March 31, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, March 31

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Ez 37:  21-28

Jn 11:  45-56

Many have wanted to reform the Church, but without reforming themselves first (UPS 1, 516).

Father Tom: This thought might offer a solution to the difficulty in finding new people.  Am I, (Fr TF) fully reformed?  Unfortunately, no.  So that leaves YOU…how reformed are you?

Consolation: Jesus had failures too!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Giuseppe Zilli SSP ( 1980)—Fr. Giuseppe Morini SSP (1985)—Fr. Gennaro Di Nucci IJP (1994)—Luigi Giovanni Giaccio HFI (2006)—Guido Bosio HFI (2006)—Sr. M. Margherita Croci PD  (2008).

March 30, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, March 30

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Jer 20: 10-13

Jn 10:  31-42

Our holiness consists in living Jesus Christ as He is presented in the Gospels:  Truth, Way and Life (CISP 264).

Father Tom: Did I think and speak like Christ today?  Did I act like Him?  Did I turn to Him for help (= life)  Limiting ourselves to these basic points can make our exams less tortuous and more effective .

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Bertilla Urbani FSP (1962)—Fr. Vincenzo M. Urbani IJP (2000)—Sr. Agnese Magarotto SGBP (2001)—Maria do Carmo Gomes Oliveira IAM (2005)—Fr. Giuseppe Ferrazzano IJP (2006)—Sr. M. Leonia Diez FSP (2007)—Sr. Costanza Bianciotto FSP (2010)

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

Thursday, March 29

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Gn 17:3-9

Jn 8:  51-59

In the morning you say:  You are the Way, I want to talk (walk) in Your footsteps.  You are the Truth, enlighten me. You are the Life, inspire me (ER 1, 132).

Father Tom: Actually, we can say this short prayer any time.  It’s always a useful reminder of what we want to be – and perhaps what we have failed to be.  Our exam should not cover weaknesses only (“distractions in prayer”) but much more attitudes .

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Michele Sarullo IJP ( 1993)—Sr. Teresa Bianco FSP (1995)—Sr. Guglielmina Olivoni FSP (1995)—Sr. M. Conrelia De Toffoli PD (1996)—Egidio Putzus HFI (1997)—Isabel Sabugo HFI (2002)—Fr. Felipe Gutierrez SSP (2004)—Sr. Mansueta Chisea FSP (2005)—Sr. Lucia Migliore FSP (2007)—Giuseppina Sanfilippo IAM (2009).

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

Wednesday, March 28

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Dn 3: 14-29

Jn 8:  31-42

We will be saints in the measure in which Jesus Christ lives in us (CISP., 11-12).

Father Tom: In other words, we try to think as we believe Christ would think, to speak ads we believe Christ would speak and to act as we believe Christ would act.  A useful exam might ber:  how was I a “Christ” today, in public and in private?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Michele Perillo HFI (1996)—Sr. M. Tarcisia Spadaro PD (2008)—August Schenzinger-Liddy (no date, no year)—Vernonica Burnieika (1922)

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

Tuesday, March 27

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Nm 21: 4-9

Jn 8:  21-30

Through faith, we see all people as souls to whom we owe truth, edification and prayer (FP 26).

Father Tom: Through a GREAT faith if the experience of most of us is any guide!  Unfortunately we stop at appearances and faults and rarely get to look past these externals to a soul in need.  Let’s try to do better!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Fulgenzia Rapagnani PD (1979)—Fr. Gino Grimaldi IJP (1983)—Sr. M. Giuseppina Ambrosio PD (1989)--  Sr. M. Nazarena Andolfi PD (1994)—Sr. M. Enrichetta Morabito PD (1998)—Sr. Giacinta Pescio FSP (1999)-- Msgr. Bernardo Antonini IJP (2002)—Assunta Gramaglia HFI (2002)—Lillie Cusack (1994)—Robert Walten Cadenhead

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

Monday, March 26

THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD

Is 17: 10-14

Heb 10: 4-10

Lk 1:  26-38

All of us are here to serve—no bosses!  All of us are striving for perfection – no one is already perfect (UPS 1  292)--.

