PRESIDENT OBAMA'S POST ELECTION WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITH THE INCOMING REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP..........

The first official meeting between the President and the 111th Congress' incoming majority Republican leadership in the House of Representatives and their U.S. Senate leadership , took place this morning in The White House, to reports of a calm and civilized gathering, in which neither side gave way to the other on key issues to be decided upon, from Jobs and Economic Growth and Recovery, to the Bush Tax Cut extension, UnEmploymentment Insurance, which runs out today for 2 million Americans, ratification of the latest START Treaty with the Russians, The Don't Ask Don't Tell, expiration legislation, among many other.  Whether we will see Compromise, and the willingness to work together despite their differences, or Girdlock, and the venom of purely partisan politrics, to achieve something for the good of the American People in the next two years, is at stake.  Can a Presidential Administration thought to have been too activist and over reaching in the past two years, and a Political Party seen as being focused on saying No, and an obstacle to proposed progress, since the current occupant of The White House assumed office in January 2009, be able to work with each other  productively, in addressing the the real and vital issues  presently facing the United States ?  Can both Democrats and Republicansw disciover true bipartisanship, or achieve post partisanship ?  Politics aside, we can only hope that the common good and not only political gain governs all their actions..........For A Better America,   Fr.  Troy

ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE.....ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES / CONFESSIONS BEGIN IN THE AMERICAN RIVER SUBURBS..........

St. Andrew the Apostle, whose liturgical feast day we celebrate today, was a disciple of John the Baptist, ever before he heard an answered the Call of Jesus, to, "Come Follow Him".  At the Sea of Galilee when Jesus Caled Andrew and his brother Simon Peter, Christ began the selection process of choosing the Twelve Apostles, who formed his closest circle of followers during His 3 year Public Ministry.  St. Andrew was unwavering in responding and following jesus the Christ, and in preaching the Gospel in several places after the Resurrection and scension of Jesus, to Achaia, in Greece.  Sacred Tradition tells us, St. Andrew the Apostle was finally crucified upside down for being a Christian.  As this First Week of Advent unfolds how does our "Foloowing" pf Jesus mirror the fervency and dedication of apostolic witness St. Andrew's discipleship did ?  If we were prosecuted for being Christians, would their be enough evidence of our Christianity to cause us to be crucified upside down for being a Follower of Jesis the Lord.....Two of the parishes in the American River Suburbs Deanery open the Advent Reconciliation / Christmas Confessions ministry in our parishes tonight, the earliest I remember since being having them start.  I am scheduled to assist at Divine Mercy Parish in Natomas tonight, as the conclusion of what is stacking up to be a fairly full day.............St. Andrew the Apostle - In This Advent Season Pray For Us,   Fr.  Troy

NEWS 10 AND THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE, "COATS FOR KIDS" CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN..........

My television news anchor friend, Dan Elliott, and his colleagues at News 10, are carrying out their 20th Anniversary COATS FOR KIDS Christmas campaign, which concludes this Friday December 3.  The News 10 Coats For Kids 2010, has a Goal of 25,000 coats donated.  If they attain this year's Goal, the cumilative contributions they will have collected and distributed to needy children will be more than 500,000 !!!!!   In the cold of Winter what better gift can you give a needy chi;d, than a warm coat ? " New or gently used Coats", are accepted, so a look through your clost can help the cause.  Co-sponsors with News 10 in the community  this year include Swanson's Cleaners, the Salvation Army, Rogers Jewelers, Century 21, Tri Counties Bank, and a number of local radio stations.  So look and see what you perhaps can do to help News 10 make the 2010 campaign a roaring success and make a difference in the lives of needy children and struggling familes.  Your donation of a Coat for Kids will warm the heart as well as the body of a person on the margins this Christmas and Winter..........Fr.  Troy

"ADVENT LIGHT".....MY PARISH ADVENT SERIES BEGINS FOR THE NEXT 4 MONDAYS TONIGHT..........

I am excited about the start of the Parish Advent Series tonight, as I get everytime it is time to conduct another one.  For nearly three months I have been planning and preparing for the next 4 Monday nights of Advent.  Having found what Iconsider an excellent book by Twenty Third Publications and their Threshold Bible Study, this volume is titled, "ADVENT LIGHT", by Stephen J. Binz. It is a series of short reflections on the Advent and Christmas Scriptures, with ample discussions for the further shared discussion of the participants.  We are focusing on six lessons of the Advent Word of God, each of the 4 Mondays, and I and Father Steven Avella, our Parish Mission presenter  next week, will use the Christmas Reflections together and I will also fold them into my Christmas preaching.....Father Tony Traynor are heading out the rectory now to attend the Funeral Mass of Monsignor James Church's sister, Catherine Mae Church Jones.  Cathy was a First Grade Teacher by profession and had suffered from Parkinson's Disease the past quarter of a century.  She went home to God last week at age 76.  I have known since the summer of 2006, when I was assigned to Presentation Parish and was privileged to celebrate monthly Mass for and with her, and the residents of College Oak Care Center.  Cathy was assertive and articulate all her life, and kept me and the parish priests punctual, as on Mass Day at College Oak each month, she would remind the care center aides to be sure all the Catholics were gotten ready to come to the Mass in the facility Rec Room, and if I or Father Andrew were late, she would insist we be called immediately.  In the last years of her kife she could hardly talk as valiantly as she continued to communicate, and succeeded in getting her messages about things important to her understood and acted upon.  May God now grant Cathy Eternal Life..........Fr,  Troy

