Gregory Mussmacher
Pope Benedict XVI Reflects on God’s Paychecks
September 22, 2008, 11:29 am
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Benedict XVI Reflects on God’s Paychecks
Gregory Mussmacher, God Bless!!
Benedict XVI Reflects on God’s Paychecks
Says Those Who Work Only for Money Miss a Treasure CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Being able to work for the Lord is itself an inestimable reward, says Benedict XVI.The Pope affirmed this today before praying the midday Angelus with crowds gathered at the summer papal residence south of Rome. Referring to the parable from Matthew’s Gospel read in today’s Mass, the Holy Father noted how the denarius offered to the workers represents eternal life, a “gift that God reserves for everyone.” Indeed,” he continued, “precisely those who are considered ‘last,’ if they will accept it, become ‘first,’ while the ‘first’ can run the risk of becoming ‘last.’ The first message of this parable is in the fact itself that the owner does not tolerate, so to speak, unemployment: He wants everyone to work in his vineyard. And in reality, being called itself is already the first recompense: Being able to work in the Lord’s vineyard, putting yourself at his service, cooperating in his project, constitutes in itself an inestimable reward, which repays all toil.” This message, the Pontiff acknowledged, is “understood only by those who love the Lord and his Kingdom. Those who, instead, work solely for the pay will never recognize the value of this priceless treasure.” Benedict XVI noted that the author of the Gospel, Matthew, himself experienced the parable in firsthand. The Pope explained that “before Jesus called him, Matthew was employed as a publican and for this reason was considered a public sinner by the Jews and was excluded from ‘the Lord’s vineyard.’” “But everything changes when Jesus, walking by the customs house, looks at him and says ‘Follow me,’” the Holy Father continued. “Matthew got up and followed him. From publican he immediately became a disciple of Christ. From being ‘last’ he finds himself as ‘first,’ thanks to the logic of God, which — for our good fortune! — is different from the world’s logic. ” The Pontiff concluded by calling on the intercession of Our Lady. “The Virgin Mary, who a week ago I had the joy of venerating at Lourdes, is the perfect vine in the Lord’s vineyard,” he said. “From her there grew the blessed fruit of divine love: Jesus, Our Savior. May she help us to respond always and with joy to the Lord’s call, and to find our happiness in the possibility of toiling for the Kingdom of Heaven.” email this article: http://www.zenit.org/article-23675?l=english
Pope: Despite Strained Economy, Remember the Poor CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is urging leaders to fight against extreme poverty, even if it means greater sacrifice as many countries face economic difficulties.The Pope made this appeal today after he prayed the midday Angelus with crowds gathered at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. “This Thursday, Sept. 25, there will be a high level meeting, in the context of the 63rd General Assembly of the United Nations, to verify the accomplishment of the objectives established by the ‘Millennium Declaration’ of Sept. 8, 2000,” the Holy Father noted. “On the occasion of this important gathering, in which the leaders of all the countries of the world will be together,” he continued, “I would like to renew the invitation to take up and apply with courage the necessary measures to eliminate extreme poverty, hunger and lack of education and the scourge of the pandemics that harm the most vulnerable above all.” The Pontiff assured that “such a commitment, while demanding sacrifices in these moments of worldwide economic difficulties, will not be without important benefits for the development of nations who are in need of help and for the peace and well-being of the entire planet.” email this article: http://www.zenit.org/article-23678?l=english
— Pontiff Urges Solidarity After Hurricanes CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says that God desires solidarity and fraternity to prevail in areas affected by hurricanes.The Pope affirmed this today after he prayed the midday Angelus with crowds gathered at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. “In recent weeks Caribbean countries — Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic in particular — and the southern United States, especially Texas, have been hit hard by hurricanes,” the Holy Father said. He referred to a series of storms that have pounded the area one after another since mid-August. Already vulnerable Haiti particularly suffered, with several hundred people losing their lives. Caritas appealed for a $4.3 million dollar relief effort for the island nation. The Pontiff added: “I would again like to assure all of those dear people that I am remembering them in my prayers. I hope that help will soon arrive in the areas that have suffered the most damage. The Lord desires that, at least in these circumstances, solidarity and fraternity prevail above all else.” email this article: http://www.zenit.org/article-23677?l=english -
—- Mass Is Medicine for Unforgiving Souls, Says Pope Calls Altar an Invitation to Love ALBANO, Italy, SEPT. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- For apologies that are hard to accept and people that are hard to forgive, the Mass is the key to opening our souls to reconciliation, says Benedict XVI.The Pope said this today when he celebrated a Mass and dedicated the altar at the Cathedral of Albano, near the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. “How can we present ourselves divided and far from each other at God’s altar,” the Holy Father asked. “May this altar upon which the sacrifice of the Lord will soon be renewed be for you, dear brothers and sisters, be a constant invitation to love; always draw near to it with a heart open to the love of Christ and to spreading it, to receiving and bestowing forgiveness.” “Every time that you come to the altar for the Eucharistic celebration your soul opens to forgiveness and fraternal reconciliation, ready to accept the apologies of those who have hurt you and ready, in turn, to forgive,” the Pontiff affirmed. He added: “In the Roman liturgy the priest, having offered the bread and wine, bows toward the altar and prays in a low voice: ‘Lord, we ask you to receive us and be pleased with the sacrifice that we offer with humble and contrite hearts.’ The priest thus prepares to enter, together with the whole assembly of the faithful, into the heart of the Eucharistic mystery, into the heart of that celestial liturgy to which the second reading, taken from the Book of Revelation, refers. [...] “The altar of sacrifice becomes in a certain way the point of encounter between heaven and earth; the center, we could say, of the one Church that is at the same time heavenly and in pilgrimage on earth, where, in the midst of the persecutions of the world and God’s consolations, the Lord’s disciples proclaim his passion and death until he returns in glory.” The Eucharistic celebration thus mysteriously shows the splendor of the Church, Benedict XVI stated, “‘immaculate bride of the immaculate Lamb, Bride that Christ loved and gave himself up for to make her holy.’” email this article: http://www.zenit.org/article-23680?l=english -
—– France Called a Hope for the Church Vatican Aide Evaluates Lourdes Trip VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The eldest daughter of the Church is a source of hope, says a Vatican spokesman, who affirmed that particularly the youth of France give the Church reason to look forward to the future.Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, spoke of France and Benedict XVI’s trip there last week on the most recent edition of Vatican Television’s “Octava Dies.” “The Pope’s trip to France was certainly blessed by largely positive results, as the majority of observers have recognized,” he said. “The visit to Lourdes was expected to unfold in a serene atmosphere of intense spirituality but it was not necessarily foreseen that the Paris visit would be accompanied by such respectful attention from French society and that the local Church would succeed in demonstrating such vitality and significant participation. But this is what happened. This is no reason for triumphalism but it is a reason for confidence and hope.” “With his typical lucidity and coherence,” Father Lombardi continued, “the Pope proposed his vision of the relationship between secularity and faith: Authentic secularity does not prescind from the spiritual dimension, but recognizes that this is the guarantee of our freedom and the autonomy of terrestrial realities.” The spokesman recalled how the Holy Father said that seeking God and being on the journey to God, “remains today, like yesterday, the master and fundamental way of every true culture.” “The fact that these claims can be made today,” Father Lombardi said, “in places that are highly representative of European politics and culture, and that they are received with attention and appreciation rather than prejudicial opposition, encourages one to think that even in the changed historical situation, the Christian faith and the Catholic Church are called to make their most precious contribution — we even say necessary — to the building of the civilization of the new millennium.” “The Church in France — and especially the young people who welcomed him with such enthusiasm — is preparing this civilization,” the Jesuit concluded. “It is also an encouragement for many other countries.” email this article: http://www.zenit.org/article-23674?l=english
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Unlikely to Survive Few Down Syndrome Babies Making It to Birth By Father John Flynn, LCROME, SEPT. 21, 2008, (Zenit.org).- One of the consequences of the nomination of Governor Sarah Palin as the Republican party’s vice-presidential candidate is renewed attention to Down syndrome. On April 18, Palin gave birth to Trig Paxon Van Palin, having been told by doctors the previous December that he suffered from Down syndrome, reported the Associated Press on May 3. An article in the Washington Post on Sept. 10 by opinion columnist Michael Gerson noted that when tests reveal Down syndrome in an unborn child, around 90% are aborted. The numbers of Down syndrome children being aborted could well rise if last year’s recommendation by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is heeded, he added. The college urged universal, early testing for Down syndrome for all expectant mothers, not just those who are older and therefore have a higher chance of a child affected by the condition. Gerson argued, however, that children born with Down syndrome “are generally not experienced by their parents as a curse but as a complex blessing.” Many doctors and counselors, nevertheless, urge mothers to have an abortion instead of going ahead with a Down syndrome pregnancy, he noted. This practice of ending “imperfect” lives, Gerson continued, cannot be separated from how we regard and treat all people who have disabilities. “And this feeds a social Darwinism in which the stronger are regarded as better, the dependent are viewed as less valuable, and the weak must occasionally be culled,” he concluded. Revealing truths In spite of the difficulties in raising a child with Down syndrome, a number of newspapers have published stories highlighting the positive experiences of parents with such children. Raising a child with Down syndrome can reveal many profound truths about parents and their children, reported the Washington Post on Sept 14. The article described the situation of Adrianne Pedlikin, a mother of three, including a 10-year-old son with Down syndrome. The article acknowledged the difficulties and trials of looking after a boy with Down syndrome, but it described how at the same time, both Adrianne and her husband Philip declared their love for their son and said his birth has changed their worldviews in a positive way. The article also referred to the experiences of other families, who frequently run into opposition from educational institutions in seeking to have their children with Down syndrome allowed into schools. They also often find that other parents tend to shut them out and that their children don’t receive invitations to play with other kids. Another personal testimony on the positive experience of being a parent of a Down syndrome child was published June 2 in the U.K. newspaper, the Guardian. Annie Rey described how when she was growing up she was terrified by people with disabilities. Then in her early 40s she became pregnant and discovered her child had Down syndrome. “During the pregnancy I lurched from optimism to despair: optimism that the child, who at 20 weeks we discovered to be a boy, wouldn’t have Down’s, and despair that he would,” she wrote. Her son Paddy is now 2 years old, and she has now accepted the idea of having a child with Down. She said she realizes that “he is not a diagnosis” but a child with many qualities. “I truly believe that if my precious boy did not exist, our world, and probably the world at large, would be a poorer place,” she concluded. Joyous From Canada, the Shaw family recounted their experience of a Down syndrome child in an article published March 2 in the Ottawa Citizen. Michael and Lesley Shaw would have aborted if they had known their daughter, Sydney, had Down syndrome, they told the newspaper. Now that Sydney is 9 years old, her father declared that they have changed their minds and now consider their daughter as “a wonderful, joyous child.” “She has enriched my life to a degree I didn’t think was possible,” said Michael Shaw. “She changed my whole focus on life, on what has value and what doesn’t have value, and what we consider valuable.” Michael Shaw is also on the board of the Canadian Down Syndrome Society, an advocacy group concerned about the coming of broader prenatal testing in Canada and what it will mean for Down syndrome children. In February 2007, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada