of The Johnny Cash Show from the show's episode on 6 September 1969:


Library of Congress Digital Guides for New England

The digital collections of the Library of Congress contain a wide variety of material associated with the states and territories of the United States. These materials include manuscripts, broadsides, government documents, books, and maps.

The Digital Reference Section is working to include a guide for each of the states. These guides are designed to include links to digital materials related to the states that are available throughout the Library of Congress Web site. In addition, they are designed to provide links to external websites focusing on the states and a bibliography containing selected works for both a general audience and younger readers.

As of this time, they have set up twelve states (plus the District of Columbia). Only one of the New England states has been completed:

Library of Congress: New Hampshire State Guide

Eleven Sickened in Nantucket, MA, CO Poisoning

Eleven people (including three children) were recently transported for medical treatment after they suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in a house at 40 Macys Lane, Nantucket, MA.

The incident, which was reported shortly after 9:00 AM on Saturday, 16 April, was caused by a faulty gas-fired furnace. There were carbon monoxide detectors in the house, but the batteries were not working.

The Nantucket fire chief reported that carbon monoxide levels inside the basement of the home were recorded at 380 parts per million (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's permissible exposure limit is 50 ppm.).

Media reports:

The Inquirer and Mirror: All eleven survive carbon monoxide poisoning in Macys Lane home (21 APR 11)

Cape Cod Times: Faulty furnace poisons 11 on Nantucket (17 APR 11)

NECN: Nantucket carbon monoxide emergency sends 11 to hospital (16 APR 11)

WBZ-TV: Chief: 11 People ‘Close To Death’ In Nantucket CO Poisoning (16 APR 11)

Satellite News Service: Nantucket, MA- 15 Inured in Carbon Monoxide Incident (04-16-11)

Satellite News Service: Nantucket, MA- CO Incident/ Interview with State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan (04-16-11)

Background information:

Nantucket Fire Department

Town and County of Nantucket

Wikipedia: Nantucket, Massachusetts

Nantucket Cottage Hospital

Google Map of 40 Macys Lane, Nantucket, Massachusetts

Massachusetts: Office of the State Fire Marshal: Carbon Monoxide Safety

Massachusetts: Office of the State Fire Marshal: Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Massachusetts Department of Fire Services: Consumers Guide to Massachusetts Requirements for Carbon Monoxide Alarms

NFPA: Carbon Monoxide

NECN: How carbon monoxide poisoning affects the body (16 APR 11)

Msgr. Pope on God Turning a Curse into a Blessing

In a recent thoughtful reflection, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC), writes about how the “curse” invoked by the people in the trial before Pontius Pilate (“His blood be upon us and our children!”) became a blessing for all of us.

To access Msgr. Pope’s post, please visit:

Msgr. Charles Pope: When a Curse Becomes a Blessing – Only God Can Do That (18 APR 11)

Reflection Starter from Saint Francis de Sales

"Do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage." - Saint Francis de Sales

22 April 2011

An Introduction to the National Register of Historic Places

There are a number of places throughout each of the six New England states that are on the National Register of Historic Places. The current issue of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s magazine, Preservation, has a good introductory article to the National Register, including what it does and how a property may get on the Register.

To access this article, please visit:

Preservation: What Is the National Register? (May/June 2011)

Background information:

National Park Service: National Register of Historic Places

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Yankee Ingenuity in Massachusetts: First Envelope Folding Machine

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove is a rich variety of creative people. There is a phrase, "Yankee ingenuity," that has a lot of truth in it. People of New England have been noted for coming up with solutions to challenges/problems of all types.

As Suzi Forbes Chase wrote in New England (New York: Prentice Hall, 1994): "Principles come first. Hard work second.Give a New Englander a problem and he'll study it every which way until he comes up with a solution.

"That's the essence of 'Yankee ingenuity' - that peculiar knack for making the best of any situation - of turning a negative into a positive."

A good example of such ingenuity is the first envelope folding machine, which was invented by Dr. Russell Hawes of Worcester, MA, in 1853.

For more information about Dr. Hawes and his envelope folding machine, please visit:

National Postal Museum: Envelopes In The Machine Age

Envelope Manufacturers Association: The History of Envelopes

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

Today the Church celebrates Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion. The assigned readings are Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9; and John 18:1-19:42. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 31 (Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25).

