When I passed Saint Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Clinton Township, Michigan, earlier today on my way to the library, appointments, the hospital, and a few meetings, I was proud and pleased to see the waving red, white and blue.
After all, it's the U.S. flag that the military personnel presented to my dear parents when we buried, PFC. Lukas Ventline, my brother, who died in Vietnam this day 46 years ago.
That distinguished flag decorated the space over the balcony door where I live in the pastoral Harrison Township where about 25,000 residents relish their boats and other water toys on the bright blue, frozen now, Lake Saint Clair.
Running, bicycling, or, walking my dogs daily is a treat in this town.
Yet, all that that precious flag symbolizes, I cherish mostly.
I do.
The oldest of seven, with two sets of twins, my parents were farmers in Port Austin and Cheboygan, MI., before they came to the Motor City of Detroit to find work in the automotive industries not far from that diverse and 'model' city of Hamtramck, a diverse community like Dearborn.
Hamtramck became home of many immigrants from Poland in the 50s when dad worked at the Dodge Plant, and, the Budd Company, while today immigrants are emerging from elsewhere, including the Middle East, Bosnia, Albania, South Asia, and more.
Red, white and blue stripes astound me.
Like all symbols, my flag flies high for freedom, and more.
In it I see my dead brother, the oldest of seven of us who grew up on Detroit east side.
And, even though it represents less today than I've witnessed over the decades, I still love this Nation.
I am a proud American.
And, I will stand up when I see injustice that brings tears to my eyes.
Tirelessly, I wonder what's happening to my land, my home, my flag and all that it represents
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Families and Faith
Drawing from a four-decade study of 350 families, authors Vern Bengston and Norella Putney and Susan Harris, professors of the University of Southern California, show how faith is passed on from generation to generation in their tome of 267 pages, Families and Faith: How Religion Is Passed Down Across Generations.
Parental influence is a considerable factor in children embracing the faith demonstrated in the family early on in the life of children.
Family and faith is deeply entwined, beyond a cultural assumption that it is solely an individual choice.
Strengthening the bonds of one may enhance the continuity of the other.
The millennial generation is largely influenced by parents who practiced no faith in the family.
This book merits a close read by pastors, and, others.
Parental influence is a considerable factor in children embracing the faith demonstrated in the family early on in the life of children.
Family and faith is deeply entwined, beyond a cultural assumption that it is solely an individual choice.
Strengthening the bonds of one may enhance the continuity of the other.
The millennial generation is largely influenced by parents who practiced no faith in the family.
This book merits a close read by pastors, and, others.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Voice of Faithful
Thomas Hinsberg is a well-known leader in Metro Detroit.
He asserts that the reason for the reduction in abortions is the use of contraceptives, Catholic teaching opposing them, yet ignored by 80 percent of American Catholics.
He asserts that the reason for the reduction in abortions is the use of contraceptives, Catholic teaching opposing them, yet ignored by 80 percent of American Catholics.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Sixty-five
With my twin sister, Patti, 65 years of living are celebrated Feb. 9th.
She's older, of course by a few minutes.
Ladies first, you know!
Over this time I've learned:
1) Life is short, live it to the fullest;
2) To keep it positive since others may want to dwell on the negatives side of life's roller-coaster like desolation and consolation;
3) Without prayer, I am a noisy gong and an empty cymbal to paraphrase Paul from the Christian scriptures;
4) Rest is as vital as exercise to wellness;
5) Laughter makes the trek most enjoyable;
6) Envy, jealousy and other evils run rampant. But, goodness has the final word with God.
7) Relating is most important in building bridges, and more.
8) Being a pastor and a counselor 37 years affords me the luxury to watch people mend and morph.
9) Good news is that, GOOD!
10) Keep life simple and move ahead giving and forgiving all the way to heaven, unless one has other plans.
11) What goes around, comes around. It does!
12) Prayer does work. Asking allows me to receive from the Maker who is so generous, praise be to God all the time.
13) Even when it seemed that I had little, I had enough.
She's older, of course by a few minutes.
Ladies first, you know!
Over this time I've learned:
1) Life is short, live it to the fullest;
2) To keep it positive since others may want to dwell on the negatives side of life's roller-coaster like desolation and consolation;
3) Without prayer, I am a noisy gong and an empty cymbal to paraphrase Paul from the Christian scriptures;
4) Rest is as vital as exercise to wellness;
5) Laughter makes the trek most enjoyable;
6) Envy, jealousy and other evils run rampant. But, goodness has the final word with God.