THE HALLMARK CHANNEL PRESENTS AN EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 24 / 7..........

The final hours of the ThanksGiving holiday weekend unfold chillaxingly, and I am looking forward to watching the Hallmark Channel movie, "Call Me Mrs. Miracle", the sequel to last year's, delightful "Mrs. Miracle".  Both television movies are based on work by author Debbie McComber.  The Hallmark Channel is currently broadcasting Christmas themed movies and specials, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until Christmas.  They are excellent programs that impart the authentic meaning of the spirit of Christmas, while providing enjoyable entertainment for children and adults alike.  So I wholeheartedly recommend to you and your families the fine seasonal productions you will see presented on the Hallmark Channel.  Find the cable or satellite number on your television wherever you are, sit back in your free time and savor the stories that will increase the depth of your Christmas spirit and lessen the frenzy, the outer world allures you to be preoccupied with..........Commendations To The Hallmark Channel For Enhancing The Meaning Of Christmas,   Fr.  Troy

WELCOME TO LITURGICAL YEAR 2011 : THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT..........

Today we open Liturgical Year 2011, on this First Sunday of Advent.  For the next 4 Sundays and until December 24 afternoon, we will be watching and waiting as Catholic-Christians, in commemoration and anticipation of the three-fold Coming of the Messiah, the Anointed One of God the Father, Jesus the Christ.  Advent, as the initial sacred season of the Church's new year focuses our spiritual and prayerful attention on the hope filled expectation of the long awaited Messiah's Coming for the salvation of God's People.  As today begins a Year 'A' on the three year liturgical cycle, we hear the Gospel summons to, "Be Prepared", for the day of the Lord Jesus' Second Coming in glory and the Enat Christmas and anticipate d Times,  from St. Matthew - who is the Evangelist we will hear the Gospel heard from throughout most of the year ahead.  Being Disciples of Jesus Christ, we believe He is the Co-Eternal Son of God, who was born into the World becoming Incarnate, Man as well as God, some two thousand years ago.  We also believe that He will come again at the End of Time, the day and hour of which is only known by the Heavenly Father.  But I mentioned the three-fold Coming of Christ.  Just as we prepare for the celebration of His Holy Birth, and anticipate His Future Return to inaugurate the fullness of God's Kingdom, we also acknowledge and respond to Jesus' presence among us during this Advent Season.  Thus, our need to be pro-active and do something to make a difference as Advent People, who are more than caught up with the premature frenzy of the holidays.  The parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes are being given several opportunities over the next four weeks to meaningfully enter into the observance of Advent.  The First Sunday of Advent bulletin, includes a supplemental insert with ideas and recommendations for celebrating Advent daily at home.  Each member is also being given a small booklet, "Five Minutes With The Word", containing short daily reflections on the Advent Scriptures.  The Parish Advent Series, on the Monday evenings of Advent, November 29, December 6, 13, 20, will provide an overview presentation of the Advent Scriptures from the book, "Advent Light", by Stephen Binz, from Twenty Third Publications' Threshold Bible Series.  On December 7-9, Reverend Father Steven Avella, will preach a three night Parish Advent Mission, 'Advent Light; Christmas Glory' .  And on Tuesday December 14, we will have a Communal Anointing of the Sick for the elderly, ill, infirm, and disabled; as well as an Advent Communal Penance Service with Confessions on Friday December 17.   Therefore, there are ample opportunities to truly make this Advent a season of making the Lord's way Ready in our lives..........Hearkening All Christuans To Make This An Awesome Advent,   Fr.  Troy    

WILLS' AND KATE'S APRIL APPOINTMENT IN THE ABBEY..........

