Zero8 Chorus: "It Is Well with My Soul"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of the Zero8 Chorus presenting "It Is Well with My Soul":

 

International Infection Prevention Week

This week, the week of 13-19 October, is being observed as International Infection Prevention Week, an observance designed to stress the importance of infection prevention and actions the healthcare community (including EMS providers) can take to improve patient safety. The 2024 theme is "Moving the Needle on Infection Prevention."

 

Background information:

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology,: Infection Prevention and You

 

Birthday Blessings, Amy!!!

Birthday greetings to niece Amylynne Moore (brother Richard's daughter), 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 blessing of the milieu in which You have placed us.

Br. Sebastian Vicente, O.P., on Fine Tuning Our Souls

"I never liked Frank Sinatra's song My Way; it doesn't relate to my experience. All he talks about is how everything he has done was according to his will. When was the last time that something went your way? No, think about it. Most of the time, things don't go as we expected. Yet, for those who follow and do God's will everything goes according to their will. How so? Consider this story about a conversation between Saint Teresa of Avila and Jesus."

In a recent commentary, Brother Sebastian Vicente, O.P., reflected on the importance of fine-tuning our souls and and living our lives "in tune" with God.

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

Dominicana: "No Wonder You Have so Few Friends!" (15 OCT 24)

Reflection Starter from St. Teresa of Avila

"Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes with which Christ looks out his compassion to the world. Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which he is to bless us now." - Saint Teresa of Avila (a.k.a. Saint Teresa of Jesus), whose memory the Church celebrates today (15 October)

The Paragons: "Florence"

It's time for some more doo wop. Here is a presentation of  "Florence" by The Paragons:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of art festivals.

Fr. Michael Rennieron the Hidden Joy of Jesus

"I've always been intrigued that tears are considered more serious than laughter. In movies, paintings, novels, and television, it's always the dramas and high-toned tragedies that earn the description of 'serious art.' I've always contended that comedy too can also be 'serious art,' and simply because levity and laughter are present doesn't mean we should dismiss it."

In a recent commentary based on the writing of G. K. Chesterton, Father Michael Rennier reflected on the hidden joy of Jesus.

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

Aleteia: Fr. Michael Rennier: G.K. Chesterton on the one thing God hides from us (13 OCT 24)

Reflection Starter from C. S. Lewis

"God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing." - C. S. Lewis

Marrila Ness: "To Do Your Will"

Ass we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of Marrila Ness presenting "To Do Your Will":

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time  The assigned readings are Wisdom 7:7-11, Hebrews 4:12-13, and Mark 10:17-30.The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 90 (Psalm 90:12-17).

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

YouTube: Spirit & Psalm - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2024 - Year B - Psalm 90 - Angrisano

The Gospel reading is as follows:

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.You know the commandments: 'You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.'" He replied and said to him, "Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words.So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God." Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: What Does Heaven Cost? A Homily for the 28th Sunday of the Year (12 OCT 24)

Benedictine College: This Sunday, Give Up the Lie: Meet Jesus and Offer Him Your True Self (10 OCT 24)

Word on Fire: What Do You Ask God For? (Cycle B * 28th Week of Ordinary Time) 

The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: Wisdom and riches (11 OCT 24)

The Pilot: Echoes: Deacon Greg Kandra: Scripture Reflection for Oct. 13, 2024, Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (9 OCT 24)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of an autumn holiday weekend.

Lucia Silecchia on Dressing up

"For better or worse, my childhood days were lived before the age of the digital camera. So, I have shelves full of photo albums that tell the stories of my life. As is likely the case for many, Halloween photographs are plentiful.

"While Halloween had not yet morphed into the mega-holiday it is now, I took my Halloween costumes very seriously. There were the challenges of picking a character, brainstorming the costume that would bring that character to life, and then making that costume in a way that would somehow marry an imagination that was fairly good with crafting and sewing skills that were decidedly bad. Luckily, my mom -- who was both talented and patient -- took a lead role in the costume production!".

In a recent commentary, writer/Professor Lucia A. Silecchia reflected on some of the aspects of dressing up for special occasions and putting on the cloak of a good life.

To access Professor Silecchia's complete post, please visit:

The Pilot: Echoes: Lucia A. Silecchia: Dressing up for Ordinary Time (9 OCT 24)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"In the Gospel of the Day, Jesus wants to help us discover that the good we long for is God Himself, His love for us, and eternal life, which only He can give us. Our true wealth is being looked upon with love by Him and loving one another by giving our lives for them." - Pope Francis

The Four Aces: "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of The Four Aces presenting "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing":

On Truth, Humility, and Other Catholic-related Topics

A number of articles/posts have recently been published on a variety of Catholic-related subjects worth considering.

To access some of these, please visit:

Crux: In Fairbanks, being bishop means duffel bags, snowmobiles and sleeping on floors (July 2023)

Fr. Dwight Longenecker: The Invisible Church (19 MAR 24)

First Things: George Weigel: Choking on Rights Talk (September 2024)

Catholic Culture: My truth? The real Personal truth is neither mine nor yours (8 OCT 24)

Catholic Stand: Guy McClung: He Must Increase, I Must Decrease (15 SEP 24)

Aleteia: Mary leaves 'calling card' in near-death collision (20 APR 23)

Catholic News Agency: Vatican to collect stories of Christian martyrs killed since 2000 (5 JUL 23)

The Pilot: Echoes: Molly Judd: The Eucharist is the cure for our loneliness (17 NOV 23)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of crisp autumn days.