Father Tom: “UPS” is not the well-known carrier but the Ut Perfectus Sint (= that they may be perfect) of a collection of the Founder’s talks given in 1960 to the pioneers of the SSP in nations outside Italy who had come together in the then new Retreat House in Ariccia, a small town in the Roman hills.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Ausilia Cristino PD (1964)—Bro Giuseppe Zemiti SSP (1975)—Sr. M. Paolina Pivetta FSP (1990)—Fr. Raffaele Tonni SSP (1995)—Fr. Adelmo Barbati SSP (1999)—Fr. Aldo Ferraboschi IJP (2004)—Angelo Alessi HFI (2008)

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

Sunday, March 25

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Jer 31: 31-34

Heb 5: 7-9

Jn 12:  20-33

The last day of our life should be our most fervent one, and the last year of our life, our most fervent year (FM II 24).

Father Tom: And if I knew that his year was my last, what changes would I make in my day?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Gurrino Pelliccia SSP (1991)—Fr. Antonio Giovinazzo IJP IJP (1992)—Sr. M. Faustina Audisio PD (2003)--

Anyone Who Loves His Life...Loses it...

"Anyone who loves his life...loses it. Anyone who loves the REAL life, keeps it forever."

March 25 - Fifth Sunday of Lent

The word "covenant" in the First Reading deserves a few special words. It is defined as " a formal, solemn and binding agreement," between two equal parties. But in Scripture - beginning with Abraham and, in a sense, even with our First Parents, the two parties are NOT equal because one of them is God Who freely binds Himself to a set of conditions strictly in our favor. Covenants were made and remade between God and special men - representing the Chosen People - down the centuries. All of them had to be made again and again because the men in question died. But the covenant .with the man, Jesus of Nazareth, lasts forever because he is alive and well. That is why at the Consecration of the Mass we find the words "new and eternal covenant" - new because made with a new man, Jesus, and eternal because he lives forever. Moreover this new covenant is not something written down but rather something written in our hearts as we respond joyfully to the totally free offer God makes us.

The concept of "covenant" is essentially a reassuring one but before God we can never justify ourselves and so we ask for His mercy in this beautiful Responsorial Psalm which we might well add to our daily prayers.

The Second Reading is from Hebrews which was formerly attributed to Paul but perhaps not correctly. In its style and theme it is certainly worthy of him but in its calm and collected language, it bears little sign of the Apostle's tendency to deviate from his main subject every now and then while he adds a stray thought that occurred to him as he walked up and down dictating to his secretary. The Reading, whoever may be its author, underlines the immense sacrifice of the Master in accepting suffering especially in his Passion and Death and, as a result, he is now our "source of eternal salvation."

The theme of the "seed" which dies but fructifies   is found in other Evangelists besides John but in the Gospel he gives  it a special twist: Jesus himself is the precious divine seed which by dying will give life to mankind.   The lesson here for us is not merely that we should be humble and mortify ourselves so as to
become holy. John has more than that in mind. The Greeks approach Philip and ask to see Jesus  -  they want to  meet the popular figure who draws crowds and enjoys a certain success. Jesus receives them cordially but banishes any idea of getting his autograph and tells them bluntly that he will soon die but also
rise and be glorified and that they - if they are sensible people - must follow the same road. "Anyone who loves his life, loses it and anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." It was a startling and totally unexpected statement and  the Greeks must have been even more shocked to hear  a
voice from heaven - if, that is, they understood it - telling exactly who this popular figure was.   Jesus, however, is in no doubt. He is going to tackle the Prince of this world - Satan - and conquer him. He would pay a terrible price but his victory was assured.

~ March 2012 Concord

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

Saturday, March 24

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Jer 11: 18-20

Jn 7:  40-53

Make it a habit of life to do the will of God because virtue is acquired by small steps (IA 4, 29).

Father Tom: Practice putting God first… this duty now instead of a quick look at tv…this good words said now, instead of later…this phone call made now, instead of tomorrow…every day offers many such choices and, made consistently, they will transform your relationship to God.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Scolastica Rivata, first Mother General of Sr. Disciples (1987)—Sr. Teresinha Michels FSP (1993)—Sr. Cesarina Rossi FSP (1995)—Antonia Farruggio IAM (1996)—Fr. Bernardo Zorzetto IJP (1996)—Fr. Bernardo Zorzetto IJP (1996)—Jonh Albert Vincenzo HFI (2004)—Sr. Gabriella Marcazzan FSP (2005)—Felicismo Quinto (2004).

