February 29, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, February 29
LENTEN WEEKDAY
Jn. 3: 1-10
Lk 11: 29-32


Christian life is grafted onto Christ: the mind to His Mind (Truth), the will to His Will (Way), and the heart to His heart (Life). This ensures that at the judgment we will be found in untiy with the Master (VMC 327).

Father Tom: So we have to ask ourselves: which of my faculties is not yet fully conformed to Christ: Failing to THINK as I know I should think, failing to ACT as I know I should act, or failing to control my FEELINGS as far as I can.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Filomena Zaccheddu HFI (1976)

February 28, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, February 28
LENTEN WEEKDAY
Is. 55: 10-11
Mt 6: 7-15


Try to develop your talents whatever they are, broaden the range of your action, develop new skills. Activity which is carefully increased is an imitation of God and a way of drawing near Him(VMC 325).

Father Tom: This piece of advice should inspire us to see how much more we can do for the HFI after we have attended to the duties of our family and /or daily occupation.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Angela Teresa Bagnati FSP (1971)—Sr. Joan Mary Ravetto FSP (1978)—M. Giovanna Martina HFI (1987)—Sr. Adelaide Prunotto FSP (1989)—Sr. I llba Garcia FSI (1992)—Cosimo Corigliano HFI (1998)—Sr. Amalia Milo FSP (1999)—Sr. Bianca M. Zanoni FSP (1999)—Ettore Serli HFI (2003)—Rafael Juan Mangini HFI (2006)—Sr. M. Fidelis Puebla Lobo FSP (2008)

February 27, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, February 27
LENTEN WEEKDAY
Lv. 19: 1-18
Mt 25: 31-36


It is a natural duty to reply ot a letter—even if we have to admit that we don’t know what to say!(VMC 324).

Father Tom: The founder was admirable on this point—even responding to young candidates with his signature and a word of greeting on the back of a holy card.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Domenica Abbate PD—(1973)—Fr. Luigi Sbalzero IJP (1981)—Sr. Genoveffa Sandri FSO (1986)—Roberto Garcia HFI (199)—Sr. Enrica Tacconi FSP (1999)—M. Anonietta Scarso IAM (2008)- Gary Piatt (2008)—Consuelo (2003)

February 26, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, February 26
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
Gn. 8: 9-15
Pt. 3: 18-22
Mk 1: 12-15


Jesus lived for about 33 years and about thirty of these were spent in an ordinary, hidden life. Why? (VMC 394).

Father Tom: These years were not wasted. In Jesus, God enabled ordinary actions to be a means of relating to Him because they were the actions of His Son. Today, we possess that same Son from Baptism and even more by our consecration and can equally relate.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Costantina Telada FSP (1981)—Sr. M. Diamantina Russo FSP (1986)—Sr. M. Rosaria Sabatino FSO (1987)—Sr. Anselma De Stefani FSP (Massimi FSP) (2001)—Sr. M. Antonietta Martini FSP (2003)—Fr. Giuseppe Barbero SSP (2003)—Lucrezia Potano Checchina IAM (2008)—Fr. Carmelo Tommaselli IJP (2010).

February 25, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, February 25
LENTEN WEEKDAY
Is. 58: 9-14
Lk 5: 27-32


Let’s live a laborious life. The Master was known as a carpenter and Mary and Joseph were never idle. (VMC 293).

Father Tom: Not too much relaxation—that has its place and I sometimes recommend it—but how we relax. The Founder suggested: by changing occupation. Workaholic? Maybe, but…is the alternative really helpful?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Rosa Usai HFI (1983)—Sr. Maria Paola Fadda FSP (1985)—Sr. M. Ermenegilda Asolan PD (1985)—Carlos Anibal Munoz HFI (1990)—Sr. M. Giacinta Giordana FSP (1996)—Anna Namestnik HFI (2003).

February 24, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, February 24
LENTEN WEEKDAY
Is. 58: 9-14
Lk 5: 27-32


We have to arrive at the fruits of our study, our apostolate (VMC 286).

Father Tom: What are our “studies”? a) how to improve our spiritual lives; b) how to find other members. Let’s be clear about this.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Giustina Rossi FSP (1999)—Maria ia Basciani HFI (2006).

