26 July 2020
Thank You, Lord
Thank you, Lord, for always knowing us, intending us, loving us, and planning for us.
Msgr. Pope on the Contingency of Our Existing and the Glory of God
"I was alerted to a fascinating article by
Ali Binazir who sets forth mathematically the odds of you or I
existing, just as we are genetically. It turns out that, when taking
into consideration the astonishing number of possibilities of parents
meeting, grandparents before them and on and on going back the
generations, and adding also the vast numbers of sperm and ova in
possible combination over a the lifetime of the marital acts, of all
those generations, it would seem that the odds of me existing just as I
do, are 1 in 102,685,000. That's a number so huge it hurts to think about it.
"To say that we are contingent beings, is a vast understatement. To say that some one or something is contingent is to say that the existence of same is not inevitable, but can only come about based on any number of previous things being true in a chain of being or causality. Hence I would not exist if my parents had not existed and met. Further, they would not exist if the parents had not existed and met, the chain going back many generations. Thus, my existence depends on a vast number of 'meetings' going just right, or I am not here."
"To say that we are contingent beings, is a vast understatement. To say that some one or something is contingent is to say that the existence of same is not inevitable, but can only come about based on any number of previous things being true in a chain of being or causality. Hence I would not exist if my parents had not existed and met. Further, they would not exist if the parents had not existed and met, the chain going back many generations. Thus, my existence depends on a vast number of 'meetings' going just right, or I am not here."
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected the improbability of the existence of each of us individually and on how the "great mystery of our existence stretches back in time into the very heart and mind of God who has always known and loved us, has prepared for us and made a way for us."
To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: Almost NON-Existent. A Brief Reflection on the Contingency of our Being and the Glory of God, Based on a Recent Math Article. (19 JUL 20)
Reflection Starter from Pope Francis
"The Kingdom of Heaven is the opposite of the superfluous things the world offers, the opposite of a dull life: it is a treasure that renews everyday life and leads it to extend towards wider horizons." - Pope Francis
25 July 2020
Jonny Mathis: "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing"
As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Johnny Mathis presenting "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing":
Dr. Michael Pakaluk on Relaxation and Recreation in Our Lives
"Is there a Catholic approach to summer vacation? Can a vacation be sanctified? If so, what does that mean, and what would it imply for the rest of the year?
"Let’s say that this topic should go to the top of anyone's list, as of the highest importance, not least because of its connection with Sunday. The word 'vacation' is nowhere to be found in the Catechism, yet 'rest' is frequently mentioned, always in connection with the Lord's Day: 'The institution of the Lord's Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2184)"
In a recent commentary, Dr. Michael Pakaluk, Professor in the Busch School of Business at Catholic University of America, reflected on the role of rest, relaxation, recreation, and rejuvenation in our lives.
To access Dr. Pakaluk’s complete essay, please visit:
The Catholic Thing: R&R, Etc. (21 JUL 20)
"Let’s say that this topic should go to the top of anyone's list, as of the highest importance, not least because of its connection with Sunday. The word 'vacation' is nowhere to be found in the Catechism, yet 'rest' is frequently mentioned, always in connection with the Lord's Day: 'The institution of the Lord's Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2184)"
In a recent commentary, Dr. Michael Pakaluk, Professor in the Busch School of Business at Catholic University of America, reflected on the role of rest, relaxation, recreation, and rejuvenation in our lives.
To access Dr. Pakaluk’s complete essay, please visit:
The Catholic Thing: R&R, Etc. (21 JUL 20)
Reflection Starter from Willie Nelson
"When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around." - Willie Nelson
24 July 2020
Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Symphony No. 2 in D Major
It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Joseph Bologne, Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges' Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op.XI, as presented by the Mozart Society Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg:
Guiding Young People to Make a Difference
As Jeannie Gaffigan endured her arduous recovery from the surgery that removed a life-threatening tumor from her brain stem, she felt overwhelmed by a desire to work with the youth of her Catholic parish in New York City, Old St. Patrick's. Her oldest son and daughter had received the sacrament of Confirmation, and she wasn't sure what their spiritual formation would look like from that point forward.
During an interview on Christopher Closeup, Jeannie explained that she and another mother brought together some preteens and teens, asking what societal needs they saw and what they felt they could accomplish. The adults taught the group about raising money and collecting items, and they called this group the St Patrick's Warriors. As time passed, they interacted with a youth group from Ascension Church called The Spirit Squad, which was so large that they started a food pantry for food-insecure people in their neighborhood. They eventually crossed paths with a Jewish youth group doing similar service work. That's when Jeannie experienced an epiphany.