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

Friday, March 23

LENTEN WEEKDAY

St. Turibius de Mogrovejo, Bishop

Wis 2: 1-22

Jn 7:  1-30

We will die as we have lived, but we have to believe this.  I once heard a dying person say:  “What did I do to the Lord for Him to treat me this way?”  What a question!  (IA 429)

Father Tom: No Commentary

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Sr. Angelica Dondi FSP (1994)—Fr. Lorenzo Bertero SSP (1991)—Fr.  Antonio Bosticco SSP (2000)—Sr. M. Onorina Mussi FSP (2002)—Fr. Michele Gargano IJP (2002)—Bro. Antonio Piva SSP (2004)—Sr. M. Scolastica Aoki PD (2004)

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

Thursday, March 22

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Ex  32: 7-14

Jn 5: 31-47

It is not possible to reap without having planted.  Don’t be misled by outward results which actually hide the shallowness of a work (CISP 22).

Father Tom: A good point here is this:  are the results actually ours  You write a book, for example, which sells very well.  But could you have become famous without paper-makers, printers, distributors, advertisers, etc. This is at the secular level but at the spiritual level it is much more true.

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Fr. Armando Pesaresi IJP (1985)—Sr. Elena Ramondetti FSP (1999)—Mons. Achille Palmerini IJP (2000)—Giuseppe Izzi HFI (2006)—Sr. M. Franca Riba (2007)—Sr. Maria da Conceicao Carneiro Azevedo FSP (2008)—Luciano Andreoni HFI (2008)—Antonietta Poddi HFI (2010).

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

Wednesday, March 21

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Is  49: 8-15

Jn 5: 17-30

Don’t have hallucinations about grandiose things. Are you really sure that you can accomplish them.  Do you want to incur grandiose debts? (CISP 177).

Father Tom: Actually, our problem may be that we have no plans for anything  because there have been too many failure.  Now that’s a  “hallucination”… the idea that we are defeated.  Never! God is our side.

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Sr. M. Felicia Scellato PD (1967)—Sr. M. Franca Calo’ FSP (1991)—Sr. M. Caterina Bertolino PD (1991)—Sr. Annita Loi FSP (1998)—Bro Francisco Menegon SSP (2004)—Sr. Iracema Gattelli FSP (2004)—Elisa Deidda IAM (2010)—Ann Nephew (1991)

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

Tuesday, March 20

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Ez  47: 1-12

Jn 5: 1-16

We must be aware of the reality of life, the little, simple, small progress made each day towards a definite goal (SM 78).

Father Tom: Sounds easy, but in practice we make small progress…and then large fall-backs. Give up? Never! We just keep on going.

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Sr. M. Batisa Bettinelli PD (1993)—Sr. Rosangela Pasquino AP (1993)—Emilio Tomassini HFI (1993)—Sr. Adele Aimasso FSP (1997)—Sr. M. Fortunata Arrotta FSP (1999)—Fr. Antonio Diaz SSP (2008)—Joyce Sablone (2001)

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

Monday, March 19

ST. JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

2 Sam 7: 4-5a, 12-14a, 16

Rom  4: 13-22

Mt 1: 16-24

St. Joseph cooperated in the redemption of the world.  Let us also cooperate through our prayers and good works (APD 225).

Father Tom: Perhaps the most practical way of doing this is to pray earnestly for the millions today who are in grave danger of dying unprepared to meet their God and to promote our SAVE THE DYING<.B> Association.

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Sr. Lilia M. Lavagnini FSP (1964)—Sr. M. Bernarda Marioni FSP (1971)—Sr. M. Carola Damo FSP (1987)—Sr. M. Sira Baldassari FSP (1999)—Rosa Deplano HFI (1995)—Sr. Geltrude Botto FSP (1999)—Fr. Fedo Brondino SSP (2003)—Sr. Bernardina Borghini FSP (2004)—Sr. M. Querubina Countreras PD (2005)—Bro Federico Faccioli SSP (2008)—Sr. Mary Caroline Tessa fSP (2008)—Sr. M. regina Nota FSP (2009)—Pasquale Fesa HFI (2009)—Elena Ciaglia IAM (2010)

Happy Feast of St. Joseph.  I'm sorry this is so late. it's been a hectic day.