February 23, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, February 23
LENTEN WEEKDAY
St. Polycarp
Dt. 30: 15-20
Lk 9: 22-25


Let’s make progress in our daily duties—even sweeping the floor. (VMC 278)

Father Tom: What are MY daily duties? What are yours? It is these that the Master first checks to see how valuable our lives are. Then there is your consecration. Everything you do in that context is good. Nothing you do outside it is better.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Lina Conte IAM (1983)—Sr. M. Lilia Ranieri FSP (1990)—Agusta Omiccioli HFI (1993)—Sr. M. M. Coradina Panella PD (1996)—Sr. M. Silvana Guerriero FSP (1998)—Fr. Pietro Burgio IJP (1999)—Sr. Clelia Bianco FSP (2000) Sr. Concettina Borgogno FSP (2003)—Sr. Stefanina Busso FSP (2003)—Fr. Nicola Rutzu IJP (2005)—Fr. Leo Sartor SSP (2007)—José Guadalupe Paredes HFI (2008)—Sr. Anna Maria Prandi FSO (2010)—Caroline Denise Baack (1971)

February 22, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, February 22
ASH WEDNESDAY
Jl 2: 12-18
2 Cor. 5: 20-6-2
Mt 6: 1-18


It’s not enough o move ahead for the sake of moving ahead. We have to recall where we are coming from (before knowing the HFI) and where we are now (VMC 272)

Father Tom: We are called to uniuque Church group—no other offers Vatican-regulated membership for married couples/widowed. During this Lent, ask: Do I really believe this?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Caterina Servello PD (1982)—Sr. M. Genoveffa Gallina PD (1983)—Msgr Umberto Florenzani IJP (1987)—Sr. Edvige Gasparini FSP (1992)—Sr. M. Rosina Pucci PD (1992)—Bro Dionisio Burlon SSP (2005)—Iolanda Branch HFI (2008)—Sr. M. Rosanna Cavallin FSP (2009)—Augusto Ambrogioni HFI (2009)—Maria Teresa Moretti IAM – Rina Signoretti HFI (2010)—Maria Zuniqo (1941)

February 21, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, February 21
OF THE DAY
St. Peter Damian, bishop and Doctor
Jas: 4-1-10
Mk 9: 30-37


The Master sent the Holy Spirit to enlighten his apostles and help them understand what he had told them but which they either did not understand or had forgotten (VMC 268)

Father Tom: Same for you. You read and listen to the materials sent but have to pray that you grasp their message for YOU. Listening to the same homily, each of us gets a different message as the Master sees the need. Are you SURE you are getting YOURS?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Angela Yamanouchi FSP (1982)—Fr. Francesco Amoroso IJP (1989)—Sr. Albana Tonin FSP (2002)—Frank Mc Grady (1979)

February 20, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, February 20
OF THE DAY
Jas. 3: 13-18
Mk 9: 14-29

What is useful here and hereafter must be acquired and even over-acquired. What is useless should be rejected. (VMC 65).

Father Tom: The problem is to know what is useful and useless. Thatis what our HFI membership wishes to emphasize: hopefully, we have all learned the difference.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Natalia Accatiino HFI (1984)—Sr. M. Teresa Binello PD (1985)—Bro. Luigi Toffoletto sSP (1993)—Sr.M. Aurelia Colesso PD (1996)—Sr. Gregorina Baroni FSP (1999)—Palmira Teixeira Goncalves IAM (2001)—Giuseppina Galiao IAM (2002)—Sr. Elena Ravotto FSP (2004)—Fr. Enrico Lazzasrini IJP (2008)—Fr. Marsiio Galli IJP (2009)—Baltazar Valdes (1927)—Ray Clark (no year).

Our Save the Dying Association Was Never More Needed

Our "Save the Dying" Association was never more needed.




February 19 - 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time



Forgiveness of sin is the message in this Sunday's liturgy - and we may well see this is a self-evident fact which we have always believed and look around for some other teaching. But perhaps we should pause - especially in our paganized society - and ask ourselves what is involved.


