MARBELLA MEMORIES.....KILKENNY CALLINGS.....ON THIS LAST DAY OF AUGUST..........

Flying at 2:10 pm, from the Malaga Airport, about fifty kilometers (30 miles) north of Marbella, Oliver and I concluded our 5 day, Spanish sidetrip holiday and headed back to Ireland.at 4:10 pm, and were in Kilkenny at 6:20 pm.  After freshening up, I came downstairs to the presbytery kitchen, and was introduced by Oliver to the Most Reverend Seamus Freeman, the current Bishop of Ossory, who was appointed here, just months after my last visit.  After he departed, we walked uptown to the 'Italian Connection', were we met up with Fr. Dr. Dermot Ryan, and where I delighted in Prawn Cocktail, Minestrone Soup, and Tortellini stuffed with Parma Ham and covered with Mushrooms.  Then we recessed to John Cleeres Pub, for a few and a friendly chat.  Upon returning to the presbytery, Oliver went off to his bed, while I stayed  up to watch President Obama's End of Iraq War Combat Mission speech from The Oval Office, which aired here Live at 1 am, on both Sky News and CNN.  Earlier in the evening after getting back to KK, I called Uncle Father Eddie,  in Urlingford - to check in with him.  He we will be coming to, Ollie's Cathedral*, at 1 pm Wednesday to have lunch with us, as the 5 day Countdown to the All Ireland Hurling Final Championship Game 2010 (Kilkenny versus Tipperary) moves towards Sunday's showdown.....UP KILKENNY !!!!!  COME ON YOU CATS !!!!!..........Fr.  Troy  in Kilkenny
                              ..........*So called by our friend Neil William Butler, as a boy.  Now a 19 year old college student in County Waterford*..........

OUR PENULTIMATE SUMMER DAY IN ESPANA 2010..........

Monday, our last full day in Marbella, is a laze and graze day for me.  Oliver went off with his brother Ken for a few hours, while I remained at the apartment blogging, e-mailing, Facebooking, the early afternoon away after a breakfast of yogurt, fresh fruit, orange juice, and coffee.  Upon his return, Ollie fixed me a deliioso turkey and tomato sandwich, then I took a ninety minute nap, before dressing for dinner.  On our last night in Marbella, we are returning to Frank and Irene's, 'The Orange Tree' restaurant for dinner, before one more Spanish pub crawl on this sidetrip holiday.  It is back to Ireland tomorrow for ten more grand and glorious days visiting my second home and all the usual suspects..........AS MY SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2010 CONTINUES,   Fr.  Troy

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 'SOL' IN SWELTERING SUNNY MARBELLA..........

An 11:30 am wake up Saturday, and it was off by car ,for Ollie, Ken, Irene, Adam, and I, for Puerto Banus, circa 10 kilometers away, for a visit to the Cortes Ingles, where I purchased my wall plug adapter, allowing me to use my computer, shaver, and cell phone charger.  Lunch followed, across from the marina, where I enjoyed delicious barbeque spareribs at Picasso's; then the Maher males and me took a walkabout to the marina shore for a closer look at the boats.  After a few hours rest at our apartment interneting for me, we headed out a few miles to the prominently, Irish-British pubs area of Marbella, for preprandials at, "Home", a bar owned by Rosemary and Jerry, who are friends of Irene and Frank.  Rosie formerly worked at The Orange Tree restaurant.  Our Saturday dinner was at a wonderfully delicious, Italian restaurant, "Da Bruno". To complement my mocktails of ginger ale and agua mineral con gas, I chose the cold melon soup, served in a cantaloupe half rind, followed by veal saltimbocco..........Sunday morning Oliver and I, drove as closely as we could to the old city walls, as traffic was detoured by the Tour of Spain cyclists, who are ridng through Marbella, today.  A light breakfast at a cafe aross from LaMuralla Church, we attended the 12:3 pm Mass with a full congregation, then joined Oliver's family for Lunch, at a neighboring cafe, across from the church.
After returning from Sunday Mass, we spent five hours chillaxing in our apartment, as I continued blogging, Facebooking, and e-miling, while doing my laundry which will take more than a day to dry out on the balcony.  A taxi to thebeach front promenade, O, K, and me, had Chinese food for dinner, before recessing to two Irish pubs for a few pints and jars !!!  After interneting for two hours more, I followed Oliver's lead, and went to my bed.  That summarizes our Saturday and Sunday adventures and experiences, in high thirties, low forties, Celsius temperatures (100-110 degrees Fahrenheit) in the somewhat sweltering, August heat and humidity of our Marbella, Spain holiday..........ONWARD TO MONDAY !!!!!,   Fr.  Troy

T & O's MARBELLA SPAIN SIDETRIP FRIDAY..........

Days 2, in Marbella, Friday, had us off to a leisurely breakfast of Alpen sugar free granola, wholemeal toast, fresh squeezed orange juice, and cafe con leche.  An 11 am visit to Frank and Irene's to retrieve brother Ken, he, Ollie, and me, proceeded to La Canada shopping mall for some retail therapy.  Next stop was Funny Beach, where the seven of us, five adults / two children had lunch, before enjoying a couple hours of sun, surf, and sand.  Oliver and Ken, jetskiing; Irene, Frank, and boys, strolling on the beach, playing in the sand, and wading in the waves of water; and yours truly relaxing in a rented, 6 euro, lounge chair under a tabled, umbrella.  
Then after a few more hours of uneventfulness in the splendor of the Senoria de Marbella apartment, it was off by taxi, to the neighboring municipality of San Pedro.  Our focus for the evening being the celebration of the Ammar's 5th Wedding Anniversary, at the exact location of their Wedding Reception, "Tikitano".  There we dined on a st menu of, Rocket Salad, Sea Bass, Beef Fillet with Mixed Vegetables, and Chocolate Cake. Two of Irene and Frank's favorite white and red wines, sparkling water, (con gas)and cafe con leche, rounded out the meal.  The dinner show was a trio of Irish-English singers presenting thesongs and music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr.  We happily sang along, laughed, and took our trns on the dance floor with the bride of five years.  As the Irish saying goes, "The craic is golden"..........TO BE CONTINUED From Th Heat And Humidity Of Southern Spain,   Fr.  Troy

THIS WAS THE DAY IN 1982..........

It was on this day, twenty eight years ago, Saturday August 28, 1982, that I departed Sacramento, California USA,  flying to Ireland, in readiness to begin my priestly formation at St. Kieran's Seminary, in Kilkenny.  It was on that very morning that the Most Reverend + Alden J. Bell, 6th Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento died, at age 78.  Hardly did I know that just 16 days later, upon entering St. Kieran's as a seminarian, that I would meet the man whose friendship and priestly fraternity, bring me here to Marbella, Spain, as well as back to Kilkenny 's Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Oliver Desmond Maher, my dearest friend, closest classmate, and presbyteral colleague..  With one week until the 2010 All Ireland Hurling Final, between County Kilkenny and County Tipperary, from Espana, on the third day of this Marbella holiday, I proclaim, " UP KILKENNY CATS", and, UP FR. OLLIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!............................Fr. Troy @ the Senoria de Marbella..........

