Priest Thought for the Day:

"The Church in the world of today has an enormous need of the witness of a life given without reserve to God; the witness of that nuptial love of Christ Himself, which in a particular way, will make the Kingdom of God present among people and bring it near to the world."

Pope John Paul II

The "Year for Priests"

This icon is “based on a fifteenth century Greek prototype; here Christ is shown in Latin Rite vestments with a gold pelican over His heart, the ancient symbol of self-sacrifice. The borders contain a windig grapevine and altar prepared for the celebration of the liturgy of the Mass; in the borders are smaller icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.” Incidentally, it is St. John Vianney whom Pope Benedict XVI, with the announcement of this special year, has declared the Universal Patron of Priests.


Czarnecki, the artist, explains: “I wrote the icon about seven years ago [for seminarians and priests] to be able to see Christ in themselves, and themselves in Christ. We often hear that the icon is called a window; in this case, it’s also meant to be a mirror.”


The Good Shepherd reminds the priest that he is to “lay down his life for his sheep.”

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The "Year for Priests" was formally initiated by Pope Benedict XVI on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart this past June 19 and will conclude in 2010, on June 19.

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Pray for priests.

You'll never read this in the local newspaper OR see it on network news!

You just can’t get all the good stuff from the local newspaper or the television

I was really impressed with the unknown faith of the young helicopter pilot himself, Captain Jeremy Clarke. He had been born and baptized a Catholic, but was never confirmed. As a lot of us do, he drifted from the faith. But his mother prayed for years that he would come back to the Church. And a few months ago, he did. He decided to complete his sacraments of initiation, and was confirmed. His fiancé kept a letter that Jeremy had written to God, at the time of his confirmation. He expressed his joy at that moment:

Dear God,

None of this could have happened without your intervention. The timing could not have been more perfect. The improbable has become a reality. I pray to keep improving myself and getting better with your help. Thank you for all that I have in my life, I am blessed.

With love,

Jeremy Clarke

It’s a great letter, isn’t it? – heartfelt and hope-filled. And it’s all the more poignant in light of the event that we all saw on television – the terrible crash that cost Jeremy Clarke his young life.

May Jeremy and all the others who died, rest in peace.

Happy Birthday to our City

This picture tells a truer story than all the others you might hear.

Pensacola's 450th gettin' Closer

Explored/Founder Don Tristan DeLuna image unveiled Thursday, August 13, 2009.

Sister Maureen celebrates her ... Birthday!

It's Sister's birthday ... August 4th

l-r: deacon Gene, Gail Rothschild,Sister Maureen, Phyllis Godwin, and Jo Gantt enjoy lunch at the Olive Garden.

Today's Daily Connection

These Daily Connections are sent out by email. If you would like to receive them, send in your request: foleyp@stjoseph.ptdiocese.org

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Today is Monday, August 3, 2009.

Good Morning.

A thought for the day:
“A friend is someone who sees through you and still enjoys the show.”
anon.


The Church’s Gospel text for today: Matthew chapter 14 verses 13-21
… read this first if you can …


A classmate of mine died last week, her funeral Mass is tomorrow. We went through high school together, she and I went to our Junior Prom together and when I was assigned here, she was one of my first visitors to welcome me.

She was ill for quite some time. She knew her health was fragile and that she was possibly coming close to her union with the Lord in Heaven. She was a very thoughtful and warm and gracious person. May she rest in peace.

In our Gospel reading this morning we learn that Jesus goes off in a boat to a deserted place by Himself. He has something very important to do. He has to mourn. He has to mourn for his cousin John (the Baptist) who has just been murdered. He doesn’t get to mourn long though because people find out where He is and break into His alone-time.

Take some time today and think of the people in your life. Maybe say their name, picture them in your mind’s eye and say a prayer for each one. We rarely know what is going on in another person’s life: their joys, their struggles, etc. Perhaps your prayer today may lighten their journey.


A prayer for today: Lord, may the light of Your countenance shine on all my loved ones and friends.

Have a great week,
Father Pat

ps …….. and so we begin our third year of Daily Connections. I hope they are helpful to you.

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New York City: 2009

An area of Timees Square is now blocked off for walking. It beats the traffic and allows you space to to sightsee.

People are everywhere

A sight just about everyone is familiar with.

A very special Visit

While visitng New York, we also made a side trip to the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ. Sister Maureen was already there visitng her Sisters.





l-r:

Sister Mary Morley (who was on our last Parish Cruise) and Sister Maureen meet us at the train station at the entrance of the Motherhouse/College grounds. In the back is Father Allan McDonald, Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Macon, GA. He has relatives in New Jersey who we also visited at a later time.

Welcome to the Convent of St. Elizabeth

Retreat Center on the Motherhouse grounds.

The original Motherhouse

A residence for the sisters from the very beginning of the founding of the convent even to this day

The Motherhouse cemetery














One of the many beautiful stained glass wndows in the Motherhouse Chapel

Sister Maureen caught unawares

from left to right:

Sister Ellen Dauwer, who is Sister Maureen's Counselor; Sister Maureen; Sister Mary Dwyer who taught at St. Joseph's elementary, was later Principal of the High School and instrumental in moving the High School to its union with Pensacola Catholic High. The last person is, well, whoever.

We also had lunch with Sister Peggy Welch (aka: Sr. Ann Maurice) who once taught at St. Joseph high School.

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney was appearing in New York City for three sold-out concerts. Was I lucky or what?






Paul McCartney sings and plays to the musical noise of the thousands of people in the crowd.















People watching the show from the windows above the balcony "stage"

McCartney with his band outside the Ed Sullivan theater

David Letterman appears to the crowd, too

St,. Malachy's Church

St. Malachy Catholic Church is known as the church on Broadway. Although it is not on Broadway itself it was built for easy access for the Broadway actors and all involved in the production of the Broadway plays.





Nicely designed interior, and open all day

Enjoying the prayerful solitude of St. Malachy's

(no, that's not me)

President Obama comes to New York City

A Secret Service agent carefully looks over the area.

The dogs are out, too.

A section of the NYPD gather once the President is inside

Everything is ready for the President's exit

Opps, you caught me watching

Holy Rosary Church, near Wall Street

This is the Church which (Saint) Elizabeth Ann Seton attended with her family. It is now a Shrine to her memory.

Ellis Island, New York

Your family name is probably listed here also.

A Manhattan Park

One of the many, many small parks throughout Manhattan. Supurb place to relax and rest the weary feet.

Ground Zero rebuilds

You have to look through chain-link fence as the new tower is being built.

Massive area under construction

Another scene

The Esplanade: Beginning in Lower Manhattan adjacent to West Street which borders the Hudson River.

A pond along the walkway at the beginning of the Esplanade.

Jersey City as seen from Lower Manhattan.

The Esplanade: singles, couples, families walk the walk

Sun bathers gather in one of the many wide open areas along the Esplanade.

Jersey City, up close.

It is amazing what the Big Apple has arranged for the relaxation, safety, beauty, and enjoyment of its citizens and visitors. The Esplanade has a bike path, very wide walk way and an area for runners too.

A Visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral and celebration of Mass

Archbishop Timothy Dolan incenses the altar at the beginning of Mass.

The rear Steeples

Side view of St. Patrick's.

St. Patrick's steeples

The Mass consisted of the Blessing of Flags of those Nations where political prisoners are still being held. They gathered after mass on the steps of the Cathedral.

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That's all folks!

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