The First Reading really opens the door to sinners! God is ready and anxious to forgive the sins of His people and He proposes to do so with divine generosity. Nevertheless it would seem from a superficial perusal of these lines that, no matter what our disposition, forgiveness is ours. But . . . doesn't the sinner have to stop somewhere along his hectic journey and ask himself: "Do I want to be forgiven?" If he has no intention of stopping - indeed if he's having a great time - what is the moment when God intervenes to forgive sins for which the sinner has no repentance whatsoever? If the sick man is enjoying his sickness and refuses the medications ... how can he get better? Clearly this Reading does not say it all.


The Responsorial Psalm is more in line with our usual thinking. The Response: "Heal my soul for I have sinned against you,"sets the right tone. Of course God wants to forgive and is divinely generous, but why should He forgive if He has not been asked? Do we need courts of law any more - "come home, it's all forgiven!?


The Second Reading is not quite so out of line with the rest as we have come to expect: Jesus is the Man of Yes (in the good old days certain superiors of our were called "the men of 'no' because that was their favorite word!). The background here is Paul's Letter to the Corinthians who, apparently, had accused him of duplicity. Paul protests his authenticity - he does not need to be forgiven.


The Gospel is a story of forgiveness in two stages: first the impressive healing - "forgiving" - of the paralyzed man, and then words of divine forgiveness for his spiritual state. Like the people, we are impressed by this miracle, but we should certainly also spare a thought for the four Good Samaritans who went to considerable lengths on behalf of their sick friend.


That is your role and mine: perhaps try to bring a misguided friend back to the practice of his faith but, if that is not feasible, then to storm heaven on his behalf. All over the Church there has spread a deadening cloud of indifference as more and more Catholics behave in a way which now appears to be taken for granted but which would have elicited words of concern - and more than concern - a few decades ago. We mustn't forget these people, sometimes our next-door neighbors, who may well be in danger of making the final and most devastating mistake: and eternity in Hell. Our devotion SAVE THE DYING was never more urgent and if you haven't begun to practice it, today is the day to begin!


~February 2012 Concord

February 19, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, February 19
7th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Is 43: 18-25
2 Cor: 18-22
Mk 2: 1-2


If somebody wastes or burns currency it is seen as a form of madness. But why not the same judgment when we waste our mind on things that don’t concern us or are really harmful? (VMC 261)

Father Tom: Doesn’t need comment—just an examination if conscience!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Orsola Crespan PD (1934)—Sr. M. Silvestra Boscariol FSP (1966)—Fr. Pierino Marazza SSP (1977)—Sr. Carmelina Gado FSP (1985)—Fr. Teresio Pesce SSP (1986)—Fr. Virginio Passarin SSP (1988)—Gioconda Giannotta HFI (1991)—Sr. M. Roangela Fruttero PD (1995)—Alfonso Ricca HFI (2005)—Sr. Emilia Menale FSP (2008)

February 18, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, February 18
7 HOLY FOUNDERS OF THE SERVITES
Jas 3: 1-10
Mk 9: 2-13


The idea is the beginning of every internal and external action. To control our minds is a fundamental requirement and totally indispensable for success in time and in eternity (VMC 254)

Father Tom: Haven’t you heard that somewhere before?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Cecilia Calabresi FSP (1999)—Sr. Maria de Lourdes Belem FSP (2009)—William D. McParland (2004)

February 17, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, February 17
7 HOLY FOUNDERS OF THE SERVITES
Jas 2: 14-26
Mk 8: 34-9: 1


When we rule out the work of Providence, life loses much of its meaning and becomes a blind combination of natural events and human malice. When, instead, our Faith in God is strong al of human history reveals a divine design moving on in favor of people and things (VMC 259)

Father Tom: These words, written in 1954, are just as applicable to our times where everything seems to be falling apart.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Clorinda Serfilippo FSP – Antonietta Mancuso IAM (1984)—Sr. M. Pierina Cordero FSP (1990)—Domenico Parenzan HFI (1995)—Fr. Carlo Boano SSP (1998)—Barbara Runino IAM (1998)—Sr. M. Onesimo Chiavassa PD (2004)—Sr. M. Frumenzia Manuli PD (2007)—Fr. Remo Quaranta IJP (2009)—Sr. M. Aurora Malavolta FSP (2010)

February 16, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, February 16
OF THE DAY
Jas 2: 1-9
Mk 8: 27-33


Sometimes we want to be popular even if that involves stretching the truth the Church teaches (VMC 241).

