Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of kind words reaching out to us.

Msgr. Pope on Saving for a Rainy Day

"In the young adult Bible study at my parish (conducted on Zoom during the current crisis) we have been reading through the Book of Genesis. Most recently, we've been studying the story of Joseph the Patriarch. Genesis 41 features the memorable story of how Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dream of the seven cows and the seven sheaves of grain. God's word always seems to be right on time: this story gave us an opportunity to discuss the anxiety brought about by the pandemic, with a particular focus on the fact that most of us were caught unprepared.

"Let's ponder a very simple yet often-forgotten principle taught in Chapter 41 of Genesis."

In a recent commentary based on this chapter from the Book of Genesis, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the importance of saving for unanticipated events.

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

Community in Mission: Saving for a Rainy Day (like today) as Modeled in Scripture (25 MAR 20)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"If you find it hard to pray, don't give up. Be still; make space for God to come in; let Him look at you, and He will fill you with His peace." - Pope Francis

Canadian Brass: "Flight of the Tuba Bumblebee"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Canadian Brass presenting "Flight of the Tuba Bumblebee":

Pope Francis Offers Extaordainary Coronavirus Urbi et Orbi Blessing

"On Friday, before an empty and rain-covered St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis held Eucharistic adoration and gave an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing, praying for the world during the coronavirus pandemic which has killed more than 25,000 people.

"The holy hour March 27 included a reading from the Gospel and a meditation by Pope Francis, who spoke about faith and trust in God during a time when people fear for their lives, as did the disciples when their boat was caught in a violent storm.

"'We have an anchor: by his cross we have been saved. We have a rudder: by his cross we have been redeemed. We have a hope: by his cross we have been healed and embraced so that nothing and no one can separate us from his redeeming love,' Francis said."

A recent Catholic News Agency article reported on the blessing and message of Pope Francis.

To access the complete Catholic News Agency report, please visit:

Catholic News Agency: The cross is our hope: Pope gives Urbi et Orbi blessing during coronavirus (27 MAR 20)

Related media report:

National Catholic Register: Pope Francis' Homily at Extraordinary 'Urbi et Orbi' Blessing (27 MAR 20)

Franciscan Lenten Meditation: Teresa of Avila: A Woman for More than Her Time

"In The Seven Storey Mountain, the Trappist monk and spiritual writer Thomas Merton explains how, when asked by his friend Robert Lax what he, Merton, wanted to be, he replied that he wanted to be a good Catholic. Lax, a poet and mystic, told him, 'What you should say is that you want to be a saint.' Merton deferred, conscious of his own failings and inadequacies. But Lax persisted: 'All that is necessary to be a saint is to want to be one.' By desiring sainthood, Lax said, we consent to become what God has created us to be. God, in turn, will make us saints."

Franciscan Media is offering a special Lenten series of meditations, "Lent with the Saints." The mediation by Father Greg Friedman, OFM, for the Fourth Saturday of Lent, entitled "Teresa of Avila: A Woman for More than Her Time", is as follows:

Franciscan Media: Lent with the Saints: Teresa of Avila

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the many ways in which You are working through the current Coronavirus challenge.

Kathryn Jean Lopez on the Faithful Rising to the Coronavirus Challenge

"Well, now. These are certainly some different times. I normally travel a bit like a maniac. Because I have platforms to share news and commentary, I have long felt it a little bit of my responsibility to make sure I am seeing and hearing as much as possible. It's sometimes wearing for an introvert, but it's really an honor and a privilege to get to meet people and listen to them, tell a few of their stories and learn from them and share some of their wisdom. Even on a given day, the number of people I am able to interact with can be amazing - and sometimes overwhelming, but always blessings, even when things are unexpected and challenging and even painful. . . .

"But now life is very different. Many of us are in self-quarantine and shelter-in-place scenarios of the sort I don't think we even considered would be a part of our lives a month ago. It's a bit stunning. For the first hours and days, I didn't even know who I was. While I constantly crave quiet, there seemed something so unjust about this, especially when I think about the people who do'’t have any semblance of it."

In a recent commentary, nationally syndicated columnist Kathryn Jean Lopez, senior fellow at the National Review Institute and editor-at-large at National Review, reflected on how God is present in these days and on how we must "let him show us so that we can show him."

To access her complete post, please visit:

Our Sunday Visitor: The faithful are rising to the challenge (24 MAR 20)

Reflection Starter from Nathaniel Hawthorne

"Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important in some respect whether he chooses to be so or not." – Nathaniel Hawthorne

Covid-19 Wellness Guide

The Newtown, CT, Office of the Selectman, Newtown Health District, and Newtown Department of Human Services have collaborated to offer a Wellness Guide containing resources for the community as it faces the effects of Covid-19. The guide contains several tips and strategies designed to help one cope with the emotions being felt, a number of daily self-care questions, and a variety of helpful Covid-19 resources.

To access a copy of the guide, please visit:

Town of Newtown: Wellness resources a guide for our community as we face the effects of Covid-19

Background information:

Newtown Health District (serving Bridgewater, Newtown, and Roxbury)

Town of Newtown

Wikipedia: Newtown, Connecticut

Franciscan Lenten Meditation: Ignatius of Loyola: A Soldier's Spiritual Conflict

"In The Seven Storey Mountain, the Trappist monk and spiritual writer Thomas Merton explains how, when asked by his friend Robert Lax what he, Merton, wanted to be, he replied that he wanted to be a good Catholic. Lax, a poet and mystic, told him, 'What you should say is that you want to be a saint.' Merton deferred, conscious of his own failings and inadequacies. But Lax persisted: 'All that is necessary to be a saint is to want to be one.' By desiring sainthood, Lax said, we consent to become what God has created us to be. God, in turn, will make us saints."

Franciscan Media is offering a special Lenten series of meditations, "Lent with the Saints." The mediation by Father Greg Friedman, OFM, for the Fourth Friday of Lent, entitled "Ignatius of Loyola: A Soldier's Spiritual Conflict", is as follows:

Franciscan Media: Lent with the Saints: Ignatius of Loyola

Alexander Borodin: Symphony No. 1 in E flat major

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Alexander Borodin's Symphony No. 1 in E flat major, as played by the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Michel Plasson: