There is a light at the end of he tunel...and it is not on oncoming train. Governor Holcomb has announced a plan to get Indiana Back on Track. The plan is laid out in stages with Stage 5 (which begins on July 4) beign a return to normal life in Indiana. In between now and then we will see a gradual return to our normal activities. What does this mean for our parish family?
The short answer is this: we don't know yet. Stage 2, whihc begins May 4 allows religious services to return to in house worship, however we are encouraged to continue on-line services for at least the next three weeks. We are still waiting for directions from Archbishop Thompson as to when, and under what conditions, he will allow us to return to in church Masses. I can assure you we will do it as quickly as we can do it in the safest way possible. I'm sure there will be some changes in how we do things, but it will still be great to get back together.
I will keep you posted on the parish website and with our regular updates as to when we will gather together again in Church. Until then, God bless you all.
Saturday, May 2, 2020
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Laughter is Still the Best Medicine!
A few more one-liners...
Tomorrow is the National Homeschool Tornado Drill. Lock your kids in the basement until you give the all clear. You’re welcome!
I was so bored I called Jake from State Farm just to talk to someone. He asked me what I was wearing.
2019: Stay away from negative people. 2020: Stay away from positive people.
The world has turned upside down. Old folks are sneaking out of the house, and their kids are yelling at them to stay indoors!
You think it’s bad now? In 20 years our country will be run by people homeschooled by day drinkers…
This virus has done what no woman had been able to do…cancel all sports, shut down all bars, and keep men at home!!!
Do not call the police on suspicious people in your neighborhood! Those are your neighbors without makeup and hair extensions!
Since we can’t eat out, now’s the perfect time to eat better, get fit, and stay healthy. We’re quarantined! Who are we trying to impress? We have snacks, we have sweatpants – use them!
Day 7 at home and the dog is looking at me like, “See? This is why I chew the furniture!”
Does anyone know if we can take showers yet or should we just keep washing our hands???
I never thought the comment “I wouldn’t touch him/her with a 6 foot pole” would become a national policy, but here we are!
Me: Alexa what’s the weather this weekend?
Alexa: It doesn’t matter – you’re not going anywhere.
Can everyone please just follow the government instructions so we can knock out this coronavirus and be done?! I feel like a kindergartner who keeps losing more recess time because one or two kids can’t follow directions.
I swear my fridge just said “what the hell do you want now?”
When this is over…what meeting do I attend first…Weight Watchers or AA?
Quarantine has turned us into dogs. We roam the house all day looking for food. We are told “no” if we get too close to strangers. And we get really excited about car rides.
Monday, April 13, 2020
Keep Your Eye on the Ball
In the 1st reading at Mass this morning, Peter, speaking to
the Jewish people, quotes what King David said in Psalm 16:
I saw the Lord ever
before me,
with him at my right
hand I shall not be disturbed.
Therefore my heart has
been glad and my tongue has exulted;
my flesh, too, will
dwell in hope,
because you will not
abandon my soul to the nether world,
nor will you suffer
your holy one to see corruption.
You have made known to
me the paths of life;
you will fill me with
joy in your presence.
Acts
2:25-28
That passage leads me to this question. As Christians should
we look at all that is happening differently than those who are not Christians?
The simple answer is yes. We look at it differently because we know that God is
with us. We look at it differently because of Easter. We look at it differently
because Jesus rose from the dead. We look at it differently because we know
Jesus and “…with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.”
I remember when I played Little League baseball. One
particular coach that I had was Mr. Trulock. He was forever telling me, “Tom,
keep your eye on the ball. Keep your eye on the ball.” With all that is going
on today, it is easy to take our eyes off the ball. It’s easy to take our eyes
off the Lord. As we go through all this, is your eye on the ball? Is your focus
on the Lord? Put another way; are you able to say right now, “…with the Lord at
my right hand I shall not be disturbed”?
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Happy Easter
HappyEaster everyone. I shred this story a few years ago on Easter but I share it with you again today because, well...it's agreat story.
It is
called “What was in Jeremy’s Egg.” It is by Ida Mae Kempel
Jeremy was born with a twisted body and a slow mind.
At age 12
he was still in second grade, seemingly unable to learn.
His teacher, Doris Miller, often became exasperated with him.
His teacher, Doris Miller, often became exasperated with him.
He
would squirm in his seat, drool and make grunting noises.
At other times, he spoke clearly and distinctly,
as if a
light had penetrated the darkness of his brain.
Most of the time, however, Jeremy simply irritated
his teacher
and
disturbed the other children.
One day his teacher called in his parents to come
to St.
Theresa’s School for a conference.
She
told them, “Jeremy really needs to be in a special school.