issued new guidelines recommending that every woman, regardless of age, be offered noninvasive prenatal genetic screening. According to the Ottawa Citizen about 80%-90% of Canadian women who are given a Down syndrome diagnosis choose to have an abortion. Test casualties New tests being developed may well make it easier, moreover, for parents to increase the practice of eliminating the less than perfect. On June 21 the London-based Times newspaper reported that an experimental test, developed by a team at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, promises to show if a fetus has Down syndrome through a test of the mother’s blood. Currently more invasive and dangerous amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling tests are used. These procedures involve inserting a needle into the womb to remove amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus, or a small piece of the placenta. The Times added that these techniques provoke a miscarriage in one in 100 women, and 320 healthy pregnancies are lost each year in Britain because of Down syndrome tests. The new test is still in the phase of experimentation, but it could be ready for public use in a few years. The dangers of Down syndrome tests is, however, much higher, according to a Sept. 14 article published in the British newspaper, the Observer. New research revealed that for every three unborn Down syndrome babies prevented from being born, two healthy babies will be miscarried because of the methods used to detect the condition. The new research, just published in the Down Syndrome Research and Practice journal, claimed that in detecting and preventing the birth of 660 Down babies, 400 healthy fetuses are lost. This is much higher than data cited by the U.K. National Health Service, which cites a miscarriage rate of between 1%-2% following the invasive amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling tests. The Observer commented that while the authors of the research, Frank Buckley and Sue Buckley, are from the charity Down Syndrome Education International, and might therefore be accused of being biased, their findings have been shown to a number of experts who have positively assessed the results. Better care A Sept. 8 article published in the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper commented that children with Down syndrome were institutionalized at birth, and often suffered greatly. In more recent years, the latest generation of Down syndrome children have stayed with their families. Moreover, advances in medical care and education mean they live fuller lives, often graduating from high school and holding jobs. More remains to be done, said Madeleine Will, vice president of public policy for the National Down Syndrome Society, in an article published Sept. 9 by USA Today. Along with greater access to education, Will said that doctors should be required to provide more detailed information about Down syndrome to parents who receive prenatal and postnatal diagnoses, including life expectancy data and contacts of local support groups. She also called for greater financial assistance for families with Down syndrome children. Ironically, just as new possibilities open up for those affected by Down syndrome, new tests and persuasion from some in the medical profession threaten to increase pressures on parents to put an end to these innocent lives. email this article: http://www.zenit.org/article-23672?l=english
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Philippines Threatened By a 2-Child Policy Population Control Bill Enters Plenary Debate By Genevieve PollockWASHINGTON, D.C., SEPT. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Filipino-Americans are joining with Catholics from their native country to fight proposed legislation that would promote contraception and limit family size, while punishing conscientious objectors. The newly consolidated Reproductive Health Bill of 2005, renamed “An Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Development, and for Other Purposes,” was put on the floor of Congress last week to begin plenary debates, reported the Washington-based Filipino Family Fund. At the close of the week, the debates were temporarily suspended, but are due to resume soon. Pro-life groups are holding vigils outside of the House of Representatives in order to closely monitor the proceedings of the bill. After the original reproductive health bill’s failure to pass in 2005, the new Congress reconvened, introduced three new bills, consolidated them into the current proposal, and put the new bill through the Committee on Population without due process in May of 2008. The Philippine Legislator Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) has worked with International Planned Parenthood and the U.N. Population Fund in the creation of this legislation that aims to depopulate the country through all possible means and decrease HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. The U.N. fund has appropriated $26 million to the Philippines for this purpose. This bill would mandate an “ideal family size,” setting the stage for a proposed Two-Child Policy. It foresees stiff penalties that include up to six months imprisonment and heavy fines for those who do not comply with the proposed reproductive health care agenda. According to the bill, these penalties could even apply to any person “who maliciously engages in disinformation about the intent or provisions of this act.” Provisions of the bill call for a network of doctors, population officers in every province, and a national curriculum that will teach secular sex education to fifth graders. Silencing parents Eileen Macapanas Cosby, president of the Filipino Family Fund, told ZENIT that “freedom of speech is at stake. Parents will not be able to object. Health care workers will be forced to refer against their conscience. Employers will have to provide family planning services.” “International Planned Parenthood has sold false presuppositions that access to contraception will alleviate poverty, and decrease the number of abortions. Many who do not have an understanding of Catholic social teachings have bought this,” explained Cosby. “Precisely because the country is Catholic, [Planned Parenthood] has targeted the Philippines.” Cosby noted the affirmation of Archbishop Pacino Aniceto, chairman of the episcopal commission on family and life, who stated “If you are Catholic, you should behave like a Catholic. Otherwise you are not what you profess.” Filipino bishops are sponsoring an advocacy movement against the passage of the bill. They note that a contraception bill with necessarily include abortion. Archbishop Oscar Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan affirmed on his blog, “It is not hard to see that the title of the bill alone says many words yet its open-ended phrase ‘for other purposes’ suggests its hardly realized humungous price tag and grave moral costs.” Rest of Asia Filipino Catholics plan to gather 1 million signatures against the reproductive health bill to present to Congress. Father Melvin Castro, secretariat of the Pro-life Office of the bishops’ conference reported that he had collected 100,000 signatures of constituents by last week. The Filipino Family Fund is urging people to sign the petition on their Web site. “We have to defend the Church now or the rest of Asia will be at stake,” said Cosby. In return for the foreign funding promised by Planned Parenthood and the United Nations, the Philippines will be losing moral ground, Cosby told ZENIT. Our stance is to remain vigilant now, as the debates are set to resume soon, she added. “The truth of the matter is, that the bill will lead to the implementation of an immoral policy — a proposed synthetic artificial contraceptives eventually designed to ruin health as it slants the idea of responsible parenthood to issues of depopulation, which proponents claim will result to progress among underdeveloped countries like ours,” Archbishop Cruz wrote on his blog. “After all, no human act, no legislative bill, no executive function, no judicial work is over and above morality. “Morality is neither irrelevant in politics, not indifferent in a secular society. Irrespective of the race, color and creed of those concerned, the moment individuals fool around with private morals, the moment the government disregards public morals, then the families and country are in big trouble respectively. This is the standing lesson of history.” — — — On the Net: Filipino Family Fund: http://www.filipinofamilyfund.org// email this article: http://www.zenit.org/article-23673?l=english
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On the Last Who Are First “Being Called Itself Is Already the First Recompense” CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today before reciting the midday Angelus with several thousand people gathered in the courtyard of the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.* * * Dear Brothers and Sisters, Perhaps you remember when, on the day of my election to the pontificate, I addressed the crowd in St. Peter’s Square and I presented myself, in an off the cuff way, as a worker in the Lord’s vineyard. Well, in today’s Gospel (cf. Matthew 20:1-16a), Jesus recounts the parable of the owner of the vineyard, who at different hours of the day calls laborers to come work in his vineyard. And in the evening he gives to all of them the same wage — one denarius — provoking the protest of the laborers who had been there from the first hour. It is clear that that denarius represents eternal life, a gift that God reserves for everyone. Indeed, precisely those who are considered “last,” if they will accept it, become “first,” while the “first” can run the risk of becoming “last.” The first message of this parable is in the fact itself that the owner does not tolerate, so to speak, unemployment: He wants everyone to work in his vineyard. And in reality, being called itself is already the first recompense: Being able to work in the Lord’s vineyard, putting yourself at his service, cooperating in his project, constitutes in itself an inestimable reward, which repays all toil. But this is understood only by those who love the Lord and his Kingdom. Those who, instead, work solely for the pay will never recognize the value of this priceless treasure. St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist, is the one who reports this parable that is read in today’s liturgical feast. I would like to emphasize that Matthew experienced this story firsthand (cf. Matthew 9:9). In fact, before Jesus called him, Matthew was employed as a publican and for this reason was considered a public sinner by the Jews and was excluded from “the Lord’s vineyard.” But everything changes when Jesus, walking by the customs house, looks at him and says “Follow me.” Matthew got up and followed him. From publican he immediately became a disciple of Christ. From being “last” he finds himself as “first,” thanks to the logic of God, which — for our good fortune! — is different from the world’s logic. “My thoughts are not your thoughts,” the Lord says through the mouth of the prophet Isaiah, “your ways are not my ways” (Isaiah 55:8). St. Paul too, whose special jubilee year we are celebrating, experienced the joy of feeling himself called by the Lord and working in his vineyard. And how much work he did! But, as he himself confessed, it was God’s grace that worked through him, that grace that transformed him from a persecutor of the Church into an apostle of the Gentiles. “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain,” St. Paul says. But he immediately adds: “But if living in the body means doing work that is fruitful, I do not know which to choose” (Philippians 1:21-22). Paul understood well that working for the Lord is already recompense on this earth. The Virgin Mary, who a week ago I had the joy of venerating at Lourdes, is the perfect vine in the Lord’s vineyard. From her there grew the blessed fruit of divine love: Jesus, Our Savior. May she help us to respond always and with joy to the Lord’s call, and to find our happiness in the possibility of toiling for the Kingdom of Heaven. [After the Angelus, the Holy Father said:] In recent weeks Caribbean countries — Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic in particular — and the southern United States, especially Texas, have been hit hard by hurricanes. I would again like to assure all of those dear people that I am remembering them in my prayers. I hope that help will soon arrive in the areas that have suffered the most damage. The Lord desires that, at least in these circumstances, solidarity and fraternity prevail above all else. This Thursday, Sept. 25, there will be a high level meeting, in the context of the 63rd General Assembly of the United Nations, to verify the accomplishment of the objectives established by the “Millennium Declaration” of Sept. 8, 2000. On the occasion of this important gathering, in which the leaders of all the countries of the world will be together, I would like to renew the invitation to take up and apply with courage the necessary measures to eliminate extreme poverty, hunger and lack of education and the scourge of the pandemics that harm the most vulnerable above all. Such a commitment, while demanding sacrifices in these moments of worldwide economic difficulties, will not be without important benefits for the development of nations who are in need of help and for the peace and well-being of the entire planet. [Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic] [The Pope then greeted the people in several languages. In English, he said:] I am happy to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present for this Angelus prayer. In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches that God is always generous in his dealings with us. The Kingdom of Heaven will come to us not as a reward for our good deeds, based on strict justice, but as a grace, a gift of God’s mercy and abounding love. Let us ask the Lord to keep us always in his love! I wish you all a pleasant stay in Castel Gandolfo and Rome, and a blessed Sunday! © Copyright 2008 – Libreria Editrice Vaticana email this article: http://www.zenit.org/article-23676?l=english