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

Sunday, March 18

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Chr 36: 14-23

Eph 2: 4-10

Jn 18: 3-14-21

If the tongue is not governed, who knows what can be said before night falls?  The uncontrolled words of people whose mouths are never closed always bring repentance afterwards (Pr E 349).

Father Tom: St. James in his Letter (Jas 3:5) gives a powerful—and disturbing comment on the harm a loose tongue can cause.  If it were just limited to the person I speak to, but, alas!  That is seldom the case!

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Domenica Sebastianelli HFI (1987)—Sr. M. Immacolatina Simonetto PD (1990)—Sr. M. Andreina Binello FSP (1994)—Sr. M. Colombina Di Gregorio PD (1998)—Sr. M. Gabriella Miresse FSP (1999)—Sr. M. Lucia Mana PD (2006).

Do We KNOW MORE...but BELIEVE LESS?

Do we KNOW MORE...

... but BELIEVE LESS?

Are we more in the dark...

than we think?

March 18 - 4th Sunday in Lent

A general theme of this Sunday's liturgy is the struggle between light and darkness in which the Son of God, sent by His Father's love for us, intervenes decisively.

The First Reading gives us plenty of darkness and no light if you except the fires set by the enemies of Jerusalem as they consume the Temple, demolish the walls and destroy the palaces and everything else of value. The enemies (Babylonians) were really agents of a very angry God Who had looked on with dismay as priests and people engaged in "shameful practices." Many residents of the devastated city were taken into exile in Babylon and remained there for upwards of seventy years.

Faced with this picture of desolation, we are not surprised that the Responsorial Psalm is one of the most downbeat in the entire liturgy - if not, it is certainly up there with the "downs."

Another quote from St. Paul in the Second Reading which ties in with the others? Well, yes, but somewhat indirectly. St. Paul underlines the supreme - though not always appreciated - value of the Passion and Death of Christ (and this is hinted at in the Gospel). We could also perhaps say that if we have the cross in our own lives in the sense of conforming honestly but with some difficulty to God's rules, then we have in this Reading a certain parallel with the First Reading. In any case , parallel or not, the thought is basic: "those who have been called " (and we people have been called twice, in our Baptism and in our Profession ) know where their true interests lie.

The  Gospel, which otherwise has little to  do  with either Reading,   is  instead  very  relevant  in  terms   of the  Lord's upcoming death but  even more  in terms  of his  upcoming Resurrection: " Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up" These very words will be used to nail down his conviction when he is on trial for his life.    But, we might add, even if he had explained, as John explains, that he was talking about his
resurrected body . . . would that have made any difference? The Evangelist concludes this Gospel passage with the significant lines: " many believed in his name when they saw the signs   he gave", but Jesus was not interested then (and is not interested now) in a faith founded on signs and remarkable manifestations.
For us today the Lord has suffered and died and risen and is living and active in the Eucharist and the Gospel. Do we believe this today? Did we believe it in former times? It's a good question and even an embarrassing one: perhaps in the past we believed more though we actually knew less; today the danger is
to know more but to believe less. The atmosphere of mystery has disappeared from our religious lives and we may well feel that nothing has come to substitute it.

~March 2012 Concord

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

Saturday, March 17

LENTEN WEEKDAY

St. Patrick, Bishop

Hos 6: 1-6

Lk 18: 9-14-34

What happens if the driver loses control of the car?  But to drive ourselves is much more difficult— we need to be in control of our thoughts – very difficult – of the heart, the imagination, our eyes, our tongue, etc. (PrE 349).

Father Tom: One way we might do this is to cultivate frequent invocations – very often more effective and genuine than just “rushing through” or “getting in” our regular prayers.

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Sr. Natalia Colavecchio FSP (1949)—Sr. M. Alba Prest SGBP (1967)—Sr. Romana Migliardi FSP  (1988)—Reneé Montes HFI (1998)—Rafaella Cappai FSP (2008)—Giovanni Cleri HFI (2008)—Sr. Teresa Migliorini FSP (2010)—Rev. Joseph Lappet (1965).

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

Friday, March 16

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Hos 14: 2-10

Mk 12: 28-34

Know yourself A period of reflection is such a good thing and when we know ourselves in this sense we have grown morally.  St. Augustine used to pray:  “That I may know you, Lord, and that I may know myself.” (CISP 64).

