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The world’s most expensive private jet, an Airbus A380 owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, has an estimated cost over $500 million. Some of the special features of the jet include a two-car garage, a stable for horses and camels, and a prayer room that rotates so it always faces Mecca.” [foregoimg from Forbes.com]

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Crowds rush to get into St. Michael's Church for Easter!!!

Crowds desperate to get into St Michael's for Easter Mass...rush the fence.......


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ok, ok, just kiddin' ya. She put the gear into reverse instead of forward and let 'er rip!


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ouch, that hurt.



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Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 40

We come now to the end of the Season of Lent.

On Ash Wednesday I made certain commitments that the coming 40 days would be marked by certain acts of piety, whether that of giving something up, adding a new dimension to my spiritual gift to God for the season or simply deepening my life in His Spirit that I may become a better example for others. Well, the time for evaluating my decisions has arrived.

??? How have I done ???

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Good Friday with Pope Francis:

Celebratiing Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 39

At the Chrism Mass which our Bishop celebrated this year on Tuesday morning with the priests of the Diocese and many of the laity, the scene of the priests re-affirming their commitment to Christ and His Church was very moving. While priests don’t make “temporary” promises but are rather ordained for service in the Church for their lifetime, it is still a heartening symbol to renew promises made many, many years ago. Somewhat like married couples do on their anniversary.

This holy season of Lent is a perfect time for each of us to renew our faith in God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

??? Do I take the time to thank God for the gift of faith He has blessed my life with ???

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Good Friday:

Stations of the Cross: 12:00 noon




Liturgy of the Lord's Passion with Holy Communion: 6:00pm

Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 38

Anyone ever laugh at you? Literally?

That’s ok. Not everyone is going to like us and different people have a variety of ways of letting us know they are not in agreement with us. They may not like they way we dress, how we drive, where we live, how we raise our family, who our friends are. They may not even approve of or accept our commitment to faith in Christ.

So be it. That’s not why we are here anyway. We are here for His purpose. For Him to use us at His will. If we have that truth skewered let’s work on it, set it aright.

God created us to serve as He served. True love lies in service to others. Let ‘em laugh all they want.

??? Can I name of moment during this day when I have been of service ???

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Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 37

Someone in New Jersey won the Powerball numbers last weekend. Can you imagine winning over 200 million dollars (after taxes)? Talk about a piggy bank!

On this same weekend, our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, delivered his Palm Sunday homily at St. Peter’s before a throng of over 100,000 faithful. One of the comments he made was: “a shroud doesn’t have pockets”.

What I have is who I am; and that I do take with me.

But before I take it with me…

??? Do I share with anyone who I am - as a person of faith ???

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41 years:

Holy Week in 2 minutes:

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The Sacrament of Penance (Confession) isn't about how bad we are but about how good God is.


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Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 36

It was last year that Pope Benedict XVI announced that this would be a Year of Faith, a time for us to commit ourselves to evangelizing the world around us. The Holy Father called us to use the gifts we have, from the smallest gift or talent to the greatest, and to lend these same gifts to build up knowledge and commitment to Christ in today’s world.

Jesus Christ not only calls us to Himself but also sends us out as evangelizers, that is, as a people of faith who want to bring and/or deepen that same faith in others. Married couples do that with each other, families accomplish that within their homes, and out and out it stretches like ripples on a lake.

We begin with ourselves, touching those we love and making a difference as often as we can.

??? Do I allow any thought or any thing to discourage me from living for Him ???

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Tips for Holy Week:

Dogwood Dash: 2013 ... 5K ... March 23rd ...

To support our Parish Free Clinic: Our Lady of the Angels Clinic at St. Joseph and to assist our Parish Caring and Sharing ministry to the hungry and poor of our community:

Palm Sunday:

Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 35

Do you recognize the name “Joe Weider”? He was a bodybuilding pioneer and publisher who built up a multi-million dollar empire. He started out as a scrawny kid who sculpted himself with exercise during his teen years because he was tired of being roughed up by neighborhood hooligans. His commitment to his own personal growth and strength and power led him to a full life which ended this past weekend at the age of 93.