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Papal Homily at Albano Cathedral “When Believers Are United by Charity They Become the House of God” ALBANO, Italy, SEPT. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of Benedict XVI’ homily today at Mass in the Cathedral of Albano, Italy, near the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. The cathedral’s altar was dedicated at this Mass.* * * Dear Brothers and Sisters! Today’s celebration is so rich in symbols and the Word of God that has been proclaimed helps us to understand the meaning and value of what we are doing here. In the first reading we heard the story of Judas Macabeus’ purification of the Temple and the dedication of the new altar of holocausts in 164 B.C., three years after the Temple had been profaned by Antiochus Epiphanes (cf. 1 Macabees 4:52-59). The Feast of the Dedication, which lasted eight days, was instituted to commemorate that event. This feast, initially linked to the Temple, where the people went in procession to offer sacrifices, was also connected with the illumination of the houses, and it survived in this form after the destruction of Jerusalem. The sacred author rightly underscores the joy that characterizes that event. But how much greater, dear brothers and sisters, must our joy be, knowing that every day on this altar, that we are preparing to consecrate, the sacrifice of Christ is offered; on this altar he will continue to immolate himself, in the sacrament of the Eucharist, for our salvation and that of the whole world. In the Eucharistic mystery, that is renewed on every altar, Jesus is really present. His is a dynamic presence, which seizes us in to make us his, to assimilate us to him; it draws us with the power of his love, bringing us out of ourselves to unite us with him, making us one with him. Christ’s real presence makes each of us his “house,” and we all together form his Church, the spiritual edifice of which St. Peter speaks. “Come to him,” the apostle writes, “a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5). Somewhat developing this beautiful metaphor, St. Augustine observes that through faith men are like wood and stone gathered from forests and mountains for building; through baptism, catechesis and preaching they are cut, squared, and filed down; but they only become the Lord’s house when they are ordered by charity. When believers are reciprocally connected according to a determinate order, mutually and closely arranged and bound, when they are united together by charity they truly become the house of God that does not fear ruin (cf. Sermon 336). It is therefore the love of Christ, the charity that “never ends” (1 Corinthians 13:8), the spiritual energy that unites those who participate in the same sacrifice and who nourish themselves from the same Bread broken for the salvation of the world. Is it indeed possible to be in communion with the Lord if we are not in communion with each other? How can we present ourselves divided and far from each other at God’s altar? May this altar upon which the sacrifice of the Lord will soon be renewed be for you, dear brothers and sisters, be a constant invitation to love; always draw near to it with a heart open to the love of Christ and to spreading it, to receiving and bestowing forgiveness. In this regard the Gospel passage that was proclaimed a little while ago offers us an important lesson for life (cf. Matthew 5:23-24). It is a brief but pressing and incisive call to fraternal reconciliation, a reconciliation that is indispensable if we are to present our offering worthily at the altar; it is a reminder that takes up again a teaching that is already quite present in the preaching of the prophets. The prophets vigorously denounced the uselessness of those acts of worship that lacked the correspondent moral dispositions, especially in relation to one’s neighbor (cf. Isaiah 1:10-20; Amos 5:21-27; Micah 6:6-8). Every time that you come to the altar for the Eucharistic celebration your soul opens to forgiveness and fraternal reconciliation, ready to accept the apologies of those who have hurt you and ready, in turn, to forgive. In the Roman liturgy the priest, having offered the bread and wine, bows toward the altar and prays in a low voice: “Lord, we ask you to receive us and be pleased with the sacrifice that we offer with humble and contrite hearts.” The priest thus prepares to enter, together with the whole assembly of the faithful, into the heart of the Eucharistic mystery, into the heart of that celestial liturgy to which the second reading, taken from the Book of Revelation, refers. St. John presents an angel who offers “incense together with the prayers of all the saints, burning them on the altar of gold placed before the throne” of God (cf. Revelation 8:3). The altar of sacrifice becomes in a certain way the point of encounter between heaven and earth; the center, we could say, of the one Church that is at the same time heavenly and in pilgrimage on earth, where, in the midst of the persecutions of the world and God’s consolations, the Lord’s disciples proclaim his passion and death until he returns in glory (cf. “Lumen Gentium,” No. 8). Indeed, every Eucharistic celebration already anticipates the triumph of Christ over sin and the world, and shows in mystery the splendor of the Church, “immaculate bride of the immaculate Lamb, Bride that Christ loved and gave himself up for to make her holy (cf. “Lumen Gentium,” No. 6). These reflections draw our attention to the rite that we are about to perform in this cathedral of yours, which we admire today in its renewed beauty and that we rightly desire to continue to make welcoming and decorous. It is a task that involves all of you and that, in the first place, calls upon the whole diocesan community to grow in charity and in apostolic and missionary dedication. Concretely, it is a matter of bearing witness with your life to your faith in Christ and the total confidence that you place in him. It is also a matter of cultivating ecclesial communion that is, first of all, a gift, a grace, fruit of God’s free and gratuitous love, that is, something divinely efficacious, always present and working in history, beyond all contrary appearances. Ecclesial communion is, however, also a task entrusted to the care of each individual. May the Lord grant you to live an evermore convinced and active communion, in cooperation and co-responsibility at every level: among the priests, the consecrated, and the laity, among the different Christian communities of your region, among the various lay groups. I now address my cordial greeting to your bishop, Monsignor Marcello Semeraro, whom I thank for the invitation and for the courteous words of welcome with which he wished to receive me in the name of all of you. I would also like to express my sentiments of fervent best wishes on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of his episcopal consecration. I direct a special thought to Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals, titulary of this suburbicarian diocese of yours, and who today joins his happiness with yours. I greet the other prelates who are present, the priests, the consecrated persons, the young people and the elderly, the families, the children, the sick, embracing with affection all of the faithful of the diocesan community spiritually gathered here. A greeting to the civil authorities, who honor us with their presence, and in the first place to the Lord Mayor of Albano, to whom I am also grateful for the courteous words he addressed to me at the beginning of the Mass. Upon all I invoke the heavenly protection of St. Pancrazio, to whom this cathedral is dedicated, and the Apostle Matthew, whom the liturgy recalls today. I especially invoke the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this day — which crowns your efforts, sacrifices and work to provide this cathedral with a renovated liturgical space, with opportune interventions, the ambo and the altar — may the Madonna obtain for you in our time the possibility of writing another page in daily and popular sanctity, which will be joined to the other pages that have marked the life of the Church of Albano over the course of the centuries. Certainly, as your bishop noted, difficulties, challenges and problems are not lacking, but the hopes and the opportunities for announcing and witnessing to God’s love are also great. May the Spirit of the risen Lord, who is also the Spirit of Pentecost, disclose his horizons of hope to you and strengthen the missionary drive in you to the vast horizons of the new evangelization. Let us pray for this, continuing our Eucharistic celebration. [Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic] email this article: http://www.zenit.org/article-23679?l=english -
You Go Into the Vineyard Too
September 20, 2008, 9:07 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Saturday, September 20, 2008
You Go Into the Vineyard Too
Greegory Mussmacher child of God!
You Go Into the Vineyard Too
Gospel Commentary for 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time By Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM CapROME, SEPT. 19, 2008 (Zenit.org).-
The parable about the workers sent out at different times to work in the vineyard has always caused big problems for readers of the Gospel. Is it right for the owner of the vineyard to pay the same wage to those who have worked for only an hour and those who have worked the whole day? Does this not violate the principle of just recompense? Today workers’ unions would rise up together to denounce any owner of a company who did this. The difficulty we are experiencing here stems from a certain equivocation. One thinks of the problem of recompense in the abstract and in general or in reference to eternal recompense in heaven. Seen in this way, it would effectively contradict the principle according to which God “will repay each one as his work deserves” (Romans 2:6). But Jesus is talking about a specific situation, a very precise case. The only wage that is given to everyone is the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus has brought to the earth; it is the possibility of entering into the messianic salvation to be a part of it. The parable begins by saying that “the Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn …” The issue is, once again, the position of the Jews and the pagans, or the just and sinners, in relation to the salvation proclaimed by Jesus. Even if the pagans (or sinners, publicans, prostitutes, etc.) only decide for God on the basis of Jesus’ preaching, although they were distant (like the people who had been standing around “idle” in the marketplace and came to the vineyard later in the day), they will not, for this reason, have a different or lesser place in the kingdom. They will be seated at the same table and will enjoy the fullness of the messianic goods. Indeed, since they show that they are more ready to accept the Gospel than the so-called just, we see the realization of what Jesus says at the end of the parable: “The last shall be first and the first shall be last.” Once the Kingdom is known, that is, once faith is embraced, then there is room for diversification. Those who serve God their whole life, bearing the most fruit with their talents, and those who give God only the leftovers of their life and make amends with a ramshackle confession at the end of their life, will not be treated the same. The parable also contains a spiritual teaching of the greatest importance: God calls everyone and everyone at every hour of the day. Here we move from the recompense to the call itself. This is how John Paul II used the parable in his apostolic exhortation on the vocation and mission of lay people in the Church and in the world, “Christifideles Laici.” “The lay members of Christ’s faithful people … form that part of the People of God which might be likened to the laborers in the vineyard mentioned in Matthew’s Gospel … ‘You go into the vineyard too’ … The call is a concern not only of Pastors, clergy, and men and women religious. The call is addressed to everyone: lay people as well are personally called by the Lord, from whom they receive a mission on behalf of the Church and the world” (nos. 1-2 passim). I would like to draw your attention to an aspect that is perhaps marginal in the parable but that is strongly felt and vital in modern society: the problem of unemployment. The landowner asks: “Why have you stood around idle all day?” and the workers answer: “No one has hired us.” This disconsolate reply could well be that of millions of unemployed people today. Jesus was not unaware of this problem. If he is able to describe the scene of the parable so well it is because he had many times looked with compassion upon those groups of people sitting on the ground or leaning against walls waiting to be hired. The owner of the vineyard knows that the workers of the last hour have the same needs as the others who were hired at the beginning of the day; they too have children to feed. Giving everyone the same wage, the owner of the vineyard shows that not only is he taking account of the merit of the workers but their needs. Our capitalistic societies base recompense on merit (often more nominal than real) and on seniority in work, and not on the person’s needs. When the young worker or professional has the most need for his family and for a house, his pay is the lowest, but when he is at the end of his career, when he has less need (especially in certain social categories) he has arrived at the stars. The parable of the workers in the vineyard invites us to find a more just balance between the two demands of merit and need.
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My Resume; I am looking for a new and wonderful career!!
September 20, 2008, 9:05 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
My Resume; I am looking for a new and wonderful career!!
Gregory Mussmacher faithful servant of God!
