December 31, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, December 31
7TH DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS
St. Sylvester 1, Pope
1 Jn 2: 3-11
Lk 2: 22-35

Father Tom: And so we have made it through another year! (At least you did: I am not sure where I’ll be when December comes around!) Many good things happened in 2011 and for this I thank you. And if I have done anything wrong or offended anyone, I ask pardon. May 2012 bring all of you many blessings.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Agostina Messa PD (1972)—Sr. M. Ignazia Biello PD (1988)—Fr. Giacomo Perrino IJP (1990)—Fr. Giuseppe Di Matteo IJP (1995)-- Fr. Giuseppe Quarta IJP (1997)—Sr. Giovanna Coccato SGBP (2006)—Sr. M. Domenica San Martino FSP (2007)—SR. Alfonsa Ritta FSP (2007)—Sr. M. Giuseppina Pratillo PD (2007)—Elsie Bujol Ducote (1996)

December 30, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

HAPPY FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY!


Friday, December 30
THE HOLY FAMILY
Special Feast of the Holy Family Institute
Gen 15: 1-6, 21:-3
Heb 11: 8, 1-12, 17-19
Lk 2: 22-40

At the North Pole people complain of the cold (or would if there were many there!) At the Equator, people complain of the heat. Let’s be of patient disposition wherever we are and especially in the family. Things are always secondary. The spirit of sacrifice and charity are what count.

Father Tom: Well, nobody could dispute this statement but…how well did I live it all through 2011?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Gustavo Montanari IJP (1987)—Sr. M. Caritas Escareno FSP (1991)—Fr. Antonio Vertuccio IJP (1994)—Fr. Stanislao Cendron SSP (2002)—Fr. Ermenegildo Dalla Cort SSP (2005)—Fr. Primo Guatta IJP (2005)—Sr. Mary Paul Ladesma PD (2006)—Rosaria Lo Polito IAM (2008)

December 29, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, December 29
5th DAY IN THE CHRISTMAS OCTAVE
St. Thomas Beckett, Bishop, Martyr
1 Jn 2: 3-11
Lk 2: 22-35

Fidelity to one’s family duties is how we judge someone’s goodness (BM p. 160).

Father Tom: Well, yes, but…also no. We have all met the good people who are indeed “faithful to family duties” but are anything but sweet to deal with otherwise. Some households are well-organized, spick and span…but dare anyone disturb the order! Virtue is really DIFFICULT, isn’t it?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Maurilia Colangelo FSP (1946)—Fr. Pietro Delcampo SSP (1989)—Sr. Anselmina Cerri FSP (1994)—Sr. Panacea Mocci FSP (1998)

December 28, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, December 28
THE HOLY INNOCENTS, Martyrs
1 Jn 1: 1-4
Jn 20: 2-8

Faith in God—even to the point of making a “pact” with Him in the presence of Mary and St. Paul (VMC 788).

Father Tom: That is what our faith-filled Founder did and he left us the formula in the “Secret of Success”. I don’t know whether we, poor banished children of Eve, feel holy enough to do the same, but perhaps, I am speaking for myself and YOU might be the new “Alberione”! Good for you—and may there be many more like you!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro. Giuseppe Caravina SSP (1970)—Maria Balint HFI (1986)—Sr. Cherubina Cordero FSP (1991)—Fr. Luigi Zanoni SSP (1995)—Fr. Remo Santi SSP (1996)—Sr. Luigina Borrano FSP (2002)—Fr. Giuseppe Amato IJP (2004)—Ramona Allen HFI (2008)

December 27, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, December 27
ST JOHN , APOSTLE, Evangelist
1 Jn 1: 1-4

Jn 20: 2-8

Be happy in your apostolate (for us that means all day long!). Peopl must be convinced that we are people with a new outlook on life which gives us a continual support in spite of every trial (VMC 786)

Father Tom: And, above all, we must not get disheartened when in fact we fall off from this high standard. Falling is not the important thing; rising is.