It isn’t fair to him to be in a class with
younger children
who don’t have learning problems.
Why there is a five year age gap
between him and the other children.”
Jeremy’s
mother began to cry softly, while her husband spoke,
“Mrs. Miller,” he said, “There is no school
of that kind nearby.
It would be a terrible shock to Jeremy if we
had to take him out of this school. We know he really likes it here.”
Doris sat for a long time after they left, staring out the window as the snow began to fall.
She wanted
to sympathize with Jeremy’s parents…after all he was their only son and he
had a terminal illness. But still it wasn’t fair to the rest of the class. She had 18
other youngsters to teach and Jeremy was a distraction.
As she pondered the situation guilt washed over her,
“O God,” she said aloud,
“Here I am complaining
when my problems are nothing compared to
that poor family.
Please help me to be more patient with
Jeremy.
From that day on, she tried
hard to ignore Jeremy’s noises and blank stares.
Then one day Jeremey approached her desk,
dragging his bad leg behind him.
“I love you Miss Miller,” he exclaimed.
The other students snickered, and
Doris’ face turned red.
She stammered,
“Why…Jeremy, that’s very nice; now please take you seat.”
Spring came and the
children talked excitedly about Easter.
Miss Miller told them the story of Jesus,
and then to emphasize the idea of new life
springing forth,
she gave each of them a plastic egg.
“Now,” she said, “I want
you to take this egg home with you tonight
and bring it back tomorrow with something
inside that shows new life.
Do you understand?”
“Yes Miss Miller,” the
children shouted enthusiastically… all except Jeremy who simply stared
intently at his teacher. Did he understand, she
wondered, making a mental note to call his parents and
explain the project to them.
That evening, Doris’ sink
stopped up. A couple of other diversions and sure enough, she forgot to call Jeremy’s parents.
The next morning the 19
children came into school laughing and talking as they placed their eggs in the large
wicker basket on Miss Miller’s desk.
The time came to open the
eggs.
In the first egg, Doris found a flower.
“Oh yes,” she said, “A flower is certainly
a sign of new life.
When a plant peeks through the earth
we know that Spring is near.”
A small girl in the first
row waved her hand, “That’s my egg, Miss Miller.”
The next egg contained a
plastic butterfly, which looked very real. Doris held it up. “We all know that a
caterpillar changes and becomes a beautiful butterfly. Yes
that is new life too.” Little Judy smiled, “That
one is mine Miss Miller.”
Next, Doris found a rock
with moss on it. She explained that moss too showed life. Billy spoke up from the back of the
classroom. “My daddy helped me,” he beamed.
Then Doris opened the
fourth egg. She gasped. The egg was empty. Surely it was Jeremy’s egg, she thought, and
of course, he did not understand the assignment. If only she had not forgotten to phone
his parents.
Not wanting to embarrass
him, she placed the egg aside and reached for the next one. Suddenly, Jeremy spoke up, “Miss Miller,
aren’t you going to talk about my egg?” Flustered, Doris replied, “But Jeremy,
your egg is empty.” He looked into her eyes and said
softly, “Yes, but Jesus’ tomb was empty too.”
Time stopped. When she could speak again, Doris asked him, “Jeremy, do you know why the tomb was empty?” “Oh yes,” Jeremy replied, “Jesus was killed and put in there. Then his father raised Him up”
The recess bell rang.
While the children excitedly ran out to the playground, Doris sat and cried. The cold inside her
melted completely away.
Three months later Jeremy
died. Those who paid their respects at the
mortuary were surprised to see 19 eggs on top of the casket, all of them
empty.
I don’t think I have to
add anything to that story.
The empty tomb is the core event of our
faith.
It is what we celebrate this day!
Happy Easter everyone!
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Holy Triduum
Holy Week now moves to full
speed.
Holy Thursday: We begin
tonight with the Mass of the Lord's Supper. On Holy Thursday we received two
Sacraments and a model to follow in our life.
The two Sacraments are the
institution of the Eucharist and Holy Orders. The Church describes the
Eucharist as the source and summit of who we are as God's holy people. It is
the source in that all that we are flows from the Eucharist. It is the summit
in that we are at our best when we "do this in memory of me." Jesus
gave us priests to lead us in word and sacrament. If I can be so bold as to ask
for your prayers. I love being a priest. Pray that I can be a better one
tomorrow than I was today. Say that prayer every day and I know God will bless
me.
The model is found in the washing
of the feet. I've said before that the Eucharist can never really be separated
from the washing of the feet. If we are to share in the table we are also
called to share in the service.
