Friday, January 30, 2015

Town Hall Hears about Global Alliance to Terminate Al-Queda

They came.

They listened.

And, the crowd heard about the Global Alliance to Terminate Al-Queda.

That is, G.A.F.T.A.

Hamtramck, MI., Police Chief Maxwell Garbarino was on hand to take questions, and, like others, to learn about G.A.F.T.A., among other issues residents raised about the 2.2 square mile enclave situated between Highland Park and Detroit, MI.

Five gentlemen from Dearborn Heights, MI., arrived to tell all about G.A.F.T.A..

Their aim with education and awareness is to end Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

For ever.  For good.

Impassioned they were as they fielded questions.

And, although their aims seemed to be small with the insurmountable force they intend to contend with, determination filled the presenting volunteers who go to colleges, and, elsewhere to talk to anyone who will listed.

Hosted by the VENT-Line Interfaith Center for Coaching and Counseling, the Care of the Soul and Companions All-Faiths Festival that is based at 2231 Caniff in Hamtramck, MI., 48212, another Town Hall is planned for March, 2015.

They came,and, they  listened to the audience, and, they are deeply troubled by the demonic deeds of ISIS and Al-Quea.   Google GAFTA form more, or, to be a member of the growing, global initiative.


Saturday, January 24, 2015

MARRIAGE MENTORING, MORE

The Delite Deli and Cafe in Hamtramck, MI., will host a gathering of engaged and married young adults on Valentine's Day, February 14th from 5 pm.

Join me.

They need our support and encouragement as clergy, among others, enhance their communication skills, tach them how to resolve conflict, and more.

Call me at (313) 530 2777, or visit me at the Vent-Line Interfaith Center for Coaching and Counseling, 2231 Caniff, Hamtramck, MI., 48212.

Then, make plans now to join me at Celina's Polish Kitchen in St. Clair Shores, on Tuesday, March 17th, from 12 noon - 6 pm,  the feast of Saint Patrick, for a good ole Irish party.  All are welcome but I do need reservations since the place comfortably holds about 20 people, although people will come and go those hours, OK?

It will be fun!

And, fun in the middle of Winter is welcomed.

For sure!

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Declaration to Save the Children

Children have a fundamental, natural, human right, as far as possible, to know and to be loved and cared for by their married mother and father.

They do!

And, even though I firmly believe that the only right any of us has, and, in particular, Christians,  IS THE RIGHT TO LOVE, when it comes to family, children are getting lost in the latest addiction - speed, "too busy" excuses, trafficking, and more.

They are!

Indeed.


In fact.

How sad.

The abundant life is what Jesus came for -- those who witnessed him first hand, noted in the Good Book.

However, the epidemic of babies being conceived out of wedlock needs to be addressed again.

Or, else.

The community's spiritual and economic base, and more, will continue to erode.

And, the soul of this nation will continue to ebb.

For sure.

Join me from 5:30-7 PM,  Thursday, June 29, 2015 in the Hamtramck, MI., Public Library for a town hall meeting on this topic, Global Alliance for the Termination of Al Queda (GAFTA), marriage mentoring, and, volunteers in prevention (VIP) of the rising epidemic of child trafficking.

Keeping our children safe is a full-time task for this entire village.

It is.

Banning together in communion will move us forward.

For sure.



Friday, January 16, 2015

Auto Show

I like the buzz of people at the car show in my Detroit.

I do.

And, looking at new designs is a thrill.

It is.

The world auto show showing off in Motown.

What a wonder!

Everyone seems to be there.

But me.

Perhaps tomorrow or the day after I will get in line and review the cars.

Don't want to miss the show.

No way!

Dr. King, Jr.

I have a dream.

Those words of the iconic Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., ring loud in my heart and soul.

They do.

A dream delayed, however.

It is.

With ISIS now and a seemingly ambiguous decisiveness to take them out on the part of our Commander in Chief, I have to wonder about the dream.

King wondered whether his four little children would be judged by the content of their character rather than by the color of their skin.

He did.

I still wonder.

Steps forward.

More back, it seems.

Yet, the evergreen virtue of hope hastens my steadfast to keep on walking the talk, the dream.

Yes!

Amid so many children left out, pressed down and poor, how can one not wonder.

With the normalization of illegitimate children spiking daily, who will speak for them when their parents abandon, fathers forget, and moms are left carrying the child in the womb and outside it.

Teetering marital relationships must be addressed in a politically-correct culture that has some attorney wanting to crush commitments, and, the I do!





Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Father Ed Popielarz' March 4, 11, & 18th, 12 Noon-1:15 pm Class in Acceptance in Hamtramck, MI., Public Library

Each problem or issue is an interpersonal one.

It is.

Love of money, power and sex are symbols of HAVING.

Freedom, creativity and sharing are signs of the Spirit of God at work in BEING.

Consequently, when issues emerge as they will for all of us, I recall CONTACT, RECOGNITION AND ACQUAINTANCE.

When I am in doubt, I need to communicate.  Communication begins with a clear intention, and, an honest motivation of my aim in any and all relating with others.

Interrupting another when she or he is speaking violates their sacredness and made "image and likeness in God."

It does.

Acceptance is an art of relating.

It is the key to freedom, productivity and sharing.

It is the supreme resolver of fear.

Any fear and all fears I carry that Jesus claims are useless in the Gospels need to go and be released for true freedom.

Acceptance is a covenant (an agreement) of freedom like God's rapport with each of us that is sealed in love.  God's love.

A class in acceptance "grows" participants to allow everyone to be who they are - warts and all, the late founder and teacher of the class taught weekly at my home parish of the late Saint Thomas the Apostle on Detroit's east side.

When I accept, I let God change others.  I refrain from trying to change anyone.  I only look at myself because if someone irritates me, I am lacking in some virtue (strength) like faith, hope charity, prudence, fortitude, justice, temperance, or patience (long-suffering).

A mentor for me as my boyhood pastor, Father Pops taught me much.

Join me as I lead a class in acceptance in the Hamtramck Public Library, 2360 Caniff, 48212, March 4, 11, & 18 from 12 noon-1:15 pm.  Reserve now since space is limited.

It is an opportunity to center myself in God and my neighbor.  Here, I will remember what I want to be and live by. "I need you to grow myself," voiced Father Popielarz in the class he led as I listened long.


Friday, January 2, 2015

HAMTRAMCK, MICHIGAN SOUP

IT'S A COMMUNITY POTLUCK RAISING MONEY AND SUPPORT FOR PROJECTS BENEFITTING HAMTRAMCK.

AND, IT MEETS SUNDAY, JANUARY 11 AT 4:30 pm AT 3901 CHRISTOPHER OFF OF CONANT.

Write Hamtramck@DetroitSOUP.com for more information, or, to send a proposal with your project name and description, how the project benefits Hamtramck, how you will spend SOUP funding to carry out the proposed project, what is the time frame for the project and how will project's progress be commuicted at future SOUP sessions?

Submit online at DetroitSOUP.com/HAMTRAMCK, OR,
DELIVER IT TO CAFE 1923, 2287 Holbrook, OR THE HAMTRAMCK PUBLIC LIBRARY, 2360 CANIFF.

Those who bring a plate of food or soup to pass may take a minute to promote an event, business, organization, or, a cause.  E-mail the food name you will bring.