ESPANA - AND A, 'OLIVER AND TROY' MARBELLA HOLDAY..........

Thursday morning 9:30 am and Oliver and I were off to Dublin for a flight to Malaga , in southern Spain.  We are going on a side trip holiday to Marbella, where we will spend 5 days visiting Ollie's youngest sister Irene, her husband Frank and their two young sons, Adam and Noah.  Oliver's oldest brother Ken, will also be joing us from Ballygar, County Roscommon, Ireland.  After a two hour forty five hour flight and adding one hour forward, we arrived in Malaga Airport and were met by Frank and Noah, for the ride home to their villa apartments estates.  Irene arranged for  Oliver and I to stay in a extensively, brightened, balconyed, two bedroom apartment, in what is called,"Senoria de Marbella", on the same villas estate.  After a trip to th Super Sol supermarket, to buy provisions and returning to freshen up, we headed to Irene and Franks two restaurants,'La Muralla, and, 'The Orange Tree', both within the old city walls of Marbella.  The meal, mine one of the most delectable beef fillets, I have eaten, was exceptional, the restaurant staff outstanding, and the owner-hosts hospitably gracious and generous..........MORE TO COME On Our 2nd And 3rd Days Experiences,   Fr. Troy.....in Spain.....

ARRIVING AT MY FIRST ANNIVERSARY AFTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANT; ARRIVING IN IRELAND 2010 WITH MONS EJK.........

Msgr. Kavanagh and I arrived in Dublin, Ireland at 10.10 am this morning and were met by his niece Rosemary´s husband, Gerhard, who drove us from Dublin Airport to Portlaise, approximately the halfway point between our arrival point and the Kavanaghs hometown of Urlingford, CountybKilkeny.  In Portlaise, Msgr´s nephew, J.J., was there to meet us and drive us on to his home.  There awaiting us were J.J.´s wife Liz, and their 8 children, with whom we visited and had tea with, before Liz drove me into Kilkenny City, 18 miles away and to Father Oliver Maher and St. Mary´s Cathedral, where Oliver has been the ADM, the past ten years.  Once settled in my quarters in the Cathedral, we went across the street to Market Cross, to grocery shop, and then I chillaxed until our 8.40 pm dinner reservation at the ¨Italian Connection¨ restaurant, where Oliver and I were joined for dinner by Reverend Father Doctor Dermot Ryan, S.T.D., Ossory Diocesan Director of Adult Faith Formation, Chaplain of St. Kieran´s College, as well as to the Special Needs Holy Spirit School and a Lecturer in Theology at Carlow College, in the neighboring county next door.  After dinner, we recessed to John Cleere´s Pub across the street, where Powers, Maher, and Ryan, were joined by the the Parish Priest of St. Canice´s Parish in Kilkenny, Reverend Father Jim Murphy, for a chat and a few pints.  My pints consisting of good ol´fashioned Ginger Ale !!!!!!!!!!  All in all, a smooth journey over, and a delightful first day being back in the Emerald Isle.  For me, three years since my last visit, full of eagerness to see all, ¨the usual suspects¨, plus many more familiar and newly discovered people.  Tomorrow brings a mid morning departure for Oliver and me, back to the airport for the sidetrip he has planned for us this year, a 5 day stay in Marbella, Spain, visiting his sister Irene and brother Frank, and their two sons, Adam and Noah.  We will be joined by Oliver´s oldest brother, Ken, who is traveling from County Roscommon in Ireland, to join us in the Spanish sun. And to think- it was just one year ago today that my living donor, Victor Herrera, and the Mayo Clinic Arizona Transplant Team, led by my surgeon, Dr. Moss, made it possible for me to resume a near normal life.   More Soon, as this Irish Spanish Adventure 2010, unfolds..........Slainte !!!!!!!!!!,   Fr.  Troy

ST, ROSE OF LIMA, ST, BARTHOLOMEW, AND DEPARTURE DAY DELIVERED..........

Having honored St. Rose of Lima yesterday, the saint in whose name, the first Catholic Church in Sacramento was built during the Gold Rush in 1849, at 7th and K Streets, and today commemorating the Apostle, St. Bartholomew, the day of departure on vacation 2010 has arrived.  This is also the eve of the first anniversary of my kidney transplant, as Msgr. Ed Kavanagh and I head off, on our eight day delayed jaunt of Eire.  As I aait his and Victor's 4:30 am arrival at OLOL, to pick me up to go to the airport and our 6:20 am flight, know that my laptop is going with me and I shall blog while in Ireland, as well as the side trip Father Oliver has planned for he and I to Marbella, Spain.  I leave OLOL in Fr. Tony Traynor's well familiar and experienced hands as Pastor Emeritus.  As I said at the end of Mass Monday morning, "Slan", the Irish word for so long, fare thee well..........Fr.  Troy

21ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME : INCLUSIVENESS VERSUS EXCLUSIVENESS IN GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION..........

Some Jews think they have the right to an exclusive relationship with Yahweh, (God) because the Hebrew Scriptures proclaim them God's Chosen People.  Some Catholic-Christian self righteously think they have an exclusive place in the Kingdom of God, because of their superficial relationship Jesus Christ.  Some Muslims are so over zealously fanatical about their relationship with Allah, (God) that they are almost suicidal in living out that relationship.  However, today's Sunday Scriptures make a clear and obvious statement that God is inclusive, not exclusive, and that all people in Creation have the right to a relationship with God.  There is One, Living, True, Higher Power, and Supreme Being in all the Universe, the God of Creation.  The manifestations and multifaceted faith traditions of God may differ from Yahweh, to the Holy Trinity, to Allah, Budda, etc., but God is still One, not a multiplicity of deities.  And in order to be included in the infinite presence of God requires humility, acceptance of others, and a right relationship with the Divine, that is truly loving and unconditional - not prejudicial, discriminatory, and unfairly critical and dismissive, of those different from us, spiritually, religiously, theologically.  So as we enter into the wider world of this week, let us take the scales, the blinders of superiority and smugness out of our attitudes and actions, and walk and work together in uniting and building God's Plan, not dividing and destroying the promise and the power of Love..........In The Unity Of Community With The One And True God,   Fr.  Troy

REMEMBERING MARIO OBLEDO - LATINO LEADER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE..........