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Rosa Lubino FSP (1945)—Fr. Giovanni Castoldi SSP (1961)—Sr. Tecla Tocchetto FSP (1965)—Sr. Secondina Pellerino FSP (1984)—Adelia Tommasini HFI (1992)—Antonio Melotto HFI (1993)—Fr. Alessandro Audino IJP (1995)—Fr. Giuseppe Volpini IJP (1999)—Mercedes Miguel Pereyra HFI (2006)

December 26, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, December 26
STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR
Acts 6: 8-10, 12 – 7: 54-60

Mt 10: 17-60

An upright life, sincerely good, inspired by deep faith and love, is a continuous light fro the whole environment where we live (BM p 166)

Father Tom: Well, yes…but with some reservations. Such a life requires good faith in those with whom the upright person lives and that cannot be taken for granted…indeed, he or she can just as easily be a continuous irritation to others! What a world!


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Agnese Manera FSP (1982)—Bro Giovanni Manfredi SSP (1987)—Fr. Pietro Occelli SSP (1994)—sr. M. Cesira Ferero PD (1996)—Fr. Paolo Ruggeri SSP (2003)—Mario Vattovani HFI (2003)—Sr. M. Goretti Marianna PD (2004)—Sr. Lornzina Pangrazi SGBP (2005)—Lena Piampiano (1991)

Advent Has Passed!

I got this image from the internet, but will gladly give credit.

December 25 - The Nativity of Our Lord



The Advent has passed. The EVENT has arrived. And we gather again to honor a young couple in a faraway town called "Bethlehem" and to congratulate them on their beautiful Infant.


That Infant has stolen our hearts and the hearts of millions for 16 centuries. And what a steal it has been! Ask the man in the street to name the greatest Christian Feast and in nine cases out often he will reply: "Oh, that's easy: Christmas."


No it isn't! It's EASTER! But that's the amazing power of the infant.


The early Christians knew all about the birth of Jesus and the shepherds and the angels ... BUT THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT DECEMBER 25! They were concentrated on the Man who died on a cross but ROSE AGAIN and was seen by hundreds. And the apostles went out to preach this magnificent story ... and died to witness their faith ... and the Good News spread from land to land...


... until the year 354. In that year the Church, responding to a special Roman feast - the feast of the Rising Sun on December 21 - instituted the Feast of the Rising Son on December 25 - nine months after the Annunciation on March 25.


It didn 't appear that this new Feast would change much ... But look what happened! May 2012 give us the gift of living like the Risen Lord and loving like the Infant.


~ December 2011 Concord

December 25, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, December 25
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
***Vigil, Midnight and Dawn Masses***
Glory to God…and the peace of God’s love to people on earth.” The message of the angels is for us a program of life and apostolate (SP Jan. 1949).

Father Tom: It is also a very difficult and exacting program. How difficult it is to work for the glory of God and not for our own glory! How difficult it is to preserve peace among those people we know, in the family and in our workplace! Dear Infant, give us some of your love and tranquility!


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Carla M. Vobio FSP (1970)—Bro Elia Orsini SSP (1981)—SR. Angela De Rubertis FSP (1989)—Mario Zanini Gabrielite (1990)—Fr. Vito Raimondo IJP (1999)—Fr. Augustine Ampattukuzhy SSP (2005)


May each and every person have a happy and Holy Christmas and may the Christ Child bring you peace and joy today and always.

December 24, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, December 24
ADVENT WEEKDAY
2 Sam 7: 1-5, 8-12- 14, 16

Lk 1: 67-79

Mary is the Queen of Apostles because her apostolate is the greatest and most complete: to give Jesus to the world (BM 370).

Father Tom: Exactly, and so our apostolate is also more complete the more we involve Mary in everything we do during the day: frequent invocations, the Rosary when and if possible, even singing Marian hymns (here I go again!).


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Martina Albano PD (1986)—Sr. Assunta Rommeo SGBP (2001)—Fr. Rocco Fortunato IJP (2001)—Pietro Celli HFI (2007)—Francis C. Bombardier (1985)—William Knefler (1982)

December 23, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, December 23
ADVENT WEEKDAY
St. John of Kanty, priest
Mal 3: 1-4, 23-24

Lk 1: 57-66

God is with us to show us His ways, to communicate to us His grace, to assure us of the Divine reward (SP, April ’49).

Father Tom: The word “grace” is a little abstract and I prefer “gracious presence”. The Lord Himself lives in our life and we “grow in grace” when we leave aside our interests and substitute His. This is usually a sacrifice but…how worthwhile!