Father Tom: The Founder wrote in 1952 but his words are still very relevant. We ended 2011 with urgent insistent on the rights of same-sex couples and the need to inoculate boys(!) to avoid cancer deriving from sexual encounters! We have to take a strong stance on this nonsense and insist that the remedy is to avoid sex!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Alberto Vidal HFI (1987)—Sr. M. Carolina Bordino FSP (1988)—Santino Giovanrosa, Gabrielite (2004)—Dominador uinto (1936)—Billie Ruth Baack (1998)

February 15, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, February 15
OF THE DAY
Jas 1: 19-27
Mk 8: 22-26


Pauline life makes us similar to our master and protector, St. Paul (VMC).

Father Tom: In a very brief sentence the Founder has condensed a very important and very far=reaching message. Similar? Yes, but there is so much to choose from: writer, preacher, traveler, martyr (if he didn’t die it was no fault of those who scourged him), saint. Reading his life, can you identify with some facet of it?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Angelica Castellani FSP (2001)—Sr. Giovanna Dal Borgo SGBP (2003)—Laura Perrucci HFI (2003)—Sr. M. Ignazia Scano PD (2009)—Maria Marchi HFI (2010)—Marilyn Pauley HFI (2001)—Josephine Diederich (2003)

February 14, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, February 14
SS CYRIL & MEHTODIAS, monk, bishop
Jas 1: 12-18
Mk 8: 14-21


Jesus Christ has passed among us, the greatest man in history and now in the Holy Spirit He continues what he began: human history, like your life and mine, will conclude in eternity (VMC).

Father Tom: Perhaps we hardly ever grasp how important each of us is: born because God wanted us, faithful because God helped us, destined for happiness without end because God loved us. How can I show today a return of this love?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Claudia Da Sois SGBP (1957)—Sr. M. Carmela Ferrero PD (1975)—Sr. M. Tomasina Pica PD (1992)—Sr. M. Celese Paccione FSP (1998)—Sr. M. Ignazia Bellagamba PD (2000)—Fr. Luigi Rossi IJP (2000)—Sr. M. Amabile Atzori PD (2002)—Sr. Gabiella Dal Vecchio SGBP (2008)—Luigi Barria HFI (2008)—Herminio D. Diosomito (2994)

February 13, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, February 13
OF THE DAY
Jas 1: 1-11
Mk 8: 11-13


Study is for life, life if for eternity and everything is for God (VMC 231).

Father Tom: Study? Do we read the current literature and, if not, what is the reason? I often receive Reports using the form of several months ago. Perhaps we need less to read and listen to? Have you any views on this?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Paola Cordero FSP (1991)—Sr. Teofila Pordon FSP (2004)

Sometimes We Do Harm...

"Sometimes we do harm when we think we are doing good."



February 12 - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time


Leprosy has not been wiped out even in our progressive times and even though the cure is not difficult. In the Old Testament it was a frequent visitor and the First Reading gives us that context. The emphasis is on separating the sick individual from the community to avoid a general contagion. We speak in our day of the leprosy of sin and we believe this is a fair comparison: just as the body of the leper is disfigured and even completely consumed by the disease, so is the spirit of the sinner and - if we are to take certain visions of the Saints as our guide - becomes indescribably more horrible because of the beauty of the human spirit.


The Responsorial Psalm is concentrated on this spiritual leprosy but adds a note of hope: whatever may be the remedy for physical leprosy, spiritual leprosy can be forgiven, wiped clean, and the soul restored to its original beauty.


The Second Reading finds our holy Patron urging us to live well and live for God - do everything for His glory. That puts a positive spin on Christian living: doing all for God in good faith helps us avoid the leprosy of sin.


The Gospel highlights the arrival of the Great Healer and the Age of the Messiah. Jesus wants to keep this particular event secret from the mass of the people to avoid any movement toward setting up a kingdom on earth and so he tells the leper: "Mind you say nothing to anyone, with the exception of the religious leaders." They should know that a radical change in their lives has come, but as history shows, they had their own ideas of what sort of change was involved and the Lord was rejected.