One week after the announcement in London of the Royal Engagement between Prince William Wales and Catherine Middleton, the eagerly waited declaration of their wedding date and the location of their nuptials next year were revealed.  Wills and Kate will be wed in Westminister Abbey in London, site of three dozen British coronations since the year 1066, including of the reigning Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953, where her Royal Wedding also took place to Prince Phillip in 1947.  Westminister Abbey is also more recently remembered as the location of Prince William's mother, Princess Diana, in 1997.  The official announcement made earlier this week sets their wedding date for Friday April 29, the Feast of St. Catherine Sienna, in the Abbey.  Some 1 billion people worldwide are expected to watch the festivities, as the future King of England takes a bride.  At The ThanksGiving Dinner table on Thursday I dined with a young British woiman in her twenties, Clare, who is attending college at Sacramento State University.  She is dating my friend Chris Mugnaini, and when his mother Teres, asked me if I will be tuning in for the Royal Wedding next April, Clare was both surprised and pleased to hear that I will be.  As the first part of this blog column indicates I will be watching for the pageantry and splendor the British bring to such occasions and to enjoy and take in the history and tradition in such a such as Westminister Abbey, the occasion of this nuptial union denotes..........Fr.  Troy

IT MAY BE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND, BUT PARISH MINISTRY CONTINUES..........

It is just after 8 am on ThanksGiving Saturday holiday weekend, but the day ahead holds a fair amount of work for me in the form of parish ministry. At 1 pm I will preside at a Quinceanera Mass and an Infant Baptism, for a family in the parish having the joint celebration.  Then, at 4 pm the weekly Saturday Confessions, followed by the Sunday Vigil Mass, at 5 pm.  Between the Quinceanera / Baptism and the Confessions / Vigil Mass;, I will spend the time putting my homily and other resources for the First Sunday of Advent, in final order for tonight and tomorrow.  Sister Felicity Brusadelli, has arranged the Advent Wreath for the church sanctuary, after arrival of the candles yesterday by UPS, set off by a Tuesday afternoon scramble, realizing we did not have a sufficient number of purples to join with the pink, to form the Wreath.  With the ThanksGiving holiday weekend closing in, Kauffer's Religious Goods, were very good to expedite their delivery without us being roasted by the cost, assuring the Parish Advent Wreath is ready and exactly as it should be for the next four weeks.  Like on most significant holidays, parish priests must work around the ministerial responsibilities that remain on the calendar, and make windows of opportunity out of times we are not otherwise scheduled to be on duty. I use that down time to chillax or relax, in keeping the holiday.  I did that yesterday after celebrating the 8 am Morning Mass, a 10 am Funeral Memorial Mass, and keeping a 1:30 pm appointment.  I broke away, and spent several hours visiting with Msgr. Kavanagh and went to dinner with him, for what he referred to at the end of the evening as, "an always enjoyable opportunity to catch up".  And indeed it was, as well as a wonderful holiday experience of relaxing and re-energizing.  Sunday afternoon and evening provide one last chance during this four day weekend, to do the same, before resuming the daily schedule of Advent and pre Christmas ministry activities of seasonal intensity Monday morning ..........In ThanksGiving For The Pastoral And Parish Ministry Church Year 2010 Has Given Me The Chance tTo Serve And To Lead,   Fr.  Troy

BLACK FRIDAY IN AMERICA : RECOVERING FROM A RECORD-SETTING RECESSION WHY IS THERE SUCH A FRENZY TO SHOP ?..........

For an astonishing 138 million Americans, the ThanksGiving Day Turkey was hardly cool yesterday, when they turned their sights to the Black Friday Christmas shopping sales frenzy occurring across the country today.  At the three year mark of the worst economic recession since the Great Depression eighty years ago, consumer confidence is gradually increasing with Black Friday sales expected to be up 3% over last year.  The search for bargains is so intense, millions of shoppers nationwide lined up for upwards of three days in parking lots in front of favored stores, in often times very inclement weather, to be at the head of the lines at the doors of stores opening for Black Friday bargain sales last night and in the wee hours of this morning.  Shopping and Christmas sales are a vital part of businesses profit and the good of the economy.  But one of the undeniable lessons of this current worldwide recession is that we cannot continue overspending and living beyond our means, without it all crashing down arouus us.  Christmas shopping within reasonable limits is  good and generous.  But the lengths to which stores and shoppers are carrying Black Friday and the commercialization of Christmas, is at the least  grossly misguided, if not unquestionably dysfunctional.  There are 4 weeks to do the Christmas shopping you can and choose to do.  Why pressurize the doing of something that at its root is about generosity in the Birth of Christ, not the greed of scoring the deepest discounts, or enlarging our profit margins.  I intentionally avoid stores and shopping on Black Friday and the remainder of the ThanksGiving weekend.  What a better, more spiritually and wholistically grounded citizenry, today's 138 million American Black Friday shoppers would be, to show some common sense instead of being driven by such commercial craziness..........Happy ThanksGiving Friday,   Fr.  Troy
.....Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa took a studio audience poll this morning that found 43% of their audience ignores Black Friday; 33% awake between 3-5 am to Black Friday shop; 16% awake at their regular time; and 8% are undecided.....