Archangels Heal, Guide, and Protect

September 29th is the Feast of the Archangels, when we honor Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael, the only angels mentioned by name in Sacred Scripture. In 1986, over the course of six General Audiences, Pope Saint John Paul II gave a Catechesis on the Holy Angels in which he offered amazing insight on these three great figures. Of Raphael, the pontiff said, "He is made known to us by the story of Tobias in the Old Testament, which is so significant for what it says about entrusting to the angels the little children of God, who are always in need of custody, care, and protection."

Pointing out that the name Raphael means "God heals," John Paul II's reflection references the Archangel's encounter with Tobias, who is the child of Tobit. Raphael protects Tobias on the journey he makes for his father, and also heals Sarah, Tobias' future wife, and cures Tobit of his blindness. Today, we recognize Saint Raphael as the patron of travelers, the blind, and bodily ills. We also see his intercession on behalf of Tobit's family as signifying the power Raphael wields to the benefit of those who implore his assistance.

Saint Gabriel is the patron of messengers, and John Paul II called him "a figure bound especially to the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God," in reference to Gabriel's Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Gospel of Luke.

Gabriel first appears in Sacred Scripture to the prophet Daniel to assist in the interpretation of his visions, which prefigures the clarity Gabriel brings about the coming of Christ in the New Testament.

John Paul II explained that the name Gabriel means "power of God," and it is "as if to say that the culmination of creation, the Incarnation, is the supreme sign of the omnipotent Father."

Of Saint Michael, John Paul II said, "His name is a synthesis that expresses the essential attitude of the good spirits. 'Mica-EL' in fact means: 'Who is like God?' In this name, therefore, we find expressed the salvific choice thanks to which the angels 'see the face of the Father' who is in Heaven."

Michael appears in the Book of Daniel in a prophetic role, which prefigures his appearance in the Book of Revelation, where he leads God's armies in the victory of good over evil. Many know the Prayer to Saint Michael, which begins, "Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle." We should invoke that prayer in our own struggles to see good triumph over evil in our lives and in the world around us.

In his Catechesis on the Holy Angels, John Paul II said, "According to Revelation, the angels who participate in the life of the Trinity in the light of glory are also called to play their part in the history of the salvation of man, in the moments established by divine Providence.

"And Saint John Chrysostom said, "When you are before the altar where Christ reposes, you ought no longer to think that you are amongst men; but believe that there are troops of angels and archangels standing by you, and trembling with respect before the sovereign Master of Heaven and earth."

These mighty Archangels are given to us by God to intercede in our struggle for salvation, so let us pray for Saint Michael to protect us, Saint Raphael to bring us healing and guidance, and Saint Gabriel to herald at all times the coming of Christ in our lives.

This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column by Father Ed Dougherty, M.M., The Christophers' Board of Directors ; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.

Background information:

The Christophers

Reflection Starter from Bl. Carlo Acutis

"All people are born as originals but many die as photocopies" - Blessed Carlo Acutis

Georg Muffat: Sonata No.5 in G major

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Georg Muffat's Sonata No.5 in G major:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for listening to our prayers and for the ways in which You answer them.

Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS, on Ood and Dentistry

". . . When I was a junior in high school I worked as an assistant in a dental clinic in downtown Toledo. I loved the job and worked there for three years. . . ..

"I fell in love with dentistry after one particular patient. This patient came to the clinic and never smiled. He would hide his teeth behind his lips in embarrassment. Over a few appointments, the dentist worked on his teeth. There are few things more intimate than dental work. After a few visits, the dentist gave this young man his smile back. I remember seeing the patient walk out of the clinic, he could not stop smiling.

". . . During my novitiate with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, I discovered the God of our hearts who is present and constantly at work. Although I like this image of the cardiologist God, I have to admit, I am partial to the image of the dentist God who scrapes, drills, fills, and straightens. God'’s work is intimate and uncomfortable AND needed. This is a God who gives me my smile back."

In a recent commentary based on the writings of St. Francis de Sales, Father Joe Newman, OSFS, reflected on the similarities between of the work of God and the work of a dentist.

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

De Sales Weekly: Provincial Reflection: Teeth (26 SEP 24)

Reflection Starter from Pope John XXIII

"Prayer is the raising of the mind to God. We must always remember this. The actual words matter less." - Saint Pope John XXIII, whose memory the Church celebrates today (11 October)

Julia Gagnon: "Here I Am"

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 Maine-based Julia Gagnon.

Background information:

MEAWW: Who is Julia Gagnon?

In this video, Julia Gagnon is presenting "Here I Am":

 

 

Belated Birthday Blessings, Elisabeth!!!

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

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of the northern lights (aurora borealis) and the southern lights (aurora australis).