That is one point but there is another perhaps more helpful to us today. The leper is told not to speak about his cure except to the priests but - doubtless in the best of faith - he disobeys. We tend to associate disobedience with a clear defiance of a reasonable order or perhaps only a polite request, but sometimes we do harm when we think we are doing good! The leper was overcome with joy when he saw the evidence of his horrible disease disappearing and he just couldn't keep the good news to himself. In the Institute we have occasionally to ask ourselves if we are following the letter of the law or "something better." The problem is that, as a general rale, there is nothing better than a legitimate command and we have to be careful to avoid spending too much time "doing good" and finding that there is no trace in eternity of all that effort.


~ February 2012 Concord

February 12, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, February 12
SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Lv 13: 1-2, 44-46
1 Cor 10: 31-11:1
Mk 1: 40-45


Life is a journey toward eternity and each day is a stage of the journey (VMC 225).

Father Tom: How little this thought forms part of us! In the morning? We have family to look after or (hopefully!) a job to go to. At midday? Challenges in the family or at our job or perhaps doctor’s appointments. In the evening? Rush, rush again…until we collapse on our bed, exhausted. Today, let’s take at least some time to recall the important things.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Tommaso Dragone SSP (1974)—Sr. Luigina Nanni PD (1976)—Fr. Alejandro Sanchez SSP (1979)—Sr. M. Celina Bonini FSP (2007)—Sr. M. Augusta Monti FSP (2010)—Walter Fortuna HFI (2008)—Margery Seamen Bowe (2009)

That's Why I Came...

"That is why I came...to preach the Good News"



February 5 - 5th Sunday in Ordinary time.


This Sunday we have a variety of approaches:the First Reading from Job is heavily pessimistic and all the more because Job is a sick man who sees no future in this life and is apparently unaware of any other form of existence. Unfortunately, in spite of two thousand years of Christianity, millions today - would agree with Job and see no reason to take into consideration any life besides the one they have. Atheism has a considerable number of adherents for various reasons and the number is growing. But denying something is never a solution and we Christians can count ourselves very blessed as we endure the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" not like dumb animals but with a confident hope that our suffering is not being wasted but, united to the terrible sufferings of Christ, is gaining for us "a weight of glory" as St. Paul would say.


The Responsorial Psalm for once does not confirm the First Reading but rather takes the opposite stance: we suffer as Christians and not like animals. Our suffering is not a negation but in faith is transformed into a loud cry of joy and triumph because the Master has gone before us, endured a brutalization which, hopefully, none of us ever will, and has come out into the sunshine of a glorious eternity which he promises also to us.


Once again, inevitably we might say, St. Paul is quoted in the Second Reading on a subject which (as usual) is not directly linked to the main theme but is nevertheless extremely relevant: if we have the Good News we must share it with a darkened and pessimistic - because sinful - world. Sinful? Yes, there are endless material negatives in our time which are, fundamentally, the result of grave sin and for which, unfortunately, the people being made to suffer are usually very innocent.. We must preach about the fundamental goodness of God but also about the consequences when there is widespread abuse of His law and his gifts. St. Paul spent his life doing just that, ignoring the eventual cost to himself.


Finally, the Gospel shows the historical progress of the Good News which is both spiritual and material - Peter's mother-in- law is the well-known example. The Lord is described as "helping her up" and the text goes on to say that "the whole town" came looking for healing. Very well, but the last sentences of this Gospel are full of meaning. Tired or not, Jesus rises early to pray. When Peter and the others come seeking him out they say: "Everybody is looking for you" ... (to be healed). His nswer is striking: "Let us go to the neighboring towns . . . so that I can preach there." And why? "Because that is why I came ... (to share the Good News)." Healing? Yes, that too is a sign of my merciful heart but my mission is to heal souls and I prepare for that work by intense and frequent prayer. That is a valuable and much-needed lesson in today's Church.


~February 2012 Concord

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2012

It's Sunday!



January 29 - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time


Today's Readings make two points: a) the completely new teaching of Christ, authoritative, independent of the teaching of other Rabbis, and b) the Lord's impressive powers. Strangely enough, the people in the synagogue list first what Jesus says and only later what he does. We would have expected the opposite.


