Life - simple but, always complicated!!

September 25, 2017 I was dead tired @ 5:30 AM yesterday morning when the alarm went off. After all, I had only gotten home at 12:45 AM from a great Paul McCartney concert in Syracuse. But, I had signed up to be at the Church hall @ 6 AM to work at the pancake breakfast for Fr. Sergio & his family. 7 hours later we had served over 375 people and raised over $7,500. I was more dead tired than ever, but personally gratified that I was part of such a successful fund raiser. So, on a Sunday in September when so much of America was more concerned about who stood, knelt, or sat during the playing of a song, I was more concerned with a being a true patriot & Christian by helping my fellow man. I didn't ask the people whom I served pancakes if they knelt or stood during the National Anthem, no, I just recognized that they were there to help their neighbor in time of need. That's patriotism !! I'm proud and happy to be part of such a loving and generous Church community. 😇😇...

Some question the validity of Cardinal Tobin's vocation or position as a Cardinal or Archbishop in the Catholic Church. Why ? Because he won't support one political candidate over another, and he is open to new ideas within the Church. Many political issues in the air that are up for religious debate; death penalty, abortion, immigration, lack of access to affordable health-care, lack of proper nutrition & food, living wage, and on and on. Not any one candidate is on the right side per the Catholic Church. Is one issue greater than another ? It all depends upon your personal situation. Is there one answer ?  Cardinal Tobin raises these issues for all of us to consider. I think he is much more knowledgeable on Catholic theology than any lay person I know. Check out his resume, years of study, and prior positions within the Church.  Pope Francis is the leader of our Catholic flock, elected by the College of Cardinals. He thought well enough of Joe Tob...

I have been given much in life, a couple of prayers about gratitude.  Amen. Lord Jesus, I look to you with gratitude for all that I have received and for all that I can to offer, little though it may be. Lord, I humbly ask for this grace: Help me to rejoice when others receive good things.  Dear Lord, I am grateful for the ability to work in your vineyard, spreading the good news to the souls you place in my life. Please help me to grow in compassion and empathy for those in need of conversion. I want to be your emissary in this suffering world and reach out to meet the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of others.  Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will practice gratitude for the work you have given me to do. 

We forget that the greatest gift that we can give or receive doesn't cost a cent.  T he readings, reflections, & photos tell the story. ♥️♥️ We hear this reading at many weddings, but how many read & reflect upon during tough times in a relationship. Many chose to ignore, and give up rather then rely upon love. Tough times do happen, my parent's marriage wasn't a fairy tale every day. But, they knew love was the greatest gift & would get them through. Love never fails ❤️❤️. Don't fail it.  1 COR 12:31-13:13 Brothers and sisters: Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body o...

Sometimes it takes a bit of effort & planning, but most times it's rather simple. What ? To put a smile on a face those who you know well, or others you really don't know that well. 👍 I had to plan my home & work schedule to be able to drive to Golden, CO in October, 2001 with Dad for a family wedding. It was only 7 months after Mom died. We had fun, he smiled often, and cried. I'll always remember that trip, father & son on the USA highways  I didn't have to do much planning in March, 2009 to sit with Sr. Carol Wulforst, a family cousin, during a chemo session. We talked, laughed, and prayed. I'm not sure if it was the last time I saw Carol, she lost her cancer fight and died three months later. But, she was smiling when I left her room. That's my lasting memory. Fr. Paul from Guyana was a visiting priest at St. Elizabeth of Hungary RC Church , Melville NY in the summer of 2011. I offered him a tour of the real Long Island, he accepted. We toured a...

I was fortunate to have met all four of my grandparents, and knew Ben & Ann Greiner, and Anthony Schmitt Sr. well. Cecilia Schmitt died when I was six years of age. They were all an intergral part of my life until they died. The three of them attended my college graduation, and dinner after. I was very happy,  honored , & appreciative they all came. ♥️♥️ .  I worked in the fields, and barns beside AJS Sr. from about age of 10 until 22. I was fortunate to have visited with him in hospital an hour or so before he died. Even then he told the nurse how he looked up to (taller) his grandson. 😂😂 Proud farmer, but prouder of his family. I learned both farm & life skills from the man who only had an elementary level formal education. Grandma Greiner was alive for the births of both my daughters, yep a great grandmother. ♥️ Witnessed & celebrated my wedding day, and also witnessed the Catholic bap...