What’s up?

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Very little if you have looked at my output lately. Today I finally opened up my blog and started looking at what has, and not has been happening to it!

It does not seem that long ago (heh!) that I entered some postings. My hope was to add to the conversations being had about the Catholic Church, the Nation, what is happening in our individual lives. To say I have been disappointed with myself would be an understatement!

So let’s begin over…again! My wife and I have moved to Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Our siblings encouraged the move and my retirement. It is a beautiful place. The need to be doing something may have brought me back to this blog.

I will be exploring what these moves and changes will mean for me; how it will affect me! And how it will affect my relationship with the Church, and ultimately with God!

I am still trying to keep up praying the Liturgy of Hours on a regular basis. I regularly attend Sunday Mass. And I am keeping up with my spiritual reading.

I am not sure what my role as a Deacon will be, I am going to be in another diocese. And maybe I am being drawn to something else.

Bottom line, I am starting over, with new hopes, and personal challenges! Buckle up all!

Holy Saturday

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In some ways, it can be difficult to understand, to experience, what this day means for Catholic Christians. It is a somber day; a quiet day. It some sense, an empty day. We reflect on the events of Holy Thursday, the anguish of Good Friday. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, was laid in a tomb.

Even though I know “the rest of the story:” I am always somewhat somber on this day. There have been years when the feeling has not been as intense, but it there.

I look forward now to Easter dawn! To the hope that comes with it. That “Hosannas” will sound out, in my community; in my Church; in my heart and in my soul.

Winter on the Cape!

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Greetings! It has been a long time since I have written in this blog. Time to get cracking again! As some of you may know, I am a retired New Englander, born and bred! My wife and I were residents in Bridgewater MA. We are now living on Cape Cod. (Long story!!). Now, the past few winters have been kinda of mild…until this year!

Everleigh Residance, Hyannis MA!!

First time in a while that they had some very serious snow around here. I have had to dig out a few times,….and I am not a youngster anymore!!😓

I have been able to find a find a nearby local Catholic Church in Hyannis! It is a nice community with both Anglo and Hispanic families. The parish has three Permanent Deacons, and several priests of different backgrounds!

It has been cold but beautiful around here. We are hoping to get through this season in good shape!

Blessings to all! Pacem e Bene!!!

Here We Go Again!!!

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There was a time when I thought I wanted to be a blogger. And there is still deep down a desire to be one. I confess there has been some (oh heck); a lot of just plain laziness. Mixed in with some uncertainty of what I am called to write about.

What gets me is that there so much “material” out there to comment about!! (Or not!).

So here I am, wondering what to write about. And a little confused.

Right now my wife and I just struggled completing my half of our apartment rental renewal. And she is is definitely better at this than I am!

I am making no promises, but hopefully, I will be generating some interesting content. (I hope!!)

Feast Day for Saint Clare of Assisi

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Saint Clare of Assisi

Chiara (Clare) Offreduccio was born in Assisi, Italy, on July 16, 1194. She belonged to a wealthy Assisi clan, during the time of the High Middle Ages.

At some time in her life, she came in contact with Saint Francis of Assisi, a young man who had encountered Christ, and was moved to turn his life around. The son a wealthy cloth merchant, he gave up his life of wealth and privilege, and dedicated his life to really living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Francis wandered the streets of Assisi, proclaiming the Good News, and living a very simple life. He began to draw followers from among the young men of Assisi. And he drew the attention of Clare.

In conversations with Francis, she felt a fire being lit within her own soul. She gave up her life of wealth and privilege; dedicated herself to a life of strict poverty and intense prayer. Her life attracted other women and together they formed a community known as “The Order of Poor Ladies.” With help of Francis, Clare drew up their Rule. They would become a monastic Order, inspired by the example of Clare. They lived in simple quarters, next to one of the churches Francis repaired, San Damiano. And Francis, himself, would remain as a source of inspiration and guidance.

Clare lost her teacher and guide on the evening of October 3, 1226. She would live on until August 11, 1253. The community of sisters that survived her, became known as the ‘Poor Clares.”

Feast of Our Lady of the Angels – Portiuncula

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Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels – Portiuncula

August 2, is one day that is remembered by all Franciscan Friars, Poor Clare sisters, and all Third Order members, whether Friars, Sisters, or Laypersons; the Feast of Out Lady the Angels.

St. Francis of Assisi, came across the chapel as he wandered through the Italian countryside. He and his brother friars felt the Holy Spirit moving them. They realized that the Portiuncula, its Italian name, was special. They built simple huts around it, prayed and worshipped in it.

Eventually, long after Francis and his brethren had passed on; the chapel was enclosed in a magnificent basilica. Crowds of Franciscans, and laypersons, from the four corners of the earth still come to visit and worship the Lord. And the Lord touches the hearts of all who come.

Places of worship are built in many different ways, each is unique. In each one, though, is the potential to encounter the Living God. Be open to that potentiality.

Memorial Day

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Today, citizens of these United States are called to remember and honor those members of the U. S. Military who died while in service to the country. It recognizes their dedication to the nation.

Among us, there may be disagreements on how our armed forces may have been used in the past or currently. But there can be no disagreement about their dedication and their sacrifice.

Eternal rest grant unto them all, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine up them. Through the mercy of God, may they rest in peace.

HABEMUS PAPAM!!!

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Just finishing my lunch, half watching a tv report on some business matter. They had a split screen because the time was coming up for the vote for a new pope. There were a few seagulls examining the stovepipe coming out of the Sistine Chapel’s roof. I noticed that there were wisps of smoke, white smoke, coming out!! It grew into huge plume!! Still waiting for his appearance on the main balcony of Saint Peter’s!

WE HAVE AN AMERICAN POPE!!!!!!!!

Hello once again! Yes, I know I promised to be more regular with my postings. There have been some personal issues that required attention, but it is not quite time yet to discuss. But other than that…

I was able to rise early enough to watch the funeral Mass for Pope Francis. It was amazing to see the crowds of people, both clergy, religious and lay who came to pray for the repose of his soul. The new camera technology has added what we are able to see and experience. One sight that thrilled my heart was seeing so many vested deacons with the rest of the clergy. As I am typing this, I suddenly realized that some of them, maybe all of them, were transitional deacons, on their way to priestly ordination. Which is fine, but I really hope that some of them were my brothers in the permanent diaconate.

I have lived through many papacies, each one unique in their own way. I was a youngster when Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council. I am 71 years old now, as I witness the passing of Pope Francis. I have witnessed, joyfully, changes in the liturgical life of the Church. I witnessed debates among clergy and laity on how best to implement Vatican II, how involved should the laity be. ( A lot!). I have seen some of these debates done respectfully; others, not so much.

Because of the way my health is right now, and the changes in where we are living; I have not been as active as a deacon as I would like to be. We shall see what the future holds. Looking forward to seeing the white smoke!

Pax et Bonum to all!!