Father Tom: This prayer will be answered.  The Master is more anxious than we are that we should know Him, but even more that we should know ourselves.  From Baptism onwards, He works incessantly on our mind, will and heart to enlighten and guide us.

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Fr. Domenico Ravina SSP (1982)—Italo Beretta HFI (2002)—Sr. Giuseppa Dell’Aira FSP (2003)—Sr. M. Imaacolata Tresham PD (2004)—Sr. Lorenzina Davico  FSP (2005).

March 14-15 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, March 15

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Jer 7: 23-28

LK 11: 14-23

Know yourself … not the multitude of things that are of no account or are even harmful (UPS II  80).

Father Tom: This statement goes back to 1960…Fifty years later it is still very relevant.  All over the world people who should know better are anxiously concerned about how the movie ended or the game was lost.  And very little concerned about the potential loss of their souls!

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Sr.  M. Amabile Lombardi FSP (1952)—Fr. Luigi Borio SSP (1970)—Fr. Ercole Canavero SSP (1975)—Fr. Giovanni Boccaleoni IJP (1982)—Placido Airo HFI (1982)—Fr. Giovanni Rossi SSP (1983)—Marianna Zaccaria HFI (2000)—Fr. Vincenzo Di Renzo IJP (2007)—Nunzia Zinni IAM (2008)

88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Wednesday, March 14

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Dt. 4: 1-5, 9

Mt 5: 17-19

We are educated when we know how to use our freedom properly (FP 13).

Father Tom: “Educated” does not refer to book-learning only but comes from “ex” (“from”) and “ducere” (“to lead”).  So the basic meaning is to bring out from someone whatever good qualities are there.  When we make god use of our time, someone has “brought out from us” this ability.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Adeodata Gallo FSP (1974)—Maria Tommaso HFI (1996)—Sr. Pilar Roggero FSP (2005)—Sr. Domenica Credico FSP (2005)—Sr. Magdala Castellino FSP (2005)—Fr. Giovanni Bandini SSP (2009)—Leo Converse (1961)

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

Tuesday, March 13

LENTEN WEEKDAY

2 Dn  3: 25-43

Mt 18: 21-35

Excessive care can weaken us. Give the body as much exercise as it can take.  When I am not pressed for time I climb the stairs on foot—an exercise that is good for the health(IA 96).

Father Tom: Of course, each of us is a different person with different needs so there is no need to begin an intense regime of exercise!  But we can climb the stairs also as a mortification as long as our hearts are oki.

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Sr. Barberina Sacco FSP (1967)—Domenica Dellerba HFI (1995)—Sr. Gaudenzia Sanino FSP (2005)—Thomas Endress (1991)

March 12, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberiona and With Father Tom

Monday, March 12

LENTEN WEEKDAY

2 Kgs  5: 1-15

Lk 4: 24-30

If I had been concerned about every little ailment of mine, I would have been confined to my room for the last forty-five years, closed off and avoiding drafts, asking to be served(IA 96).

Father Tom: True, but I don’t think any of us is living a “confined” life so the Founder’s remarks are probably directed to some members who spoke of illness or retirement more than he liked.  His theory was that a consecrated person should never “retire” but simply find less-stressful work.

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Sr. Irene Venturi FSP (1990)—Fr.  Leonardo Zardi SSP (1991)—Sr. Chiara M. Bellinato FSP (1998)—Joseph René Pelletier HFI (1999)—Bro Isioro Porello SSP (2000)—Fr. Giovanni Battista Mabritto SSP (2001)—Sr. Martha M. Morales FSP (2005)—F. Frnacesco Manca IJP (2009)

Seeking New Members is Our Major and Most Useful Mortification

Seeking new members is our major and most useful mortification.

March 11 - 3rd Sunday in Lent

What do you think of the First Reading this Sunday? Boy, what a list of laws and prescriptions! Is that what we mean by the "freedom of the children of God?" Reads like a document from one of the Government Departments! "You shall have ..." "You shall not . . ." Well, there is a method in this apparent madness. The plain fact is that, burdened by the sin of our First Parents and the billions of sins since, we come into the world blinded in mind and weakened in will and quite unprepared to make our way properly through life. The Lord comes to our assistance: "do this . . . and that. . . and you will make a great success of your years on earth!"