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Rosa Gerlotto FSP (1936)—Sr. M. Alicia Hierro Ruiz FSP (1970)—Sr. Lucidia Cardona FSP (1991)—Sr. M Lucinia Stella PD (2003)—Sr. M. Luisa Macellari PD (2004)—Maria Salaris HFI (2007)

December 22, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, December 22
ADVENT WEEKDAY
1 Sam 1: 24-28

Lk 1: 46-55

Are we always ready and prepared to receive the Son of God Who comes down from heaven? How do we make our Communions? Is our preparation truly worthy? (RSP p. 318).

Father Tom: Very relevant questions in a day and age when – literally – millions are anything but prepared for Communion (including the public sinners who insist on receiving as a gesture of disrespect for the Church). Let you and me at least console the Lord for these outrages.


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Ausilia Baggio PD (1951)—Sr. M. Gesualda Rocchi FSP (1969)—Sr. Anna Mocci FSP (1987)—Fr. Luigi Lenta (1997)—Sr. Rufina Facchiano FSP (2000)— Sr. Paola Mannai SGBP (2001)—Lorenzo FSP (2008)—Sr. M. Arcangela Hashiguchi PD (2009)

December 21, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, December 21
ADVENT WEEKDAY
St. peter Canisius, priest, doctor
Ct 2: 8-14

Lk 1: 39-45

The daily accomplishment of our duties is a continuous hymn that we raise to the Most Holy Trinity (RSP p. 397).

Father Tom: Very poetic, isn’t it? Or perhaps you like to sing as you work (I do some of that myself.)? Seriously, there is a reason for singing: our reward will be great if we remain faithful to our commitment, no matter how unmusical it is!


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Bonaria De Sabbata FSP (1973)—Sr. Irma Antinozzi FSP (1999)—Fr. Angelo Dalmonte IJP (1999)—Fr. Ezio Acciai IJP (2000)—Bro Jorge Chaparro SSP (2003)—Sr. M. Adelia Gasparini PD (2004)—Sr. M. Santina Pettinati FSP (2005)—Leni Perotto IAM (2009)—Mike Ducote (2001)

December 20, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, December 20
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Is 7: 10-14

Lk 1: 26-38

Is there in us a desire for the word of God? Do we listen to it with fervor? Ist here in us a humble heart, thirsting for truth? (RSP p. 35)

Father Tom: This question might be3 asked also about our relationship to HFI materials which are, in their humble way, also “the word of God.” Why purchase all those books by various writers when we have the Gospel, the Imitation of Christ, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Devout Life, plus the extracts from the book Fraternal Charity?


My own note: We might also add the writings of the Doctors of the Church, such as St. Francis DeSales, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Theresa of Avila, St. Anthony of Padua and St. John of the Cross to name a few, along with the Church Fathers, to that list—along with the writings of Blessed James Alberione.


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Lucilla Di Bianca PD (1985)—Mario Ferrara HFI (1997)—Sr. Angela Festari FSP (2000) John Yuska (2001)—Adam Zink (no year)

December 19, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, December 19
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Judges 13: 2-7, 24-25

Lk 1: 5-25

We lose the essence of the consecrated life if we don not try really hard to be charitable in thought, word and deed (VMC 764).

Father Tom: And of course, when we treat others charitably, we treat ourselves charitably! The Lord considers done to Him what we do to and for others – and He repays with compound interest!


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Giacinta Gomes FSP (1966)—Fr. Carmine Salerni SSP (1981)—Sr. Giuseppina Albesiano FSP (1983)—Fr. Girolamo Casolari SSP (1990)- Fr. Pascual Leviste SSP (2000)—Sr. M. Antonietta Mineo PD (2003)

Behold, I Am the Handmaid of the Lord

Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.



December 18 - 4th Sunday of Advent


The First Reading introduces an important element in the Christmas story: the great king David, a very human but yet a very worthy individual. He wants to give the Ark of the Covenant a worthy dwelling but God tells him that what He has in mind is something much greater: not a house of cedar or of some even more precious material but a dynasty - and what a dynasty it will be! "Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me ..." In fact the Messiah is of the House of David and his rule will not cease till the end of the world.


The Responsorial Psalm, as we expect responds to the Reading with a song of joy and, once again, the great David 's special place in God's plan is underlined.