It is our weaknesses that He bears and He builds them up through our faith in Him. He transforms our weaknesses because we admit to them and we turn them over to Him that He might use them for good. In our failures, our frustrations, our greatest fears He comes to us in His power and transforms us into His beloved.

??? Do I place limits on how God can use me for good ???

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Ode To Sleep Deprived Parents:

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Facebook fans were invited to change the lyrics of the iconic opening chorus of Carmina Burana to whatever they liked, and then the fabulous Sydney Philharmonia Choirs was asked to sing the winning entry. A huge number of entries were received about a range of topics. An Ode to Sleep Deprived Parents and was declared the winner!
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Here it is:




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Palm Sunday !!!!!!

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Lent: it's now all worth while.

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Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 34

Have you ever watched the PBS drama Downton Abby? It’s quite remarkable, really. All about relationships. Relationships among the very, very rich and relationships among those who serve the very, very rich.

The servants of the rich are quite interesting. They have their own lives, their own disappointments, histories, loves, hates, problems. Their concerns, for the most part, are not the concerns of those they serve. And that’s the way their lives are lived.

That’s not the way we live, however – and that’s not the way we serve. We serve each other because in doing so we are serving God.

??? Is there anything in my life I do begrudgingly ???

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Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 33

When I was a young priest, on Friday’s after I finished teaching my final high school class of Seniors I would visit a young man who lived a few blocks from me. He was several years younger than I was, however, he was confined to a bed after surviving a terrible automobile accident. Before my first visit I was told this young man couldn’t communicate with me (true he was unable to talk) but I was never convinced he wasn’t trying to reach me. Often, as I was walking away from his bed and toward the door, a tear would form in the corner of my eye and I would ask myself: what good am I doing coming here week after week?

I think to myself: what if God thought that about me! What good could God be doing reaching out to me day after day after day and so often I don’t let Him know how much I am in love with Him? God, thank You for not following my example.

??? Are there ways I serve God through serving others ???

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Lent 2013: Day 32

People disappoint us in a variety of ways. Some will form a friendship with us and then, all of a sudden, and with no explanation, they’re gone. It’s hurtful of course but these things happen in life. Better if they didn’t but … no, let me change that – no, it’s kinda good that it does happen. This kind of experience compels us to strengthen the depth and genuineness of all our other relationships. Some people use us, to others we’re just a temporary need fulfilled and then off they go, it happens.

Hopefully I am a much better friend to others than that. I hope so anyway. Importantly also:

??? What kind of friendship do I have with God who truly loves me ???

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Pope Francis:
One of the most dangerous things in the modern world is the "attempt to eliminate God".

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Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 31

When I was in college I had a roommate, a guy I hadn’t met before, who, when he studied, had to study OUT LOUD! Can you believe it? Everything he read, he read out loud. Omg! We shared a very small room so you can imagine. That was a difficult situation. I was annoyed of course and even shared that with him, but he explained to me he couldn’t study otherwise. Ugh!

I found a way to compromise and all went well after that.

??? How do I handle difficult situations ???

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Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 30

Over the weekend and for the past few days I have been uncommonly sick. Monstrously ill. I was in such terrible shape that I had to cancel Mass which I never do unless I’m away. It was a horrible experience but I am happy that I am moving through to the end. I did go ahead last evening with a class I regularly teach. A few times I thought I would pass out but I don’t think anyone guessed how sick I actually was.

What made the evening worth it was a response I received after I had gone home and was about to prepare for sleep. The doorbell rang. Friends with chicken noodle soup.

??? How am I at noticing the pains of others and responding to them ???

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Interesting:

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Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 29

For centuries the Church has offered for our growth in Christ what it calls the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Without going over each one, (you can always look them up) the purpose of us being aware of these expectations is to remind us that we have responsibilities on this earth. We are not born to simply “take” of the many gifts of the earth but also to return from what we receive. A movement from being selfish toward exercising generosity.