If we still have any doubts on this point, the Responsorial Psalm should clarify them: not only are the  Lord's rules good, in a "pious" sense but they are good in a very practical sense. Don't we think God knows a  ittle more than you and me? If we do, then we begin to obeying ("for the sake of peace") and end up by grasping the guidance of God as Jesus grasped his cross, certain that this is the best possible way of living.

The Second Reading offers a welcome relief. St. Paul, writing to the Ephesians, sets a beautifully positive tone highlighting the essential nature of God, not anger but love in the fullest sense of that word. He remarks that the Ephesians were " dead though their sins," but the Son of God endured his terrible Passion and Death and the infinite power of that super- heroic gesture is greater than their sins or, indeed, all the sins of all sinners of all times. We find the same thought in Paul's Letter to the Romans: "God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us" ( Rom 5, 8) Doubtless Paul always had in mind his own personal experience for which he was permanently grateful.

The Gospel highlights the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus - a noble exception to the generally negative, not to say hateful, attitude of the Religious leaders. The basic theme of today's liturgy is the rebirth of humanity which involves the coming of the Son and, of course, his crucifixion and triumphant resurrection. The text generally is restatement of the main theme and reminds us that soon we will be participating in the Holy Week ceremonies. Time rushes onward - or so it sometimes seems to us - so this Sunday is a good opportunity to see how we have lived Lent so far, not just in terms of prayer but most of all in terms of renewed commitment to our Institute obligations. Last September we had a minor revival of vocations' recruiting. How has it gone since? How have YOU contributed? The patient and persevering attention to vocation promotion is certainly the major mortification for all of us - make sure you can face the Master with openness and sincerity as Nicodemus did.

~ March 2012 Concord

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

Sunday, March 11

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Ex. 20: 1-17

1 Cor 1: 22-25

Jn 2: 13-25

Created things are meant to help us know God, to bring us to love Him and serve Him worthily.  Make use of everything as an instrument for the glory of God (CISP  756/757).

Father Tom: This takes time and patience.  To use rest only for the glory of God?  To use food only for the glory of God?  (Let’s at least say some sort of Grac!).  To work only for the glory of God (Take a few seconds to offer your next project to Him).

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Fr.  Matteo Plassa SSP (1965)—Fr. Giacomo Giraudo SSP (2003)—Sr. Melania Ravarotto FSP (2004)—John Vincenzo Sr. (1980)—Josephine Merlene 2000)

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

Saturday, March 10

LENTEN WEEKDAY

Mi. 7: 14-20

Lk 15: 1-32

Work which is increased through our industry is an imitation of God and brings us closer to Him who is total Activity  (CISP  756/757).

Father Tom: All creatures are made up of “potency” or “rest” followed by “actifity”.  God has no need to rest and is described as Pure Act.

Our activity can also be prayer or some spiritual commitment.  The Founder’s hours in prayer were surely action-packed!

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Sr. Gisella Gallinaro FSP (1991)—Sr. Amalia Zanatta (1994)—Sr. M. Daria Riccitelli PD(1994)--  Fr. Italo FAbbri SSP (2005)—Fr. Nazzareno Amantini IJP (2007)—Chiara Greco HFI (2008)—Fr. Filippo D’Alessandro IJP (2010)—Laura Drouhard (1974)—MaryEllen Donnelly (2002)—Christina Queaga Tarlit (2002)

Don't Stop Now What You Promised for Lent...

The view from the top was
g-r-r-eat! Don't stop now
what you promised for Lent

It's Sunday
March 4 - Second Sunday in Lent

Abraham, "our father in faith," shows just what faith was his in the First Reading. Moving from a situation -  as he saw it - of having no son or heir because his good wife could not give him one, instead he became - amazingly - a father and a father who was promised more descendants than there are stars in the sky. Great! But the story continues and this time the Lord clearly has changed his plans: Abraham must sacrifice  his son! No descendants, no future. But Abraham rise to the occasion: what the Lord wants is good enough for him. And the rest of the story we know. What a tremendous example for many of us - perhaps for all of us - who face huge challenges in silence.

The Responsorial Psalm - 115 - is headed in the Bible: "The One True God." Trust in impossible circumstances always elicits God's blessing. He can do EVERYTHING - as long as we believe in Him.