On Wednesday, Mario Obledo who was one of twelve children who grew up impoverished, yet succeeded against the odds, to become the trailblazing Latino leader for Social Justice, died at age 78.  Co-founder of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, as a young lawyer he not only advocated and defended his fellow Mexicans in his native San Antonio, Texas, seeking the opening of all public facilities to his fellow citizens.  .  He served as an Assistant Attorney General of Texas, and was on the faculty of Harvard University Law School for two years, when California Governor Jerry Brown appointed him to his Cabinet as Secretary of Health and Welfare in 1975,  He once described bringing thousands of minorities into government service in  that position as his greatest achievement ever.  As Secretary of Health and Welfare, he oversaw the largest of state agencies, with 11 departments, 45,000 employees, 500 programs and a $15 billion dollar budget. Mario Obledo continued his activism and advocacy after an unsuccessful run for California in 1982, including involement with the National Rainbow Coalition, the National Hispanic Bar Association, the Southwest Voter Project, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission, the National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations, and the oldest and largest Hispanic organization in the United States - LULAC : the League of United Latin American Citizens.  Mario Obledo will go down in the annals of Latino / Latina history as a man who was highly respected and greatly recognized as an advocate for civil and human rights, as he fought for immigrant rights and against the death penalty.  Among his outstanding honors and awards his decades of impassioned service to empowering the Latino community and serving the greater good of our society was recognized by the National Urban Coalition in 1973, the Government of the Republic of Mexico, IN 1985, for distinguished service to the Mexican community abroad, and by President William Jefferson Clinton, with the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998, our highest civilian honor.  In recent years Mario Obledo lived quietly in Sacramento, with his wife, Keda Alcala-Obledo.  He will be missed and his legacy of compassion, commitment, and conscience raising, will never be forgotten.....Viva ! Mario Obledo !!  Resusciate Amigo..........Peace Forever in Christ Jesus, Good And Faithful Servant,   Fr.  Troy

A REGAL FUNERAL FOR A MONSIGNOR FROM THE ROYAL COUNTY OF MEATH..........

The Funeral for Reverend Monsignor Andrew V. Coffey, Pastor Emeritus of St. James Parish, in Davis, was held last night and today.  AVigil Service of Liturgical Song and Music, Sacred Scriptures, Prayers, and Rosary, was presided over by Bishop Emeritus William Keith Weigand.  Monsignor Edward J. Kavanagh, Andy Coffey's close friend and priestly colleague the past sixty two years, gave a homily of remembrance in the ministry of Msgr. Coffey.  A Reception of Food And General Sharing followed the Vigil in the Parish Memorial Center.....This morning at 11:30 am, 5 Bishops, 72 Priests, and 5 Deacons, were present at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, in downtown Sacramento,  The Cathedral was more than two thirds full of people attending the funeral, so approximately 800 persons, to this blogger's eyes. The Most Reverend Bishop + Jaime Soto presided, and Bishops Emeriti + Francis Quinn, and + William Weigand, Monterey Bishop +Richard Garcia, and Oakland Bishop Emeritus + John Cummins, who was the 45 minute homilist today, and a very good friend of Msgr. Coffey, who resided with him in the Davis rectory during the 1970's, were joined by six dozen priests of our Diocese and the four St. James Parish deacons, and the Cathedral deacon atthe two hour Funeral Mass.  Also present were Msgr. Coffey's niece, Rita, now married and living in New York, and two of his nephews, Dermot and Eugene, from Ireland.  As Eugene referred to theirs and Andy Coffey's native countym, "The Royal County of Meath".  It was indeed a regal funeral, for a faithful priest, a very learned and devoted man, and a loyal servant of God. A luncheon immediately followed in the Mercy Hall in the lower level of the Cathedral and the Burial Service was held at 3 pm, at St. Mary's Cemetery in Sacramento..........Eternal Rest Grant Unto His Holy Soul O Lord, And May Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him, May He Rest In Peace, Alleluia !!! Amen !!!   Fr.  Troy

AT 91 YEARS OLD.....AND 63 YEARS A PRIEST.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONSIGNOR GERARD SCHONS..........

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 20, 1919, Reverend Monsignor was ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ for the Claretian Missionary Fathers on October 25, 1947.  He served for his first years as a priest on the missions in South America.  In 1953, he came to the Diocese of Sacramento, and was incardinated here as a priest, working for several decades as a Teacher and Librarian, at Christian Brothers High School, St. Francis High School, and Bishop Manogue High School, in Sacramento.  He lived In Residence at All Hallows Parish and then St. Rose's Parish, in South Sacramento, until 1979, when he moved to Galt.  During the 1970's and 1980's he served as Diocesan Vicar to the Hispanic Apostolate and was Appointed a Chaplain of His Holiness with the title of Monsignor, by Pope Paul VI, on May 12, 1977.  As a young altar server, lector, and eucharistic minister, at St. Rose's Church from 1968-1987, I had the ample opportunity to minister with Msgr. Schons, at the Sunday 9 am & 10 am Masses.  A quiet man by nature, he was a powerful and persuasive preacher and was a gifted homilist, who preached homilies of fifteen minutes or longer, while retaining the interest of the congregation. Today Msgr. Schons is 91 years old.  Happy Birthday and many Happy Returns to him for the dedicated priestly ministry he has shared with so many in Sacramento these past fifty seven years.........."May The Lord Who Began The Good Work In You Bring It To Fulfillment",   Fr.  Troy

THE LUCK OF THE BLAGO..........

The past immediate, former Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagoevich, was charged by federal prosecutors with twenty four counts of corruption and criminal acts,which lead to his removal from office and being put on trial.  After a lengthy trial, the twelve impaneled jurors reached all but a complete impasse over fourteen days of deliberations in their ability to find Governor Blagoevich guilty.  Referring back to the trial Judge for further information, as they struggled to reach decisions on the twenty counts , with which the former Governor was charged, they could finally only agree on his being guilty on one charge - lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, five years ago, about an assurance that he maintained a firewall between his political operations and his duties as Governor.  Earlier this week with the inability to find him either innocent, or guilty, on the other twenty three charges brought by the Federal Prosecutor, the Judge declared a mistrial.   Prosecutors have announced they will move to try former Governor Blagoevich again real soon.  What does it say about the shape and effectiveness of our legal system, when such a notorious set of criminal and corrupt acts with which he was charged - from illegal solicitation of campaign contributions, to the alledged selling of a U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, cannot be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt to twelve intelligent American jurors ?  Rod Blagoevich is certainly a folksy, and somewhat sympathetic character, who has pulled out the publicity and public relations stops to defend himself, and like a cat with nine lives, seems to possess the ability to live on, poltically and unincarcerated, despite whatever illegalities he and his political operatives, may have committed.  Is the case against him weak, or is he more innocent than guilty of the crimes he is charged with ?  Or is it the luck of the Blago, that he is far from the first, and perhaps no where near the last, Illinois Governor to face criminal prosecution connected to their governance ?..........In The Cause Of Continuous Political Reform And Good Government,   Fr.  Troy

A SEMINARY REUNION OF, "EMINENCE" @ ST. KIERAN'S IN KILKENNY..........