She said, "In the Gospel, Jesus [says to go] to the ends of the earth. In New York City, you don't have to go to the ends of the earth. We're in the middle of all these vibrant cultures and groups of people who are doing good. That's very much [in line] with The Christophers: what are we doing to uplift and be a light in the darkness?" And so, The Imagine Society was born to unite diverse youth groups from the city under one umbrella organization.
One of the Imagine Society's projects was held at Ascension Church. It was a pop-up shelter in which 20 homeless men received food, shelter, and an experience of community for one night. Jeannie said, "We had the kids from the different groups plan the menu, the decor, the goody bags . . . with a little hand sanitizer and lots of [other] items. And one of the most beautiful parts of the evening was the engagement and conversation. The kids sat down at the table and brought over a cup of coffee, and brought out the [playing] cards and the Jenga, and had conversations. It was this amazing unification of all these different kids and cultures and acts of service. We got so much out of it."
Plans for future events shifted when the coronavirus pandemic hit and everyone had to shelter at home. But the Imagine Society quickly adapted and came up with ways they could still help those in need. "We pivoted all of our activities to support the frontline workers and the victims that are most affected," Jeannie explained. "When you do something meaningful and you think about other people, your own mental health and well-being is completely changed. It was important for all of us, the teenagers and the adults, to feel connected and feel like we were . . . not powerless and not victims, and that we were able to offer our support and love in the middle of this pandemic."
As a mother of five, wife and writing partner of comedian Jim Gaffigan, and co-leader of two youth groups, Jeannie accomplishes a lot. But she says, "I could not do anything without begging the Blessed Mother to help me every day. If'it was up to me, I would be lying in bed watching Netflix all day eating ice cream. But I feel like something bigger than me is pushing me to do this stuff. I feel motivated by a higher purpose."
This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column written by Tony Rossi, Director of Communications, The Christophers; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.
Background information:
The Christophers
The Imagine Society
During an interview on Christopher Closeup, Jeannie explained that she and another mother brought together some preteens and teens, asking what societal needs they saw and what they felt they could accomplish. The adults taught the group about raising money and collecting items, and they called this group the St Patrick's Warriors. As time passed, they interacted with a youth group from Ascension Church called The Spirit Squad, which was so large that they started a food pantry for food-insecure people in their neighborhood. They eventually crossed paths with a Jewish youth group doing similar service work. That's when Jeannie experienced an epiphany.
She said, "In the Gospel, Jesus [says to go] to the ends of the earth. In New York City, you don't have to go to the ends of the earth. We're in the middle of all these vibrant cultures and groups of people who are doing good. That's very much [in line] with The Christophers: what are we doing to uplift and be a light in the darkness?" And so, The Imagine Society was born to unite diverse youth groups from the city under one umbrella organization.
One of the Imagine Society's projects was held at Ascension Church. It was a pop-up shelter in which 20 homeless men received food, shelter, and an experience of community for one night. Jeannie said, "We had the kids from the different groups plan the menu, the decor, the goody bags . . . with a little hand sanitizer and lots of [other] items. And one of the most beautiful parts of the evening was the engagement and conversation. The kids sat down at the table and brought over a cup of coffee, and brought out the [playing] cards and the Jenga, and had conversations. It was this amazing unification of all these different kids and cultures and acts of service. We got so much out of it."
Plans for future events shifted when the coronavirus pandemic hit and everyone had to shelter at home. But the Imagine Society quickly adapted and came up with ways they could still help those in need. "We pivoted all of our activities to support the frontline workers and the victims that are most affected," Jeannie explained. "When you do something meaningful and you think about other people, your own mental health and well-being is completely changed. It was important for all of us, the teenagers and the adults, to feel connected and feel like we were . . . not powerless and not victims, and that we were able to offer our support and love in the middle of this pandemic."
As a mother of five, wife and writing partner of comedian Jim Gaffigan, and co-leader of two youth groups, Jeannie accomplishes a lot. But she says, "I could not do anything without begging the Blessed Mother to help me every day. If'it was up to me, I would be lying in bed watching Netflix all day eating ice cream. But I feel like something bigger than me is pushing me to do this stuff. I feel motivated by a higher purpose."
This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column written by Tony Rossi, Director of Communications, The Christophers; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.
Background information:
The Christophers
The Imagine Society
Reflection Starter from Bob Hope
"If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble." - Bob Hope
23 July 2020
The Legends Of Doo Wop: "Oh Rosemarie"
It's time for some more doo wop. Here is a presentation of "Oh Rosemarie" by The Legends of Doo Wop:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
