Monthly Archives: September 2005
Happy Birthday Mary!
Today is the feast day that commemorates the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Joachim & Anne (the grandparents of Jesus have their own feast day, July 26th). Obviously Mary played a crucial and essential role in salvation history. With her fiat, that is, her saying yes to God, she ushered into our world [...]
Labor Day?
Today is a holiday that honors the “working man.” At least that’s what was envisioned when the first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City in 1882. But maybe today we should call it Consumerism Day or Materialism Day or Best-Day-for-a-Car-Sale Day. Because it’s focus seems to have somehow morphed into a day for [...]
Pope St. Gregory the Great
Today is the feast day of St. Gregory the Great, Pope & Doctor of the Church. During a trip to Italy this Spring, two of my deacon brothers and I joined Monsignor Tom Fucinaro at St. Peter’s for Mass. (from left Deacon Doug Marsh, Deacon Tom Valasek, myself and Msgr. Fucinaro) His body is entombed [...]
Katrina Relief Efforts
Catholic Charities is consistently among the most efficient charities in our nation. As expected, they are coordinating various actions to assist the thousands who have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Many people think only of the short-term needs, food, water, medicine, clothing & shelter. In addition to those immediate needs, Catholic Charities will also assist [...]
Musical Chess
As I drove to work yesterday I listened to a fascinating interview on our local Catholic radio station, KVSS. Their morning show featured a discussion with Kathleen McGee and Laura Buddenberg of Girls & Boys Town. What fascinated me was a discussion around teenagers and why they so often appear not to think about the [...]
"Directed" Contributions
It’s odd how a change in aspiration makes all the difference in the world. Yesterday was a really long day for me. I arrived at work at 7:30am and decided not to return home at 4:00pm, when I usually leave. You see, I had a meeting scheduled in my office for 7:00pm, and I thought [...]
Hope for a Child
A month or so ago, our parish family collected toys, school supplies, and shoes for Iraqi children. One of our parishioners has a brother serving in Iraq and we sent the items to him. He distributed them to the local schools, hospitals, and quite often, during patrols. You see, American soldiers come in contact with [...]