Twenty eight years ago today, August 17, 1982, St. Kieran's Seminary, in Kilkenny, Ireland commemorated its Bicentenary, the 200th Anniversary of St. Kieran's College being founded as a Catholic educational institution.  The founding of St. Kieran's College, as a secondary school and a seminary, came just two years after the abolition of the English Penal Laws, which had outlawed the public practice of Catholicism for nearly two centuries.  On that Bicentenary Day in 1982, 400 priests from around the World returned to Kilkenny, to celebrate the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, and their ties to having undergone seminary formation at St. Kieran's.  More than two dozen of those priests were ordained between 1894 - 1992, to serve the Diocese of Sacramento.  Today, is the annual Priests' Reunion at St. Kieran's Seminary in Kilkenny, where the 25, 50, 60, years plus priests alumni Jubilarians will be feted.  It is also a major Day of Recollection for Kieransmen, being presented and keynoted by His Eminence, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminister, England, +Cormac Murphy O'Connor.  Msgr. Kavanagh and I were to be in attendance, but are not given our change in traveling schedule, due to Msgr. Andrew Coffey's Funeral this Thursday and Friday.  Alas, for the second time in twenty eight years on August 17, I missed being at a milestone St. Kieran's Reunion.  The Bicentenary Reunion, which was held just twenty seven days before I entered St. Kieran's as a seminarian in 1982, I was not at, because of a pre-seminarian diocesan appointment in Sacramento.  This one I am missing due to a priest's funeral in Sacramento.  So both for very good reasons, even though it is disappointing not to be able to be there to take part.  Like all the Irish seminaries, except for Maynooth, St. Kieran's Seminary is closed.  But the memories, fraternal friendships, and bonds of affection that knit me and my fellow alumni to St. Kieran's live on in spirit and truth.  Thank You priests ordained from St. Kieran's Seminary, Kilkenny, especially you who were ordained for the Sacramento Diocese.  It is a pleasure and a privilege for me, a native Sacramentan to be counted among you..........In The Words That Are The Motto Of St. Kieran's Founding In 1782, "WINTER IS PAST",   Fr. Troy David Poweres      

"FACING THE PUCK OUT", AS A PARISH PRIEST, 7 WEEKS ON..........

With my planned 3 week vacation scheduled to start yesterday, which is delayed by nine days by the death and funeral of Msgr. Coffey, my pastoral ministry responsibilities continue to unfold as usual in these opening months of my new pastorate.  That means celebrating Sunday and weekday Masses, conferring the Sacraments, keeping Appointments with parishioners, publishing the Parish Bulletin, seeking and interviewing, part-time Parish Staff applicants, overseeing administrative and financial records and Bookkeeping, as well as Praying, and ultimately resting and caring for my Body, both for my kidney transplant and my diabetes.  Following my concelebrated 8 am Mass, and getting the counters squared away, Father Traynor and I had breakfast together, and I returned to my work in the rectory, which included a brief consultation about a possible Quinceanea, a midafternoon parishioner appointment to discuss Parish Ministries and Liturgies, and a Sick Call to the husband of a longtime parishioner, who has terminal cancer and requested a pastoral visit with the Anointing of the Sick; declaring before his family and me, that he is now a Catholic.  After a brief discussion and learning he is a baptized Episcopalian, who truly now wants to be Catholic, having three to six months to live, I agreed to schedule a Profession of Faith, Confirmation, and First Eucharist, with him on a day soon he is feeling able for it.  He decided today was not the day, as he was somewhat tired after our 10-15 minute, animated, conversation.  His wife, and adult daughter and son, were also present, as we talked about the parents 47 year marriage, and their mutual decision to be buried together in the Veteran's National Cemetery in Dixon.  His military service to our country was in the United States Marines.  And so, another day of parish life winds down, promising to bring more ministry tomorrow.  Tonight and tomorrow morning, I have three more Sunday Bulletins to begin writing and transmitting,before heading off next Tuesday..........Ministering Happily As Priest And Pastor of OLOL Parish in Sacramento,  Fr.  Troy

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY : FROM THE BOTTOM UP - THE SENSUS FIDELIUM..........

When we hear of the teachings, doctrines, and dogmas, of the Church most Catholics think of them as being proclaimed from the top down, not from the bottom up, in the hierarchical structure.  But the Solemnity of the Assumption which we celebrate today is one of the Catholic dogmas that came to pass from the bottom up. From the belief and practice of the laity in the early centuries of Catholic-Christianity, until it was definitively, infallibly, promulgated - as an official dogmatic theological teaching of the Church by Pope Pius XII, sixty years ago today,  August 15, 1950, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary originated as part of the, "Sensus Fidelium".   Sensus Fidelium, in this regard being, the common belief of the faithful, that God who chose and conceived Mary without the stain of sin to be the perfect vessel to bear His Son, who is the Savior of the World and Redeemer of Humankind - would not allow her earthly body be corrupted or decayed after her death.  Thus Catholics believe at the end of her life on earth the Blessed Mother, "fell asleep", one last time and was assumed into Heaven, body and soul, to be with God and the Saints forever.  The Blessed Mother of God, was the first, most faithful, and loyal, Disciple of Her own Son, Jesus the Christ, and is an outstanding example for all Believers, as to how we live our own Discipleship of the, "fruit of the womb", she bore in responding to God's invitation to be joined to the Body of Christ, as members of  the Church on Earth and heirs to the Kingdom of Eternal Life in Heaven.  Mary's Assumption is a further affirmation of the promise and hope of sharing in Christ's Resurrection ourselves, on the Last Day, when the Paschal Mystery, Jesus Christ's New, Risen, and Everlasting Life, is fulfilled in us, as we dwell in the eternal presence of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, forever with Mary the Blessed Mother, and the entire choir of Saints and Angels, in the infinite communion of Divine Love..........Hail Mary, Full Of Grace, Assumed Into Heaven Body And Soul,  Pray For Us,   Fr.  Troy

VACATION PLANS DELAYED FOR MONSIGNOR COFFEY'S FUNERAL NEXT WEEK..........

The death of Reverend Monsignor Andrew V. Coffey, on Thursday, at age 89, a priest in the Sacramento Diocese since 1948, and a close friend and colleague for the past sixty two years of Msgr. Edward Kavanagh, has postponed the vacation we were scheduled to leave on tomorrow. We were supposed to depart for Ireland on Sunday, for the express purpose of being present on Tuesday, at the St. Kieran's Seminary Priests Reunion and Day of Recollection. It now looks like Msgr. Coffey's Funeral will occur on this coming Thursday, so that our departure on vacation has been postponed until Tuesday August 24. Yesterday and today were supposed to be my battening down the hatches days, before departing - which now gives me nine more days of parish ministry to do in my introductory weeks as the new, 6th Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, in Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta. Presently, I am in the process of finding and hiring a part-time parish Secretary- Bookkeeper. I am also seeking persons to do maintenance and music ministry, particularly an organist. These additional nine days of pastoring will also bring me 14 more scheduled Masses and all the other ministries of being a parish priest.. This morning I have a meeting concerning the weekly cleaning of the Parish Hall. Then I will prepare the General Intercessions, and finish my Sunday homily, as the beat goes on, this forty-fifth day of my pastorate of OLOL..........As The Late Father Cornelius O'Donnell* Was Known To Say, "Facing The Puck Out"** , Fr. Troy

*the late Rev. Fr. Con O'Donnell, was the 3rd Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish from 1973-1982.
**Fr. O'Donnell was Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish, Woodland, when I served with him as Associate Pastor, from May 15, 1992 - March 16, 1993.