THANKSGIVING DAY 2010 IN AMERICA.....WHAT ARE WE GRATEFUL FOR, "IN THANKSGIVING", THIS YEAR ?..........

With crispness in the air on this fourth Thursday of November day in America, we awake to what I call our National Day of Consecration, "ThanksGiving 2010".  For the 390th time since the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony joined with the Native Americans following their first Harvest in the New Land, sharing a feast of foods and taking time to give thanks to God for blessing them with freedom, family, faith, and friendship, we celebrate this ThanksGiving Day, with our families, friends, neighbors, parishioners, and perhaps even persons we have only a passing relationship with, as we express our Gratitude, Generosity, and Goodness.
President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 proclaimed the fourth Thursday in November to be a day of, National ThanksGiving".   Turkey, is the traditional focal food of the holiday as families gather in the words of the childhood song, "Over the river and through the woods", to grandmother's house and the homes of our families, for this four day weekend.  It is important that we take time to ponder the blessings of time, talent, and treasure, we possess, especially as our country and the world continues to recover from the steepest economic recession in more than eighty years.  And at a time when our military men and women continue to serve in the war-time volatility of Afghanistan and Iraq, in a decade when so many of them have missed sharing in their families ThanksGiving tables. As our families gather around their tables today to share the holiday feast, may the time we spend together be filled with the gratitude, generosity, and goodness, as we share memories old and make memories new, in thanksgiving for the blessings of life..........Happy ThanksGiving America,   Fr.  Troy

POPE BENEDICT XVI'S LATEST STATEMENT ON UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE..........

Pope Benedict XVI's pronouncement on the use of condoms this week, was not the only statement he made on a social issue with moral imperatives.  His Holiness also articulated the Catholic-Christian Teaching on the provision of  universal health care, calling health care an, "inalienable right", that every nation and society must guarantee its citizens.  The Pope's remarks were delivered by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, at the November 18 - 19, 25th International Conference of the Pontifical Council For Health Care Ministry.  Calling accessibility to health care a moral responsibility of nations to guarantee for all their citizens, regardless of social and economic status, or their ability to pay, Benedict XVI's message declared access to medical care is one of the, "inalienable rights", of humankind.  "The care of man, his transcendent dignity and his inalienable rights", are issues that should concern Catholic-Christians, the Pope wrote.  The Holy Father goes on to say that an individual's health is a, "precious asset" to society, and to persons,
governments, and other agencies, and they should seek to protect a person's health by, "dedicating the equipment, resources, and energy, so that the greatest number of people can have access".  'Justice in health care should be a priority of governments and international institutions", according to Benedict XVI, but he cautions that protecting the right tro human health care does not include artificial reproductive procedures that destroy embryos, or euthanasia.  "Care for human life from conception must be a guiding light in determining health care policy", said the Pope.  Benedict XVI has proclaimed  universal health care a moral right of all persons, even as Catholic politicians soon to assume leadership in  the United States Congress, are steadfastly opposing the newly enacted health care reform law and are vowing to abolish it.  They and the same American Catholics who define orthodoxy in being Catholic as adhering strictly to the the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the practices and policies enunciated by the Holy Father and the Vatican, will now have their fidelity tested.  Will they be true to the Catholic-Christian belief in health care accessibility for all, clearly espoused this week by His Holiness, or, "Cafeteria Catholics", who pick and choose what to believe,
and which moral values to support or reject, placing personal and partisan politics first and their faith a distant second, in response to universal health care ?   How Benedict XVI's declaration providing support for health care accessibility for all our citizens will affect the political debate over universal health care in the United States in trhe months ahead, will be interesting.  Will it change the minds, hearts, and political positions, of Speaker-Elect Boehner and other Catholic Representatives and Senators, who up until now have opposed health care reform as enunciated by the Pope, or will they merely ignore it and set it aside in favor of their political interest ?  I pray, and hope you will too, that they will take Pope Benedict's words seriously and work proactively for the common good and moral right of all citizens to be guaranteed access to health care..........Commending The Holy Father For His Prophetic Proclamation Of Gospel Values,   Fr.  Troy

POPE BENEDICT XVI's RECENT PRONOUNCEMENT ON THE USE OF CONDOMS ..........