Gregory Mussmacher
205 N. Allwood Dr.
Hanover, PA 17331
717-633-6518 (Home)
717-965-6593 (Cell)
mussmacher@embarqmail.com
205 N. Allwood Dr.
Hanover, PA 17331
717-633-6518 (Home)
717-965-6593 (Cell)
mussmacher@embarqmail.com
Dear Sir or Madam:
Having enjoyed a successful career as a Police Officer for the Baltimore City Police Department; I find myself interested in pursuing a career within the private sector.
My years as a Police Officer has provided me with the opportunity to develop a wide variety of skills; especially in the areas of management, security, crime prevention and investigations. My territory was located in a high crime area of Baltimore City where my ability to relate to people, demonstrate patience and maintain my composure in high stress situations, won me the distinction of Police Officer of the Month. I was also awarded the Bronze Star for Valor for saving the lives of three citizens during a shooting. I believe these commendations demonstrate a diversity of skills valuable in both the public and private sector. At the same time, I also possess strong investigative and leadership abilities.
I would like to respectively request the opportunity to meet with you to further describe my background and accomplishments in the hopes of securing a position with your company.
Many thanks for your consideration.
Very Sincerely,
Gregory M. Mussmacher
717-633-6518 Home
717-965-6593 cell
205 N. Allwood Dr
Hanover, PA 17331
mussmacher@embarqmail.com
Gregory M. Mussmacher
Objective
To obtain a position with an organization where I can impact profits by successfully applying my skills in the areas of sales, management, security and crime prevention.
Experience
2000-Present Baltimore City Police Department MD
Police Officer
§ Lead Officer conducting investigations for a variety of crimes including murder, narcotics and other part one crimes.
Police Officer
§ Lead Officer conducting investigations for a variety of crimes including murder, narcotics and other part one crimes.
§ By applying strong investigative techniques and setting up an informant network; I successfully apprehended over 300 criminals over four years.
§ I am extensively trained on all facets of terrorism; both detection of terrorists and the preparation and planning of violent acts.
§ I received the bronze star of valor for saving the lives of three citizens during multiple shootings.
§ I was designated Police Officer of the month for January, 2004 by Major Brown. I was the first officer to receive this distinction since the inception of the award.
§ I have been in the position of OIC, Officer In Charge, numerous occasions and responsible for the other Police Officers in my squad. It holds the rank of Sergeant.
§ I also have received many letters of commendation for high-level narcotic; as well as for guns and various felony arrests.
§ I spent three years at Central Records Section. I was also in charge of monitoring the information that was placed on NCIC.
§ I am currently working at the quartermaster section and am responsible for dealing with sale representatives and outfitting police officers.
09-01-04 – 04-01-05 Cintas Corporation (Route Sales)
1996-2002 United States Marine Corps
Communications E-5
§ I was a Squad Leader in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and was responsible for the leadership of 25 Marines.
§ I held the classification code of Top Secrete.
§ I am extensively trained in terrorist detection and control.
Education
1994-1996 Suffolk Community College NY
§ Major Criminal Justice
1998-1999 Napa Valley Criminal Justice Training Institute CA
Graduated in with a P.O.S.T. certificate, Police Officers Standards and Training, allowing me to be hire as a police officer in California.
1999-2000 Stony Brook University NY
Majored in History
2000-2003 University of Baltimore MD
Major Criminal Justice
Major Criminal Justice
2004-2006 Almeda University PA
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
References
Joseph Torsella 717-630-2051 (Supervisor of Quality Assurance at Gladfelter, Quality Assurance 7+8) Friend and Associate
Sgt. William Garrett 443-690-7248 (Supervisor at Baltimore City Police Department)
Col. Tony Jeffreys 410-916-3573 (Retired Colonel Baltimore City Police) Co-worker
Rick Gusherowski 717-634-7789 (Retired Baltimore City Police) Co-Worker
Interests
Reading history about the military and the Bible, weightlifting, attending Church, and spending time with my wonderful wife and three terrific children. I also coach AYSO Soccer and Basketball at the YMCA.
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All Work and No Play?
September 20, 2008, 8:57 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
All Work and No Play?
Gregory Mussmacher trying to serve in God’s image!
I can see Jack Nicholson with the bloody axe in his hand walking through the snowy maze. You guessed it. The movie The Shining was one I watched as a teenager, leaving me with many sleepless nights. Despite the horror of it all, one thing about the movie stuck out and still rings clear in my mind: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” It’s frighteningly true!
In this week’s blast, I’d like to reflect on this summer. It was busy – traveling to Rome, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Canada, Australia, and Japan. Let’s just say the excitement of travel has diminished. But, I’m not asking for pity. I actually had a great time doing the work, once I got through the airport. Many people sent me messages expressing concern and advising caution about the crazy schedule I kept this summer. Don’t worry, I was able to find time to relax and enjoy the blessings of summer. In the days of rest, I definitely found the peace of God.
Let me highlight a few of those grace-filled moments:
I spent some time in famous Ocean City, Maryland. When I’m there, it’s tradition for me to have breakfast at a great restaurant. The name says it all.
Leo’s is run by a faith-filled Greek Orthodox couple, who named the restaurant after their son who died several years ago. When they learned I was a Catholic priest, they never ceased to show me tremendous charity and generosity that came from their deep faith and respect in Christ’s sacred priesthood. When I go there, I feel a little like family, and no doubt, their food is very good.
In this week’s blast, I’d like to reflect on this summer. It was busy – traveling to Rome, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Canada, Australia, and Japan. Let’s just say the excitement of travel has diminished. But, I’m not asking for pity. I actually had a great time doing the work, once I got through the airport. Many people sent me messages expressing concern and advising caution about the crazy schedule I kept this summer. Don’t worry, I was able to find time to relax and enjoy the blessings of summer. In the days of rest, I definitely found the peace of God.
Let me highlight a few of those grace-filled moments:
I spent some time in famous Ocean City, Maryland. When I’m there, it’s tradition for me to have breakfast at a great restaurant. The name says it all.
Leo’s is run by a faith-filled Greek Orthodox couple, who named the restaurant after their son who died several years ago. When they learned I was a Catholic priest, they never ceased to show me tremendous charity and generosity that came from their deep faith and respect in Christ’s sacred priesthood. When I go there, I feel a little like family, and no doubt, their food is very good.
At the beach, a local sand sculptor reminds visitors, especially tanners, to make sure they also spend some time with the true Son. Talk about fun in the “Son!” My 2-night stay in Ocean City left me with beautiful memories and a serious sunburn. You can see just how lobster-red I got by watching the new webisodes we produced the day after my time at the beach.
Speaking of lobster, I wrote a blast a few weeks ago about my weeklong get away in Bar Harbor, Maine with some priest friends. It was a week of hiking, kayaking, and biking. And, since I’m such a food fanatic, let’s not forget stopping along the way; not to smell the roses, but to pick wild blueberries.
Even though the weather was on the cool side, highs in the 70s and rainy, things heated up in the kitchen.
No summer is complete without sports, but I’m not talking about playing sports. Instead, I watched the game from a private lounge and enjoyed catered ballpark food. Now that’s a hot dog!
Tim Watkins invited Fr. Erik and me to this private lounge to watch the game and to feast with his family and a few other friends from Renegade Productions.
By the way, for those who have contacted us at the production company, you may have spoken or worked with Melissa. So you can put a face with a name, here she is enjoying some time with her number one fan – he also happens to be an O’s fan.
Yesiree, summer gave me lots to be grateful for. I pray that you and your family had time for rest, relaxation, and recreation. We need all the strength we can get to face another busy season full of responsibilities; therefore, we need the strength that comes only from the Sabbath, i.e., rest. You can see just how big a responsibility it is for me to serve some of our new seminarians.
As families, you have a great responsibility to ensure a proper and balanced perspective on life for yourself and your children. All work and no play makes us a you-know-what. So, if you’re already stressing out with work looming over your head, don’t abandon it; put it in God’s hands and ask for grace to help you make it through. In the midst of your journey, whether it takes you to the office, school, or even the beach, remember to seek God’s presence. If you look, you’ll find Him.
Cool Summer Tomato Mousse
At one of the opening banquets of the academic year, Irene Powell, the wife of Mount St. Mary’s University President, Dr. Thomas Powell, invited me away from the tents to taste a perfect summer tomato mousse. This week, I offer my version of her recipe as a tribute to summer. This recipe is a great way to relive vibrant summer days – with your taste buds!
Click here for the recipe.
Suffering Through the Hurricanes
Recently, many families in the gulf coast region have been terribly affected by hurricanes and tropical storms. With recent storms Gustav, Hanna, and Ike, dangerous weather has been a constant reminder of how delicate our lives are. However, it also inspires us to remember that we can weather the storms of life with prayer, trust in God’s protection, and dedication to helping each other. My upcoming conferences in Houma-Thibodaux, originally set for October 18-19, were canceled due to the devastation of Hurricane Gustav. For all of those affected by the hurricanes, I offer you my heartfelt prayers. May God bless you as you rebuild your homes, neighborhoods, and cities. Our Lord calmed the storm and will give you the peace of mind to rebuild by keeping your eyes fixed on Him. Amen.
Ask Fr. Leo for fatherly advice.Any submissions may be used in future Grace Before Meals publications.
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Holy Mother Mary Closer to US than You Might Think!!
September 20, 2008, 8:56 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Monday, September 15, 2008
Holy Mother Mary Closer to Us Than You Might Think!!!
Gregory Mussmacher is humbled by Mother Mary’s sacrifice and gift to all the human race!
Pontiff Explains Why Mary Is Close to Humanity Sin Divides, But Purity Brings Near, He Says LOURDES, France, SEPT. 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).-
The Virgin Mary’s special protection from sin does not make her far from the rest of humanity, but rather draws her closer to us, Benedict XVI says.The Pope affirmed this today from Lourdes, where he is marking the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady to Bernadette Soubirous. In his address before praying the traditional midday Angelus, the Holy Father said the privilege of the Immaculate Conception, “which sets [Mary] apart from our common condition, does not distance her from us, but on the contrary, it brings her closer.” He explained: “While sin divides, separating us from one another, Mary’s purity makes her infinitely close to our hearts, attentive to each of us and desirous of our true good. You see it here in Lourdes, as in all Marian shrines; immense crowds come thronging to Mary’s feet to entrust to her their most intimate thoughts, their most heartfelt wishes. “That which many, either because of embarrassment or modesty, do not confide to their nearest and dearest, they confide to her who is all pure, to her Immaculate Heart: with simplicity, without frills, in truth. Before Mary, by virtue of her very purity, man does not hesitate to reveal his weakness, to express his questions and his doubts, to formulate his most secret hopes and desires.” The Pontiff said that Mary thus shows man the way to come to God. “She teaches us to approach him in truth and simplicity,” he said. “Thanks to her, we discover that the Christian faith is not a burden: It is like a wing which enables us to fly higher, so as to take refuge in God’s embrace.” Benedict XVI went on to note that the grace of the Immaculate Conception is not given to Mary as a merely “personal grace,” but is rather “a grace for all, a grace given to the entire people of God.” “In Mary,” he continued, “the Church can already contemplate what she is called to become. Every believer can contemplate, here and now, the perfect fulfillment of his or her own vocation. May each of you always remain full of thanksgiving for what the Lord has chosen to reveal of his plan of salvation through the mystery of Mary: a mystery in which we are involved most intimately since, from the height of the cross which we celebrate and exalt today, it is revealed to us through the words of Jesus himself that his Mother is our Mother. “Inasmuch as we are sons and daughters of Mary, we can profit from all the graces given to her; the incomparable dignity that came to her through her Immaculate Conception shines brightly over us, her children.”