MONSIGNOR ANDREW V. COFFEY - 1921 -2010.....MAY HE REST IN ETERNAL PEACE..........

Reverend Monsignor Andrew V. Coffey, a Priest of Jesus Christ for 63 years, nearly sixty of those years in the Sacramento Diocese, went to his eternal reward Thursday morning at age 89. Born in Dublin, Ireland on July 20, 1921, as a seminiarian, a native of County Meath, he studied at the Pontificial University of Maynooth, in Dublin, as was ordained a priest for his native diocese in June 22, 1947. For one year he served in the Navan Parish of Meath, as a Curate. Arriving on loan to the Diocese of Sacramento in the early 1948, he served as Assistant Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Chico, before being appointed Pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Winters, in 1955. Eight years later, Father Coffey was appointed Pastor of St. James Parish in Davis, and was Pastor there from 1963-1994, when he retired. On May 4, 1979, Father Coffey, was appointed as an Honorary Prelate with the title of Monsignor, by Pope John Paul II. For many years Msgr. Coffey also served as the Diocesan Director of Charismatic Renewal. He was also the driving force behind the Priests For Life Movement in the Sacramento Diocese. Funeral arrangements are pending. I will share more information and insights into Msgr. Coffey soon. Eternal Rest Grant Unto His Holy Soul O Lord And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him..........Fr. Troy

CONGRESSMAN CHARLES RANGEL NEEDS TO RESIGN FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES...........

Ethics are a keystone to good and necessary governance. In a democracy there is no place for corruption in the highest halls of government. In 2006, the Democratic Party pledged it would clean the swamp of ethics violators and those with highly questionable and unacceptable practices while serving in the United States Congress. After 40 years in the House of Representatives, Congressman Charles Rangel of Harlem, New York, a Democrat, has amassed an impressive record of service, and risen to the Chairmanship of the all powerful, tax writing, House Ways and Means Committee. But some of his personal private dealings and financial affairs, do not pass the muster of good ethics. As he marks his 80th birthday, it is time for the good of his constituents, good government, and proper ethics, that he either retire at the end of this term in January, or resign his House seat. No government official is exempt from the high standard of ethical behavior above reproach, required of every public servant. Thus his stepping down is the right and necessary thing to do, or risk further besmirching the reputation of the Congress and propriety in public life..........Constant In Advocating For Good And Better Government, Fr. Troy
...........Even as the House Ethics Committee charges were made public and Rep. Rangel chose to defend himself and held a lavish 80th Birthday Party feting himself, it was announced last week that California Representative Maxine Waters, D - Los Angeles, is being investigated for violating a House ethics rule. She too needs to be fully investigated and let the evidence determine th validity of the charge that she sought government favoritism for a bank her husband was affiliated with. If it is true she needs to resign or retire from the People's House .....tdp

DAY THREE OF MY FIRST ANNIVERSARY POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT EVALUATION @ THE MAYO CLINIC HOSPITAL ARIZONA..........

As my third and final day of this first annual post transplant evaluation begins, I was able to stay in bed this morning until 6:30 am !!!, and actually have the complimentary Hampton Inn breakfast, the entree of which today is mexican flavored scrambled eggs, and tortillas. The previous two times during the past year I underwent this blood pressure monitoring procedure, it was for only six to eight hours duration. This has been a twenty four hour monitoring, which put sleeping last night at a premium. After watching television, telephoning, reading, and praying, and the monitoring cuff inflating every twenty minutes or less, until 12 midnight, - I was fully awake until 2:30 am , adjusting to sleeping with it. From 12 midnight until 8 am, the cuff inflated hourly, so that from 2:30 -6:30 am, I was able to sleep for upwards of an hour at a time. I will be taking the hotel shuttle to the Mayo Clinic Hospital AT 9:15 am, to drop off the bp monitor, only to return to the hotel to pack, and then shuttle back for my final Evaluation appointment, at 1 pm, with my transplant pal from last year, Physician Assistant Jason Bodner, for the summary review meeting. Then I will come backl to the Hampton to retrieve my carry-on bag and take a taxi to Goldwater International Airport, for my 5:55 pm flight to Sacramento. After what I look forward to being a very good night's sleep in my own bed, I shall celebrate the 8 am Friday Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes, and spend Friday and Saturday battening down the hatches, make Sunday's liturgical preparations, hear the 4 pm Saturday Confessions, and preside at the 5 pm Saturday Vigil Mass. I hope you have enjoyed this blogging regarding my three days in Phoenix / Scottsdale and the assessment experience of the one year mark since my kidney transplant. Thanks for reading and for your continuing support and prayers..........Lovingly And Gratefully Yours, Troy

OH SO HOT AND JUST 800 MILES FROM SACRAMENTO..........

Arizona's August hot-wave has Phoenix and Scottsdale sweltering. Upon my arrival Monday afternoon it was 105 degrees at 2:10 pm. Yesterday hit 108 degrees and today reached 110 degrees. I could definitely feel the heat and humidity starting at 6 am this morning as I waited to take the Hampton shuttle to the Mayo Clinic Hospital. Given my blood pressure monitoring when i returned to the hotel I stayed in until venturing out at %;15 pm for a dinner just across the road at the Legends Sports Bar and Grill. But by doing so at that hour I got a taste of the peak tempoerature of the day reported to be 110 degrees. And at 5:55 pm, tomorrow as I fly back to Sacramento, the week's high temperature here is forecast to be 112 degrees. I certainly call this global warming Arizona style ! So by the way, what's the temperatures in Sacramento, CA been since my Monday morning departure ? Ha Ha, and you think you're Hot !!!!!.....Temperatures Rising !!!!!..........Fr. Troy

DAY TWO OF MY FIRST ANNUAL POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT EVALUATION AT MAYO CLINIC PHOENIX / SCOTTSDALE DAWNS..........