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI , made what many may consider extraordinary news this week with a statement on the use of condoms, that nuances longstanding Church Teaching regarding their use in exceptional circumstances, namely the threat of spreading the HIV / AIDS virus.  In an interview with a German journalist who is writing a book, Pope Benedict reiterated the Church's traditional teaching on the use of condoms and artificial contraception, but went on to state, 'in some some exceptional cases where the intent is prevent disease rather than pregnancy, the use of a condom could be a, "first step", toward a greater sense of moral responsibility'.  The Holy See Press Office Director, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, in a Vatican press release, 'insists the Pope has not changed the Church's teaching on condoms, but has given papal expression to a position long held by,' " "moral theologians and other ecclesial personalities, including a number of Cardinals".  In the booK published today, "Light Of The World", by Peter Seewald, His Holiness responded to two questions following his 2009 papal visit to Africa.  Father Lombardi reiterates the Pope was not speaking of the use of condoms in general, as AIDS cannot be resolved by use of condoms alone, but must be rooted in, "prevention, education, assistance, counsel, and being close to people".  Even outside ecclesial circles Benedict XVI declares the ABC approach, Abstinence-Be Faithful-Condoms, works best when A and B, are exercised effectively and C is not overly depended upon.  The nuance in this papal statement is focused on the existence of a,"real risk", to "the life of the other person".  The Pope asserts in such circumstances use of condoms by men or women can be, "a first assumption of responsibility", "a first step in a movement toward a more human sexuality".  Thus Pope Benedict XVI's answers to author Peter Seeward's questions about condoms use, are not a revolutionary realignment of the Church's Teaching, but an  enightened, insightful, compassionate, reflective, response affirming the sacredness and dignity of every human being, and reduction of the risk of infection, disease, and death, from the plague of AIDS.  It is not a license for immorality, but a further necessary antidote in exceptional situations, to an otherwise enduring tragedy..........Kudos To The Pope !!!... ,   Fr.  Troy

NOVEMBER 8, 1960 - NOVEMBER 22, 1963.....THE LEGACY OF THE 35TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.....JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY..........

Fifty years and two weeks ago today, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, was narrowly elected over Richard Milhous Nixon, as President of the United States.  The first, and only Catholic to be elected to the White House in American history, he was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States, on January 20, 1961.  Fated to have but 1,036 days to govern as the Chief Executive of the American nation, his Presidency was a transforming time of idealism and new possibilities for the USA and the World.  Compared to the popular Broadway show and movie of time, "Camelot", the youthfulness, spirit, and hope, the young President in his forties, and his thirty something wife, and their children, exuded permeated not only North America, but peoples around the globe. The Cold War, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Construction of the Berlin Wall, The Vietnam War, as well as the evolving Civil Rights Movement and the push for Medicare, the creation of the Peace Corps, were all issues and needs the Kennedy Administration had to contend with in its two years, ten months, and two days in government.  The promise and potential of the man and his governance were never to be realized, as on this day - November 22, 1963, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was shot down in Dallas, Texas by an assassin's bullets.  He was 46 years old.  What his successes or failures at achieving greater progress for America and the World would have been we can only surmise.  But the inspiration he fired up in a generation plus of citizens here and aboard, to make a positive difference continues to shine in the pantheon of Presidents who have made a lasting impression.  The culminating words of his Inaugural Address speak to that inspiration and idealism, as much today as they did fifty years ago - "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country?"..........In Remembrance,   Fr.  Troy

THE LAST SUNDAY OF CHURCH YEAR 2010 : SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING..........

On this fifty second and final Sunday of Litrurgical Year 2010, we culminate this year of Grace in the Pachal Mystery of Jesus' Passion, Death, and Resurrection, by celebrating the Kingship of Christ, His supreme and universal dominion over all Creation, as the Co-Eternal, Redeeming Son of God the Father.  Since early Tuesday morning of this past week, news coverage has been full of news about the newest Royal Engagement.  That may seem trivial in the light of other worldly concerns, but the British monarchy is still one of the most significant human monarchies in the history of the world.  As today's First Reading II Samuel 5 : 1-3, shares with us David was anointed King of Israel, a human monarchy blessed and commissioned by God for the good of His Chosen People.  The Kingship of Jesus The Christ is by far as a Divine Kingship,  the greatest kingship the world has ever known.  Christ the King is the source of Peace, Justice, Unity, Compassion, Forgiveness, Salvation, and Eternal Life.  And so, as we sojourn with Christ the King as Jesus' Loyal Servants on earth, may we look forward to sharing in the Everlasting Kingdom of the Father, Son and Spirit, in heaven..........All Hail Christ The King Of Glory,   Fr.  Troy

TURKEY AND THE TRIMMINGS SERVED FOR HUNDREDS TODAY AT OLOL's ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DINNER..........

