Gene Schabath, a former Detroit News reporter, writes about Families Against Narcotics (http://www.familiesagainstnarcotics.org/) in the Fall edition of the Macomb Now Magazine.
"This is a bona fide, community-based organization that has taken dead aim at the epidemic of drug overdose and drug deaths in "tidy" little communicities such as Clinton Township and Fraser," Schabath writes.
According to the story, Clinton Township District Court Judge Linda Davis and her neighbor who was a Fraser police officer voiced concern and united over the "drug overdoses of neighborhood kids spiraling out of control."
Alerting people to Percodan, Oxycotin and Vicodin - legalized forms of heroin - the writer notes that they're called heroin-light.
Christ United Methodist Church at 34385 Garfield in Fraser (between 14 and 15 Mile Road)
hosts FAN the third Tuesday of each month from 7-9 pm.
Former drug addicts and parents of children who died from drug overdoses speak at the gatherings, Schabath reports.
This epidemic merits attention of all local residents and beyond.
Another death of a teen to overdose is not what we need.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Jane Eyre's Clarion Call for Truth
A couple of nurses who participated in my spiritual aerobics sessions months ago noticed me browsing the DVD's of the Clinton-Macomb Library in Clinton Township, Michigan.
After greetings, they aimed for the theatre to view the latest Jane Eyre's video.
Minutes later, I followed along to watch it, given that I usually get recommendations from others before I go to view any movie. Both inspired me to take time to recreate. And, I'm glad I did.
Truth seems to concern Jane when she meets the coldness of Edward Rochester who enjoys her company for more reasons than one.
After all, Jane flees Thornfield House where she did chores as a governess for Ed who pushes the young woman's resilience. After a rigor of discipline and abuse as an orphan years earlier, Jane's personality is forged from the suffering and empathy she learned to endure and feel in all she met.
The pastoral wildness of the fields and its haunting dark that brings up her past life shows up throughout the two-hour drama and romance, including violence.
In retrospect and reflection upon her storied life, Jane recovers her spontaneity and curiousity.
Jane even returns to Mr. Rochester despite the roller-coaster-like relationship. That return includes a visit back to the terrible secret that Ed keeps under cover.
Truth told, this is one worth watching. Both main character morph and mend much.
After greetings, they aimed for the theatre to view the latest Jane Eyre's video.
Minutes later, I followed along to watch it, given that I usually get recommendations from others before I go to view any movie. Both inspired me to take time to recreate. And, I'm glad I did.
Truth seems to concern Jane when she meets the coldness of Edward Rochester who enjoys her company for more reasons than one.
After all, Jane flees Thornfield House where she did chores as a governess for Ed who pushes the young woman's resilience. After a rigor of discipline and abuse as an orphan years earlier, Jane's personality is forged from the suffering and empathy she learned to endure and feel in all she met.
The pastoral wildness of the fields and its haunting dark that brings up her past life shows up throughout the two-hour drama and romance, including violence.
In retrospect and reflection upon her storied life, Jane recovers her spontaneity and curiousity.
Jane even returns to Mr. Rochester despite the roller-coaster-like relationship. That return includes a visit back to the terrible secret that Ed keeps under cover.
Truth told, this is one worth watching. Both main character morph and mend much.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Occupy Detroit at Grand Circus Park
Truth speaks to power.
Truth did last night, and, weeks now since they inhabited Grand Circus Park.
Truth speaks to power.
Merit marks their aim. Get power's attention was the goal, it seems to me.
The conversation was re-ignited.
After joining in a wedding reception and dinner in the Arab-American Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, I was pulled to the Occupy Detroit in Grand Circus Park.
In fact, Deborah Davidson, a dinner guest at the Muslim wedding sitting at the same table I did shared that "justice requires that the inequity be addressed."
"We have offers at a warehouse nearby," a Henry Ford Community College student said to me with her friend standing nearby as they packed up and began to move from the park. Their permit expires Monday, they said.