The First Reading has the same emphasis. It is from Deuteronomy, the Old Testament summary of the final words and directions of Moses addressed to the Israelites who have survived the forty years' wandering in the desert wilderness. The reference to the future prophet - Christ - gives us the usual parallel between this Reading and the Gospel. There will be false prophets also and the task for the people down the centuries will be to sift the wheat from the chaff.


The point of the Responsorial Psalm is found partly in the cry of joy and confidence in God's protection, but equally in the important repetition: "If today you would listen to his voice,harden not your hearts." What are we to make of this sensible appeal in a day and age when vast numbers of Catholics have ignored the voice of God sounding in the Church and, after selling their souls to material prosperity, are suddenly left high and dry? There was a time when material suffering drove people back to religion. Is that happening now? A very important prayer intention is for the huge numbers dying every day in dubious moral circumstances.


What has the Second Reading has to do with today's general theme? Well, your guess is as good as mine and all we can say is that St. Paul's view of marriage must not be judged on this somewhat negative extract - in the Letter to the Ephesians he is much more positive and the two quotations taken together give the sort of balanced picture we might expect from our holy Patron. The Reading, however, raises another point: has it been worthwhile to add something from St. Paul each Sunday just so as to make his immortal writing more familiar to the average Catholic? Well, what do YOU think?


Finally the Gospel, highlighting one more dramatic incident from the Master's life. In this case, as we just mentioned, the people get the right message: both action and word speak of the authority of Jesus. He has something new to say and he confirms it with impressive displays of power. The Lord is not satisfied with words he himself could have learned in one of the many Rabbinical schools but is his own authority. He does not merely repeat the provisions of he Law which were so beloved of the religious leaders but gives his own version of what his Father wants. This pattern of word and action has come down to us and is repeated in the administration of the Sacraments and in the celebration of the Eucharist: the simplest of materials - bread, wine, water, oil - linked to the power of God and the word of the minister, enliven our lives and enable us to continue our frequently stumbling journey to the blessed situation where we will no longer need either.


~ February 2012 Concord

February 11, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, February 11
OUR LADY OF LOURDES
Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday
1 Kings 12: 26-34
Mk 8: 1-10


The Last Things (= Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell) are the big points of reference if we want to make a successful journey through life (VMC 217).

Father Tom: The current attitude to death is like it always has been: “Too bad…” followed perhaps by a funeral, by tributes to the dead person, then by a fraternal get-together…and then the deceased is forgotten, except perhaps for an annual remembrance. How heartless!! Do the Stations as often as possible for your dead relatives and friends.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Lucia Melchiori FSP (1944)—Fr. Gino Caffarri SSP (1968)—Sr. Giovanna M. Ricca FSP (1976)—Sr. M. Filomena Crea PD (1984)—Fr. Thomas Cheruvil SSP (1990)—Giusepina Piriona HFI (2002)—Anna Maria Mazzoni IAM (2003)—Sr. M. Lucia Scurti FSP (2006)

February 10, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, February 10
ST SCHOLASTICA
1 Kings 11: 29-32, 12:19
Mk 7: 31-37


If we are faithful to prayer, a little at a time we will be enlightened, strengthened and guided in the spirituality of St. Paul (VMC 207).

Father Tom: And the word is PRAYER NOT IN DASHING OFF THE PRAYERS AS “TO GET THEM IN!”NOO!! Prayer is a calm practice, a raising of the mind to God, a time of serenity. Say just ONE prayer well… if necessary several times if you like it.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Edoarda Marengo FSP (1982)—Maria Viti HFI (1987)—Fr. Calcedonio Ognibene IJP (1998)—Sr. Maria Sol Cababarros FSP (2001)—Doris L Kennedy (1985)—Mary Costello (1959)—Vince Sheer (no year)

You are the Center of My Life

Eternal Father, You are the center of my life; I ask for the gift of simply resting in your love for me. In the midst of my busy daily schedule let me be more and more aware of Your constant and gentle presence.

