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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 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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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.

Daily Scripture

Monday November 5, 2007

+ 31st Week in Ordinary Time

But hospitality is more than providing a meal.

Readings: Romans 11:29-36 Psalm 69:30-31, 33-34, 36 Luke 14:12-14

“When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” [Luke 14:14]

Yesterday at the conclusion of Mass at Assumption Parish, invitations were extended to the congregation to consider contributing to two different projects designed to help people who may never be able to pay back what we were asked to contribute.

A young boy born in Guatemala soon thereafter adopted by an American family extended the first invitation. The project was established by Joe Collins, a New Jersey licensed private investigator who visited Guatemala with his son, Darron. Joe witnessed first-hand the devastating extend of poverty in Guatemala and soon after began volunteering for an organization that gathers service teams to build homes for the poor. In 2004, Joe established “From Houses to Homes” to provide individual families with a better home and a fresh start in life.

Tom Johnson, a parishioner of Assumption who spends three months every year in Sierra Leone, West Africa, extended the second invitation. His project is called ‘Africa Surgery, Inc. Tom first visited Sierra Leone as a member of the Peace Corps. With the help of the Knights of Columbus, he is able to get surgical treatment for severely handicapped children by a medical team in Ghana. The K of C finances his travel and expenses. 100% of all donations are used directly for patient treatments.

As I read the today’s gospel, I thought immediately of these two invitations to provide not just a meal, but a life!

“From Houses to Homes – Guatemala info@fromhousestohomes.org”

“Africa Surgery, In. – website: africasurgery.org (no ‘www’ in front)