I told them I thought that Occupy Detroit has merit worth supporting despite the mixed and
varied agenda. Like society represented in a democracy, diverse accents, colors and creeds comprised the crowd of Occupy Detroit.
While other cities, such as Portland, Oregon and San Francisco seemed to be troubled, and
getting violent with police occupation, Detroit was honoring a respectful exit.
Truth is speaking to power in this example of nonviolence as they departed and packed up.
Occupy Detroit served the City I love well, thanks be to God and beautiful human beings
standing up while others simply sat a few weeks.
Truth did last night, and, weeks now since they inhabited Grand Circus Park.
Truth speaks to power.
Merit marks their aim. Get power's attention was the goal, it seems to me.
The conversation was re-ignited.
After joining in a wedding reception and dinner in the Arab-American Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, I was pulled to the Occupy Detroit in Grand Circus Park.
In fact, Deborah Davidson, a dinner guest at the Muslim wedding sitting at the same table I did shared that "justice requires that the inequity be addressed."
"We have offers at a warehouse nearby," a Henry Ford Community College student said to me with her friend standing nearby as they packed up and began to move from the park. Their permit expires Monday, they said.
I told them I thought that Occupy Detroit has merit worth supporting despite the mixed and
varied agenda. Like society represented in a democracy, diverse accents, colors and creeds comprised the crowd of Occupy Detroit.
While other cities, such as Portland, Oregon and San Francisco seemed to be troubled, and
getting violent with police occupation, Detroit was honoring a respectful exit.
Truth is speaking to power in this example of nonviolence as they departed and packed up.
Occupy Detroit served the City I love well, thanks be to God and beautiful human beings
standing up while others simply sat a few weeks.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Help Wanted
"Jobs Must be the Focus" is the topic Saturday, November 19th at 1 pm in Our Lady of Fatima Church in Oak Park, MI.
Detroit native and Wayne State University economics graduate, and lone Muslim in Congress, Keith Ellison (Dem-MN) of Minnesota, addresses the issues of jobs and the struggle to manage the budget deficit.
Michigan Catholics for the Common Good, a Detroit-based group founded early in 2000, aims to bring members to an understanding of the moral dimensions of public policy issues, and, "ensure that all Americans are put on the path to prosperity, not just the wealthiest 1 percent," organizers noted in a letter about Saturday's event sent by co-chairs, Tony Kosnik and John Hooper, ordained priests, currently leading MCCG succeding former chair and founder, the late Jim Sheehan.
Human needs, health care, children, the environment, war and peace, and one's conscience and vote have been issues concerning the MCCG, their website lists.
Among objectives of the MCCG, noted is "for greater balance, both moral and political, in the messages from Catholic pulpits and publications."
Located at 13500 Oak Park Boulevard, off of Coolidge, interested participants may contact http://miccg.org/, or Michigan Catholics for the Common Good, P.O. Box 7064, Huntington Woods, MI 48770.
Detroit native and Wayne State University economics graduate, and lone Muslim in Congress, Keith Ellison (Dem-MN) of Minnesota, addresses the issues of jobs and the struggle to manage the budget deficit.
Michigan Catholics for the Common Good, a Detroit-based group founded early in 2000, aims to bring members to an understanding of the moral dimensions of public policy issues, and, "ensure that all Americans are put on the path to prosperity, not just the wealthiest 1 percent," organizers noted in a letter about Saturday's event sent by co-chairs, Tony Kosnik and John Hooper, ordained priests, currently leading MCCG succeding former chair and founder, the late Jim Sheehan.
Human needs, health care, children, the environment, war and peace, and one's conscience and vote have been issues concerning the MCCG, their website lists.
Among objectives of the MCCG, noted is "for greater balance, both moral and political, in the messages from Catholic pulpits and publications."
Located at 13500 Oak Park Boulevard, off of Coolidge, interested participants may contact http://miccg.org/, or Michigan Catholics for the Common Good, P.O. Box 7064, Huntington Woods, MI 48770.