The phone calls have been pouring into the rectory and parish office for the past six weeks, and this morning - the morning, is no exceptrion - as phone calls have been coming in since the 8 am hour.  Today is OLOL's Annual ThanksGiving Dinner, put on by an extraordinary team of parishioner volunteers, led by Dennis and Lucy Gonzales and their family.  At 11:30 am they will begin serving a full ThanksGiving Dinner to an estimated gathering of more than 400 persons throughout the afternoon.....I had my ThanksGiving Dinner with many parishioners in a full hall of hungry and happy neighbors and those in need at the outset of the four hours of serving meals.  The parish youth eagerly waited on tables, as the kitchen crew dished up generous servings of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, corn, green beats, and sweet potatoes.  With pumpkin and apple pies for dessert, and coffee, tea, fruit punch, and water, as beverages of choice.  As I looked and moved about the hall before, during, and after having my p;ate of turkey and the trimmings, and as slice of pumpkin pie, it was very evident that the Parisah Thanksgiving Dinner was making many individuals, families, and their friends happy, feeding their spirits as well as their bodies.  As we enter the week that leads to ThanksGiving Day on Thursday, I am grateful the parishioners of OLOL, care enough to provide such a wonderful ThanksGiving meal for those who might have to forego a holiday dinner.  This is one concrete example of Catholic-Christian Discipleship and Faith in action..........In ThanksGiving To God For Generous Hearts And Hands,   Fr. Troy

THE ODDS AND ENDS OF PARISH MINISTRY ON THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE START OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON 2010..........

The Friday before ThanksGiving, and the last days of Ordinary Time, was a mixed bag of parish ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes.  Concelebrating the 8 am Mass with Fr. Tony, then going to breakfast with him, then returning tp my desk to do callbacks and organize the First Sunday of Advent Bulletin, for submission later today.  After clearing my desk and with a few unscheduled hours, I made a visit to see Msgr. Kavanagh and had a nice chat with Victor.  Tonight, I have the Parish Ministry Meeting with the Pastor, with the Collection Ushers.  With the annual Parish ThanksGiving Dinner here at OLOL tomorrow,an abbreviated work week, the ThanksGiving holiday, and Advent 9 days away, a whole seasonal sequence of activities, events, and ministries prepare to unfold..........Until Tomorrow,   Fr.  Troy

A ROYAL ENGAGEMENT IN GREAT BRITAIN.....IS IT CAUSE FOR REJOICING ?..........

Since overnight Tuesday morning, Great Britain, the United States, and millions around thge World have been aflutter about the Royal Engagement of Prince William Wales and Catherine Middleton.  Despite our Revolutionary War more than two and a third centuries ago, to be made independent of the British Crown, Americans have maintained a keen interest in the comings and goings of the English Monarchy, the House of Windsor, for the past century.  From the abdicated King Henry VIII, in  1937, who surrendered his kingly crown for, "The love of the woman he loved", twice divorced American socialite, Wallis Simpson, being coupled in his post abdication decades as the Duke and Duchess of York; to being enamored with King George VI and his Queen Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, who survived him for fifty years, to age 101,  as the beloved Queen Mother the current British Monarch Queen Elizabeth II, who herself is in the 59th year on the Throne; through the past five decades of Weddings, Births, Scandals, and Divorces, and Princess of Wales Diana Mania; the current frenzy in the USA as well throughout the British Commonwealth and the World is focused not on the next King of England, Prince Charles Wales, but on his heir apparent, Prince William Wales, the oldest of two sons sired and born between Prince Charles and Princess Diana.  The first three days of media coverage and public curiosity about the announcement of the Royal Engagement of 28 year old Prince William Wales and his presumptive wife and future queen, Catherine Middleton, also 28, has followed the pattern of the past century.  Extended news coverage and special peogramming featuring the couple has already begun to unfold, for a Wedding the date of which is not set, except to be said to be sometime next Spring or Summer in London.  So stand by, for in the months ahead the focus on, "Wills and Kate", as they are popularly called,will be increasingly in the news, as our enamored citizerns along with the British and a projected 1 billion plus people around the globe tune in for the latest, vicarious, saga of Royal Love..........Watching As The Windsors Work Up Another Royal Wedding,   Fr.  Troy

A DAY OFF TO REPLENISH AS FATHER TRAYNOR HEADS HOME..........

As I suspected Bristol "Teen Activist" Palin, remains in the Dancing With The Stars Finals next week, and a crestfallen Perfect 30 Scoring Brandy, in this Monday's dance competition - so will she prevail and win it all ?  How ?  I can't phantom other than the political punch being her mother's daughter is bringing her.....Chillaxing and catching up with all the news, especially politics has been and will be the focus of my day.  The New Congress Leadership elections in the House and Senate in particular.....Fr. Tony went back to his mobile home on Greenback Lane this  Tomorrow morning after concelebrating Mass with me.....Tomorrow, after the 8 am Mass I will be attending a Pastor's Breakfast at the Renaissance Building on Dmorning el Paso Boulevard, hosted by Sacramento City Councilmember Sandy Sheedy, on the topic of Homelessness in her District. I t should be a good meeting..........Fr.  Troy

SO WHO WILL BE SENT HOME FROM THE "DWTS" SEMI-FINALS ?............