??? Do I tend to expect and take more than I give or am I a generous person ???

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Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day:

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Pope Francis address the world Media Saturday:

Addressing the media as “dear friends”,
Pope Francis spoke of how the role of mass media continues to grow and how it is indispensible for telling the stories of contemporary society. The Pope thanked the media for the service they have rendered over these past days, jokingly remarking on how hard the media has been working. He spoke about the complexity of recounting historical events like the election of a pope and of how important it is to present such an event in the light of Faith. “The Church” – he said – “does not respond to an earthly logic” and can be difficult to communicate effectively because “the nature of the Church is spiritual, not political”. This is the only perspective in which the work of the Church can be presented, said Pope Francis.

“Christ”, he continued, “is the centre, not the Successor of Peter…Christ is the reference point at the heart of the Church, without Him, Peter and the Church would not exist”. The protagonist of all these events, said the Pope, is the Holy Spirit: “it was He who inspired the decision of Benedict XVI for the good of the Church, it was He who inspired the choice of the Cardinals”. It is important to keep this in mind, he added, as we try to interpret the events of the past few days.

Pope Francis then reflected on what he called the “trinity of communication: Truth, Goodness and Beauty”. “We are not called to communicate ourselves, but this trinity…the Church exists to communicate Truth, Goodness and Beauty”.

The Pope then departed from his prepared speech to recount why he chose the name “Francis”. Some people, he said, still don’t understand whether he named himself after Francis Xavier or Francis De Sales or St Francis of Assisi. He described how, during the conclave, he was seated beside the Archbishop Emeritus of Sao Paolo and Cardinal Claudio Hummes, a close friend of his. “When the matter became dangerous” – said Pope Francis – “he comforted me”. And when the votes were being counted and it was clear the Pope had been elected, the Cardinals began to applaud and Cardinal Hummes “embraced me and kissed me and said: ‘Don’t forget the poor’…and that struck me…the poor…Immediately I thought of St Francis of Assisi…Francis was a man of peace, a man of poverty, a man who loved and protected creation.” That, said Pope Francis, is how the name came to mind. “How I would love a Church that is poor and for the poor” – he added.

The Pope then continued his account of the name choice by saying how some had suggested he take the name Pope Adrian, because of his association with reforming the Church. And in reference to the fact that he is a Jesuit, the Pope added how others said he should call himself Clement XV to get back at Clement XIV who suppressed the Society of Jesus in 1773…
Pope Francis concluded his encounter with representatives of mass media from all round the world by extending his best wishes to them, their work and their families.

He imparted his apostolic blessing, however, in silence – out of respect, he said, for the fact that “not everyone present belongs to the Catholic faith and others do not believe.” “I respect the conscience of each one of you”, he said, “knowing that each one of you is a Child of God.May God bless you”.

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Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 28

The last week of February an Idaho man was charged with federal assault for allegedly slapping a crying 2 yr old and calling him a racial slur on a flight from Minneapolis to Atlanta. The Mom, Jessica Bennett, told investigators that the man who struck her son, Jonah, seemed drunk and was openly hostile. Although Jessica took her child to the back of the plane she had to return to her seat for landing. Jonah began crying because the altitude change hurt his ears. That’s when the passenger next to them went ballistic.
The man was arrested and lost his job as an executive with AGC.

We can find a lack of respect just about anywhere these days. Planes, buses, trains, schools, jobs, homes.

??? Do I ever find myself on the edge of being disrespectful to someone ???

Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 27

A major explosion from a natural gas leak destroyed a popular restaurant and engulfed a shopping center in a raging fire a few weeks ago in Kansas City. One person dead, 16 injured, one missing. After diners and neighboring restaurants smelled gas, authorities were alerted and the utility company carried out an inspection. No evacuation was ordered and almost an hour later the diner was leveled by the explosion. One employee said, “I thought I was going to die.”

??? You probably don’t want to at this moment - but - are you ready to die ???