Friday, November 11, 2011
All have right to life, liberty
All have the right to life, liberty.
That's what I heard on WWJ All News Radio 950 in the voice of U.S. Congressman Hansen Clarke. Clarke, a passionate believer in people was to have said that in Elmwood Cemetary in Detroit this Vet's Day.
All do.
Yes, in and outside the womb, all have the right to life and liberty.
Life's trek is too precious for any of us mortals to decide to end it, although defense, among other reasons have always been part of Catholic social teaching down through the ages from Saint Augustine of Hippo to Saint Thomas Acquinas to more recent official teaching.
Life.
Liberty.
How can I stand up for life in and outside the womb?
How do I live my breathing moments today and tomorrow may help me respond to the query.
That's what I heard on WWJ All News Radio 950 in the voice of U.S. Congressman Hansen Clarke. Clarke, a passionate believer in people was to have said that in Elmwood Cemetary in Detroit this Vet's Day.
All do.
Yes, in and outside the womb, all have the right to life and liberty.
Life's trek is too precious for any of us mortals to decide to end it, although defense, among other reasons have always been part of Catholic social teaching down through the ages from Saint Augustine of Hippo to Saint Thomas Acquinas to more recent official teaching.
Life.
Liberty.
How can I stand up for life in and outside the womb?
How do I live my breathing moments today and tomorrow may help me respond to the query.
Veterans Day - Dedicated to All Who Served and Saint Thecla School 8th Graders Who Prayed a Special Mass for Vets
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
"I am a soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight," the fourth-century Martin, born in present day Hungary said as his regiment battled with barbarian invaders, achives show. Catholics celebrate his feast day along with Veterans Day today.
Martin of Tours, later ordained a bishop in the fourth century, was required by law to enter the Roman army at 15. He resisted this fate and was inducted in chains. His conversion to Christianity came later.
The tale is told of a him using his sword to divide his cloak to give to a shivering beggar. That night he dreamed he was Jesus wearing that part of the cloak he gave away. The next morning, he resolved to be baptized.
This Veterans Day remembers personnel who serve to defend and protect. Many men and women have been in the service in this nation throughout recorded history.
Among them is my brother, Lucas Ventline, who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam where he died during the TET offensive in 1968. That year witnessed the death of Robert Kennedy, Trappist monk Father Thomas Merton, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and more. It marked the beginning of the so-called women's movement.
This fresh day to breathe again is a good one to lift my heart and mind in prayer to the Maker for men and women who have served well.
"There can be no question tht unless war is abolished the world will remain constantly in a state of madness and desperation in which, because of the immense destructive power of modern weapons, the danger of catastrophe will be imminent and probably at every moment everywhere," Trappist monk Father Thomas Merton noted. He goes on to say that unless we tend to this task now that we cooperate with the destructive forces that "are leading inexorably
to war."
A blessed and fruitful Veterans Day! (And sweet memories of the Mass of St. Thecla Catholic School 8th grade students, parents and teachers in Clinton Township, MI., for all veterans, inlcuding my own brother, Vietnam '68, deceased, Spec. 5 Lucas Ventline, Nov. 9th).
+ Our help is in the Name of the Lord who made heaven and earth!
- Father Ventline
"I am a soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight," the fourth-century Martin, born in present day Hungary said as his regiment battled with barbarian invaders, achives show. Catholics celebrate his feast day along with Veterans Day today.
Martin of Tours, later ordained a bishop in the fourth century, was required by law to enter the Roman army at 15. He resisted this fate and was inducted in chains. His conversion to Christianity came later.
The tale is told of a him using his sword to divide his cloak to give to a shivering beggar. That night he dreamed he was Jesus wearing that part of the cloak he gave away. The next morning, he resolved to be baptized.
This Veterans Day remembers personnel who serve to defend and protect. Many men and women have been in the service in this nation throughout recorded history.
