St John Berchmans, patron of Altar Servers motivates us to encourage our young people to serve god from their earliest days.
Gary Packer is remembered today, he would have been 66 had he lived. May he rest in peace. Linda Doyle and son Matt are remembered today. They drowned in 1991. May they rest in peace.
Today Read Hosea 1 RIAY Day 225 Bring it to Jesus Meditations for Each Day pg.323: Work & Worry
If I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all comes to mind this morning. The SUV went to the shop, I got a loaner. The tires that were put on in May were replaced, due to a bulge, that was creating driving issues. Then low and behold another coil was found broken. The Walker coil company still refuses to respond to my emails so I made a separate post regarding them and tagged it. Meanwhile, I hit a deer with the loaner. I swear I’ve had enough of this. I find out the damages today.
St Euplius died rather than reject the Gospels, reminding us of how easily we may access God’s word today.
Birthday greetings to Lukus R, who is 11 today. Anniversary “30” greetings to Shell & Vic.
Today Read Hosea Introduction RIAY Day 224 Intentions to the Father Meditations for Each Day, pg.321 “Christian Optimism” As long as we work entirely for God and accept as His will the outcome of our efforts, everything will go well for us even when it seems to be going badly.
Nice surprise yesterday, not the transmission, it was the tires (bought in May). They will be replaced today. Should still be under warranty.
Dr this morning. Blood test and left knee check-up. Easy afternoon on the books. Ebony let me pick her up last evening. She also decided the man was okay to play with her.
In The News: • President Trump took control of the DC Police and activated 800 National Guard. His aim is to crack down on criminals and move “Homeless Encampments” away from the Capital by finding them another place to be. • China’s tariff pause has been extended for 90 days • The largest youth gender clinic has shuttered, and programs across the nation are pausing or halting medicalized treatments. • Chipmakers Nvidia & Advanced Micro Devices will pay a 15% fee to the US government in exchange for export licenses to ship vital AI chips to China. • Uncontained wildfires are still burning across the US & Canada, creating air quality issues.
A Snippet of Family History Children of Roger & Catherine (Kelley) Cummings James J & Josephine (Ryan) Cummings Julia Cummings (Mrs. Tom Farrell) Kathryn Cummings (Mrs. OHara) Mayme Cummings (Mrs Jim Dobbins) Thomas & Hannah(Behan) Cummings
St Clare, founder of the Poor Clares, teaches us selfless dedication to Christ.
Today Read Amos 9. This is the end of the Book of Amos. Tomorrow we will begin Hosea. RIAY Day 223: Now and at the Death The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood, pg. 120, “My Triumph is at Hand”. This is the last entry in the book. We will begin again in January of 2026. Meditations for Each Day, pg. 320 “The Parable of the Talents”We are all servants to whom our heavenly Father has entrusted various talents. Some have been given more than others. By our own labour and industry, we must all make profitable use of the talents which we have received. The ungrateful and slothful servant who does not make good use of his talents will be severely punished. But a happy reward awaits the good and faithful servant who has worked zealously all his life for his Master’s interests until the talents which he has received have produced an increase of sanctity in himself and in others.
Good Morning!
Once again, Monday has arrived. I’m no further ahead than I was last week. This has a tendency to become quite depressing as I look at the short number of weeks left in 2025. There is no possible way the to-do list will be completed before snow flies. It seems that the list is only important to me. It seems the list has only been important to me for the past 6 years. That’s how old the 1st item on the list is. We won’t even calculate the age of some of the items that have been started and left unfinished. I apparently have a different set of “must get done” than anyone else has.
Work continues on the Family History information. Frankly, I’m not even sure why I am worried about that. Once I’m gone, there doesn’t appear to be anyone interested in continuing on with it.
Ah, yes, the complaining day. Nuff said before I talk myself into being depressed.
Today we remember Stevie Blaha may he rest in peace. He would have been 73 today.
St Lawrence, patron of the Poor courted martyrdom in his commitment to caring for the poor as Jesus instructed us.
Got home this morning about 0330. The trip went well. No issues. Listened to Lisa Wingate’s “Before We Were Yours” audiobook. It brought me to tears. Reading it is a must.
Ebony missed me while I was gone. She was ready to play and be stroked without coaxing. Later today I will get a collar on her.
