Family

Nine of us made up our family on Detroit's east side.
Two sets of twins kept my parents hopping.
There never was a dull day.

Our family was active.

Meaningful activity kept us going.
The Church celebrates family today at Mass.

We need family.
It is the foundation of society.
Family develops as members give, forgive and prays.
The new year gives us pause to ponder family and its role today.
May we never take family for granted.
Never.

erry Christmas!

Dear Jesus,
Happy birthday!
This daily connection with You in prayer reduced high blood pressure 43 percent conclude in a study.
Hello!
What did they expect?
Of course, my believing in you amounts to more than any other gifts I may get, or want.
Of course, following you causes happiness and joy.
You show us the way to live for you are the way, truth and abundant life.
You save us from the grip of sin and death.
You do!
Thank you.
And thanks for Christmas.
Amen.

Holiday Hope

Amid a culture of terror and death we need this Christmas.

We do.

With so much carnage of human life, including children, Christmas presses for upholding of human life in and outside of the womb.

It does.

Jesus taught peace and showed it in his life.

Nonviolence was his way.

It needs to be our way as well in a world gone mad.

Will we step up to press for life?

Race Relations

Do we need a discussion on race relations?

Clergy met Monday conversing about that while the Hamtramck Police Chief hosted a national documentary crew on police brutality.

Of course it's painful to open this unhealed wound.

Who wants to talk about this festering feeling surrounding this nation?

Leaders need to converse.

That seemed to be among conclusions Monday as clergy met in a Think Tank Theological Reflection session.

Imam Ali Elahi of the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights, MI., mentioned that serious wisdom beyond talk alone is needed now on race relations.

What are the options?

Rite of Anointing and Pastoral Care of the Sick

Father Bogdan Milosz called me the other days requesting help at the 5 pm Mass in Saint Faustina Church in Warren, Michigan tomorrow.

Of course, my reply was positive.

Healing is always a good thing.

It is.

With so much fracture across the globe, we all could use a dose of God's saving grace.

After all, Jesus "went about doing good and healing" (Acts. 10:38).

He did.

At Mass, those prayed with are nourished with the anointing oil of the sick, the Word of God and the Eucharist, for sure.

The healing power of this sacrament resounds across the globe for all to benefit.

Hurrying, Busy Pilgrims

With the holidays upon us, hurry, busy, and more seem to be the signature words as pilgrims rush everywhere, it seems. Is busy and hurry the new addiction? Everyone I meet seems to be in a hurry and in a rush. Makes me wonder how my parents raised seven of us when I never heard them say, "I'm too busy." What gives? Are we so busy? In such a rush?