Among them is my brother, Lucas Ventline, who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam where he died during the TET offensive in 1968. That year witnessed the death of Robert Kennedy, Trappist monk Father Thomas Merton, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and more. It marked the beginning of the so-called women's movement.
This fresh day to breathe again is a good one to lift my heart and mind in prayer to the Maker for men and women who have served well.
"There can be no question tht unless war is abolished the world will remain constantly in a state of madness and desperation in which, because of the immense destructive power of modern weapons, the danger of catastrophe will be imminent and probably at every moment everywhere," Trappist monk Father Thomas Merton noted. He goes on to say that unless we tend to this task now that we cooperate with the destructive forces that "are leading inexorably
to war."
A blessed and fruitful Veterans Day! (And sweet memories of the Mass of St. Thecla Catholic School 8th grade students, parents and teachers in Clinton Township, MI., for all veterans, inlcuding my own brother, Vietnam '68, deceased, Spec. 5 Lucas Ventline, Nov. 9th).
+ Our help is in the Name of the Lord who made heaven and earth!
- Father Ventline
Lifting Hearts and Minds
God knows we could use some help here.
Terrbile things happening, including so much violence and sexual abuse among children and other innocent people, including pedestrian traffic and those we meet in the community who are robbed, beat up and battered. We should know better.
Prayer is defined as lifting one's heart and mind to the Creator.
Some ask, however, how do I do that?
Like the University of Michigan or Pennsylvania, it takes practice to pray well. At least, to learn this art like football.
By the way, I hope all the receipts at the gate Saturday when the U of Penn plays, will go to the abuse victims, or at least to an organization that assists and imagines resolution to this epidemic, I pray God now and later today.
I quiet myself. Close my eyes. Rid myself of thoughts, and a running and racing minds.
This clearance may take time since the frentic pace we keep requires much taming and calming down if I'm ready to talk directly to the Maker of heaven and earth.
Go right to the heart of God, as it were. As if God has a heart! Human metaphors help here also, however. Be in your own heart and silence self for a change. Too much chatter all around us clouds any relationship.
Limit your words. No need to multiply or even say a word since God knows my every thought.
Still, I quiet down. Just be in the Presence. Prayer works, research shows. It helps heal up hospital patients and more.
It will take time since we're used to doing, running, and working hard.
You can do this. Be part of the solutions to all the problems facing us. After all, God made us and God will see us through. Just ask. WIll you?
Be.
Be now.
Be in prayer for a moment at least. Say nothing except the greeting, perhaps, God!
Terrbile things happening, including so much violence and sexual abuse among children and other innocent people, including pedestrian traffic and those we meet in the community who are robbed, beat up and battered. We should know better.
Prayer is defined as lifting one's heart and mind to the Creator.
Some ask, however, how do I do that?
Like the University of Michigan or Pennsylvania, it takes practice to pray well. At least, to learn this art like football.
By the way, I hope all the receipts at the gate Saturday when the U of Penn plays, will go to the abuse victims, or at least to an organization that assists and imagines resolution to this epidemic, I pray God now and later today.
I quiet myself. Close my eyes. Rid myself of thoughts, and a running and racing minds.
This clearance may take time since the frentic pace we keep requires much taming and calming down if I'm ready to talk directly to the Maker of heaven and earth.
Go right to the heart of God, as it were. As if God has a heart! Human metaphors help here also, however. Be in your own heart and silence self for a change. Too much chatter all around us clouds any relationship.
Limit your words. No need to multiply or even say a word since God knows my every thought.
Still, I quiet down. Just be in the Presence. Prayer works, research shows. It helps heal up hospital patients and more.
It will take time since we're used to doing, running, and working hard.
You can do this. Be part of the solutions to all the problems facing us. After all, God made us and God will see us through. Just ask. WIll you?
Be.
Be now.
Be in prayer for a moment at least. Say nothing except the greeting, perhaps, God!
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