7) Relating is most important in building bridges, and more.
8) Being a pastor and a counselor 37 years affords me the luxury to watch people mend and morph.
9) Good news is that, GOOD!
10) Keep life simple and move ahead giving and forgiving all the way to heaven, unless one has other plans.
11) What goes around, comes around. It does!
12) Prayer does work. Asking allows me to receive from the Maker who is so generous, praise be to God all the time.
13) Even when it seemed that I had little, I had enough.
World Marriage Day
On this Fifth Anniversary of the signing and enacting of the Macomb County, MI., Community Marriage Covenant Policy, this second Sunday of February is proclaimed, World Marriage Day.
Since Americans never do enough for marriage and family, here's another effort at enhancing this revered foundation of our society.
With Valentine's Day in the wings, Feb. 14th, all the more that the globe celebrates marriage.
Hearts, bird and roses are emblems of love.
In 1981, World Marriage Day began in Baton Rouge, La., with couples inviting their local bishop and mayor to proclaim Valentine's Day as "We Believe in Marriage Day."
More celebrating of marriage will occur March 9th at 3 pm in Big Jack's in Roseville, MI., and also on Thursday, June 19th at 4:45 in the Warren, MI., Civic Center Atrium with countless clergy, marital advocates, and civic leaders, including Warren Mayor Jim Fouts who will address participants after the opening prayer June 19th.
DVDs celebrating family will be produced for airing at this event to show how festive families are today.
The public is welcome.
Since Americans never do enough for marriage and family, here's another effort at enhancing this revered foundation of our society.
With Valentine's Day in the wings, Feb. 14th, all the more that the globe celebrates marriage.
Hearts, bird and roses are emblems of love.
In 1981, World Marriage Day began in Baton Rouge, La., with couples inviting their local bishop and mayor to proclaim Valentine's Day as "We Believe in Marriage Day."
More celebrating of marriage will occur March 9th at 3 pm in Big Jack's in Roseville, MI., and also on Thursday, June 19th at 4:45 in the Warren, MI., Civic Center Atrium with countless clergy, marital advocates, and civic leaders, including Warren Mayor Jim Fouts who will address participants after the opening prayer June 19th.
DVDs celebrating family will be produced for airing at this event to show how festive families are today.
The public is welcome.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Welcome to Michigan
Rabbi Yisrael Pinson was seen touring Detroit's first Chabad House in Midtown Sunday.
Good for him.
Outreach and support is the aim of the worldwide Chabad movement for Jews to throw out the welcome mat to other Jews in the neighborhood.
Young people is also the focus of the good Rabbi. His aim is narrow here and that can be most productive.
Thanks be to Yahweh!
The generation of promise will do this.
They will help build Detroit.
They will. And, Rabbi Pinson knows this.
Good for him.
Outreach and support is the aim of the worldwide Chabad movement for Jews to throw out the welcome mat to other Jews in the neighborhood.
Young people is also the focus of the good Rabbi. His aim is narrow here and that can be most productive.
Thanks be to Yahweh!
The generation of promise will do this.
They will help build Detroit.
They will. And, Rabbi Pinson knows this.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Contraceptive Culture Cannot Stop Rolling of Lowest Abortion Rate Since '73
Abortion is down.
That number has descended to 1.06 million in 2011.
That's down from about 1.2 million in 2008 according to the Guttmacher Institute.
They wouldn't have a reason to lie since Guttmacher supports abortion access.
A double standard is upheld by the media who savor Pope Francis' tone on controversial issues, but, with abortion, the media chooses to spill little if any ink or digital notice on the pope's opposition to abortion.
The generation of promise marched by millions in Washington, D.C. this past January on the anniversary of the memorial holocaust taking of human life.
They will win this battle to end destruction of life in and outside the womb.
They will.
That number has descended to 1.06 million in 2011.
That's down from about 1.2 million in 2008 according to the Guttmacher Institute.
They wouldn't have a reason to lie since Guttmacher supports abortion access.
A double standard is upheld by the media who savor Pope Francis' tone on controversial issues, but, with abortion, the media chooses to spill little if any ink or digital notice on the pope's opposition to abortion.
The generation of promise marched by millions in Washington, D.C. this past January on the anniversary of the memorial holocaust taking of human life.
They will win this battle to end destruction of life in and outside the womb.
They will.
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