5:37 am - It is my second day at my first anniversary evaluation of my kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic Hospital Arizona in Phoenix / Scottsdale. The major procedure today doing the Radiological Exams and a Bone Density Test and a multi hour / overnight, Hypertension and Blood Pressure Monitoring,that requires I present myself on both campuses. I will take the 6 am Hampoton Inn shuttle to the Mayo Hospital site and then take the Mayo's internal shuttle over to the Clinic site fourteen miles away. There I will be fitted with a blood pressure cuff and monitor to be worn at least until tomorrow morning. The Mayo staff, the last two times I had this done within the year, sent me back to the hotel to resume normal activity except to keep a written record of my activities each hour as the blood pressure readings are being taken, every twenty to thirty minutes. No free hotel breakfast again this morning given my early departure for the Mayo, so I will grab a bite there, before heading back to the Hampton. Much more to blog, but time is short for now. More later.....Prayers + Gratitude, fr.tdp..........

10:32 am - I was outfilled with my blood [ressure monitor and finished at the Mayo Clinic Hospital today by 9:35 am, and back at the hotel at ten minutes to ten. I sat out at poolside for several minutes and decided as my room is being cleaned to blog awhile. Talking to my shuttle driver this morning about what affect he sees the new Arizona immigration law having. He said a great number of persons have lost jobs as a result. I am surprised it is not being talked about much in the media, as the Arizona Primary is in about a month, and it is a major campaign issue. Another interesting political development here being former Vice President Dan Quayle's son, Ben, is running for Congress and highly favored to win. Ben Quayle is 33 years old, touting how much he learned from his father's, "conservative values", but now is caught up in an uproar over an adult website, he reportedly contributed copy to in the past, under a pseudonym, as recently as four years ago. Time for a brief nap after my 4:30 am wake-up call. No long naps are permitted while wearing the bp monitor, for it will only read the presurres hourly, not three times an hour. That is acceptable during the night, but not during the day, per the requirements of the test..........Peace In Christ, Fr. Troy

IN THE MIDST OF THE ARIZONA IMMIGRATION -CON-TROV-S-C-..........

The notoriously new Arizona State Immigration Law, was passed, signed, and went into effect, all since my December, 4 month Evaluation visit, to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. As the controversy swirls, I have been very cognizant on this visit of the great majority of Latino servers there are working at the airport, hotel, restaurants, stores, and the hospital. Most of them are natives of the United States or legal aliens, yet this new and questionable law is attempting to all but equate them with illegal immigrants, in preception, if not reality. That is why I believe Federal Court Judge Susan Bolton did the right thing two weeks ago before the law took effect, to nullify some of it's most egregious elements. Why should a sitting Govvernor, who has not been elected to that office and is running for election to it this year, be allowed to use a federal law responsibility like immigration at the state level, to placate her potential supporters and drive a wedge between the citizenry of Arizona ? Tonight I had dinner at a restaurant, the Tilted Kilt, adjacent to my hotel. The largely Latino serving staff were all hard at work doing their jobs and serving all customers politely and courteously. At the table nearest me upon my arrival there was a totally Caucasian group of three males and one female, there much before me, who spent the next three quarters of an hour after I was seated, speaking in loud voices, not just about their own pursuits or shared experiences, but slicing and dicing up their co-workers, and minorities, which made me think as they drank another pint or two each of their favorite beer, Is this what happens when people do not have a fulfilling enough life themselves, that they become unfairly critical and slanderous of others, especially people of color that are different from them ? And does that in turn fuel the fires of prejudice, racism, and discrimination ,that results in a situation like an immigration law run amok, or being used as a tool for self-interest ? The Immigration laws and the Border security are essential issues needing to be addressed and resolved. But they cannot be allowed to become a mask for other agendas that are far from where our attitudes should be as Americans.......... In The American Spirit Of Fairness, And Justice, Fr. Troy

DAY ONE OF MY FIRST ANNIVERSARY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT EVALUATION @ THE MAYO - IN ARIZONA..........

6:06 am -Morning Prayer, a shower, television news, per normal, but no coffee, medications, or breakfast, with the smell of bacon, eggs, sausages, and waffles, wafting through the halls of Hampton Inn, only water and more water between 5:12 am and 6:12 am, as I now blog this column, and await the 6:30 am shuttle to the Mayo Clinic Hospuital fore 7 am blood labs. Then I am permitted a 'light breakfast after I take my meds and insulin, before having a biopsy and await other appointments. I have brought plenty of books to read and look forward to getting through the day and back to my hotel room and the chance to blog more about the experiences of my one year post transplant Evaluation with the Mayo team. I am so hungry, I may take a nap on the shuttle bus, ha.....ha.....Peace And Prayers For A Productive Day..........

1:06 pm - No nap for me on the shuttle as Brian the driver is a very good conversationalist. We departed at 6:23 am, and he had at the front doors of the Mayo Clinic Specialty Building well before 7 am. I was called punctually and found myself in the cafeteria by 7:05 am. My Biopsy and Ultra Sound were not scheduled until 11:45 am, but my lucky day they took me shortly after 9 am, followed by an hour of observation in the recovery room. My August '09 - December '09 Recovery Room nurse, Eileen, was on the job again today making for a pleasant hour. After lunch at the Mayo Clinic, some very good Broccoli-Cheddar soup, Brian came and shuttled me back to the Hampton Inn. And voila, here I am finishing up this first entry in my Annual Evaluation report, on the 350th day since my kidney transplant. A short while ago, my friend Sara Nava, whom I refer to as Our Lady of Lantana, for the street she lives on - called me to check in, and see how I'm doing healthwise and in the new parish, Our Lady of Lourdes..........In The Spirit Of Faith, Friendship, And Fulfillment, Fr. Troy

BACK AT THE SCENE OF MY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.....ON THE EVE OF MY FIRST ANNUAL EVALUATION..........

After concelebrating the 8 am Monday Mass, with Father Traynor, seeing to it that the Sunday collection was squared away, sending off the Sunday Bulletin copy to JS Paluch by e-mail and the outgoing mail to the postman, I drove to the Sacramento Airport for my flight to Phoenix and the start of my first annual, post kidney transplant, Evaluation, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Athe Mayo Clinic Hospital Arizona. Not only is this for me a return to the scene of the transplant for full testing and assessment, but also a remembrance of a year ago as my kidney transplant was about to occur. Returning to stay at the same Hampton Inn, as last year and being in Scottsdale as well as Phoenix . My day begins tomorrow with a 5 am wake-up call, a 6:30 am shuttle ride to Mayo and 7 am Fasting Blood Labs, then a Biopsy and other appointments well into the afternoon. I must fast from food and drink other than water, for twelve hours tonight until tomorrow morning, so I plan on having a Mexican dinner at Carlos O'Brien's across the street and then make it an early night. I again want to thank all of my faithful and supportive, circle of family, friends, fellow believers, bishops and brother priests, for seeing me through to this one year mark after the kidney transplant and the resumption of my good health and productive priestly pastoral ministry. God bless you all and keep reading as I blog to you daily from Post Transplant Central, the next three days here in 105 degree plus. From Phoenix / Scottsdale, Arizona..........Fr. Troy

19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME : CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN - "HELP US CONNECT THE WORLD WITH GOD'S WORD"..........