ALLELUIA ! Why? Because in the Second Reading we have a quote from St. Paul which - for once - matches beautifully the thought in the First Reading. The combination of these two powerful authors should help us increase our faith which in these difficult days for the economy and the Church is often sorely tried. God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son but at the last moment He changes course. Not so when we are talking of the Son of God who came on earth - already a huge sacrifice: (the distance between us and God is infinite) and then lived a very ordinary life capped by a Passion and Death where nothing was allowed to diminish his pain and humiliation. Did I say that God loves us little creatures? How inadequate! He is just CRAZY about us! Why don't we think of this more often - and try to understand it?

Sometimes we ask: why didn't Jesus manifest his power and beauty to the people generally rather than to a very low-key audience on the mountain-top (GOSPEL)? Probably because such a manifestation would have been interpreted by the Religious Leaders as they interpreted his miracles: "we know how he does it: he's in league with Satan!" And the people - cowed by fear of the Scribes and Pharisees and ground down by impossible laws (especially the ones added by the S and P to the Law of God given to Moses) would have accepted this explanation. Actually, the Lord doubtless had in mind the slowness of his followers to understand him and so the need to manifest his power and his mission gradually. And he was perfectly right. We remember that the same three people fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane and then fled for their lives, completely forgetting that great morning on the mountain-top!


~ March 2012 Concord

March 9, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and with Father Tom

Friday, March 9

LENTEN WEEKDAY

St. Frances of Rome

Gen. 37: 3-28

Mt 21: 33-46

For the sake of yourself and those around you, develop your personality, being mindful of truth and not appearances  (CISP  756/757).

Father Tom: Well, we can hardly argue with that.  I think the Founder has in mind what he said elsewhere: a pleasant personality is a powerful apostolic tool—getting  on well with people is a first step toward getting them to think as we do.

Please Pray for Our Deceased:Bro Andrea Degani SSP (1986)—Sr. Marcellina Bertero FSP (1990)—Bernar Munoz De Zicari HFI (1996)—Regina Giorgi HFI (1998)—Sr. M. Raffaela Astolfi PD (1999)—Giuseppe Di Caro HFI (2001)—Sr. M. Canndida Komine FSP (2002)—Sr. America GErvasi FSP (2005)—Sr. Ambrosina Baldi FSP (2007)—Sr. M. Agnese Romeo SGBP (2008)—Sr. M. Gertrudis Fabbri PD (2009)

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

Thursday, March 8

LENTEN WEEKDAY

St. John of God

Jer. 17: 5-10

Lk 16: 19-31

Do not diminish your talents by imprudence or neglect, but rather develop your skills, improve the way you do your job, enlarge your sphere of action and your knowledge (CISP  756/757).

Father Tom: Develop my skills?  Well, yes, but we have always to ask:  when I have developed in some way, how can I usewhole life must go in that direction.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Carmine Vitelllo FSP (1972)—Fr. Alvise Soppelsa (1978)—Fr. Giuseppe Gregoris IJP (2000)—Sr. M. Benedetta Baiguera FSP (2010)—Byron M Bordelon Jr (1974)

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

Wednesday, March 7

LENTEN WEEKDAY

SS Perpetua and Felicity

Wednesday of the Month—St. Joseph

Jer. 18: 18-20

Mt 20: 17-28

A healthy mind in a healthy body. God is life!  Don’t kill the body either by excessive play or by excessive work (CISP  131).

Father Tom: Fr. Alberione warns against excessive work (he also mentions “excessive play” but I thought that didn’t apply much to us!).  Perhaps the key word here is excessive.  But, then, we have to ask what is excessive?  What do you think?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Domenico Ambrosio SSP (1971)—Sr. Adelaide Bertolini SGBP (1979)—Michele Piccininni HFI (2003)

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

Tuesday, March 6

Tuesday of the Month—The Souls in Purgatory

Is. 1: 10-20

Mt 23: 1-12

Discouragement is not permitted to a Christian, much less the surrender of self to a world that lures humanity toward a godless life (CISP  868).