Today Read Amos 8 RIAY Day 221 Words of an Angel St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), convert, philosopher, teacher, and martyr, exemplifies how God moves through a single devoted life. The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood, pg 118 “Women of Prayer for the World and The Salvation of Souls” Meditations for Each Day, pg 317 “Rash Judgment”
Good Morning! Another “going to be hot and muggy, sure hope it rains and cools things off” day. This finds me in the office finishing up 3 copy jobs that need to go out today. Then I am home til 7 when I head to Iowa and back. Roger may have to do adoration tomorrow morning alone at 5am. I’m thinking Mass tonight before I take off would be a good move. The large copier requires a service call due to an issue with the fuser that needs to be replaced. This has been a challenging month for fixes and repairs. Add the office space “is in total chaos” to the mix, and the day gets busier just thinking it over. Our notice regarding “M-Th only” is out. I hope we can stick to that. Ebony has finally decided it is ok for me to scratch her ears and touch her tail. I’m surprised, really thought it would take longer. The knee continues to allow me to use it with little pain, but with daily stiffness. I shake my head when I’m told walking would help. However, if I did the walking, I’d be unable to move due to pain after the first 15-minute journey. So I walk 3 minutes and count myself grateful. I’m thinking knee replacement will be on the agenda soon, whether I want it or not. Meanwhile, leg swelling continues, and the heavy chest feeling is constant, but I have been told it is not an oxygen or heart issue. No one seems to have it figured out, and frankly, I’m tired of complaining and not being heard. I continue to contend that there are too many doctors in the mix and a shortage of doctors who are really in medicine because they want to help people. Seems to be all about the dollars the medical facility can squeeze out of the bill payer. There was nothing done by any specialty doctor that could not have been done by a regular MD with the same outcome. Being a specialist means you think inside one area of the box and get little or no look at the entire health picture. Then you move it on to the primary care, who is so snowed under with reports sent to them by specialists, they don’t have enough hours in the day to give good quality care or get to know their patients on a one-to-one basis. Give me a good ole GP who really cares about people any day. Well, nuff of the complaining.
Today Read Amos 7 RIAY Day 220 Lingering in the Words The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood, pg. 117: “Do Not Resist the Will of God” Meditations for Each Day, pg. 315: “More About Almsgiving” “So our eternal salvation depends on our charity. But it must be charity in action, not merely words.” In the News: •President Trump ordered a new census that would exclude individuals who are in the US illegally. •EPA terminates $7Billion Grant Program for Solar Projects •Oklahoma agrees to end in-state tuition for Illegal immigrants •FAA plans to hire nearly 9,000 air traffic controllers •The man accused of killing Israeli Embassy Staffers indicted on federal hate crime charges
A Snippet of Family History Prayer cards from Sacred Heart School, Monticello,IA
St Cajetan teaches us that we should all seek to live the simple, faithful, prayerful, helpful life of apostles.
Today Read Amos 6 RIAY 219: A Gift of Prayer Meditations for Each Day, pg 314: It cannot be said that almsgiving is degrading because it makes the receiver inferior to the giver. This may be so if alms are given from motives of mere philanthropy. But when almsgiving is accompanied by charity and understanding, and the donor sees in the poor man the person of Jesus Christ, there is no difference of status between the two individuals. They are brothers who wish to love and help one another, since both are members of the mystical Body of Christ. In this case, it is more blessed to give than to receive.Almsgiving Christian almsgiving is the fulfilment of an obligation and is a source of merit for the giver. As for the receiver, not only are his wants relieved, but he is the means by which his wealthier brother can acquire merit and fulfil his obligations.
In the News: •The US has started imposing sweeping reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries. •President Trump’s ambitious agenda has been met with order after order from lower courts temporarily blocking him. Many of those have been lifted by the Supreme Court, handing Trump several wins and raising questions about how lower courts have been handling his cases. •Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said she believes extraterrestrial aliens may exist and acknowledges that the US government holds classified information on the subject. •Russian officials have expressed a desire to meet with President Trump. The White House said Trump is open to meeting both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. •There is transformative power in weekly family meetings.
The Transfiguration, thru his, Jesus demonstrated that He was God’s chosen, the One known even by Moses & Elijah
Today Read Amos 5 RIAY Day 218: Walking with Mary Meditations for Each Day, pg 312, Riches and PovertyThere is a striking contrast between the luxurious living of wealthy people who waste their money on pleassure and amusement and the abject poverty of those who are without food, clothing, and shelter. This is in complete contradiction of the Gospel message which has proclaimed that we are all brothers…It was in this sense that Jesus blessed the poor and condemned the rich. He is referring to the poor man who has enough to supply his needs, is detached from worldly possessions, uses his poverty to assist him in his journy towards Heaven, and is happy or at any rate content. But He condemns the rich man who squanders his wealth on selfish amusement and is deaf to the entreaties of those in need.
In the News •HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that 22 mRNA vaccine development contracts are being canceled and redirected “because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu.. •Crime is dropping across the board in the US, according to new statistics released by the federal Bureau of Investigation. •Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed to seek judicial orders declaring “runaway Democrats” as having vacated their elected office if they do not return to the state House by Friday, when it reconvenes. He asked a court to remove a top Democrat (House Democratic chair Rep. Gene Wu) shortly after. •The Brazilian Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to be placed under house arrest as he undergoes trial over an alleged plot to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election results. •Health: Hair loss is a sign of internal imbalances. Natural medicine can help reverse it.
A Snippet of Family History
1942 Birthday poem from Irene to her mother “Mother”! the word that brings sweet music to one’s ears, “Mother”! a sweet voice calling to me throughout the years. The sound of rippling water in a tiny, clear blue stream. The rustle of the angel’s wings in the sweet baby’s dream. The glories and the brightness of the rising sun. The robin’s peaceful”goodnight song” when the day is done. The loveliest rose that anyone could bring. The sweetest song that a perfect voice could sing. All the worldly beauties that I hear or see, Could never express what you could to me. signed “Your loving daughter, Irene
In the "Wilds of Wisconsin & Cornfields of Iowa" 