Thoughts on Thanksgiving Food

This evening I had the graced opportunity to attend a Thanksgiving sharing on food following "A Nun's Life" nightly prayer podcast. I made the prayer time a few times last week and knowing that tonight's session would include this e-social gathering afterwards I spent some time reflecting on "food" in relation to the Thanksgiving holiday. Since I did not bring a recipe to share, I offered the following thoughts as the fruits of my own contemplation (the reference to the "lemon delicious" refers to a yummy dessert that was shared):

I have no recipe to share tonight so I'd like to offer the fruit of my meditation in preparation for this gathering here. I just want to share a thought on the significance of special foods on Thanksgiving. Whether it's my grandmother's stuffing recipe or the plate of nuts and veggies and dips that keep us occupied while the meal is cooking or the lemon delicious we are salivating over here, I think what the food represents is the deliciousness of the relationships that are important to us, the relationships for which we express gratitude in a tangible way on Thanksgiving whether we are near or far from family, friends, or loved ones, whether they are still with us or in the next chapter of life. The food which we rightly celebrate in honoring the bountiful harvest with which God has blessed us is an emblem or symbol also of the people with whom God blesses us.

Feast of the Divine Master

Image compliments of the website of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master

Today is the celebration of the Feast of Jesus the Divine Master -- Way, Truth, and Life -- in the family of religious congregations founded by Blessed James Alberione. Abundant blessings upon the Pauline communities throughout the world. It is also Day 1 of my novena asking God's wisdom on the November 3rd election here in New Jersey. Join me in praying each of these days, "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth your spirit and we shall be recreated and You shall renew the face of the earth!!" Please add this intention to your daily prayers.

On the Death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy

While earthly hearts are heavy with sadness at this moment,

today there was a genuinely happy reunion of brothers in heaven.

Today Senator Edward Kennedy "closed his eyes to this world and opened them to the next" and with his passing from this world to eternal life an era comes to end. The subjective judgments are not ours to make. The mercy of God is greater than anything we can imagine with the limits of our human minds. Despite the issues on which we may have disagreed, Senator Kennedy did much good and remained true to his convictions. His life of public service is without question characterized by a genuine belief in public service and adherence to the notion that "to whom much has been given, of them much is expected." His human frailties reminded us that human beings are almost always imperfect and life is a process of trying to get it right just living day by day. Volumes will be written on the legacy of his public service chronicling his legislative and humanitarian accomplishments and critiquing the issues where his views and advocacy diverged from an author's or commentator's. Through it all, it is important to remember that a family mourns the death of a brother, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle, substitute dad, and "Uncle Teddy." In that perhaps is his greatest legacy, a legacy he could only fulfill because his visible humanity kept him from the fate of his brothers Jack and Bobby. In their absence, caused by the violence of their premature deaths, Ted was able to be there for Jackie and Ethel and "Uncle Teddy" was able to be there for Caroline and John and for Joe, Bobby, David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Matthew, and Douglas. He gave many a niece-daughter away, danced the bride-father dance, and with the unwavering strength of an immovable ship in a storm was there for his entire family in every moment of joy and sadness. Now the Creator has said, "Ted, come home. Well done, my good and faithful servant. As you did for the least of these, you did for me." And Ted Kennedy cleared his throat one final time and with unwavering resolve responded in the words of Saint Paul, "I have run the race; I have fought the good fight so to gain the prize of the kingdom of my Lord."

Thank you for your service to the people of the United States. Rest in peace, Edward M. Kennedy. May your soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace, amen. And may the heavenly reunion with all your loved ones, especially Jack and Bobby, be a genuine homecoming in the eternal Camelot!

Jubilee Blessings, Sisters and Associates of Christian Charity!

Photo compliments of the SCC Generalate Website

Today the Congregation of the Sisters of Christian Charity celebrate the 160th anniversary of its founding in Paderborn, Germany by Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt. Today we join together in this jubilee moment of thanksgiving. We join in giving thanks to God for the "YES" of Mother Pauline and her first three Companions, the "YES" of each and every Sister and Associate during these past 160 years, and the "YES" of all those will follow in these same footsteps. As our Superior General noted in a recent reflection, "... the Magnificat will be the never-ending echo of our Fiat." So together let us pray,

"For all that has been, 'Thanks!'

For all that will be, 'YES!'"

For more on this special moment in the life of the community, visit the Generalate's online chronicles here and read recent reflections posted by our Superior General here, here, and here.

Pray for a Cure to Cancer

In honor of my friend, J, who is after a long, courageous, and successful fight is now dealing with the mestasis of her cancer to other organs, please join me in praying ardently for a cure for cancer and also for the medical miracle that J needs (and we need) in her life now. In memory of all those whose lives ended due to cancer, let us do what we can to show support to people living with cancer today.

+ Jersey City Detective Marc DiNardo

No matter how I try I cannot find words that adequately express my appreciation for Detective Marc DiNardo and the gift he continues to be to so many. Anyone whose life path crossed his, whether for a lifetime or a moment, is saddened by the fact that he is gone too soon, and no one knows that painful reality more than his dear family and loved ones. To Mary and the entire DiNardo family and family of friends, I extend my sincere condolences and prayer support, not just today but for the years to come.In life and in death, Marc offers us the example of what it means to serve and live selflessly. As we continue to be of support especially to Mary and his children and his brothers and sisters in blue, let us honor Marc's life by following his example in our own.Marc, we know that "... [God] will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand" (from "On Eagle's Wings"). Stay with and watch over your family, friends, colleagues, and fellow officers now as you always have done. We honor you and thank you. We will never forget you.Rest now in peace, Detective Marc Anthony DiNardo. Rest now in the palm of God's hand, Marc.

Hearts That Beat as One

The pairing of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary reflected clearly in the love that Pauline von Mallinckrodt lived. In her care and concern for those entrusted to her care, whether for the Sisters or for her family or for her companions or for the children, the hearts of Jesus and Mary beat in unison with Pauline's own heart. Today let us consider the hearts of Jesus and Mary beating in unison with our own hearts, reflecting the immensity of that great love through all we are and do.