To access today’s readings, please visit:

USCCB: NAB: Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

To access an audio Good Friday meditation by Father Benedict, please visit:

YouTube: Good Friday Catholic Meditation

"O Sacred Head Surrounded"

As our observance of Good Friday continues, I offer "O Sacred Head Surrounded":





O Sacred Head Surrounded (the first verse is attributed to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux):

O Sacred Head surrounded
By crown of piercing thorn!
O bleeding Head so wounded,
Reviled and put to scorn!
Death's pallid hue comes o'er Thee,
The glow of life decays,
Yet angel hosts adore Thee,
And tremble as they gaze.

In this, Thy bitter passion,
Good shepherd, think of me,
With Thy most sweet compassion,
Unworthy though I be:
Beneath Thy cross abiding,
Forever would I rest;
In Thy dear love confiding,
And with Thy presence blest.

Good Friday Reflection Starter

"Christ died for all men - not just the ones you know and like." - Source Unknown

Canticle of the Passion of Our Lord

As we enter Good Friday, I offer this presentation of Saint Catherine de Ricci’s “Canticle of the Passion of Our Lord” (“Canticum de Passione Domini”):

Friar Blog: A Devotion to the Passion by Saint Catherine de Ricci (21 APR 11)

A True Image of Christ

In this thoughtful reflection, Deacon Greg Kandra offers his view of the true image of Christ:

The Deacon's Bench: “Here is where you see the true image of Christ…” (21 APR 11)

21 April 2011

Boston Herald: State Funded Website Promoting Abortion Draws Fire from Pro-life Supporters

A recent Boston Herald article states that a “state-funded sex education Web site that tells teens an abortion is ‘much easier than it sounds’ has drawn fire from outraged pro-lifers who say mariatalks.com is glossing over ugly truths, steering teens toward the controversial procedure and counseling them how to keep mom and dad in the dark.”

To access this article, please visit:

Boston Herald: Site: No stigma in abortion (20 APR 11)

Background information:

Mass Citizens for Life: MCFL speaks out against "Mariatalks"

Massachusetts Citizens for Life

Holy Thursday

Today the Church celebrates Holy Thursday. The day is celebrated as the beginning of the priesthood and the institution of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The assigned readings for the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper are Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; and John 13:1-15. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 116 (Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18).

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.”

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”

Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,  for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

Monsignor Charles Pope recently wrote an thoughtful reflection on the Last Supper (which was the first Mass):

Msgr. Charles Pope: My, My….What the Lord Had To Endure at the Last Supper! (20 APR 11)

Reflection Starter from the Letter to the Hebrews

“[S]ince we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” – Hebrews 4:14-16

The Boston Marathon (and Heartbreak Hill)

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove is a rich mixture of events, legends, places, foods, and other features that are directly related to what many people think of as the New England culture.

One New England tradition since 1897 has been the running of the Boston Marathon in Massachusetts, one of the world’s most famous marathons. Held each year on the state’s Patriots’ Day holiday (which is observed on the third Monday in April), it is considered the world’s oldest (modern) marathon.

The 26 mile, 385 yard (or 26.2 mile) route begins in Hopkinton and ends in Boston. One especially challenging part of the route is Heartbreak Hill, a climb that begins in Newton at about Mile 20. This year, New England Cable News ran an interesting story on the challenge of Heartbreak Hill. To access this story, please visit:

NECN: Heartbreak Hill: Where runners hit the wall (18 APR 11)

Background information:

Boston Athletic Association/Boston Marathon

Boston Marathon Course Map

Wikipedia: Boston Marathon

Boston Globe Marathon Coverage

ESPN Boston Marathon Coverage

WCVB-TV: Boston Marathon Looks At Qualifying Changes (14 APR 11)

Wikipedia: Marathon

Prayer for Priests

I do not know the origin of this prayer, but I ran across it a few decades ago. I think it is a good one to offer up regularly.

Prayer for Priests

Dear Lord, I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests,
the priests who are falling away from the Host, the true and living God,
the priests who labor at home and in distant mission fields,
the tempted and disobedient priests,
the lonely and desolate priests,
the young and old priests,
the sick and dying priests, and
the souls of Your priests in Purgatory.