~Praying With Saint Mark's Gospel, p. 53

February 9, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, February 9
OF THE DAY
1 Kings 11: 4-13
Mk 7: 24-30


Our prayer should find us in the presence of God with our whole being: our mind, our will, our heart (VMC 207)

Father Tom: This cannot be presumed, so every now and then, during prayer time, we ask ourselves: where is my mind now, my will, my heart? This simple check is already an act of virtue: we really want to pray well and we show it by checking ourselves.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Alfred Manera SSP (1941)—Angela Urbani HFI (1986)—Bro Domingos Lazzari SSP (2001)—Leilo Toschi, Gabrielite (2001)

Why Love Religion AND Love Jesus

February 8, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, February 8
OF THE DAY
St. Jerome Emiliani
St. Josephine Bakhita
1 Kings 10: 1-10
Mk 7: 14-23


Let us try to love God above everything else, more than ourselves, more than our self-love, more than our ease, more than praise, more than life itself (VMC 187)

Father Tom: This can be done—in theory—by constantly saying “no” to our current desire (as long as our health is not injured or the duties of our state not fulfilled).

Personal Thought: I think detachment is the key here. Constantly saying no to desires that are not sinful or harmful doesn’t seem like something God would want from us. Good desires come from Him. However, being detached enough to care more about God’s will and the happiness and well-being of others so as to be able to deny ourselves our desires at any time is very important. Love of God and neighbor is the key. Please God, help me to know how best to love, and serve you and my neighbor, and how to best glorify Your most holy Name according your Divine Will. In the Name of Jesus, Divine Master, I pray. Amen.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Cleric Angelo Battaglia SSP (1951)—Fr. M. Calogero Cascio IJP (1984)—Fr. Lino Ruzzante SSP (1991)—Bro Martino Zacconi SSP (1995)—Sr. M. Cielo Porcella FSP (1996)—Fr. Giusepe Ferrari IJP (1996)—Sr. Silvestra Coraddu FSP (1997)—Sr. M. Gemma Frtipietro FSP (1997)—Sr. Elisa M. Izzo FSP (2001)—Sr. Paquita Lackar FSP (2009)—Bro Silvio Bante SSP (2009)—Willia Beattie HFI (2011)—Nancy Deren IAM (2011)

February 7, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, February 7
OF THE DAY
First Tuesday of the month—the Souls in Purgatory
1 Kings 8: 22-30
Mk 7: 1-13


Let’s ask God to help us love Him with the heart of Jesus and with all our mind, all our strength, all our will, all our heart (VMC 187).

Father Tom: The all here is the problem. Even the great Saints, at the end of their lives would have told you that they did not quite love God as His Son did. But they tried and tried heroically…let’s do the same!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Angelo Zappalorto SSP (1983)—Fr. Nino Ansaloni IJP (1987)—Sr. Bruna De Stefani FSP (1990)—Sr. Giovanna Pettinati FSP (1998)—Sr. Enrica Ordini FSP (1999)—Sr. Julianna Castelino PD (2004)

February 6, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, February 6
ST PAUL MIKI & Companions
First Monday of the month—St. Paul
1 Kings 8: 1-7, 9-13
Mk 6: 53-56


The secret of successful living it to use the good things of life but not let ourselves be used by them. What should be means becomes a goal. Where is my life headed: more possessions or more prayer? (VMC 184).

Father Tom: This applies also to the spiritual good we do: it becomes a reason for drawing attention to us, rather than God and a lot of good work is ruined for eternity.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Nazaena Bonfarunuzzo PD (1985)—Fr. Dino Masini IJP (1995)—Bro Rosarius Thuruthparayil SSP (2003)—Fr. Giordano Pasutto SSP (2009)—Maruja Mamaril

February 4-5, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, February 5
FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
First Sunday of the month—The Divine Master, Way, Truth and Life
Job 7: 1-4, 6-7
1 Cor 9: 16-19, 22-23
Mk 1: 29-39


To know our statute is good and indeed needed. But it cannot become effective if it is not put into practice by us, privately and—when needed—publicly—(VMC 181)

Father Tom: Hardly needs a comment. The same message since February began…does this mean something?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Caterina Rosso PD (1943)-- Ven. Sr. Tecla Merlo FSP, first Mother General of the Daughters-- Sr. M. Colomba Bovicelli FSP (1991)—Fr. Salvatore Bella IJP (1993)—Bro José M. Lopez SSP (1998)—Fr. Guglielmo Badenchini SSP (1998)—Bro Maggiorino Caldellara SSP (2001)—Sr. M. Angelica Baldi FSP (2006)—Sr. M. Nazarena Huerta Juarez FSP (2007)—Sr. Veritas Iolanda Ferro SGBP (2008)—Francesca Bertola HFI (2009)


88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Saturday, February 4
OF THE DAY
Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday
First Saturday of the month—Mary Queen of Apostles
Kings. 3: 4-13
Mk 6: 30-34

Jesus formed His apostles by teaching them heavenly truths, giving the example of a holy life and praying incessantly for them (VMC).