Benedict XVI Presents Heart of Lourdes’ Message Reflects on Power of Love As Shown by the Cross LOURDES, France, SEPT. 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).-
The power of love is stronger than the evil that threatens us, Benedict XVI affirmed in his homily at a Mass in Lourdes celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s apparitions.In the course of his homily today, the Pope presented “the heart of the message of Lourdes” to the 150,000 pilgrims gathered at the French shrine under blue skies. On the day that the liturgy of the Church celebrates the feast of the exaltation of the Cross, the Holy Father recalled that “it is significant” that in her first apparition to Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879), Mary began the encounter with the sign of the cross. “The sign of the cross is a kind of synthesis of our faith, for it tells how much God loves us; it tells us that there is a love in this world that is stronger than death, stronger than our weaknesses and sins. The power of love is stronger than the evil which threatens us,” he stated. According to Benedict XVI, “It is this mystery of the universality of God’s love for men that Mary came to reveal here, in Lourdes. She invites all people of good will, all those who suffer in heart or body, to raise their eyes towards the cross of Jesus, so as to discover there the source of life, the source of salvation.” Bernadette was the witness of 18 apparitions of the Virgin between Feb. 11 and July 18, 1858, in the cave of Massabielle. Today, Lourdes receives about 6 million pilgrims each year. The medical office of the shrine has recognized 67 miracles (scientifically inexplicable healings). This institution receives indications of about 35 cases of possible miracles every year; in most instances, the investigations have not been conducted. Going more deeply into the message of Lourdes, the Successor of Peter observed that the Virgin, in presenting herself to Bernadette, said “I am the Immaculate Conception.” “Mary thereby discloses the extraordinary grace that she has received from God, that of having been conceived without sin, for ‘he has looked on his servant in her lowliness,’” he continued. “By presenting herself in this way, in utter dependence upon God, Mary expresses in reality an attitude of total freedom, based upon the full recognition of her true dignity. “This is the path which Mary opens up for man. To give oneself fully to God is to find the path of true freedom. For by turning toward God, man becomes himself. He rediscovers his original vocation as a person created in his image and likeness.” At Lourdes, the Pontiff added, “Mary comes to us as a mother, always open to the needs of her children. Through the light which streams from her face, God’s mercy is made manifest. Let us allow ourselves to be touched by her gaze, which tells us that we are all loved by God and never abandoned by him!” For this reason, the Pope said, “Mary’s message is a message of hope for all men and women of our day, whatever their country of origin.” Benedict XVI confessed his affection for the Marian title “Star of Hope,” which he took up in his second encyclical “Spe Salvi.” “On the paths of our lives, so often shrouded in darkness, she is a beacon of hope who enlightens us and gives direction to our journey,” he said. “Through her ‘yes,’ through the generous gift of herself, she has opened up to God the gates of our world and our history.”
On the Nearness of Our Lady “Mary’s Purity Makes Her Infinitely Close to Our Hearts” LOURDES, France, SEPT. 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today in Lourdes before praying the Angelus and after having celebrated a Mass to mark the 150th anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s apparitions.* * *
Dear Pilgrims, dear brothers and sisters! Every day, praying the Angelus gives us the opportunity to meditate for a few moments, in the midst of all our activities, on the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God. At noon, when the first hours of the day are already beginning to weigh us down with fatigue, our availability and our generosity are renewed by the contemplation of Mary’s “yes”. This clear and unreserved “yes” is rooted in the mystery of Mary’s freedom, a total and entire freedom before God, completely separated from any complicity with sin, thanks to the privilege of her Immaculate Conception. This privilege given to Mary, which sets her apart from our common condition, does not distance her from us, but on the contrary, it brings her closer. While sin divides, separating us from one another, Mary’s purity makes her infinitely close to our hearts, attentive to each of us and desirous of our true good. You see it here in Lourdes, as in all Marian shrines; immense crowds come thronging to Mary’s feet to entrust to her their most intimate thoughts, their most heartfelt wishes. That which many, either because of embarrassment or modesty, do not confide to their nearest and dearest, they confide to her who is all pure, to her Immaculate Heart: with simplicity, without frills, in truth. Before Mary, by virtue of her very purity, man does not hesitate to reveal his weakness, to express his questions and his doubts, to formulate his most secret hopes and desires. The Virgin Mary’s maternal love disarms all pride; it renders man capable of seeing himself as he is, and it inspires in him the desire to be converted so as to give glory to God. Thus, Mary shows us the right way to come to the Lord. She teaches us to approach him in truth and simplicity. Thanks to her, we discover that the Christian faith is not a burden: it is like a wing which enables us to fly higher, so as to take refuge in God’s embrace. The life and faith of believers make it clear that the grace of the Immaculate Conception given to Mary is not merely a personal grace, but a grace for all, a grace given to the entire people of God. In Mary, the Church can already contemplate what she is called to become. Every believer can contemplate, here and now, the perfect fulfilment of his or her own vocation. May each of you always remain full of thanksgiving for what the Lord has chosen to reveal of his plan of salvation through the mystery of Mary: a mystery in which we are involved most intimately since, from the height of the Cross which we celebrate and exalt today, it is revealed to us through the words of Jesus himself that his Mother is our Mother. Inasmuch as we are sons and daughters of Mary, we can profit from all the graces given to her; the incomparable dignity that came to her through her Immaculate Conception shines brightly over us, her children. Here, close to the grotto, and in intimate communion with all the pilgrims present in Marian shrines and with all the sick in body and soul who are seeking relief, we bless the Lord for Mary’s presence among her people, and to her we address our prayer in faith: “Holy Mary, you showed yourself here one hundred and fifty years ago to the young Bernadette, you ‘are the true fount of hope’ (Dante, Paradiso, XXXIII:12). [After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted the people in several languages. In English, he said:] Faithful pilgrims who have gathered here from every part of the world, we come once more to draw faith and comfort, joy and love, security and peace, from the source of your Immaculate Heart. Monstra Te esse Matrem. Show yourself a Mother for us all, O Mary! And give us Christ, the hope of the world! Amen.” © Copyright 2008 — Libreria
Editrice Vaticana
Benedict XVI’s Homily in Lourdes “The Church Invites Us Proudly to Lift Up This Glorious Cross” LOURDES, France, SEPT. 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).-
Here is a Vatican translation of the homily Benedict XVI gave today during a Mass he celebrated in Lourdes.* * *
Dear Cardinals, Dear Bishop Perrier, Dear Brothers in the episcopate and the priesthood, Dear pilgrims, brothers and sisters, “Go and tell the priests that people should come here in procession, and that a chapel should be built here.” This is the message Bernadette received from the “beautiful lady” in the apparition of 2 March 1858. For 150 years, pilgrims have never ceased to come to the grotto of Massabielle to hear the message of conversion and hope which is addressed to them. And we have done the same; here we are this morning at the feet of Mary, the Immaculate Virgin, eager to learn from her alongside little Bernadette. I would like to thank especially Bishop Jacques Perrier of Tarbes and Lourdes for the warm welcome he has given me, and for the kind words he has addressed to me. I greet the Cardinals, the Bishops, the priests, the deacons, the men and women religious, and all of you, dear Lourdes pilgrims, especially the sick. You have come in large numbers to make this Jubilee pilgrimage with me and to entrust your families, your relatives and friends, and all your intentions to Our Lady. My thanks go also to the civil and military Authorities who are here with us at this Eucharistic celebration. “What a great thing it is to possess the Cross! He who possesses it possesses a treasure” (Saint Andrew of Crete, Homily X on the Exaltation of the Cross, PG 97, 1020). On this day when the Church’s liturgy celebrates the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Gospel you have just heard reminds us of the meaning of this great mystery: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that men might be saved (cf. Jn 3:16). The Son of God became vulnerable, assuming the condition of a slave, obedient even to death, death on a cross (cf. Phil 2:8). By his Cross we are saved. The instrument of torture which, on Good Friday, manifested God’s judgement on the world, has become a source of life, pardon, mercy, a sign of reconciliation and peace. “In order to be healed from sin, gaze upon Christ crucified!” said Saint Augustine (Treatise on Saint John, XII, 11). By raising our eyes towards the Crucified one, we adore him who came to take upon himself the sin of the world and to give us eternal life. And the Church invites us proudly to lift up this glorious Cross so that the world can see the full extent of the love of the Crucified one for all, for us men. She invites us to give thanks to God because from a tree which brought death, life has burst out anew. On this wood Jesus reveals to us his sovereign majesty, he reveals to us that he is exalted in glory. Yes, “Come, let us adore him!” In our midst is he who loved us even to giving his life for us, he who invites every human being to draw near to him with trust. This is the great mystery that Mary also entrusts to us this morning, inviting us to turn towards her Son. In fact, it is significant that, during the first apparition to Bernadette, Mary begins the encounter with the sign of the Cross. More than a simple sign, it is an initiation into the mysteries of the faith that Bernadette receives from Mary. The sign of the Cross is a kind of synthesis of our faith, for it tells how much God loves us; it tells us that there is a love in this world that is stronger than death, stronger than our weaknesses and sins. The power of love is stronger than the evil which threatens us. It is this mystery of the universality of God’s love for men that Mary came to reveal here, in Lourdes. She invites all people of good will, all those who suffer in heart or body, to raise their eyes towards the Cross of Jesus, so as to discover there the source of life, the source of salvation. The Church has received the mission of showing all people this loving face of God, manifested in Jesus Christ. Are we able to understand that in the Crucified One of Golgotha, our dignity as children of God, tarnished by sin, is restored to us? Let us turn our gaze towards Christ. It is he who will make us free to love as he loves us, and to build a reconciled world. For on this Cross, Jesus took upon himself the weight of all the sufferings and injustices of our humanity. He bore the humiliation and the discrimination, the torture suffered in many parts of the world by so many of our brothers and sisters for love of Christ. We entrust all this to Mary, mother of Jesus and our mother, present at the foot of the Cross. In order to welcome into our lives this glorious Cross, the celebration of the Jubilee of Our Lady’s apparitions in Lourdes urges us to embark upon a journey of faith and conversion. Today, Mary comes to meet us, so as to show us the way towards a renewal of life for our communities and for each one of us. By welcoming her Son, whom she presents to us, we are plunged into a living stream in which the faith can rediscover new vigour, in which the Church can be strengthened so as to proclaim the mystery of Christ ever more boldly. Jesus, born of Mary, is the Son of God, the sole Saviour of all people, living and acting in his Church and in the world. The Church is sent everywhere in the world to proclaim this unique message and to invite people to receive it through an authentic conversion of heart This mission, entrusted by Jesus to his disciples, receives here, on the occasion of this Jubilee, a breath of new life. After the example of the great