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The First 24 Hours:

The Pope rides the bus with the Cardinals:

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Pope Francis picks up his things and pays his bill in the pre-conclave motel:

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The Pope preaches at his frist Mass today with the Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel:

Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 26

The state of Mississippi just recently ratified the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery – 148 years late. Through a bazaar lack of communication and inspection and notification, the state’s position was never made official.

While this is definitely a major faux pas, I was wondering .. . do you ever forget to carry out anything important?

??? How’s your memory today ???

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What is our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, really like:

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Looks like a very humble man ...

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Pope Francis and his parents:

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Pope Francis ...

“To those who are now promising to fix all your problems, I say, ‘Go and fix yourself.’ . . . Have a change of heart. Get to confession, before you need it even more! The current crisis will not be improved by magicians from outside the country and nor will [improvement] come from the golden mouth of our politicians, so accustomed to making incredible promises.”

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White Smoke, White Smoke, White Smoke

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St. Francis, pray for us!

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Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 25

The former mayor of San Diego has admitted to taking more than $2 million from a charity set up by her late husband, after wagering more than $1 billion in the course of a 10-yr long gambling addiction. Maureen O’Connor, 66, pleaded not guilty to money laundering saying she had turned to “grief-gambling” to deal with the death of her late husband.

Personal tragedy and sorry can touch everyone one of us. We attempt to deal with it the best way available to us. When the going gets too tough, where do we go then?

??? Where do I turn when the going gets tough ???

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3 ballots down, 2 more today:

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Sure... you can read this:

Ain't it the Truth:

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For the first time in HISTORY:

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A Pope emeritus watches the results of a Conclave:
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a

Wednesday Morning: not yet!

Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent 2013: Day 24

Recently a nationalist politician in Russia, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, proposed that such things as overeating and “excessive” sex should be banned in his country because they are to blame for the low life expectancy there. “In America, Europe and Japan they live a much longer life, why should we die early here?” he said to those gathered.

No doubt there are many things which contribute to a short life span.

I believe one of the culprits is a confused, aching, empty spirit. A heart without God is a heart without joy.

??? Would I say that I live a blessed life ???

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Grand Marshalls: St. Patrick's Day Parade

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Little Sisters of the Poor share the spotlight:
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in Baltimore, Maryland
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Hey, Sister:

Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist from Ann Arbor, Mich appear on the TV show: American Bible Challenge:
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I would love to know what Jeff ("you might be a redneck, if...) Foxworthy (on the right of the picture) is thinking at this moment.

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Celebrating Lent: 2013

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Lent: 2013: Day 23

Did you hear about the British woman who gave up cigarettes on her 102nd Birthday!!!!!
After listening for years about the dangers of smoking she finally heard the words! And she didn’t want to die, not just yet. IF cigarettes would shorten her life, she was through with them… and so she quit. Her name is Clara Cowell and it is estimated that in her lifetime she had smoked over 60,000 cigarettes since she started in 1931. Wow.

As much as I love this life, I desire eternal life even more. I try my best to not enjoy the cigarettes of sin. Sometimes I fail, ugh, but sometimes I hang in there.

Lord, help me today to avoid the smoking mirrors of this life.

??? Do I have any cigarettes burning in my home ???

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The Prodigal Son:

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I will return to my father and say to him: "Father I have sinned ...
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Celebrating Lent

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Lent 2013: Day 22

TV, Catholic TV anyway, is dedicating much of its air time these days to the coming election of a new Pope. Interviews with those who know so and so; what do you think of this Cardinal; should he be Italian… all of these questions, observations, etc are responding to the interests of people all over the world.

I’m not certain I have my favorites, no… actually I don’t. What is uppermost in my thoughts is that the man to be elected as Pope will be one who is as much like Christ as any man can be. Certainly he must have other qualities as well but I want this new Vicar of Christ to reflect the person of Christ first and foremost.

We are all created to become like Christ. But this one man who stands in the place of Christ for us, must reflect the image of Christ in a most engaging way.

??? Am I praying that the Holy Spirit guide these Cardinals in their choice ???

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Where the Cardinals are from:

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