Good Friday: Of course on
Good Friday we celebrate the Passion of our Lord. We read the passion story; we
pray for the needs of the world: we venerate the cross and (normally) we
receive the Eucharist consecrated on Holy Thursday. This year find a way to do
those things. Read the passion (here is a link to it http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041020.cfm Next,
offer prayers for the entire world-Catholics, other Christians, our Jewish brothers
and sisters, other religions, those who do not believe in God, those to be
received into the church soon, government leaders, and those affected by the
Coronavirus. Veneration of the cross is simple enough. Simply take a crucifix
down from a wall and place it on your lap and say some prayers while meditating
on the cross. Finally, say the prayer of Spiritual Communion. Here it is:
My Jesus, I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I
desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You
sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You
were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be
separated from You. Amen.
Easter Sunday: Happy
Easter everyone. We celebrate it a lot different but what we celebrate is the
same. We celebrate the empty tomb; not just that it is empty, but it is empty
because Christ is Risen! Notice we don't say Christ was Risen. We say Christ is risen. Our savior lives today. Invite him into your hearts right now! Enjoy the day but do so in a safe and responsible way.
God bless you all!
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Hope You Can Still Laugh-Shelter in Place Quotes
Half of us are going to come out of this quarantine as amazing
cooks. The other half will come out with a drinking problem.
I used to spin
that toilet paper like I was on ‘Wheel of Fortune’. Now I turn it like I'm
cracking a safe.
I need to practice
social-distancing from the refrigerator.
Still haven't
decided where to go for Easter ----- The Living Room or The Bedroom
PSA:
Every few days try your jeans on just to make sure they fit. Pajamas will
have you believe all is well in the kingdom.
Homeschooling is
going well. 2 students suspended for fighting and 1 teacher fired for drinking
on the job.
I don't think
anyone expected that when we changed the clocks we'd go from Standard Time to
the Twilight Zone
This morning I
saw a neighbor talking to her cat. It was obvious she thought her cat
understood her. I came into my house, told my dog and we laughed a lot.
So, after this
quarantine ... will the producers of ‘My 600 Pound Life’ just find me or do I
find them?
Quarantine Day
5: Went to this restaurant called THE KITCHEN. You have to gather all the
ingredients and make your own meal. I have no clue how this place is
still in business.
My body has
absorbed so much soap and disinfectant lately that when I pee it cleans the
toilet.
Day 5 of
Homeschooling: One of these little monsters called in a bomb threat.
I'm so excited
--- it's time to take out the garbage. What should I wear?
I hope the
weather is good tomorrow for my trip to Puerto Backyarda. I'm getting
tired of Los Livingroom.
Classified Ad:
Single man with toilet paper seeks woman with hand sanitizer for good clean
fun.
Day 6 of
Homeschooling: My child just said "I hope I don't have the same teacher
next year". I'm offended.
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Start with the Easiest
I was "zooming" with some friends the other day and one of them mentioned that there was a lot of things that he wanted to get done during this period of social isolation, but he had not done any of them yet. Someone else quickly chimed in with this advice. He said, "Make a list of all the things you want to get done. Then rank them from the easiest to the hardest and do them in that order. Once you get something done--anything--it will be easier to acccomplish the next things on the list."
What a great piece of advice. So often in life we have so many things that we want to accomplish that it can become overwhelming. This time of social isolation is no different. We've all heard the old adage: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
So if you want to get some things done during this time and haven't accomplished much, just take a bite!
What a great piece of advice. So often in life we have so many things that we want to accomplish that it can become overwhelming. This time of social isolation is no different. We've all heard the old adage: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
So if you want to get some things done during this time and haven't accomplished much, just take a bite!
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
What Blessings Have Come as We Self Isolate
I had three Zoom meeting today and in a coupe of them we got to talking about the blessings that have come through this time of self isolation. Here are few that I remember: In major cities, air polution is down considerably as there are less vehicles on the road; college kids are home with their families (that blessing came from the parents--not sure the college kids call it a blessing); peole spending more tie outdoors--walking and talking, hiking; Getting more time to cook and prepare meals; families sitting down to eat together more often; more time for spiritual reading; I noticed we have had 250 people "attending" our daily Mass--that's about 10 times morethan our average.
Those are just a few... would love to hear some comments from you about what blessings you have found. Please share tehm in the comment section.
Those are just a few... would love to hear some comments from you about what blessings you have found. Please share tehm in the comment section.
Sunday, March 29, 2020
What Are You Reading? What Are You Watching?
I really don't know how long this shelter in place order will last. With that in mind, this morning I made three lists. The first list was a list of books that I want to read. The second was the shows I want to watch. Finally, I made a list of chores that I want to complete.