But especially for the priests who are dearest to me;
the priest who baptized me;
the priests who have absolved me of my sins;
the priests at whose Mass I have assisted and have given me Your Body and Blood in Holy Communion;
the priests who have taught and instructed me
and to whom I am indebted in any way.

Please keep them close to Your Heart, for they are in Your Heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity.

Amen

Spy Wednesday and Our Priests

Yesterday (the Wednesday of Holy Week) has come to be known as Spy Wednesday because it is the day when Judas met with the leaders of the Temple and offered to hand Jesus over to them (see yesterday’s Gospel reading, Matthew 26:14-25).

Remembering that Judas was one of the Church’s first priests, Monsignor Charles Pope has written a thoughtful reflection on Spy Wednesday and the sins and weaknesses of members of the clergy. He also wrote about the great need to pray for our priests.

To access Msgr. Pope’s reflection, please visit:

Msgr. Charles Pope: Spy Wednesday Reflection: The Sins of the Clergy (19 APR 11)

20 April 2011

Greater Vision: "I Could Never Praise Him Enough

In gratitude for the blessings we remember and we celebrate during Holy Week, I offer Greater Vision singing "I Could Never Praise Him Enough":


April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time designed to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and to create strong communities to support children and families.

For more information about National Child Abuse Prevention Month and for some related resources, please visit:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Child Welfare Information Gateway: National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Nashua, NH, Students Prepare Reusable Roof for Burn Building

Some time ago, administrators from Nashua, NH, High School went to the fire department with a proposition: Let students in the building construction class work on the Nashua Fire Rescue’s training facility at the city landfill. The department offered a project that would give the students construction experience and benefit the firefighters and the city at the same time: Build a new roof in an unusual way, so it has replaceable opening.

To access a Nashua Telegraph article about this initiative and some of the concerns involved, please visit:

Nashua Telegraph: Students’ reusable roof perfect fit for burn building (11 APR 11)

Longest Baseball Game Anniversary

Monday, 18 April, was the thirtieth anniversary of the longest professional game in baseball history. In this game, the Pawtucket Red Sox beat the Rochester Red Wings in a game that lasted 33 innings.

Media and other reports:

CBS News: Reliving baseball's longest game (18 APR 11)

WPRI-TV: PawSox note 30 years since longest game (19 APR 11)

Pawtucket Red Sox: The Longest Game in History

Wikipedia: Longest professional baseball game

Connecticut Culture: Charter Oak

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove is a rich mixture of legends, places, foods, and other features that are directly related to what many people think of as the New England culture.

When Connecticut was an English colony, King Charles II granted the colony a charter that gave it more autonomy than other colonies had. His successor, King James II, wanted to have greater control over the various colonies, including the ones in New England, and he appointed Sir Edmund Andros as governor-general of what was termed the Dominion of New England.

As part of the process, Andros visited Connecticut and demanded the charter. The charter was presented, but (as the story goes) the lights went out during the ensuing discussion, and the document disappeared from the table on which it lay. It was then hidden in an oak tree.

The Connecticut Historical Society displays a document it considers the original charter.

For more information about the Charter Oak, please visit:

Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut: The Charter Oak

Connecticut Public Broadcasting: Connecticut’s “The Legend of the Charter Oak”

UOK College of Law: Connecticut Colony Charter of 1662

Wikipedia: Charter Oak

About.com: The Legend of the Charter Oak

Reflection Starter from Pope John Paul II

"The deepest and most powerful impulses of love must spring from this Week, in which we are called to a special and exceptional, solidarity with Christ." - Pope John Paul II

USCCB Doctrine Committee Chair Offers Resource on Relationship Between Bishops and Theologians

On Monday (18 April), Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, chair of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, sent a resource to bishops outlining the relationship between bishops and theologians.

Cardinal Wuerl acted in light of interest in a 24 March Doctrine Committee critique of the book Quest for the Living God: Mapping the Frontiers of the Theology of God, by Sister Elizabeth A. Johnson, a Sister of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York and professor at Fordham University. He particularly cited criticism from the Catholic Theological Society of America.

The Doctrine Committee asserted in late March that Quest for the Living God as a work of Catholic theology “does not take the faith of the Church as its starting point” and said “the author employs standards from outside the faith to criticize and to revise in a radical fashion the conception of God revealed in Scripture and taught by the magisterium.”