evangelizers from your country, may the missionary spirit which animated so many men and women from France over the centuries, continue to be your pride and your commitment! When we follow the Jubilee Way in the footsteps of Bernadette, we are reminded of the heart of the message of Lourdes. Bernadette is the eldest daughter of a very poor family, with neither knowledge nor power, and in poor health. Mary chose her to transmit her message of conversion, prayer and penance, which fully accord with words of Jesus: “What you have hidden from the wise and understanding, you have revealed to babes” (Mt 11:25). On their spiritual journey, Christians too are called to render fruitful the grace of their Baptism, to nourish themselves with the Eucharist, to draw strength from prayer so as to bear witness and to express solidarity with all their fellow human beings (cf. Homage to the Virgin Mary, Piazza di Spagna, 8 December 2007). It is therefore a genuine catechesis that is being proposed to us in this way, under Mary’s gaze. Let us allow her to instruct us too, and to guide us along the path that leads to the Kingdom of her Son! In the course of her catechesis, the “beautiful lady” reveals her name to Bernadette: “I am the Immaculate Conception”. Mary thereby discloses the extraordinary grace that she has received from God, that of having been conceived without sin, for “he has looked on his servant in her lowliness” (cf. Lk 1:48). Mary is the woman from this earth who gave herself totally to God, and who received the privilege of giving human life to his eternal Son. “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let what you have said be done to me” (Lk 1:38). She is beauty transfigured, the image of the new humanity. By presenting herself in this way, in utter dependence upon God, Mary expresses in reality an attitude of total freedom, based upon the full recognition of her true dignity. This privilege concerns us too, for it discloses to us our own dignity as men and women, admittedly marked by sin, but saved in hope, a hope which allows us to face our daily life. This is the path which Mary opens up for man. To give oneself fully to God is to find the path of true freedom. For by turning towards God, man becomes himself. He rediscovers his original vocation as a person created in his image and likeness. Dear Brothers and Sisters, the primary purpose of the shrine at Lourdes is to be a place of encounter with God in prayer and a place of service to our brothers and sisters, notably through the welcome given to the sick, the poor and all who suffer. In this place, Mary comes to us as a mother, always open to the needs of her children. Through the light which streams from her face, God’s mercy is made manifest. Let us allow ourselves to be touched by her gaze, which tells us that we are all loved by God and never abandoned by him! Mary comes to remind us that prayer which is humble and intense, trusting and persevering, must have a central place in our Christian lives. Prayer is indispensable if we are to receive Christ’s power. “People who pray are not wasting their time, even though the situation appears desperate and seems to call for action alone” (Deus Caritas Est, 36). To allow oneself to become absorbed by activity runs the risk of depriving prayer of its specifically Christian character and its true efficacy. The prayer of the Rosary, so dear to Bernadette and to Lourdes pilgrims, concentrates within itself the depths of the Gospel message. It introduces us to contemplation of the face of Christ. From this prayer of the humble, we can draw an abundance of graces. The presence of young people at Lourdes is also an important element. Dear friends, gathered this morning around the World Youth Day Cross: when Mary received the angel’s visit, she was a young girl from Nazareth leading the simple and courageous life typical of the women of her village. And if God’s gaze focused particularly upon her, trusting in her, Mary wants to tell you once more that not one of you is indifferent in God’s eyes. He directs his loving gaze upon each one of you and he calls you to a life that is happy and full of meaning. Do not allow yourselves to be discouraged by difficulties! Mary was disturbed by the message of the angel who came to tell her that she would become the Mother of the Saviour. She was conscious of her frailty in the face of God’s omnipotence. Nevertheless, she said “yes”, without hesitating. And thanks to her yes, salvation came into the world, thereby changing the history of mankind. For your part, dear young people, do not be afraid to say yes to the Lord’s summons when he invites you to walk in his footsteps. Respond generously to the Lord! Only he can fulfil the deepest aspirations of your heart. You have come to Lourdes in great numbers for attentive and generous service to the sick and to the other pilgrims, setting out in this way to follow Christ the servant. Serving our brothers and sisters opens our hearts and makes us available. In the silence of prayer, be prepared to confide in Mary, who spoke to Bernadette in a spirit of respect and trust towards her. May Mary help those who are called to marriage to discover the beauty of a genuine and profound love, lived as a reciprocal and faithful gift! To those among you whom he calls to follow him in the priesthood or the religious life, I would like to reiterate all the joy that is to be had through giving one’s life totally for the service of God and others. May Christian families and communities be places where solid vocations can come to birth and grow, for the service of the Church and the world! Mary’s message is a message of hope for all men and women of our day, whatever their country of origin. I like to invoke Mary as the star of hope (Spe Salvi, 50). On the paths of our lives, so often shrouded in darkness, she is a beacon of hope who enlightens us and gives direction to our journey. Through her “yes”, through the generous gift of herself, she has opened up to God the gates of our world and our history. And she invites us to live like her in invincible hope, refusing to believe those who claim that we are trapped in the fatal power of destiny. She accompanies us with her maternal presence amid the events of our personal lives, our family lives, and our national lives. Happy are those men and women who place their trust in him who, at the very moment when he was offering his life for our salvation, gave us his Mother to be our own! Dear Brothers and Sisters, in this land of France, the Mother of the Lord is venerated in countless shrines which thereby manifest the faith handed down from generation to generation. Celebrated in her Assumption, she is your country’s beloved patroness. May she always be honoured fervently in each of your families, in your religious communities and in your parishes! May Mary watch over all the inhabitants of your beautiful country and over the pilgrims who have come in such numbers from other countries to celebrate this Jubilee! May she be for all people the Mother who surrounds her children in their joys and their trials! Holy Mary, Mother of God, our Mother, teach us to believe, to hope and to love with you. Show us the way towards the kingdom of your Son Jesus! Star of the sea, shine upon us and lead us on our way! (cf. Spe Salvi, 50). Amen. © Copyright 2008 — Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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My Personal Connection to the 911 Tragedy
September 20, 2008, 8:55 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Friday, September 12, 2008
My Personal Connection to the 911 Tragedy
Gregory Mussmacher’s personal connection to the 911 tragedy!! God Bless
Sergeant Michael Curtin New York City Police DepartmentNew YorkEnd of Watch: Tuesday, September 11, 2001Cause: Terrorist attack
Biographical InfoAge: 45Tour of Duty: 13 yearsBadge Number: 3256
Sergeant Michael Curtin was killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while attempting to rescue the victims trapped in the World Trade Center. Sergeant Curtin was a US Marine Corps veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He had served with the New York City Police Department for 13 years and was assigned to ESU Truck 2. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, and brother. He was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department’s Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.On the morning of September 11, 2001, seventy-two officers from a total of eight local, state, and federal agencies were killed when terrorist hijackers working for the al Qaeda terrorist network, headed by Osama bin Laden, crashed two of four hijacked planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City. After the impact of the first plane, putting the safety of others before their own, law enforcement officers along with fire and EMS personnel, rushed to the burning Twin Towers of the World Trade Center to aid the victims and lead them to safety. Due to their quick actions, it is estimated that over 25,000 people were saved. As the evacuation continued, the first tower unexpectedly collapsed due as a result of the intense fire caused by the impact. The second tower collapsed a short time later. 71 law enforcement officers, 343 members of the New York City Fire Department and over 2,800 civilians were killed at the World Trade Center site.A third hijacked plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania when the passengers attempted to re-take control of the plane. One law enforcement officer, who was a passenger on the plane, was killed in that crash. The fourth hijacked plane was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, killing almost 200 military and civilian personnel. No law enforcement officers were killed at the Pentagon.The terrorist attacks resulted in the declaration of war against the Taliban regime, the illegal rulers of Afghanistan, and the al Qaeda terrorist network which also was based in Afghanistan.On September 9, 2005, all of the public safety officers killed on September 11, 2001, were posthumously awarded the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor by President George W. Bush.The contamination in the air at the World Trade Center site caused many rescue personnel to become extremely ill, and eventually led to the death of several rescue workers.Please click here to visit the memorials of all of the law enforcement officers killed in this terrorist attack.
Name : Brophy, Thomas
Rank: P.O.
Shield #: 6957
Command: 109 Pct.
Date of Death: 2005-04-01
I served in the Marine Corps with Gsgt. Garvey and Master Sgt. Curtin at 6th Communications Battalion. Police Officer Thomas Brophy was my parents next door neighbor and I knew him from Gold’s Gym in Smithtown. All three hereos will be missed but will stay alive in the hearts and minds of all their friends and family. I am truly honored to have known thes great human beings and hope that I could be half the man they were!
RIP Brothers
Semper fidelis “Always Faithfull”
CAMP COMMANDO, Kuwait (CNN) –Marines in Kuwait honored three of their own — two firemen and a policeman — who were killed when the World Trade Center collapsed September 11, 2001.
Marines of the 6th Communications Battalion from Brooklyn, New Tork, took part in the ceremony Friday at Camp Commando in the northern Kuwaiti desert. Sgt. Major Mike Curtin, Gunnery Sgt. Matt Garvey and Sgt. Charlie Anaya were members of the battalion when they died.
Camp Commando is usually a flurry of activity and dust as U.S. and British soldiers prepare for possible action in Iraq.
But the 6th Communications tent area was quiet Friday as the Marines unveiled three bright red signs with red lettering naming roads in the camp after the three: Michael Curtin Way, Matthew Garvey Lane and Charlie Anaya Avenue.
Staff Sgt. Steven Parides said the ceremony “gives us a good reason of why we are here today.” A volunteer fireman, Parides knew Garvey and Curtin.
Describing Curtin, Parides said, “He kept the company as a family. He had a gentle side of him. Whereas Matt Garvey was all Marine all the time.”
Staff Sgt. Nelson Hernandez said of Curtin, “He was very friendly. Some of the Marines, sometimes they get hard-nosed. He wasn’t like that. He was a father figure.”
Curtin is remembered for rescuing 28 people trapped on the roof of the World Trade Center building after a terrorist bomb exploded in 1993. He also was part of a Federal Emergency Management Agency team responding to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.
Curtin also is credited with directing his men to safety before his death when the World Trade Center’s south tower fell.
Garvey was a Marine for 10 years before becoming a New York firefighter. He was a member of Squad 1, an elite group of specialized firemen. Garvey was last seen entering the trade center’s north tower.
Anaya was on active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991. After deactivation, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter with the New York Fire Department. On September 11, Anaya evacuated civilians from the north tower, reaching the 28th floor before the building came down.
