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This link will keep 'parishioners-at-large' in touch with current creative liturgy sources and resources that respect a variety of 'traditions' within the Church.

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A 'lay' Catholic weekly publication with an accent on an intelligent analysis and commentary on curent issues, trends and concerns of interest to Catholics.

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A national Catholic lay newspaper covering events not usually covered or presented with a clerical bias in the local diocesan press or but of concern and interest to Catholics.

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A National Network of self-help support groups for people abused by clergy or religious.

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Vital information about the disclosure of sexual abuse and related issues affecting Catholics in the pew and the manner in which Bishops continue to exempt themselves from accountability

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A 'movement' of lay Catholics 'inspired' by the abuse scandal calling for greater accountability of bishops to 'Catholics in the Pew.'

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Daily Scripture

+ 3rd Week in Lent

We are guided by perennial truths and live by perennial values.

Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20 Matthew 5:17-19

Teach them to your children and to your children’s children. [Deuteronomy 4:9]

Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. [Matthew 5:17]

Indeed, Jesus did not abolish the ancient law and prophets. The ‘rule of law’ remains in effect and contain perennial truths to guide us as we make our way along life’s journey.. It is true that the commandments are summed up in the law of love – love of God and love of neighbor.

Though we begin each day with the firm intention to live that law of love, it is not as simple as it sounds in the midst of confusing realities and conflicting values. Instead of telling the truth, we often slip into prevarication to hide the truth. Some politicians are good at this and not a few churchmen have been guilty of the same. On one hand, few people hold us accountable when we tell someone we love her new hat though in truth we may consider it the most ugly hat we have ever seen. On the other had, integrity makes greater demands on our moral comportment. Respect for the goods, rights, services and property of others, public or private is very demanding and is rooted in the fifth and seventh commandments and the list goes on.

A friend of mine starts his day with a wonderful ritual. Making the sign of the cross on his forehead, his heart and his lips he prays, “Lord, help me to think good thoughts of my neighbor, to speak well of others and to have positive feelings that lead to good deeds.” Amen!

PS At the conclusion of Mass this morning, I acknowledged that women do not wear hats any longer so I suggested replacing it with, “I love your new wig”… then I thought in the interests of gender equality, I should have added “hair piece.”

A bit of humor in the midst of a challenging day can help to make our burden’s lighter.

Thanksgiving - 2008

Thursday November 27, 2008

An attitude of gratitude is the best cure for the blues.

Readings: Isaiah 63:7-9 Psalm 138:1-2a, 2bc-3, 4-5 First Corinthians 1:3-9 Luke 17:11-19

“The favors of the Lord I will recall, the glorious deeds of the Lord, because of all he has done for us.” [Isaiah 63:7]

Though I have watched it more times than I can count, believe it or not, I have never traveled to New York to see the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I do not feel particularly deprived because of this void in my life. I watched many a high school football game at Bayley Ellard Regional on Thanksgiving, but in truth I had ‘cold feet’ when it came to standing or sitting along the sidelines no matter what the event.

My earliest remembrance of the Thanksgiving Day parade was at in the bar and grill at the Hotel Revere in Morristown when my uncle Ray was the hotel manager. This was before home TV! Not to worry, the bar was closed but the small 10 inch black and white screen on the Dumont TV worked just fine.

It’s astounding how easily pleased we were as kids. We didn’t have a lot in those days but we had a lot to look forward to on Thanksgiving as we waited for the Turkey and fixings later in the day.

It seems to me that folks with least often have the most for which to be grateful, or at least, they seem to act that way. I’m sure I’m overstating this but it is true that when we look for blessings, they are all around us and the greatest blessings do not cost big bucks.

This will be a lean feast for many but may only be a prelude to a leaner year ahead for many more. Our Christian spirituality offers much in the way of advice and ascetical practices that can help us to cope with the hard times without focusing too much on guilt or blame. The memory of earlier times when we lived more modestly not by choice but by necessity should not be forgotten. In those days, less was more and the prayer of blessing and thanksgiving before dinner was meaningful no matter how much or how little we had.

Talk about our becoming the most prosperous nation in the world is not as helpful as talk about becoming the most grateful nation on the earth for whatever we have.

An attitude of gratitude can change the flow of the day and the flow of life.