Parishes throughout the Sacramento Diocese today are taking up a second collection for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Catholic Communications Campaign. We are being asked today to help the American Bishops, "Connect the World With God's Word". The Catholic Church in the United States has continued doing that from the foundation of our country. The pastoral letters of the first American Bishop, +John Carroll in Baltimore, more than two centuries ago, and those of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops since that time forward, to a plethora of publications : magazines, newspapers, books, laid the grundwork for communicating, evangelizing, and catechizing, beyond the pulpit and the classroom. Then in the past century the use of radio and television were a further effective means, in the 1920's and 1930's, Father Charles Coughlan from Detroit, was known as the (Catholic) Radio Priest, doing his weekly broadcasts. In the 1950's Bishop Fulton Sheen, took up the mantle on television with a weekly program that vied opposite the king of television at that time, famed comedian Milton Berle, and ultimately Bishop Sheen bested 'Uncle Miltie', and even won an Emmy Award for his weekly ferverinos of faith. After Sheen's victory, Berle quipped, "he has better writers than me !". The Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, had their fifteen minute, weekly devotional talk on radio and television each week, The Sacred Heart Program", and the Paulist Fathers, whose ministry is primarly focused on faith communications offered their thirty minute , "Insight" program featuring Catholic actors in short stories imparting moral values. Then for awhile we fell away from the broadcast media, until re-establishing Catholic television and radio in the latter portion of the twentieth century. Now today with cable, satellite, and internet communications flourishing, we need to develop more programming to reach more people. That is why the Catholic Communications Campaign is so vital to the effective work we do as today's and tomorrow's evangelists for Christ..........With Faith In The Power Of God's Word To Truly Connect And Transform The World, Fr. Troy

BISHOP SOTO AND THE CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS CONTINUE CHURCH TEACHING IN THE BATTLE AGAINST SAME SEX MARRIAGE..........

Bishop Jaime Soto, as the Chief Shepherd of Souls in the twenty counties of Superior / Northern California, that comprise the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, and as the Bishop of Sacramento, the Shepherd of the State Capital of California, has released a Statement in response to Federal District 9 Court Judge Walker's decision on Wednesday regarding the constitutionality of same sex marriage in California and the overturning Proposition 8. Bishop Soto's statement reads in part, "The Honorable Judge Vaughn R. Walker chose to ignore the common sense decision of the California voters and overruled Proposition 8. Efforts to restore the longstanding tradition of marriage to the California Constitution will continue at higher levels of the judiciary. Hopefully the obstinate judicial impulse to innovate will give way to the prudent principal of the prevailing historical understanding of marriage." The political and judicial football that has become the campaign for same sex marriage in California is not merely a constitutional case of individual, civil, equal, or human rights. It must also be seen through the lens of the natural law. Bishop Soto's pastoral statement and the Catholic Church teaching on marriage, is grounded in the natural law and our faith belief that God created the covenant of marriage as a union between one man, and one woman. Thus Catholic-Christian morality and sacramentality, defines Marriage, as a sacred bond of Love between a husband who is male, and a wife, who is female. That makes same sex marriage contrary to the natural law and the consistent teaching and practice of Catholic-Christianity. As Bishop Soto noted the struggle to maintain the prevailing historical understanding of marriage and restore it firmly in the California Constitution will continue on to a three judge Appeals panel of the 9th District Federal Court, and depending on the outcome of their deliberations, ultimately to the United States Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court is now comprised of 4 conservative Justices, 4 liberal Justices, and 1 moderate Justice. The 1 moderate justice, who will likely be the swing, and determining vote, deciding the constitutionality of Proposition 8, and the issue of same sex marriage in the United States of America, is Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan. Justice Kennedy is a native Sacramentan, a Catholic, and life long member of Holy Spirit Parish in Land Park. Some legal analysts responding to Judge Walker's overturning of Prop. 8, on Wednesday, are expressing the opinion that the arguments Judge Walker made in his decision were aimed at the vote of Justice Kennedy, when the time comes for the Supreme Court of the United States to say yes, or no, to the constitutionality of same sex marriage. Bishop Soto, the California Catholic Conference of Bishops, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will all be highly involved in teaching, advocating for, and promoting, the valudity and historical understanding of the essential natural law teaching that does not allow for the marriage of same sex couples..........In The Name Of Jesus We Pray, Fr. Troy

***For the entire text of Bishop Soto's statement in English or Spanish, go to the web page, www.diocese-sacramento.org/

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS THE CHRIST..........

As the Lord Jesus prepared His Disciples for his approaching Passion and Death, he chose to give three of them, Peter, James, and John, a preview of His future and risen Glory. Taking then up onto Mount Tabor, Christ was transfigured before them and seen to be in the presence of Moses and Elijah. The Transfiguration of Christ was evidence of His Divine power and the Glorification that the Crucified and Risen Jesus would experience in the fulfillment of the Paschal Mystery. The presence of the Prophets, Christ's fulfillment of all the prophets foretold about the coming Messiah. This liturgical feast originated in 1457 A.D., by declaration of Pope Callistus III, in response to the victory of Christians over the Turks in Belgrade. Sixty-five years ago, August 6, 1945, it took on a counter glory, awesomely, transfixing affect, as it was 65 years ago today the first ever atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, Japan expediting the end of World War II. And it was on August 6, 1978, that His Holiness Pope Paul VI, died concluding a 15 year reign in the See of St. Peter. Paul VI's other significant link to the August 6, 1945 Transfiguration Day being, his history making visit to the United Nations, as the first Pope to set foot in the United States,* declaring in a speech before the UN General Assembly, on the Feast of St. Francis Assisi, October 4, 1965, the powerfully resolute words, "No More War !" Catholic Teaching is opposed to the use of nuclear weapons, a teaching clearly stated by the Bishops of the United States in their 1983 Pastoral Letter on, "War And Peace". Therefore as we observe this Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, may we renew our commitment to honoring and sharing in the glorification of Jesus the Christ, as Son of God, Son of Man, Savior of the World, and Redeemer of Humankind, in whose Transfiguration and Resurrection we hope to be included in God's Kingdom of Eternal Life..........Glory To God And Peace On Earth, Fr. Troy

*Pius XII, who was Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli, before his election as Pope, had visited the U.S., but not while he was Pope.

ANOTHER MILESTONE DAY FOR NEIL ARMSTRONG, FIRST MAN ON THE MOON IN 1969..........