St. Paul speaks to the Romans in the Second Reading. This Letter of St. Paul, unlike others dashed of in haste, in anguish and sometimes in anger, has been carefully formulated and sets out the great Reality which sustains all of our lives: Christ was born, Christ has died, Christ has risen and now the magnificent plan of God is beginning to unfold for the benefit of humanity. He speaks about the "mystery" kept secret for thousands of years but now revealed and needing to be preached to all those who have not heard the wonderful news.


The alleluia introduces us to the Quiet Lady of Christmas and her sublimely perfect response at the Annunciation to the stunning message the Lord gives her: you will become the Mother of my Son! She was just fourteen or fifteen at the time and we would expect her to get very excited and agitated. None of that. Born without stain of sin, free from every personal sin, she is "the highest honor of our race" and "our tainted nature's solitary boast."


Actually, there are three annunciations: one is to Joseph: "Fear not to take Mary as your wife . . ." One is to Mary. The third one to Elizabeth: " From Judah shall come forth one who shall rule Israel."


Finally, the familiar Gospel. Too familiar as it happens. We miss the tremendous drama of this meeting between heaven and earth which, like all God's plans, unfolded in silence and secrecy. There were no witnesses, no reporters, no cameras, no journalists ready to rush off to their editors, to their TV studios, to their readers and listeners hungry for the latest tit-bit of news - preferably bad. And even if they had been there they would not have understood the depth of meaning in that brief dialog,repairing abundantly for the first dialog between a woman and an angel, albeit a fallen one: Eve and Satan. "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."


~ December 2011 Concord

December 18, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, December 18
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
2 Sam 7: 1-16

Rom 16: 25-27

Lk 1: 26-38

May all move toward the Crib, like the shepherds and the Magi in search of Jesus (SP Jan 1949)

Father Tom: Unfortunately, the main movement in the Church—and in society—seems to be in the opposite direction: for those who remain in. And of course, there are the millions who have left, in any sense of the words.


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Angelioletta Miyazaki PD (2006)—Fr. Giuseppe Cinaglia SSP (2008)—Sr. M. Epifania Bassi FSP (2009)

December 17, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, December 17
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Gen 49: 2, 8-10

Mt 1: 1-17

Mary by her holiness made the main contribution to the mystical body of Christ. Her fullness of grace overflowed into all souls (Maria, Regina, 37-39).

Father Tom: Yes, she made the major contribution, but all of us have something to give. If sin corrupts the individual and sometimes millions more, why would not my efforts and yours to live well not have an effect on all others? Or course they do! And this is a helpful thought in times of trial.


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Matilde Gastaldi FSP (2000)—Giuseppina Miscali IAM (2005)—Demetrina Schirra IAM (2005)—Howard Nephew (1959)—Johny Preston (1983)—Jonh Banahan (no year)

Teach Me, Mother Mary...

I got this image from the internet. It is not mine, but I will gladly give credit.



“Oh Mary, teach me to offer all my prayers, works, and sufferings of each day in union with your Immaculate Heart to Jesus for the salvation of the world.”

~ Mary Day by Day p. 181

December 16, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, December 16
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Is 56: 1-3, 6-8

Jn 7: 5-33

Jesus is the supreme exemplar of every perfection and sanctity (SP 1963).

Father Tom: True. But this was by no means perfectly clear to those He met. Indeed, many considered Him a danger to peace and were not impressed by others who said He was a wonderful person. Is it possible that we, also, are misjudging our friends and neighbors who may be hidden Saints? !


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Luigi Iannelli IJP (1980)—Luisa Dotti IAM (1995)—Fr. Giacomo Baricalia SSP (1996)—Fr. Luigi Sbravati IJP (1996)—Sr. Clementina Laudanno FSP (2003)—Sr. M. Teodolinda Longo PD (2005)—Fr. Giovanni Piazza SSP (2006)—Anna Maria Zoccheddu HFI (2008)

December 15, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, December 15
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Is 54: 1-10

Lk 7: 24-30

Getting rid of our ego is a lifelong task. It hides itself under, under the religious habit and under the Sister’s veil (VMC 753).

Father Tom: Indeed—even in an age when both habits and veil are not as numerous as they used to be. But egotism can hide anywhere and the problem is to find it and eliminate it.