Christian Clifford on the Catholic Ties Between the Dodgers and Padres

"Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, are just over 120 miles apart, but they're closer than it seems when considering the Catholic history of the cities they represent.

"As the National League West-champion Dodgers and Wild Card Padres battle it out in the National League Divisional Series of Major League Baseball, let us look at their shared Catholic history, one much deeper than the fact that the cities’ names are unquestionably Catholic - one for heavenly creatures and the other a saint."

In a recent commentary, writer Christian Clifford reflected on the Catholic history of Los Angeles and San Diego.

To access Mr. Clifford's complete essay, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: Christian Clifford: Bases Loaded with History: The Catholic Ties Between the Dodgers and Padres (7 OCT 24))

Reflection Starter

"The best safety device is a careful worker." - Sign in Ben Napier's workshop, Laurel, MS

"God, We Praise You"

As we cpoontinue to live this week, I offer this version of the Covington Catholic High School Chamber Choir, Northern Kentucky University Chamber Choir, and University of Louisville Cardinal Singers presenting "God, We Praise You":

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of pierogi.

John Cuddleback on What May Encourage Someone to Want to Be Virtuous

"There is nothing like parenting, or teaching, or any real formation of the young to help us to see and focus on what really matters. If we have come to the insight that living well - or living virtuously - is at the center of the human vocation, then the enormity of a question begins to dawn on us: what makes people actually want to live that way?"

In a recent commentary reflecting a comment in the writing on Plato, writer John Cuddleback, professor of Philosophy at Christendom College, reflected on some of the factors that may encourage a person to want to be virtuous..

To access Mr. Cuddleback's complete post, please visit:

Life Craft: What Makes Someone Want to Be Virtuous? (11 SEP 24)

Reflection Starter from Henry Ward Beecher

"All higher motives, ideals, conceptions, sentiments in a man are of no account if they do not come forward to strengthen him for the better discharge of the duties which devolve upon him in the ordinary affairs of life." - Henry Ward Beecher

Tuba Skinny: "When They Ring Those Golden Bells"

It's time for some jazz, a genre of music I enjoy. Here is a presentation of "When They Ring Those Golden Bell" by Tuba Skinny:

 

Birthday Blessings, Greg!!!

Birthday greetings to (great) nephew Greg Duggan, who birthday is today!! May this day, and each day of the coming year, be richly blessed!!!

Fire Prevention Week

This week, the week of 6-12 October, is being observed as Fire Prevention Week. This year's theme is "Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!"

This theme is designed to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.

For additional information about Fire Prevention Week and this year's campaign, please visit:

NFPA: Fire Prevention Week

Background information:

National Fire Protection Association

Anniversary Blessings, Jackie and Steven!!!

Anniversary greetings to niece Jaclyn Marie and her husband Steven, whose wedding anniversary 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 blessing of the Rosary and for the many ways in which You touch hearts through this devotion.

Bishop Henning on the Fear of the Lord as the Beginning of Wisdom

"“The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10)

"In the Catholic worldview, there is an inseparable link between our beliefs about God and how we are to live. The quote from Proverbs above captures this connection."

In a recent commentary, Bishop Richard G. Henning, the bishop of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on original sin and our falling away from god and on how, when "we return to the proper worship of the Lord, we find then that our stance towards one another shifts," and we "see each other with new eyes as fellow travelers and brothers and sisters."

To access Bishop Henning's complete essay, please visit:

The State of Hope: ‘The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom’ (3 OCT 24)

Reflection Starter from St. John Paul II

"The Rosary is a prayer both so humble and simple and a theologically rich in Biblical content. I beg you to pray it." - Pope Saint John Paul II

"Bind Us Together"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "Bind Us Together"::

 

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time  The assigned readings are Genesis 2:18-24, Hebrews 2:9-11, and Mark 10:2-16.The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 128 (Psalm 128:1-6).

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

YouTube: Spirit & Psalm - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2024 - Year B - Psalm 128 - Ray

The Gospel reading is as follows:

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate."

In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: Marriage Is a Miracle! A Homily for the 27th Sunday of the Year (5 OCT 24)

Benedictine College: This Sunday, Jesus's 'No Divorce' Rule Rescued Billions From Unhappiness (3 OCT 24)

The Quiet Corner: What God has joined together, man must not divide (3 OCT 24)

Word on Fire: The Biblical Vision of the Family (Cycle B * 27th Week of Ordinary Time) 

The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: What God has joined (4 OCT 24)

The Pilot: Echoes: Father Joshua J. Whitfield: Scripture Reflection for Oct. 6, 2024, Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (2 OCT 24)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of committed marriage partners.

Msgr. Pope on Things We Can Learn from Dogs and Cats

"With the Feast of St. Francis upon us we do well to thank God for many things. It is a tradition in many parishes to bless animals on this feast. It is also a good time to ponder what our pets and animals can 'teach' us."

In a recent commentary based on various Scripture passages, Msgr. Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on some of the things we can learn from cats (including being persistent and being resourceful and creative) and dogs (including delighting in the simple joys of a long walk).

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

Community in Mission: Things we Can Learn From Dogs and Cats (3 OCT 24)