Today, a history making American hero, who has lived his life as a navy aviator, test pilot, aerospace engineer, university professor, and worldwide known astronaut, as the first human being ever to walk on the Moon, Neil Armstrong, is celebrating his 80th Birthday. 41 years and 16 days ago, NASA Astronaut Neil Armstrong had the world marveling as he and fellow astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, landed their Apollo XI, rocket / lunar module on the surface of the Moon. And moments later, Armstrong stepped from the spacecraft down onto the lunar surface, declaring those appropriate words, "One small step for man, One giant leap for mankind". Now he marks his 80th Birthday and more than forty years later the Apollo rockets successors, the Space Shuttles are about to be retired from service. What a great fay, what a fantastic accomplishment it was for the United States and the World, on July 20, 1969, the day the man of this day, became the first man on the moon..........In Acknowledgement Of The Awesomeness If God's Creation, Fr. Troy

ST. JOHN VIANNEY - PATRON SAINT OF PRIESTS AND PASTORS..........

Born in Lyons, France in 1786, John Mary Vianney struggled as a young man for several years to be allowed to become a Priest of Jesus Christ. Thought to be a simpleton, once he was ordained a priest, Father Vianney's duties were restricted to celebrating Masses and hearing Confessions. But instead he became an exemplary pastor of souls as the Cure of Ars, who spend as many as 11 hours in winter, and 16 hours in summer, forgiveness sins as a Confessor in the Sacrament of Penance. He became the patron saint of priests, pastors, and parish clergy, as a result of his dedication as a Priest of Jesus Christ. In our Sacramento Diocese he is commemorated with St. John Vianney Parish in Rancho Cordova, which started in 1958, with Reverend Monsignor Richard Dwyer, a native Sacramento priestly vocation serving as Founding Pastor from 1958-1980; the St. John Vianney House for seminarians at St. Anne's Parish in Meadowview, South Sacramento; and with the erection of a St. John Vianney statue, now gracing the grounds of the Priests' Retirement Village in Citrus Heights. As we continue to work and pray for an increase in priests for service in the Diocese of Sacramento, particularly for more native vocations to answer God's Call, may this exemplary priest, St. John Vianney be an intercessor and guide for all of us..........As We Pray And Promote The Increase Of More Priests To Serve God's People In The Vineyard Of Our Church, Fr. Troy

SINGING ALONG WITH, "MITCH"..........

In the early 1960's my most vivid, childhood memories of Friday nights are the fish sticks, Campbell's tomato or vegetable soup, and the Shasta sodas in the original tin cans, with the picture of a snow covered Mount Shasta on it, that were our no meat on Friday dinners in my South Sacramento home. Then there were the television shows my family watched on our 1956 Magnavox TV, bought at Breuner's Department Store, in downtown Sacramento. The then new, prime-time, 'Flintstones' cartoon show, 'Sing Along With Mitch', a popular musical show, with record producer and songleader, Mitch Miller, and then my father's choice, the, 'Friday Night Fights'. Sing Along With Mitch was not only jaunty and breezy, it had the novelty of a bouncing white ball and printed lyrics to all the songs, so we could all sing along. Each of the three tv programs woven together, made for a fun filled night for the whole family. Mitch Miller died last Saturday at age 99. A man whose musical talent and discovery of recording artists such as, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, Patti Paige, and Frankie Laine, will forever dot the annals of popular American music in the 20th Century, and will not be forgotten. Surely, his Sing Along With Mitch, will become one with the heavenly chorus and he will be there on Judgment Day, with his bouncing white ball and floating lyrics, to lead us in, "As The Saints Go Marching In", as the curtain goes up on God's Eternal Kingdom..........A Musical Adieu To A Good And Talented Man, Fr . Troy

STREAMING INTO AUGUST..........

Here comes August, the eighth month of the Julian Calendar, and the second consecutive month on our calendar named for Caesar. August named for Augustus Caesar, who was the Roman Emperor at the time of the Birth of Jesus Christ, more than 2,000 years ago. As we stream into August 2010, we celebrate today the Memorial of St. Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop and 4th Century Defender of the Divinity of Christ against the heresy of Arianism. Bishop Eusebius was a contemporary of my priesthood ordination day saint, St. Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor, a leading Defender of Christ's Divinity in opposing the Arians, whose liturgical feast day is May 2.....After concelebrating 8am Mass, at which I preached on St. Eusebius, who bears the name of a renowned Church historian, I drew the parallel between Eusebius the Historian and our Sacramento native born priest, Marquette University history professor, and ministering as a priest in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Reverend Father Steven Avella. Fr. Steve has excellently and extensively researched and written on the History of the Catholic Church in Sacramento, and also about the parish histories of the Sacramento Diocese......I have spent the rest of this Monday, having breakfast with Fr. Traynor, visiting Mercy San Juan Hospital, to see a parishioner, paying parish bills, choosing a groundskeeper, and preparing the copy for next Sunday's Bulletin. A few phone calls and doorbells rounded out the day. And for dinner Esperanza cooked oxtail-vegetable soup, with a cob of corn, and tortillas. Now it's time to chillax, anticipating the watermelon that will be my bedtime snack........With Appreciation For The Heritage Of Our History In Christ Jesus, Fr. Troy

18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - MISSIONARY APPEAL SUNDAY @ OLOL..........

The Sacred Scriptures on this 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time draw our attention to the kind of wealth we seek to amass. A worldly wealth of possessions, privilege, power - or a Godly wealth of peace, justice, and joy. The merely temporal richness we may attain on earth is not a bad thing, as long as our hearts and minds do not become obsessed with attaining or exercising the having of them, in vain and selfish ways. No human being wants to be impoverished or to have to live in desolation. And yet there is commendation for the humble and the just, who are poor in spirit but filled with spiritual richness. We must always remember that it is who we are and what we do with our resources as stewards of God's Creation, that will determine our fitness for Eternal Life, not how much we do, or do not have, in terms the temporalities of this world. There are rich and there are poor, but in the sight of God, all are equal, all have dignity, all will be judged by the totality of their person, not their holdings. Our Sunday Scriptures from Ecclesiastes, Colossians, and Luke, speak to the People of God of the truth and necessity of placing our trust and central focus on the Divine and not on material things, for Christ is all in all, not any other corruptible temptation or treasure. All any of us takes with us from our life on earth is the body of evidence as how we lived, and the salvation of our souls will be determined by that standard and those values. So may the treasury of richness you seek as a Disciple of Jesus the Christ, created by the Living and True God, be spiritual, generous, and self-giving, whoever and however you are.....Today Our Lady of Lourdes Parish welcomed Reverend Father Arthur Carillo, C.P., of the Passionist religious order who preached a missionary appeal at our Sunday Masses. He preached about the Passionist Missions and his lifelong experience of Missionaries using these Sunday Readings and applying them to how we can respond in assisting those who are sent throughout the world to evangelize and serve others. Father Arthur is celebrating his 40th anniversary as a priest - his Ruby Jubilee, I reminded the parishioners. And the Passionist Fathers in Sacramento are marking their Emerald Jubilee - 60th anniversary here, as directors of Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights..........Ad Multos Annos to the Passionists and to Catholic-Christian Missionaries Everywhere, Fr. Troy