Please Pray for Our Deceased: José Lomiel HFI (1993)—Sr. M. Lorenza Pinna PD (2006)—Sr. M. Bruna Rantucci FSP (2007)

December 14, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, December 14
ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS, priest, doctor
Is 45: 6-8, 18, 21-25

Lk 7: 19-23

There is to be mutual good example: in prayer life, in observance of the Rule and in shared listening and talking (SP 1951).

Father Tom: The reference is to community life, but it is applicable to the “groups” that have formed here and there among us. Has our contribution been always positive and polite?


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Margherita Binello FSP ( 1976)—Sr. M. Renata Giaccardi PD (1993)—Msgr Enea Selis IJP (1999)—Sr. Bianca Tommaselli FSP (2006)—Fr. Lino Grossi IJP (2006)—Dalma Arena De Mattar HFI (2006)—Charlotte Ducote HFI (2007)—Rev. Henry Barry—Mary Avitabile (2006)—Anthony Menella (no date).

December 13, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, December 13
ST. LUCY, Virgin and Martyr
Zep 3: 1-2, 9-13

Mt 21: 28-32

There is no sanctity if you don’t renounce your own will. Your own preferences (FSP 41).

Father Tom: True. And perhaps especially our preferences for certain people or aversion to them. This is a point not always considered in the context of self-denial. We have to be “all things to all people: and you know how hard THAT is!


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Domenica Laus FSP (1933)—Sr. M. Albina Pepino PD (1957)—Sr. M. Graziella Justo PD (1978)—Sr. M. Elia Ferrero PD (1987)—Dr. Janina Casimira Kakol FSP (1989)—Fr. Ignazio Maritano SSP (1996)—Sr. M. Teresa Fusar-Poli FSP (1997)—Fr. Francesca Occhiogrosso IJP IJP (1997)—Bro Bruno Bonamigo SSP (2001)—Scotty Avitabile (2006)

December 12, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, December 12
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Zec 2: 14-17

Lk 1: 26-38

If the examination of conscience is not part of an Institute’s life, then that Institute is a superficial entity (FSP 31).

Father Tom: He means “part of the Rule”. But having the exam on paper is not enough either. The members must make it!


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Callista De Michelis PD (1998)—Sr. M. Romana Battistella FSP (1996)—Sr. M. Dolores Bonfe’ FSP (1999)—Sr. M. Leonia Nota FSP (1999)—Teresa De Maria IAM (2006)—Ella Schenziner (no year)

I Thank Thee by Jane Crewdson (1860)

Photo by Adam Louis

I Thank Thee



O Thou whose bounty fills my cup,
with every blessing meet!
I give Thee thanks for every drop—
the bitter and the sweet.


I praise Thee for the desert road,
And for the riverside;
for all Thy goodness hath bestowed,
and all Thy grace denied.


I thank Thee for both smile and frown,
and for the gain and loss;
I praise Thee for the future crown
and for the present cross.


I thank Thee for both wings of love
which stirred my worldly nest;
And for the stormy clouds which drove
me, trembling, to Thy breast.


I bless Thee for the glad increase,
and forthe waning joy;
and for this strange, this settled peace
which nothing can destroy.


--Jane Crewdson (1860)

I Am Not Fit To...

"I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals."



December 11 - 3rd . Sunday of Advent


The First Reading will be familiar to us if we know our St. Luke. When the Master had been out "on the missions" in Palestine for some time, St. Luke in Ch 4 tells how he returned to Nazareth, went into the local synagogue and was asked to read from Scripture. Significantly, he unrolled the scroll to find the words in this Reading, i.e. he did not simply continue where the previous reader had left off. Why? Because they described his whole, divine approach to his mission on earth.


The Responsorial Psalm will also be familiar if we know the Magnificat - the song of the young maiden of Nazareth and her superabundant joy as she began to appreciate just what had happened to her. Now we are approaching the realization in Bethlehem of that great moment.


St. Paul in the Second Reading has two messages for the Thessalonians: 1) be on your guard, continue to work hard and don't bother with idle talk others who are working diligently, and b) you have received a wonderful gift and in general you appreciate it so "be happy," rejoice, because the Lord is coming soon! ( St. Paul, of course, and the early Christians generally, got it wrong: the Lord is coming, definitely, but who knows when?) However when he comes it will be a great day for those who have waited patiently for him. And that message is still very true.