Marines of the 6th Communications Battalion from Brooklyn, New Tork, took part in the ceremony Friday at Camp Commando in the northern Kuwaiti desert. Sgt. Major Mike Curtin, Gunnery Sgt. Matt Garvey and Sgt. Charlie Anaya were members of the battalion when they died.
Camp Commando is usually a flurry of activity and dust as U.S. and British soldiers prepare for possible action in Iraq.
But the 6th Communications tent area was quiet Friday as the Marines unveiled three bright red signs with red lettering naming roads in the camp after the three: Michael Curtin Way, Matthew Garvey Lane and Charlie Anaya Avenue.
Staff Sgt. Steven Parides said the ceremony “gives us a good reason of why we are here today.” A volunteer fireman, Parides knew Garvey and Curtin.
Describing Curtin, Parides said, “He kept the company as a family. He had a gentle side of him. Whereas Matt Garvey was all Marine all the time.”
Staff Sgt. Nelson Hernandez said of Curtin, “He was very friendly. Some of the Marines, sometimes they get hard-nosed. He wasn’t like that. He was a father figure.”
Curtin is remembered for rescuing 28 people trapped on the roof of the World Trade Center building after a terrorist bomb exploded in 1993. He also was part of a Federal Emergency Management Agency team responding to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.
Curtin also is credited with directing his men to safety before his death when the World Trade Center’s south tower fell.
Garvey was a Marine for 10 years before becoming a New York firefighter. He was a member of Squad 1, an elite group of specialized firemen. Garvey was last seen entering the trade center’s north tower.
Anaya was on active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991. After deactivation, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter with the New York Fire Department. On September 11, Anaya evacuated civilians from the north tower, reaching the 28th floor before the building came down.
Sergeant Michael Curtin New York City Police DepartmentNew YorkEnd of Watch: Tuesday, September 11, 2001Cause: Terrorist attack
Biographical InfoAge: 45Tour of Duty: 13 yearsBadge Number: 3256
Sergeant Michael Curtin was killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while attempting to rescue the victims trapped in the World Trade Center. Sergeant Curtin was a US Marine Corps veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He had served with the New York City Police Department for 13 years and was assigned to ESU Truck 2. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, and brother. He was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department’s Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.On the morning of September 11, 2001, seventy-two officers from a total of eight local, state, and federal agencies were killed when terrorist hijackers working for the al Qaeda terrorist network, headed by Osama bin Laden, crashed two of four hijacked planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City. After the impact of the first plane, putting the safety of others before their own, law enforcement officers along with fire and EMS personnel, rushed to the burning Twin Towers of the World Trade Center to aid the victims and lead them to safety. Due to their quick actions, it is estimated that over 25,000 people were saved. As the evacuation continued, the first tower unexpectedly collapsed due as a result of the intense fire caused by the impact. The second tower collapsed a short time later. 71 law enforcement officers, 343 members of the New York City Fire Department and over 2,800 civilians were killed at the World Trade Center site.A third hijacked plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania when the passengers attempted to re-take control of the plane. One law enforcement officer, who was a passenger on the plane, was killed in that crash. The fourth hijacked plane was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, killing almost 200 military and civilian personnel. No law enforcement officers were killed at the Pentagon.The terrorist attacks resulted in the declaration of war against the Taliban regime, the illegal rulers of Afghanistan, and the al Qaeda terrorist network which also was based in Afghanistan.On September 9, 2005, all of the public safety officers killed on September 11, 2001, were posthumously awarded the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor by President George W. Bush.The contamination in the air at the World Trade Center site caused many rescue personnel to become extremely ill, and eventually led to the death of several rescue workers.Please click here to visit the memorials of all of the law enforcement officers killed in this terrorist attack.
Visit Sergeant Curtin’s memorial at http://www.odmp.org/
Name : Brophy, ThomasRank: P.O.
Shield #: 6957
Command: 109 Pct.
Date of Death: 2005-04-01
Cause of Death: 9-11 related illness
Police Officer Thomas G. Brophy died in April 2005 from metastatic colon cancer that was caused by inhaling toxic materials while partaking in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Officer Brophy gave 11 years of service in the 114th and 109th Precincts and Fleet Services Division. He too received recognition for excellent police duty. Officer Brophy worked in the rescue, recovery and clean-up effort at the World Trade Center as well as covered various posts in Lower Manhattan after the attacks. He is survived by his wife Rita and son Matthew, mother Janice, brother Brian, a New York State Trooper, father Tom, brother Justin and sister Erica.
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Rebuild from the Grass Roots 911 Memory
September 20, 2008, 8:53 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Rebuild from the Grass Roots 911 Memory
Gregory Mussmacher God Bless!!
Rebuild from the Grass Roots – A 9/11 Memory
Rebuild from the Grass Roots – A 9/11 Memory
Another great e-mail blast from Father Leo!!
Several months ago, I visited New York City with some seminarians. I was there for a radio interview on Sirius, some business meetings, and a bit of sightseeing.
We made a stop at Ground Zero, as it was shortly after the Pope’s visit to New York. We saw some of the reconstruction efforts from afar and heard the powerful story of a young man whose life was affected by the tragic events of September 11th.
Meet Chuck, a resident of the St. Francis House, a home for young men who need a second chance in life, in Brooklyn, New York ; and Joe, the director of St. Francis House and the producer at Grassroots Films.
I had the pleasure of cooking for these guys and getting to know them. I knew about Grassr oots Films because they produced one of the greatest videos about vocations called Fishers of Men. The visit impressed me greatly. For these men, this house is really a home. They eat together every evening; t hey have regular chapel time and attend the parish church as a family; they work together and help each other grow in virtue together. That’s a great example of what a family should do. This is a house of Godly men!
Chuck is a quiet, mild mannered young man. When introduced, I thought he said his name was “Truck. ” So, I called him Truck for most of the evening before he gently corrected me. But, I think my nickname stuck, at least for a little while.
Chuck’s experience puts another human face on the tragedy of 9/11 and the hope that grew from it. He moved to New York from a small town with hopes of making it in the media world. What a talented guy! Check out the new Grassroots project called The Human Experience, and you’ll see what I mean.
When he left his family, Chuck chose to live at St. Francis House because he wanted a community of believers to help strengthen his faith. He was slated to start a good job in the media field on September 11, 2001. Needless to say, his opportunity for making a life for himself would be put on hold . He would have to come to grips with the trauma of being right in the midst of the chaos on that terrible day.
Shell- shocked, Chuck returned home to his family. Thank God he had one that cared for him, since the aftermath of that day left him naturally despondent. Though he wanted to return to New York immediately , Joe wisely encouraged him and his family to wait until the shock wore off. The fact is, we are fragile people and something so traumatic requires time for prayers and healing. In God’s time, Chuck gained perspective, found a way to deal with the pain, and mad e the decision to go back home to St. Francis House. With the strength of the Grassr oots family, he used his skills to work with a team of underfunded but extremely talented new Evangelists to create powerful videos with inspiring messages that bring about a conversion starting at the grass roots level.
Chuck, and indeed all of the young men living at St. Francis House, showed me that when our plans in life are shaken up or torn down, we need to find the strength to rebuild our family, our society, and our world. Human spirits can easily be broken, but the s pirit of God can help us rise again – even after the single most terrible act of terrorism in our country’s history.
Chuck’s experience shows us that we cannot recover alone. We need family; not just our biological family, but a community of believers in our church family. After all, families don’t live separate from society. Consider how you are plugged into a community of believers .
Chuck and his “ brothers” showed me that hope is real. With a view of Manhattan forever changed because of two planes, a few box cutters, and a group of hateful men, St. Francis House hopes to shape a better world with one house, a few cameras, and a group of men who know the meaning of Christ’s love.
As our country commemorates the seventh anniversary of September 11th , I pray that all of those affected by this tragedy will experience the prayerful support of family. And, if you’re still trying to figure out how to make a house into a home, just take a few cues from Grassroots Films and the brothers living at St. Francis House.
Grilled Chicken with Mango Chutney
While at the St. Francis House, I wanted to cook a grilled favorite accented with the freshness of mango chutney. I may have given this recipe before, but it’s definitely worth an encore, especially since it’s still warm enough to use your outdoor grill. I prepared a tremendous amount of food , and I thought there would be left overs . However, the brothers at the house seemed to enjoy it so much, there was only a little left. Eat up fellas. You have big work ahead as you evangelize the world with inspiring and quality films. With Joe as director of the house, Mary as queen of your home, and Jesus, the Lord of your life, I’m sure you men will transform culture from the grass roots up!
Click here for the recipe.
A Grass Roots Prayer for Your Family
Loving God, we can face so many struggles that we may want to give up. We endure so much tragedy that we wonder whether it’s worth trying again. We encounter situations that may even feel hopeless. But, we know Lord that You never let us experience these challenges alone. Bless our families , near and far, with the strength to face these struggles with hope. We pray in a special way for all of those who will commemorate loved ones who died in the September 11th tragedy . May they know of the power of Your love, experience the strength of faith, and the light of hope that pierces our darkest night. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Loss of a Four Legged Friend:(
September 20, 2008, 8:51 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Loss Of a Furry Four Legged Friend
Gregory Mussmacher God Bless!!
Rest In Peace
Lilly Mussmacher
We all loved you and will miss you very much!
I hope your having fun in heaven playing with Nikki, Buttons and Tammy. Watch over Jake he misses you the most!
The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
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Start a Change With Prayer!
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Gregory Mussmacher God Bless!!
September 20, 2008, 8:50 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Start a Change with Prayer!
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Gregory Mussmacher God Bless!!
Another great e-mail blast from Father Leo, God Bless Him!!
This past weekend marked a time of much change . The celebration of Labor Day in the U.S. begins a transition from the lazy days of summer to the busy start of the school year. This weekend, the seminarians began their first full week of the new semester, while college students got acclimated to their new courses. For seminarians and students, that’s a big change . Finally, this past weekend in the St. Joseph Cathedral of Wheeling West Virginia, I witnessed the wedding of a young couple whose lives are now transformed in the Sacrament of Marriage. Here’s the before and after picture.
Change is inevitable, and yet we often forget that it will happen to us. The father of the bride, in a heartfelt speech, recalled the many changes he experienced watching his three daughters grow from newborn babies to married women. And now with his youngest daughter married, he humbly admitted he never expected this change to be so difficult!
The fact that we are creatures of habit means we crave stability. Stability is a good thing; however, a life without change can lead us to a life of routine, which a s comfortable as it seems, will only dull our senses, stunt our emotions, and limit our potential to grow. Change is tough , but it is necessary for growth. As Christians, we are on a pilgrimage throughout life and are always changing. It’s called ongoing conversion.
After one year of seminary formation work, I realize how good change requires prayer. The orientation period for seminarians provides great opportunities for prayer and our new men need it. They faced a tough week of learning what it means to be a seminarian, a completely new lifestyle for them. The men took time to re-orient themselves through prayer t his weekend while they were on a silent retreat. They prayed like they have never prayed before! I snapped this picture of the seminarians asking for prayers at the tomb of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, buried less than two miles from the seminary.