In the 18 April document, “Bishops as Teachers: A Resource for Bishops,” Cardinal Wuerl stresses that “it is the specific competence and responsibility of bishops to teach the faith in its entirety.” He cites the 1992 document from the Committee on Doctrine, The Teaching Ministry of the Diocesan Bishop, that asserts that bishops “are to determine authoritatively the correct interpretation of the Scripture and tradition committed to the Church . . . and they are to judge for the Church the accuracy of the presentation of this revelation by others.”

Cardinal Wuerl highlights the importance of the role of theologians and their necessary interrelationship with bishops.

“It is the privilege of theologians to delve more profoundly and systematically into the meaning of the faith, according to the ancient adage, fides quaerens intellectum (faith seeking understanding). Since this faith is handed on by the Church through the ministry of the magisterium, the bishop and the theologian have a special relationship that can and should be reciprocally enriching.” He cites again The Teaching Ministry of the Diocesan Bishop, which states that “the Church cannot exist without the teaching office of the bishop, nor thrive without the sound scholarship of the theologian. Bishops and theologians are in a collaborative relationship.  Bishops benefit from the work of theologians, while theologians gain a deeper understanding of revelation under the guidance of the magisterium. The ministry of bishops and the service rendered by theologians entail a mutual respect and support.”

Cardinal Wuerl likens the bishop to a referee in a sports match, and states that it is the responsibility of the bishop to step in at certain points and to declare that certain theological ideas are not in accord with the faith of the Church.

“To be sure, as in other disciplines the most effective check on fruitless investigation is the vigorous exercise of peer review, critique, and dialogue, as once was a strong tradition in the theological disciplines,” he says. “When that peer review is absent or ineffective, however, it is the responsibility of the bishop to make the call and to declare, if necessary, certain notions out of bounds, the bounds of Christian revelation.”

The statement adds that “the circumstances involving the teaching of theology within Catholic universities and colleges have significantly changed. Undergraduates are now offered a variety of texts within introductory theology/religion courses. While many of the texts can be quite helpful in presenting the faith and teaching of the Catholic Church, there are others that cause confusion and raise doubt among students. Some texts can even be understood as offering an alternative pastoral and spiritual guidance to students in contrast to the teaching magisterium. This is especially a concern given the current diminished level of catechetical preparation of so many young students. In the light of this changed academic situation special attention must now be given as to how to address theological works that are aimed at students and yet do not meet criteria for authentic Catholic teaching.”

The resource states that “the Doctrine Committee does not wish to stifle legitimate theological reflection or to preclude further dialogue, but it does want to ensure that the authentic teaching of the Church, concerning doctrine and morals, is clearly stated and affirmed. While dialogue between theologians and bishops is very important it should work along side of the bishops’ primary teaching and sanctifying mission.”

“The Committee on Doctrine recognizes the legitimate vocations of the theologian as well as of the bishop. The Committee hopes that the discussion generated by its statement will help lead to a renewal and foster a proper and fruitful relationship between the bishops and the whole theological community,” the resource adds.

To access a copy of “Bishops as Teachers: A Resource for Bishops,” please visit:

USCCB: Bishops as Teachers: A Resource for Bishops

Media report:

CNS: Cardinal Wuerl explains bishops' teaching role on theological matters (18 APR 11)

19 April 2011

This Week’s New England City & Town Weekly Dispatch

To access this week’s issue of New England City & Town Weekly Dispatch, please visit:

New England City & Town Weekly Dispatch - 19 April 2011

Nashua, NH, Students Prepare Reusable Roof for Burn Building

Some time ago, administrators from Nashua, NH, High School went to the fire department with a proposition: Let students in the building construction class work on the Nashua Fire Rescue’s training facility at the city landfill. The department offered a project that would give the students construction experience and benefit the firefighters and the city at the same time: Build a new roof in an unusual way, so it has replaceable opening.

To access a Nashua Telegraph article about this initiative and some of the concerns involved, please visit:

Nashua Telegraph: Students’ reusable roof perfect fit for burn building (11 APR 11)

Community Service in Connecticut: Greenwich Flag Football League

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove is a rich mixture of individuals and community service organizations that are working to address a particular concern or group of concerns.