The 2011 Parish Calendar Meeting tonight took twice as long than I expected it to take..  It was a Collection Point for the lists of proposed dates and details the 16 Parish Ministries at OLOL, have for use of parish facilities in the coming year.  Yet not all the Ministries came prepared with their list but used the meeting to draw them up.  Thus I sat there waiting for their lists until moments ago.  I will make a note and thoroughly emphasis next year, come with your proposed lists of usage finished and ready to submit.....As I blog this column, Fr. Tony and I, are waiting for the start of, "Dancing With The Stars".  I have been a viewer since the premiere of the series eleven seasons ago in the summer of 2005.  Fr. Tony only tuned in this season, but enjoys it greatly.  My question, is America's question, who will be sent home and eliminated, and which three dance teams will advance to the finals next week.  How Bristol Palin has advance to this point in the competition, is incredulous to me, given she has been at the bottom of the judges 6 out of 8 times.  Except that her mother's ;political supporters are keeping in the chase for the trophy.  I vehmently think she should be cut tonight, for she is far inferior to the other three semi-finalists, Brandy, Jennifer, and Kyle.  Yet my gut feeling says she will vanquish one of them and make it into the finals, as undeserving as it is she does.  We will know in less than two hours, so let's see who is in and who is out..........Troy

ST. ALBERT THE GREAT.....BISHOP AND DOCTOR..........

Albert the Great was a learned man of letters in Cologne, Germany during the 13th Century A.D., a scholar who excelled as a scientist, philospher, and theologian, who was regaled for his outstanding genius and extraordinary knowledge, who was a Bishop of the Church, and is known as the Universal Doctor, for the magnitude of his learning in all the major areas of study in his day.  We honor him liturgically today for his magnificent contribution to our understanding of vital knowledge, at a time when all human thought and learning was critically unfolding throughout the World, and Catholic-Christianity needed to be ably and articulately included.  May the Church continue to be guided and inspired by his extensive accomplishments, and please God, many more men and women with similar capability be raised up to teach the Church and the World so profoundly..........St. Albert The Great We Thank You Through These 800 Years,   Fr.  Troy

P.S.  ..........Fr. Tony Traynor is doing well enough at the Eye Surgery Center to come home an hour earlier than scheduled.  So as I finish this blog column, I am heading over to pick him up..........

PREPARING FOR A DAY AND OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCE OF PRIESTLY FRATERNITY..........

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Pastor Emeritus Reverend Father Anthony Traynor, is having the first of two Cataract surgeries tomorrow morning, and will be coming to the rectory to stay with me at least overnight as he recuperates.  I have prepared the quarters he resided in for sixteen years as Pastor, 1988-2004.  It should be an enjoyable quality vistation for both of us, as we have been very good friends and fraternal colleragues, since my Deacon Year with him in St. Joseph's Parish, Auburn in 1986-87.  I will pick him up at the Eye Surgery Center on Greenback Lane at 10:30 am Monday morning and we will proceed from there..........Fraternally in Christ,   Fr.  Troy

33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME : PENULTIMATE WEEK OF CHURCH YEAR 2010 WITH A FOCUS ON THE, "END TIMES"..........

On this 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, the penultimate week of the Church Year 2010, the Sunday Scriptures draw our attention to the, "end times", the Parousia, or Second Coming of Christ in Glory, when the World comes to a close as we know it.  Into some people that conjures up Fear, to other Faithful Witnesses of Jesus the Christ, it brings stronger Faith and anticipation.  If indeed, we believe that Jesus is our Redeemer, what do we have to fear, even of the end of the world, if we live by the promise and hope of Eternal Life in God's Kingdom to look forever to forever ?  From the age of the Apostles and First Disciples of Jesus, until the present day, Catholic-Christians have always believed the Second Coming would occur soon, in their lifetimes.  Yet here we are in the 3rd Millennium of Christianity, still watching and waiting for the Parousia to occur.  During the past two centuries several American psuedo prophets and charlatans, have predicted the Lord's imminent Return, down to the day and the hour, only to have those dates come and go, and no Second Coming.  As the Bible and Christ assures us only the Heavenly Father knows when the End Times will come.  Better for us to continue praying, worshipping, ministereing, and working, unti; the true time arrives, instead of stopping to only gaze into the sky watching for it to happen.  How are you preparing for the Glorious Second Coming into your Life, bringing the End of the World and the Inauguration of the Kingdom of God ?  Each one of us must be prepared to give an accounbt of our Discipleship, so perhaps these final two weeks of Liturgical Year 2010 are your opportunity to put first things first, with the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, the Holy Trinity of God who is the Supreme Being of the temporal lives we lead and the infinite lives we hope to attain..........In Jesus The Christ Our Alpha And Omega,   Fr.  Troy

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE ENOUGH FAITH FORMATION ?..........