Talk about a saint who experienced change. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was an Episcopalian wife and mother, who became a widow at a young age . Her biography tells us she accepted these changes through prayer. She experienced even more change when, after years of serious prayer, she converted to the Catholic Faith, despite the possibility her family might disown her. She moved from big city Baltimore to very rural Emmitsburg, MD. She took on a religious habit with a mission to educate poor children. While raising her own children in very poor conditions, she felt the pain of having to bury three of them. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton handled each of these changes with such prayer and grace that she eventually experienced the greatest transformation of all: she was canonized a saint. Prayer is the only thing that will get us through difficult changes. This time of year, accepting your kids have grown up and are going to college can be painful. It’s hard for me to accept that Tim and Megan Watkins, now off at college, are the same children in the original Grace Before Meals video trailer that was filmed 6 years ago! Check out the trailer and you’ll see how quickly they have grown up .
If it’s hard for me to accept they are growing up, what’s it like for their parents? For students leaving home for the first time, the experience can be a painful change, too. Believe me parents, I do a lot of talking with college freshmen who are a bit sad to be away from home. Yes, they miss you too! This change isn’t easy for them either.
I consider how seminarians must also change but from within, which is the most difficult change to make.
Prayer doesn’t always change the situation, but it can help us understand and accept the lessons that change brings .
This past weekend marked a change for many of our Grace Before Meals families. When it gets tough accepting these changes, you may want to slightly modify your g race before meals. Instead of rushing the prayer before you eat, take some extra time and say an special prayer for parents feeling the change of an empty nest; for newly married couples living a life no longer for themselves but for the other; and for seminarians called to re orient their lives to do the Father’s will.
Timmy’s Meal Before College: Beef and Zucchini
FYI: Timmy Watkins is the second of Tim Watkins’ three children. Tim Watkins is the producer of Grace Before Meals and a good friend who has invited me to his house for dinner on many occasions, though I usually do the cooking! H is wife is a great cook and kind enough to give me free range of her kitchen. Timmy has been my assistant chef for many of these meals, but this meal was my going away gift to him before he left for college.
Click here for the recipe.
A Prayer to Say During a Change in Life
Heavenly Father, help us to accept change with grace. Help us to ask for grace when change comes into our lives. Help us to see how these changes, no matter how painful , can be great sources of grace for us! We ask this through Christ o ur Lord. Amen!
Ask Fr. Leo for fatherly advice.Any submissions may be used in future Grace Before Meals publications.
Please forward Fr. Leo’s weekly email blast to anyone you think would benefit. If you haven’tsigned up for the Food for the Body, Food for the Soul weekly email blast, go here to register now. Also visit our blog.
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We Need More St. Monica’s
September 20, 2008, 8:48 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Family and Religious
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
We Need More St. Monica’s
Gregory Mussmacher God Bless!!
Another great e-mail blast from Father Leo!!!! A Must Read!!!!
We Need More Monica’s!
August 27th is the Feast of St. Monica, the saintly mother who prayed for her son, Augustine, aka St. Augustine. She prayed for her son to turn away from a sinful life and to reconcile his intellect to the wisdom of the Church. Her prayers worked! God, in His time, answered her prayers. And Augustine finally understood why Faith meant so much to his mother. Eventually, Augustine experienced an intellectual conversion and a change of heart. With St. Monica’s inspiration, Augustine became one of the greatest intellectual and theologically inclined saints in the Catholic Church’s history.
Monica is a great example for many families who may feel frustration and even despair that their children may not be practicing their Faith as the parents taught them and want for them. Parents write to me all the time, or stop me at a conference and ask, “what do I do? My children aren’t practicing their faith anymore?” Unfortunately, in these brief emails or meetings, I can’t answer all of the various situations that are posed to me. However, I can suggest a few different ways that parents can preserve and encourage their family’s faith.
First, start young! Children are naturally more receptive to faith when they are raised in it. Teaching the basics in prayer means developing a prayerful foundation. This young set of parents from Nashville is teaching their daughter Mimi to pray Grace Before Meals! Isn’t she like a little “poster child” for Grace Before Meals! They are only doing what they themselves learned from their parents!
Yet, teaching them from the start isn’t a “guarantee” your children will be saints. Therefore, if you did raise your children in faith, but they are no longer practicing or starting to question their faith, make sure you remain open to their questions and try to seek answers to their questions or issues of doubt TOGETHER! Don’t just dismiss them in your frustration. Instead, try to seek the response to their concerns. Keep open the lines of communication and try to grow more confident in your own faith by trusting that God still loves your child more than you can imagine.
Another consideration is to make sure that you as parents are practicing what you preaching. While in Japan, I met several families who are trying to live their faith openly by taking time to pray together as members of an international group called “Couples for Christ.” While in Japan, I had a chance to do a Grace Before Meals Presentation for them.
The formula for this gathering is simple. While the parents come together, share a meal, take time for sharing, offering each other support, singing a few songs and offering some petition prayers. The children join in the prayers for a while but also have some time to play with the other kids. The children see that mom and dad DO pray together and with others – and not just in church. The kids see that mom and dad ARE serious about their faith.
The statement, “I believe faith is a ‘private’ thing” is unfortunately a temptation of the devil. We are tempted to not live our faith outside our home or church. The fact is, if you really have faith, you will not be afraid to share it everywhere! I realize that people are convinced that separation of church and state means that no one should talk about faith outside of church. But the fact is, God’s kingdom is not limited to church walls or my bedroom door! Make sure your children see that you are practicing your faith, and trying to practice what Christ preaches.
Here’s another little tip to help: make sure there is a balance between praying and playing! It would be nice if children and teenagers were naturally inclined to prayer. Although I do know some children who are, it is more likely they are more interested in playing outside or video games. The reality is, we can’t and should not force kids to say “formal prayers” all the time. That would be imbalanced. Remember, families are families. They aren’t mini-monasteries, or mini-convents, or mini-seminaries. Therefore, make sure you and your family has a healthy and balanced “diet” of activities: playing, praying, eating, relaxing, learning, talking, etc., etc.,
If you’re whole life exists around a particular sport or hobby, to the exclusion of other wholesome and inspiring activities, then you may need to take a break from it. Especially if it’s slowly creeping out time for prayer, excluding family meals, and just ‘chilling out’ as a family! The balance of a healthy life requires us to make sure we master our schedules instead of having our schedules master us!
Another suggestion would be for the families to encourage their children to make sure they have good friends. Make sure parents ask their kids questions about what makes a good friend for you? How can your children be good friends for others? Ask, “how do you know if a friend is helping or hurting you?” Children should know how to make these important interpersonal relational distinctions.
When I was in Toronto a few weeks ago, I met several young people as part of the BLD Youth Conference. In the Tagalog Language, BLD stands for “Bukas Loob Sa Diyos” – which translates to “Open Your Heart to the Lord.”
(Make sure you check out the updated picture page on the web to see other fun pics from these and other events!)
It was inspiring to see so many families in Canada and parts of the USA who are part of this growing International Group. Like the Couples for Christ, this group also started in the Philippines, where family ties are strong – but not without the challenges faced by the families in the west. But, these groups, and so many other ecclesial movements provide resources and relationships that can truly help your family grow stronger in communion with each other and God! If you have questions about your family’s faith, do something about it and join a good group of people who, like St. Monica, want their children to be saints too!
To summarize, I know that St. Monica provides for us a living example of what is necessary to preserve your family. Are you “waiting” for your children to grow up before making a decision to raise them in faith? If you are, you are denying them grace now! Are you telling your children to pray, but at the same time not praying yourself, or not letting your own children see you pray? If so, then your children are receiving mixed messages from you! Is there is a balance in your family, or do you just try to “squeeze in” prayers and church? If there is an imbalance, trust that the devil will always push and pull us off the path that requires us to be balanced if we want to ‘walk the talk.’ Finally, are you helping your children to “flock together” with other good kids? Trust me, they ARE out there! Are we helping them to understand healthy distinctions in relationships by making sure we have good relationships ourselves – starting with your spouse?
Ultimately, your children will make their own decisions. You can’t force them to be a saint right here and now! Just ask St. Monica who witnessed her son, Augustine, take baby steps in Faith only when she was ready to die! We have to trust that God is hearing your prayers. This week’s email blast is just one more way that God is trying to remind families of what is most important. This advice didn’t come from me, Fr. Leo. It really came from the witness of the saints, especially Monica, who I humbly ask to pray for all families and all children who do not yet know Your love and call to be saints, now and forever! St. Monica, pray for us!
Cid’s “dribble” of vinaigrette!
The Couples for Christ dinner in Japan, where I shared a Grace Before Meals presentation, gave me an opportunity to share (on an international level), the powerful message of our movement. At the same time, it gave me a chance to share a recipe for tasty vinaigrette that people can make with their children. By allowing one of the participating children, Cid, to help make the salad dressing, he not only learned a skill he can share, he also learned how eating veggies (like salad) taste so good!
When I “tested” him to remember the ingredients of the vinaigrette, he passed with flying colors. Then he proceeded to reiterate a very important point: Don’t drown the lettuce in salad dressing, but instead, simply lightly “dribble” (i.e., drizzle) the dressing over the salad greens! What a great kid, from a great family!
I use this vinaigrette, mixing and matching various ingredients and common sweeteners to inspire diversity in vegetable flavors as well as to wake up the taste of meats. For example, grilling steaks or meat and putting it on top of the fresh and lightly dressed greens inspires a bold taste without being an overly heavy meal! I made a similar meal while me and my friends were on vacation. We wanted a meal with bold flavors, but nothing too heavy that would hinder us from taking advantage of outdoor hiking and biking. Give it a try for your family.
Click here for the recipe.
Prayer for Families
Parents have a great responsibility AND privilege to raise their children in faith. Don’t worry, you are not alone. And, above all, God knows that you are trying to do your best. And, if you’re not doing your best, then God can also give you the courage and strength to do your job better. Go ahead and talk with the one who helped St. Monica get through her difficult years with her son, who eventually became a great saint!
Let us pray: Father in Heaven, we can be so imperfect at times. We can forget the blessings and we so often focus on the bad. In a time when families struggle to stay together, help us to remember that a family that prays together stays together. And Lord, even when some of our family members turn away from You, help us to trust that you will never turn your back on them. Give us grace to strengthen our ties with one another and with You. Give us grace to seek the support and communities to keep our family focused on Your love, Your laws, and Your invitation to be part of Your heavenly family forever. Amen.
Ask Fr. Leo for fatherly advice.Any submissions may be used in future Grace Before Meals publications.
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Please Pray For Me!!
Gregory Mussmacher God Bless!!
Hello everyone, I am going through a really tough time right now and I am asking everyone to pray for me.. God Bless
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