Lop Notes

25 April 2023

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of those who minister to victims of crime.

Br. Samuel Trecost, O.P., on the Incremental Growth of One's Spiritual Life

"A few years ago Google reported a dramatic increase in searches containing the phrase 'open now' and a corresponding drop-off in searches for 'store hours.' The same report also noted that '53% of visits are abandoned if a mobile site takes longer than three seconds to load.' This data indicates something we already know: we are an increasingly impatient generation. We prize two-day shipping and ad-free streaming. We want things now - not later.

'It is not surprising, then, that we might expect immediate results in the spiritual life, too. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Brother Samuel Trecost, O.P., reflected on how unlike "online shopping orders, sanctity does not come overnight. Instead, it is acquired gradually, bit by bit, over long years and decades."

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

Dominicana: St. Mark's Monopolized Parable (25 APR 23)

Reflection Starter from the First Letter of Peter

"So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:6-7

24 April 2023

National Library Week

This week, the week of 23-29 April, is being observed as National Library Week. This year's theme is "There’s More to the Story." This theme is designed to promote the fact that, although libraries are full of stories in a variety of formats from picture books to large print, audiobooks to ebooks, and more, there is much more to the story. Libraries of Things lend items like museum passes, games, musical instruments, and tools. Library programming brings communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, movie nights, crafting classes, and lectures. Library infrastructure advances communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneur.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April. It is designed to be a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries - public, school, academic, and special - and librarians and to promote library use and support.

For more information about National Library Week, please visit:

American Library Association: National Library Week

Facebook: I Love Libraries

Rural Route 4: "Old MacDonald"

It's time for some more barbershop harmony. Here is a presentation of "Old MacDonald" by Rural Route 4:

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of the new life entering the Church during the Easter Vigil.

Bishop Tobin on the Blessing of New Church Members during the Easter Celebration

"One of the beautiful things about spring is the new and abundant life that appears. All around us, nature is giving evidence of that new life in the lengthening days, the blooming of plants and flowers, and the animals emerging from their dens and nests accompanied by their little ones.

"It's a time of new life for the Church as well, for two reasons. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on how the reception of new members is a cause for great joy and hope for the Church.

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

The Imitation of Christ: New Members, New Life (20 APR 23)

Reflection Starter from C. S. Lewis

"One of the most cowardly things ordinary people do is to shut their eyes to facts." - C. S. Lewis

23 April 2023

Well Done, Joe!!!

Son Joseph recently participated in the American Lung Associations' Fight for Air Climb in Providence, RI. Of the individual participants, he finished in fourth place with the amount of funds raised ($2,830.00). He also did well in the actual climb, with a time of 2:23.2, finishing #17 out of 209 individiual participants. Well done, Joe!!!

"Two Were Bound For Emmaus"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of Bob Hurd's "Two Were Bound For Emmaus":

Third Sunday of Easter

Today the Church celebrates the Third Sunday of Easter. The assigned readings are Acts 2:14, 22-33; 1 Peter 1:17-21; and Luke 24:13-35. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 16 (Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11).

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

YouTube: Spirit & Psalm - 3rd Sunday of Easter, 2023 - Year A - Psalm 16 - Huval

The Gospel reading is as follows:

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?"

And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see."

And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?" So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!" Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.