An Historical Look at a Maryknoll Bishop in China

China and religion (especially Christianity) has recently been in the news (at least in religion news). In a recent reflection, Dr. Pat McNamara (a Catholic Church historian from Queens, NY) writes about Bishop Francis Xavier Ford, M.M., a Brooklyn-born Irish boy who felt called to China, where he lived, worked, and died.

To access Dr. McNamara's complete post, please visit:

In Ages Past: Missionary to China: Bishop Francis X. Ford, M.M. (13 JUN 11)

Background information:

McNamara's Blog

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers

Reflection Starter from Ralph Waldo Emerson

"And what greater calamity can fall upon a nation than the loss of worship." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

NFPA Annual Report on Firefighter Fatalities in U.S. Shows Lowest Number of On-duty Deaths in 34 Years

The number of on-duty firefighter deaths is the lowest since 1977. The National Fire Protection Association recently released its annual Firefighter Fatality Report, which shows that a total of 72 on-duty firefighter deaths occurred in the United States in 2010. This is a sharp drop from the 105 on-duty deaths in 2008 and 82 in 2009 and it is the lowest annual total since the NFPA began conducting this annual study in 1977.

“We are very pleased to see that the number of on-duty firefighter deaths is at an historic low and continues to decline each year,” said James Shannon the president & CEO of the NFPA in a prepared statement. “We strongly believe that the advances in training, equipment and fire codes are a major factor in reducing the deaths of these brave men and women that make up the ranks of volunteer and career firefighters.”

To access the complete report, please visit:

NFPA: Firefighter Fatalities in the United States - 2010 (June 2011)

NFPA announces 2011 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year

The National Fire Protection Association has named Maria V. Pelchar, Fire & Life Safety Educator for the Holyoke Fire Department, Holyoke, Massachusetts, as the 2011 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year.

The Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award recognizes a fire and life safety educator who works for a local fire department, uses NFPA's materials in consistent and creative ways, demonstrates excellence and innovation in reaching out to the community, and views NFPA as the source for safety information.

Pelchar visited 21 schools in Holyoke to teach kindergarten and preschool students about fire prevention and safety, using NFPA materials. In Holyoke’s public schools, where 85 percent of students are Hispanic and many speak English as a second language, Pelchar recognized that a change in the program was required in order to spread the message of fire and life safety in a way that all of the students could understand. She reinvented a puppet show for kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students, using Sparky the Fire Dog and his friends, to offer a bilingual show. Pelchar also conducts home visits to the elderly, providing one-on-one fire prevention education.

NFPA presented Pelchar with a $1,000 honorarium and a Steuben crystal award at the NFPA Conference & Expo. The Holyoke Fire Department is also receiving a $1,000 award to enhance its fire and life safety efforts.

Background information:

National Fire Protection Association

Holyoke Fire Department

IAFF Local 1693 Holyoke Fire Fighters

City of Holyoke

Wikipedia: Holyoke, Massachusetts

Artistry at Work in Bourne, Massachusetts

As we have previously stated, one of the treasures of New England is the artistic talents of the people of the region. An example of this is Sara Connelly, a resident of Bourne, Massachusetts. Ms. Connelly is currently painting birdhouse - and the birdhouses are being used as part of a fundraiser to fix the roof of the Swift Memorial United Methodist Church.

For a Cape Cod Times article on this initiative, please visit:

Cape Cod Times: Finding inspiration from above in Bourne (10 JUN 11)

Boston Bruins Win Stanley Cup

A tip of the hat to the Boston Bruins, who won the National Hockey League's championship in Game 7 of the best of seven series. The score of the final game: 4-0.

Background information:

Boston Bruins

Mark Shea on G. K. Chesterton

"Chesterton has been called the 'Laughing Prophet', and with good reason.  He was one of the most consistently funny writers in English.  But he is also one of the most insightful.  Reading his writing from a century ago, one is struck again and again by how much of the 20th Century he foresaw - and how blind his trendier contemporaries were to the outcome of their fashionable philosophies."

Writer Mark Shea recently offered a few thoughts on G. K. Chesterton, the anniversary of whose death was observed on Tuesday (14 June).

To access Mr. Shea's commentary, please visit:

Headline Bistro: G.K. Chesterton: An Appreciation (14 JUN 11)

Reflection Starter from Norman Vincent Peale

"The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results." - Norman Vincent Peale

Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, CT

One of the art treasures of New England is the Florence Griswold Museum, in Old Lyme, Connecticut, which this year is celebrating its 75th anniversary. The main focus of this museum is American impressionist paintings.

The building in which the museum is located was at one time a boarding house run by Florence Griswold. A number of American impressionist painters lived at painted in this boarding house, sometimes on the structure's walls and doors.

For more information about the Florence Griswold Museum, please visit:

Florence Griswold Museum

Wikipedia: Florence Griswold Museum

Wikipedia: Florence Griswold

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 - 15 June 2011

Reflections on Tim Russert

This week marked the third anniversary of the sudden passing of Tim Russert, devout Catholic and television journalist who served for over sixteen years as moderator of NBC's Meet the Press.

I offer a couple of reflections on Mr. Russert and the influence he was:

Whispers in the Loggia: Thanks, Russert (13 JUN 11)

The Deacon's Bench: Let’s remember Russert (14 JUN 11)

Background information:

MSNBC: Tim Russert

Archive of American Television: Tim Russert Interview

Wikipedia: Tim Russert

Reflection Starter from Saint Anthony of Padua

"The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ." - Saint Anthony of Padua (in notes for his sermons)