Father Tom: But we have to admit that the majority today-far more than in the Founder’s time-don’t see it that way. Last November we read a study of the Church in the States and it made grim reading—and other countries are far worse.  We people must pray more and work more for the truth.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Nazareno Capozucca IJP (1977)—Rosa Cinino IAM (1997)—Sr. Pancrazia Musso (FSP)—Sr. M. Gemma Dal Masetto PD (2000)—Salvatore Castiglia HFI (2003)—James Seiffert (1980)—Lucille R.  Madeline (2002)—Manuel Loera (1941)

March 5, 2012 with Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, March 5

LENTEN WEEKDAY

First Monday of the Month—St. Paul

Dn. 9: 4-10

Lk 6: 36-38

We cannot always do things in the same way during life.  We have to progress each day, improve ourselves each day.  After twenty years or more we ought not find ourselves at the starting-point(SC 211-12).

Father Tom: Especially at the spiritual starting-point.  Other aspects of our life may change for the better or the worse, but we have to make every effort to ensure that there  is some spiritual improvement.  And that there is no falling-back.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Natalina Rivetti PD (1961)—Francesco Luperto HFI (1992)—Fr. Giovanni Mana SSP (2007)—Leo Helline (1993)

March 4, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and with Father Tom

Sunday, March 4
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
First Sunday of the Month—the Divine Master, Way, Truth and Life
Gn. 22: 1-18
Rom. 8: 3-34
Mk 9: 2-10


Faith is the first virtue, but the second is hope. We honor God by affirming our belief in His goodness (CISP 1088).


Father Tom: The times in which we live call for a great deal of hope, but that is not a bad thing. When we hope and have faith we increase our heavenly reward—and in that sense our trials are a blessing.


Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Annina Strano PD (1949)—Sr. M. Vincenza Adamo PD (1980)—Fr. Amdeo La Mattina IJP (1983)—Fr. Mario Sanettone IJP (1990)—Sr. M. Albertrina Parma PD (1999)—Sr. M. Redenta Alessi PD (2002)—Sr. Nazarena Merigo SGBP (2004)—Isble Marquez IAM (2008)—Fredrick Tarlit (2003)

March 2-3, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, March 3
LENTEN WEEKDAY
St. Katharine Drexel
First Saturday of the Month—Mary, Queen of Apostles
Dt. 26: 16-19
Mt 5: 43-48


For what turns out right, we give glory to God. For what turns out poorly, we humble ourselves and pray to help ourselves try harder (CISP 1088).

Father Tom: “We give glory to God” if all goes well. Important thought. The temptation is to give glory to ourselves—and to make things worse by saying so!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Devige Vitali FSP (1946)—Bro Salovatore Paglieri SSP (1997)—Paul Douglas (March 3)—Buna March 3 (2010)



88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888



Friday, March 2
LENTEN WEEKDAY
First Friday of the Month—The Sacred Heart
Ez. 18: 21-28
Mt 5: 20-26

At times God uses a chisel. Events to which we give scant attention are the hands of the good God working and shaping our souls. (Pr CN 183).

Father Tom: And we may waste too much time asking what God wants. The best answer is that He wants what YOU want as long s it is not sinful.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Giovanni Tronci IJP (1980)—Fr. Francesco Bonfiglio SSP (1988)—Sr. M. Emilia Demarie PD (1999)—Egidio Gazzla Gabrielite (2002)—Sr. M. Elisa De Paolis FSP (2003)—Angelina Mencarini HFI (2004)—Anna Muneroni IAM (2006)—Fr. Giovani Selle SSP (2010)—Olandia Bonoarr (1954).

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

I found this image of St. Joseph on the internet.


Thurssday, March 1
LENTEN WEEKDAY
First Thursday of the Month—The Angel Guardians
Est. 12: 14-25
Mt 7: 7-12


When faith in Providence is alive, the entire meaning of human history is clearly defined, elevated and profound. It is God Who conducts all things and makes them converge, rather than a chance succession of events (FP 86).

Father Tom: This applies also to my vocation and your. They were perhaps apparently chance events but in reality arranged by God. We were free to choose one way or the other, but had that extra grace to choose where we are now.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Teresa Ragazzini HFI (1987)—Sr. Maurilia Curto FSP (1994)—Sr. Paolina Marianelli FSP (2002)—Fr. Giovanni Ingravallo IJP (20002)-- Sr. M. Franca Lo Monaco FSP (20009)—Bernard Natkus (1965)—Josephine Merlene (2000)—Robert Piatt (2002)—Emily Randa (2008)