At the top of the first list is Being George Washington by Glenn Beck. And while I am not a big Glenn Beck fan I am a big George Washington fan, hence I am reading the book. I haven't gotten very far but I'm already impressed with Washington's ability to have a balanced response to each situation he encounterd in the Revolutionary War. The second book on the list is Fr. James Martin's Jesus: A Pilgrimage. It is based on Matin's tour of the Holy Land. It matches the historical site with the actual event from Jesus' life tha makes it historic. Maybe some day I'll lead a pilgrimage tot he Holy Land. This book will help.
What am I watching? I'm binge watching two things: Dowton Abbey (new to me) and The West Wing (which I've binge watched before). I also try to get a daily dose of The Price is Right. I remember watching that as a kid. I loved it then. I love it now. Drew Carey is okay, but I miss Bob Barker.
On my list of chores is to clean out my garage, the closets in my house and the computer files on my computer. But I doubt you care too much about that.
So what about you? What are you watching and what are you reading as you shelter in place?
At the top of the first list is Being George Washington by Glenn Beck. And while I am not a big Glenn Beck fan I am a big George Washington fan, hence I am reading the book. I haven't gotten very far but I'm already impressed with Washington's ability to have a balanced response to each situation he encounterd in the Revolutionary War. The second book on the list is Fr. James Martin's Jesus: A Pilgrimage. It is based on Matin's tour of the Holy Land. It matches the historical site with the actual event from Jesus' life tha makes it historic. Maybe some day I'll lead a pilgrimage tot he Holy Land. This book will help.
What am I watching? I'm binge watching two things: Dowton Abbey (new to me) and The West Wing (which I've binge watched before). I also try to get a daily dose of The Price is Right. I remember watching that as a kid. I loved it then. I love it now. Drew Carey is okay, but I miss Bob Barker.
On my list of chores is to clean out my garage, the closets in my house and the computer files on my computer. But I doubt you care too much about that.
So what about you? What are you watching and what are you reading as you shelter in place?
Friday, March 27, 2020
Wisdom v Hysteria
This morning as I was praying I thought of the difference between wisdom and hysteria. Wisdom says we might be in this for a while and so I better buy an extra package of toilet paper. Hysteria says buy 10 packages. Wisdom says I better watch the news for a bit to see what is new. Hysrteria says I better not turn off the tv because I might miss something. Wisdom says I better check in with my parents and grandparents. Hysteria says I should call them every hour. There is, I think, a balance not only to be found, but to be sought after in this time. I'm praying today that each of us can find that balance.
"Be careful then how you are to walk, not as the unwise, but as wise..." Ephesians 5:15
"Be careful then how you are to walk, not as the unwise, but as wise..." Ephesians 5:15
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Thoughts While Sitting at Home
Thoughts while sitting at Home:
Every so often people call me and ask...So what have you been doing while "sheltering in place"? I tell tehm this. I have always wanted to take a "stay"cation...you know, you stay home and get a lot of things done in the house that you couldn't typically do (clean windows, clean out closets, catch up on reading, etc.) That's exactly what I have been doing. I'd like to share some of the specifics with you.
This week I have cleaned out two rooms of my house, washed all of my windows and screens, and read a book by Dr. Henry Cloud called "Boundaries." My carpets have quite a bit less dog hair on them (since I can vacuum them more often) and all my laundry is caught up. I also spent some time relaxing. Finally, I enjoyed watching the Netflix series on Madame CJ Walker. I've exercised daily, but have unfortuntely eaten more than I typicaly do! All in all, it hasn't been too bad.
Some of you are aware that I was supposed to be in Austeralia this week to visit my nephew. This is not Australia but I've actually enjoyed my time at home.
What about you? Use the comment section to share how you have spent your first week of lockdown!
Every so often people call me and ask...So what have you been doing while "sheltering in place"? I tell tehm this. I have always wanted to take a "stay"cation...you know, you stay home and get a lot of things done in the house that you couldn't typically do (clean windows, clean out closets, catch up on reading, etc.) That's exactly what I have been doing. I'd like to share some of the specifics with you.
This week I have cleaned out two rooms of my house, washed all of my windows and screens, and read a book by Dr. Henry Cloud called "Boundaries." My carpets have quite a bit less dog hair on them (since I can vacuum them more often) and all my laundry is caught up. I also spent some time relaxing. Finally, I enjoyed watching the Netflix series on Madame CJ Walker. I've exercised daily, but have unfortuntely eaten more than I typicaly do! All in all, it hasn't been too bad.
Some of you are aware that I was supposed to be in Austeralia this week to visit my nephew. This is not Australia but I've actually enjoyed my time at home.
What about you? Use the comment section to share how you have spent your first week of lockdown!
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