In the Gospel we are introduced to John the Baptist, first cousin of the Lord and truly a worthy "advance man" or forerunner, to use the correct word. Sometimes these people forget their brief and surely John might have been tempted to do just that because he both looked and spoke like the Messiah the people were expecting. But this Sunday we read how he was challenged and asked to give an account of himself and give an account he very definitely did! Resisting very open efforts to make him king, he replied clearly to each question and in the end gave a really beautiful self- definition: the voice that cries in the wilderness. At St.Augustine remarks, John was the "voice" but Jesus was the Word. The Word needs a voice to share it but the voice is not the Word and John, to his credit said so clearly. If only people today - politicians especially - would follow this example!


~ December 2011 Concord

The Immaculate Conception

I found this image on the internet. It is not mine, but I will give credit to the artist if he or she comes forward.


December 8 - The Immaculate Conception



We have had this Feast twice already and have reflected on the connection between the sin of Eve and the special divine blessing conferred on Our Lady. She was preserved from all "Original sin" from the first instant of her conception and was thus conceived in that state of justice and holiness which is the effect of divine friendship and, as a result, was withdrawn from the influence of Satan and subjection to the law of concupiscence. However, like all human beings, she is redeemed by the merits of her Son, not freeing her from the stain of sin but preventing her from contracting it.


These concepts are included in the First Reading describing the sin of Adam and Eve followed by the Responsorial Psalm, not something sorrowful but filled with joy that this sin has resulted not in disaster but in a further display of God's goodness: instead of (as we might be tempted to do) wiping out our First Parents He confirms them in their original vocation and then - through the mediation of Our Blessed Lady - Himself pays for their sin and ours!


No wonder that Paul in the Second Reading bursts into an exuberant hymn of gratitude for this unspeakable gift which we can appreciate only with difficulty.


The Gospel tells a well-known story highlighting the sublime perfection and maturity of the great Lady who made all this possible.


Pray for us, 0 holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


~December 2011 Concord

Prepare the Way...

"In the desert, prepare the way of the of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland, a highway for our God!"



It's Sunday!


December 4, 2011 Second Sunday of Advent


The word "Advent" (from the Latin "ad - venire" = coming towards) gives us the characteristic of the next four Sundays: they are a preparation for an "Event " (from the Latin "ex-venire" or "coming out" or "emerging" or "happening") and we are well aware of what the "Happening" is: the coming of the Lord, a) at his birth in Bethlehem, b) into each of our lives at Baptism, c) for all humanity at the end of the world. These are the main "comings" but in a single day, each of us has countless "Advents " of our concerned God Who never leaves us to fend for ourselves, Who never leaves his flock untended. For the fervent Christian, every day is Christmas Day!


The First Reading from the great Prophet, Isaiah, was originally a word of comfort for King Hezekiah who was told that the King of Babylonia would come and take all his possessions and many of his people but that God would not abandon him. The message for us is substantially the same - we will lose our possessions at death if not before, but we will never lose the care of God for us. Never lose it? Yes, but on condition that we are always ready, are always waiting for His coming. The Voice crying in the desert will echo until the end of time. Originally the references to preparing the way referred to the need to make some sort of road in the wilderness to enable the king's chariot to pass. But the profound meaning is that we get to work in the wilderness of our souls to smooth out the many rough areas.


The beautiful Responsorial Psalm combines the two attitudes: "1 will hear what the Lord God has to say" ... I will be waiting . . . and "The Lord will make us prosper."


St. Peter in the Second Reading paints a rather frightening picture: very soon now the earth will be consumed with fire and the sky will vanish with a roar. Actually he got his dates wrong - we don't know when this will happen - but he is right on in his general message: for each of us the "end of the world" is the moment of our death and that has to be prepared by "living lives without spot or stains." This is the real "Advent" for which we can never be sufficiently be prepared.


In the Gospel we meet the imposing figure of John the Baptist.He appears out of nowhere (probably from a desert monastery in which a group of Jews called "Essenes" lived a life of strict observance) and calls the people to repentance but also to understand who he is. He is not the Messiah the whole nation is expecting, and who is a Figure of such greatness that (John says): " I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals," but rather a Voice calling to prepare for the Messiah's coming.


