General

RIP Patrick Tracy

Please pray for the repose of the soul of dear Patrick Tracy, my first cousin, who passed in his sleep, very unexpectedly, last Sunday.  He was 64 years old and lived a lifetime of charity towards others.  He had been the Director of Campus Ministry at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue, NY and taught religion and social studies there.  He was involved in countless charitable organizations over the years.  His funeral on Thursday at Holy Family in HIcksville, was the most well-attended funeral I have ever seen.  He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.  Please pray for his family as well, at this time.  Much thanks.

Life is so short-let's make the most of it, to win souls for God!

Thought for the Day....

Life is like a casino.

It's always rigged in favor of the house.

I normally don't like explaining myself too much, because I never want to insult the intelligence of my audience and I also like to get people to think for themselves. What does evil do?  It enslaves, it destroys the self.  Good seeks to empower.  It seeks no power for itself, only to assist others.  I am very much of the mind...."If you wish to feed a man for a day, give him a fish.  If you wish to feed him for a lifetime, teach him how to fish."  However, I'd like to just say a few words about the above sentiment.  There is another saying, which Pope Francis is also acquainted with, which illustrates well, what I mean.  These are his words from a press conference two years ago, “God always forgives, we men forgive sometimes, but nature never forgives.  If you give her a slap, she will give you one."  This has everything to do with the search for the "authentic life."  Okay, I'll leave the rest to you and the Holy Ghost.....

A Strange Dream About the Blessed Virgin...

First of all, I want to impress upon you, how unusual it is for me to write about something like this.  In 8 years of blogging, I don't think I've ever written about a dream of mine.  But this dream I had recently was so extraordinary, I just felt I had to share it.  I'm going to write this sort of "stream of consciousness."  So here it is, for what it's worth....

Such a community of love we have here, getting ready for her to come, like she said she would.  Such a celebration!  The food, the festivities, the togetherness, comradery.  It is so beautiful and she hasn't even come yet!  But we will be properly prepared for her.  We will give the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of God, the reception she deserves.  We will make it the greatest feast!  But we cannot tell the priests.  They do not know the real reason we are celebrating.  They would laugh at us.  How glorious it will be when we see her!

There is so much to do....we are not ready.  So much still to do!  If things are not right, she may not appear.  I have to try.  I have to get it all right.  We are running so late.  Everyone is gathered around the beautiful area....waiting.  So many people.  But we are not quite ready and suddenly.....

A stillness.  It draws me in.  I stop everything, though I am not ready!  It draws me in.  A great stillness, a great quiet, an extraordinary beauty and peace, such as I have never felt nor comprehended before!  The very air is changed.  It is like...Heaven?  But she is not here.  She does not appear.  Why?  Please come, dear Mother!  She does not come.

Perhaps we have failed.  We were not ready.  We disappointed her.  Why did she not come?  I am saddened.  Such work, such preparation....and for what?  We will make the best of it.  We have all this food!  But she did not come.  I wonder why.

Upon waking from this dream, I still felt the sadness that the Blessed Mother did not appear as she said she would.  I related the dream to my dear husband and do you know what he said?  "She did come. That was the moment of peace and beauty you felt.  But you were so wrapped up in what you thought you had to do, you didn't realize it."

Wow.  Maybe he was right.