HOLY WEEK......THOUGHTS AND JOE ROSSI

I realize that "catholics come home" TV ads have not been embraced by some people.....and I dare say nothing would change their mind.
It is their prerogative.........

I believe that Holy Thursday Mass, Good Friday Services and  the Easter Vigil Mass show the "best the of what the Church has to give "...........

I had the opportunity to be in the presence of Father Joe Rossi of St. Pius,Lynn on Thursday and Friday and his homily on those days left me with a "thought provoking spirit "...........Here is a sample......

On Holy Thursday, The Gospel tells the story of Jesus washing the feet of the twelve Apostles at the Final Supper along with Father Rossi doing the same to twelve parishioners to symbolize service and humility.Father Joe in his discussion told the story of a nurse and how she made the end of life for his Father endurable and happy while in a nursing home.....He called her a "washer of feet " and asked everyone present to recall  "washers of feet"that they have encountered in their lives.....and to seek them out and let them know of your feelings........all while tears wet his face......

The next day at the "Friday " services he asked.....Have you heard of Walter Breuning ?.........

I had not......but he was the oldest person known  in the US and he passed away recently......He had some interesting opinions on the secrets to a long life.......

I will mention two of them;

Embrace change even if it slaps you in the face and the hardest of all is........some people are afraid to die, don't be afraid.......you were born to die.....

Jesus in dying was fulfilling the Gospel......and Father Rossi took those thoughts and in combining them said we were born to die and the dying is not an ending but a fulfillment of a life.....

What is our fulfillment ..........??.....and what do we do going forward from this moment in time.

Think about it  ......./

BOSTON MARATHON.......FEAR AND FAITH......

The elite woman have started and Kim Smith has opened up a big lead.Her first mile was 5:02 and the second 5:21 wow !......This type of strategy usually does not work,but Smith is one of "elite of the elite"..........It will be interesting.

The runners as a group have been improving each year due to the qualifying times being lowered.80% of the participating have qualified with the other 20% being "charity runners" who will raise millions of dollars for great causes........

If you never have run a marathon and are contemplating one .........do you know the secret.......?

I read an article by a Franciscan Priest who has run more than 20 marathons......and he put it this way......
Fear is great........but faith is greater........

You start training and that along with the beginning of the race brings out the element of fear which can be hard to overcome.......but after you accomplish the feat your faith wins out as you pass over the finish line.

Some of you will read this in the coming days after conquering the 26 miles,385 yards..... and you will know exactly what is being said......faith outlasts fear.

MANNY.......HASTA LA VISTA........

Manny had so much to offer.....He was a great hitter.....could have done so much good.....
Be a role model....give money to change lives......

Grow old.....be loved by the masses.....Hall of Fame.....Awards......


But sadly he will end up with the Cansaco,Maquire,Bonds, Clemens,Rose and others on a growing list of former heroes who will become mere footnotes in sports history.......

I believe in redemption but it seems so far away for most of the aforementioned......

At least some of the young people on their way to "star status " will see the errors and learn
To do the right thing when all the temptations run before them....

AMERICAN IDOL......PIA.....GONZO

I have been watching American Idol,and the obvious is that the talent has become very professional
and the chance of an unknown non professional winning is just about "nil ".....

Last night Pia was eliminated,and a "cry "is going out that the voting system needs to be changed.

I  disagree.......The remaining singer/musicians are very talented, and to discount the vote is to belittle the remaining contestants..........

If not Pia....who else should go ?

I have this feeling that this Contest has become like sports at the school level.Parents want the benefits of competition when you get to win and "bask "in the glory.......but if you lose they think the rules are the fault.......Competition without winners and losers...........?

Kind of like Washington D.C.......The Republicans who won the Congressional Elections want to reduce the spending by 2%......and now the Government may be "shut down".......

It is the "old story"......I do not like the way this is going.....so I am taking my "ball " and going home.