One such example is the Greenwich Flag Football League, which was started by two Greenwich, CT, police officers.

To access a Greenwich Time article on this initiative, please visit:

Greenwich Time: Police officers find 'tremendous’ success with flag football league (18 APR 11)

Michael Leach on the “Average Catholic”

Michael Leach, publisher emeritus and editor-at-large of Orbis Books, recently wrote an interesting reflection on the “average Catholic.”

To access this reflection, please visit:

Huffington Post: The Average Catholic Is Not Who You Think She Is (12 APR 11)

(Thank you, Father Austin Fleming, for the tip.)

Reflection Starter from Saint Francis de Sales

"Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly." - Saint Francis de Sales

18 April 2011

The New England Council

There is a a non-partisan alliance of businesses, academic and health institutions, and public and private organizations from throughout New England that was formed over 75 years ago to promote economic growth and a high quality of life in the New England region.

This organization, the New England Council, is still active, and, among other efforts, it works to foster positive working relationships between its members and key federal policy makers.

For more information about the New England Council, please visit:

New England Council

Reflection Starter from John Adams

"Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics. There must be a positive passion for the public good, the public interest, honour, power and glory, established in the minds of the people, or there can be no republican government, nor any real liberty: and this public passion must be superiour to all private passions." - John Adams (in a letter to Mercy Warren, 1776)

Hmmm. . .

I’ve run across this in the past and just recently came read it again in an Education World Weekly Newsletter issue:

Driving her car one afternoon, Miss Simon, a high school English teacher, rolled through a stop sign at a most inopportune time. The flashing lights that appeared in the rearview mirror meant only one thing.

As the police officer stepped up to the teacher's car window, they recognized each other immediately. Of course, the officer was one of Miss Simon's former students. He couldn't control his pleasure at seeing his former teacher, or giving her a piece of advice…

"Miss Simon," the officer said, "those stop signs are periods, not commas."

Holy Week

This is Holy Week, the week that changed the history of the world.

Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) recently offered a description of what Jesus was doing during His “final week.” To access this post, please visit:

Msgr. Charles Pope: A Daily Chronology of Jesus’ Last Week (15 APR 11)

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of Providence (RI), has written a reflection on the themes of Holy Week. To access Bishop Tobin’s commentary, please visit:

R.I. Catholic: Without a Doubt: Holy Week: Following Jesus With a Lively Faith (14 APR 11)

17 April 2011

CBS Sunday Morning

The previous post mentioned the CBS News weekly television show, Sunday Morning. Although I usually am not able to watch it because it time slot – Sunday, 9:00-10:30 AM – coincides with the Sunday Mass we usually participate in, I think highly of the program and its main anchor, Charles Osgood (as well as his predecessor, Charles Kuralt).

For more information:

CBS News: Sunday Morning

Wikipedia: CBS News Sunday Morning

Facebook: CBS Sunday Morning

Background information:

The Osgood File

A Look at Embroidery

Today’s edition of CBS Sunday Morning had an interesting presentation on embroidery and the Royal School of Needlework.

Over the years I have seen many a good embroidered piece, and, unfortunately, like many arts and crafts from years gone by, embroidery is in danger of dying out. Fortunately there are some efforts to keep the skill alive.

To access this CBS Sunday Morning report, please visit:

CBS: Sunday Morning: England's Royal School of Needlework

Background information:

Wikipedia: Embroidery

Embroiderers' Guild of America

Embroidery How To

Instructables: Embroidery 101!

Christian Music in New England: Damascus Road Coffeehouse, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts

A number of people throughout the six New England states participate in activities involving Christian music. Many of these are musicians or other artists who primarily serve their local church community. Other artists play at a variety of different venues and special events (as well as possibly playing at their local church).

In addition to Sunday and other church services which include music, other venues host regularly scheduled coffeehouses or other events which include the presentation of Christian music. These presentations may include traditional, contemporary, gospel, Christian rock, or other music of any of a variety of other genres.

One Christian music venue in Massachusetts is the Damascus Road Coffeehouse, which is located at the Dartmouth Bible Church, 52 Morton Avenue, North Dartmouth. This coffeehouse is usually held on the first Friday of each month.

For more information about the Damascus Road Coffeehouse, including a schedule of upcoming events, please visit:

Damascus Road Coffeehouse