Father Tom: Then on Clavary He seemed to have lost them. Not so. With that three-fold approach He just couldn’t lose. And neither can you if you follow it.

February 3, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, February 3
ST BLAISE, ST ANSGAR, Bishop
First Friday of the month—The Sacred Heart
Sir 47: 2-11
Mk 6:14-29


Speaking is for the ear, reasoning informs the mind, but piety transforms and communicates life (VMC 176).

Father Tom: Sometimes we feel frustrated: Others are doing so much more than I am! Reply: the first work is to become better than you were; the second is to share your vocation. Speaking without praying is a waste of time. Praying without speaking?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Agostino Zappalorto SSP (1933)—Fr. Agostino Ghione SSP (1980)—Sr. Gilma M. Alvarado FSP (1982)—Msgr Umberto Altomare IJP (1986)—Fr. Francesco Bruno IJP (1991)—Virginia Boi HFI (1993)—Carmela M. Calzarano IAM (1995)—Lidia Satta HFI (2005)—Evelyn Bnahan (1990)

February 2, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, February 2
PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
First Thursday of the month—The Guardian Angels
Mal 3: 1-4
2 Heb 2: 14-18
Lk 2:22-40

WORLD DAY OF CONSECRATED LIFE


Many have wanted to reform the Church, but not themselves. Jesus led by example, word and sacrifice—the Way, the Truth and the Life (VMC 177).

Father Tom: How much better are you now than years ago? Knowing more but not living it? Do now the exam you will want to do on your deathbead.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro Stanislao Evangelista SSP (1972)—Fr. Vito Minerva KJP (1978)—Fr. Louis Bohorquez SSP (1991)—Fr. Gino Pizzeghello SSP (1992)—Sr. M. Immacolata Aiello FSP (1996)—Anna Priore IAM (1998)—Msgr Carlo Urru IJP (2002)—Sr. Matalina Pillolla FSP (2010)—Rosa Valdes (1943).

Parents' Prayer

The Parent’s Prayer


O Master, make me a better parent. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they say, and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them, talking back to them, and contradicting them. Make me as courteous to them as I want them to be to me. Give me the courage to confess my sins against my children and to ask their forgiveness when I know that I have wronged them.

May I not hurt the feelings of my children. Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes or ridicule them in an attempt to punish. Let me not tempt them to lie and steal. Guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness.

Blind me to the little errors of my children, and help me to see the good things they do. Give me a ready word for honest praise when they do right.

Help me to grow up with my children, to treat them as children and not as adults. Let me not judge them according to the standards of adult behavior. Do not allow me to rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves, to think, to choose, and to make decisions. Forbid that I should ever punish them for my own selfish satisfaction. May I grant them all their wishes that are reasonable and have the courage always to withhold a privilege which I know would be harmful.

Lord, make me so fair and just, so considerate and compassionate to my children, that they will have a genuine esteem for me. Make me worthy of being loved and imitated by my children. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen


~January 2012 Concord

February 1, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

I found this image on the internet and will gladly give credit.

February 2012: The Month of the Passion of Our Lord


Wednesday, February1
OF THE DAY
First Wednesday of the month—St. Joseph
2 Sm 24: 2, 9-17
Mk 6:1-6


Being able to make the people we habitually live with happy and relaxed is a valuable gift: being serious, but not unbending, keeping things in order, but not being fanatic about them, good, but not weak (VMC 172).

Father Tom: Well? How do you measure up? How do I? (Don’t answer that!)

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Luningning Lopez (AM (1994)—Corradina Adamo HFI (2004)—Sr. M. Virginia Tenore PD (2006)—Emetrio Adriano (1976)—Ed Friloux, Margie Reilly (no years for these)