~ December 2011 Concord

December 11, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, December 11
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Is 61: 1-2, 10-11

Th 5: 16-24

Jn 1: 6-28

It is always important that we know that we are poor creatures and sinners and we need to feel poor if we want the riches of God (APD 234/37).

Father Tom: It may be important to feel poor , but it is not easy…so many illusions! We feel rich in virtue…and then a slight temptation shows us just how impoverished we are!


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Celeste Ghislandi FSP (1960)—Sr. M. Romana Rotta FSP (1960)—Sr. M. Giacinta Ferrero PD (1986)—Sr M. Cecilia Madrigal FSP (1992)—Giuseppe Capella HFI (1995)—Sr. Vittornia M. Guarda FSP (2009)

December 10, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, December 10
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Sir 48: 1-4, 9-11

Mt 17: 10-13

The Beatitudes do not take up more than half a page in St. Matthew’s Gospel, but what a significant half-page that is! (VMC 713)

Father Tom: And how hard it is to practice even one of them! Don’t you agree?


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Michelino Gagna SSP (1961)—Msgr Angelo Campagna IJP (1990)—Sr. Antonietta Sandri FSP (1993)—Sr. M. Luisa Perlini PD (2000)—Sr. Rosaria Scaini SGBP (2001)—Maria Bacca IAM (2004)—Sr. M. Marcella Luucrezi FSP (2005)—Sr. Angelina Fabbris FSP (2008)—Mark Papa (2006)

December 9, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, December 9
ADVENT WEEKDAY
St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
Is 48: 17-19

Mt 11: 16-19

The visit gives the tone to our day. In it we listen to the Lord, give Him what He asks and receive the gifts He has prepared for us (SP 20 Aug. 1937).

Father Tom: How true! How many ideas get straightened out in this important hour! How many inspirations either then or later? Make every effort to spend this hour with the Master as often as you can.


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Graziana Santini FSP (1963)—Sr. M. Rosa Cacciatore FSP (1981)—Domenica Nardis HFI (2005)—Sr. Josefina Glassman FSP (2006)—Sr. M. Agostina Pellachin FSP (2007)—Sr. M. Ntalia Bonifaccio FSP (2007)—Sr. Onise Theresa Sassi FSP (2008)—Helen Chevraux HFI (2008)

December 8, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, December 8
IMMACUALTE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Gen 3: 9-20

Eph 1: 3-11

Lk 1: 26-28

Mary was the only one to have a special understanding of Jesus ad so no on emore than her is more powerful to unite us to Christ (VMC 629).

Father Tom: And she was—and remains—a mother with feminine intuition and awareness of our deepest needs. The True Consecration is a traditional Pauline practice and invariably brings abundant blessing.


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Aracoeli Venturi PD (1983)—Fr. Vincenzo De luise SSP (1999)—Gorizia D’Amicantonio IAM (1991)—Claudia Supino HFI (1999)—Fr. Silvino Ceccomancini IJP (2006)—Antonio Lopez (2004)

December 7, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, December 7
ST. AMBROSE, Bishop and Doctor
First Wednesday of the Month—St. Joseph
Is 40: 25-31

Mt 11: 28-30

Our piety must not be sterile or done solely to get it done and finding it burdensome. It must make us truly feel our need for God and lead us to a high sanctity (RSP p 46).

Father Tom: Well, yes, but also no. What I mean is that the main thing is to be faithful to practices of piety at any cost even if we find them burdensome. After all, if the practices were very attractive…what merit would there be in being faithful to them?


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Maria Verdone FSP (1971)—Sr. M. Ifigenia Licansi PD (1983)—Pasqualina La Rizza HFI (2004)

December 6, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, December 6
ADVENT WEEKDAY
St. Nicholas, Bishop
First Tuesday of the Month—The Holy Souls in Purgatory
Is 40: 1-11

Mt 18: 12-14

Coordinating the contemplative and the active life is the secret of progress: the whole day is dedicated to increasing union with God and sharing the Good News (FSP 45)

Father Tom: And of these two, the first (as you well know) is the most effective. Sharing the Good News is generally not our “thing”—we have limited use of media or no use whatsoever—but we can always supply the essential item: more of God and less of us. Let’s do it!


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Anna Merla FSP (1946)—Fr. Tito Armani SSP (1980)—Sr. M. Massimiliana Concas PD (1998)—Sr. M. Stefana Servetti PD (2003)—Nicletta Di Carlo (IAM (2009)

December 5, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, December 5
ADVENT WEEKDAY
First Monday of the Month—St. Paul
Is 35: 1-10

Lk 5: 17-26

True Pauline consecrated life implies ongoing and intense activity for one’s sanctification plus apostolate. It is a life of toil and demands ongoing sacrifice, but it produces on-going redemption (CP 1959).

Father Tom: That seems to say it all and perhaps HFI people more than most can live the two-fold activities. The secret is to live them, day in, day out until we have no more life left! Sounds easy..but have we tried it?


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Luigi Bogliaccino SSP (1967)—Sr. Edvige Soldano FSP (1983)—Fr. Cirillo Tomatis SSP (1988)—Sr. Maria Mattarei FSP (2000)—Fr. Giuseppe Pasquali SSP (2002)—Madeline Piatt (2002)

December 4, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, December 4
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
First Sunday of the Month—the Divine Master, Way, Truth and Life
Is 40: 1-11

2 Pt 3: 8-14

Mk 1: 1-8

Only if we live what we say or write will it have an influence on others (VMC 984).

Father Tom: The divine Master spent 30 years living what He preached in 2 or 3. And in the short terms He failed and failed publicly. But not in the long term. This is our example and our encouragement when nothing seems to be happening.


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro Giuseppe Solero SSP (1974)—Sr. Ignazia Armani SGBP (1993)—Bro Silvano M. De Blasio SSP (1994)—Br Dominic Lakra SSP (2008)

December 3, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, December 3
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, Priest
First Saturday of the Month—Mary, Queen of Apostles
Is 30: 19-21, 23-26

Mt 9: 35- 10: 1-8

Seeing ourselves so lacking in everything, we commit to the use of every means for the glory of God, for every good, and fro peace among peoples.

Father Tom: When are we “lacking in everything”? When we have not the latest technical gadgets? No. Technical gadgets will, perhaps impress people, but only God can get results!


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Renata Vicini IAM (1971)—Fr. Antonio Gratilli SSP (1993)—Sr. Alexandrina Crivelli FSP (2005)—Sr. M. Domenica Fujiwara PD (2005)—Aurelio Facchni HFI (2006)—Sr. M. Gloria Honau FSP (2007)—Sr. M. Chiarina Pastorino PD (2009)—Mary Byehn (1990)—Richard Cooper—Pearl Kranske (no years)—Vera Haas (2010)

December 2, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, December 2
ADVENT WEEKDAY
First Friday of the Month—The Sacred Heart
Is 29: 17-24

Mt 9: 27-31

During Advent in preparation for Christmas we must acknowledge ourselves as ignorant, defective, inclined to evil and sin and so requiring penance.

Father Tom: Only during Advent? Surely the recognition of our sinful and defective condition is a requirement of every day—indeed, every HOUR or when we stop to make a brief exam of conscience!


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Tarcisia Valentini SGBP (2005)—Fr. Salvatore Caruana SSP (2008)—Alpiano Valdes (2937)—Mike Ducote (2007)—Anthoony Menella (2010)

December 1, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

I found this image on the internet. It is not mine, but I will gladly give credit if the photographer comes forward.


Thursday, December 1
ADVENT WEEKDAY
First Thursday of the Month—Our Guardian Angel
Is 26: 1-6

Mt 7: 21, 24-27

MONTHLY INTENTION
That, well aware of our insufficiency and unworthiness, we may realize the need to draw near the font of life in all humility and trust and be nourished with Your Word, Father and with the Body of Christ, invoking life, love and mercy for all men and women.

Father Tom: The last petition in our 9-Point Offertory Prayer is the most important. Without this “drawing near” we can at best impress people, not convert them. Much room for illusion on this point.


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Christine Rimmele FSP (1991)—Sr. M. Raffaella Bernardini FSP (1992)—Fr. Emilio Mammana SSP (1996)—Fr. Ivo March IJP (2001)—Ray Hopponen (no year)—Frank Mahoney (no date).