Catholic Education from parochial schools, high schools, colleges, and universities, teach our five year olds to twenty somethings and above, the essential truth of our Catholic-Christian Faith, while providing them with a well rounded, wholistic, academic education.  Our parish Religious Education / Faith Formation, also provide our public school students and adults, a solid instruction in Catholic-Christianity.  But no matter how thorough the teaching, is it ever enough to last the entire time of a Disciple of Jesus ?  Hardly.  Faith is a precious gift given to us by God, that must be continuously nurtured, strengthened, practiced, and grown.  The best possible Catholic-Christian Education and Faith Formation, must not be rested upon, as though it it is a laurel, a prize we have achieved.  Every Believing Disciple must expand it by furthering his or her understanding of the teachings of God's Word and of the Call to Discipleship and Stewardship, that is ncreasingly inherent in the lives of Catholic-Christian Believers.  A 5-7 minute homily on Sundays and Holydays is not sufficient.  Ongoing Adult Faith Formation, such as the various series of "Faith Seeking Understanding", I like other priests and parishes have been, and will be providing, is a key to growing in our practice of a Living Faith.  As are workshops, retreats, parish missions, to name a few more ways committed and conscientious Catholic-Christian fulfill their ongoing formation, discipleship, and stewardship.  As Liturgical Year 2010 draws to a close in the next two weeks, what have you done this year to make Faith Formation, a continuing reality in your lives ?  And as the new Church Year dawns with Advent, what will you do, to bear Faithful Witness to your Discipleship in Christ; Membership in the Body of Christ, the Church; and to expand the horizons of Gospel Values in your daily sharing of Time, Talent, and Treasure ???  Is it possible to get enough Faith Formation on earth ?  No it is not.  From our Baptism to our Death, from Womb to Tomb, we need and humanly require ongoing, everyday experiences of formation, so as to build and be found ready for God's Eternal Kingdom..........In Jesus The Alpha And Omega Of All,   Fr.  Troy

AGAINST THE ROPES POLITICALLY AND MORE REVERSALS OF FORTUNE..........

Having taken a shellacking in the Midterm Elections, with the loss of more than 60 seats in the House of Representatives and 6 seats in the U.S. Senate, President Obama is continuing to face setbacks on his 10 day Asian visit to 4 countries and the Asian Economic Summit.  After a warm and successful three day stay in India, and a visit to his childhood home of four years, Indonesia, the President discovered rough waters in South Korea, failing to convince them to allow more American made cars into South Korea.  Economic politics on the heels of a chastened President Obama in the aftermath of the election, but what I believe is ingratitude on the part of a nation, we have steadfastly defended against their neighboring enemy North Korea, for sixty years.  Fifty seven of those years after the Korean War ended and more than three and a third decades after the United States attempted to scale back our armed forces there, to the loud protestations of the South Korean government.  So I say to the Obama Administration proportionately limit the number of South Korean cars that can be imported into the United States, until South Korea agrees to allow more of our cars into their market. Other allies were also indifferent at the Asian Summit to supporting American proposals, namely China's currency imbalance,  likely because of the change in the President's approval at home.  That is politics that we too must strengthen our resolve be a contender with lasting resolve to fight the good fight in convincing other countries to join with us in serving more than just their national interest and strengthen the weakened world economy by agreeing to what is for the common good for the vast majority of nations..........In Hopeful Expectation For Justice And Unity,   Fr.  Troy  

CALIFORNIA DREAMING......STATE BUDGET DEFICIT DOUBLES..........

The 2010 Election is over and now the bad news of California's massive State Budget come home to roost.  The  projected $12.5 billion deficit has more than doubled to $25.4 billion in the current Fiscal Year.  So the financial black hole that the poor economy, Governor Schwarzenegger, and the State Legislature leaves the incoming Brown Administration, Legislature, and the citizens of California is even more horrendously challenging.  Failed leadership and irresponsibility, is the cause of much of this doubling of debt and deficit.  Over promising  and political posturing, that delays necessary action and a hundred day lateness in enacting the 2010-2011 State Budget only hindered the financial crisis.  Let us pray that Governor Jerry Brown will do what he promised in his campaign, hold everyone accountable, and knock heads if he has to, in order to address the deficit and keep it from spiraling further out of control.  The deeper our debt, the longer and harder it will be to return California to fiscal sanity and fiduciary solvency..........Challenging Our Leaders T o Act Forthrightly And Responsibly For The Restoration Of Doing What Is Right, Just, And Necessary,   Fr.  Troy  

JUMPING JOSAPHAT, IT'S FRIDAY AND A JUMP START PREPARATION FOR THE 33 RD SUNDAY..........

St. Josaphat, a 17th Century Polish native, was a Bishop and Martyr of the Church, who was an advocate for Christian Unity, especially between the Ukrainian Rite and the Roman Rite.  Josaphat was the first saint to be formally canonized in the Eastern Rite of the Church.....Another Friday is upon us, time to get a jump start on Sunday and the weekend.  Having two final, individual, Baptismal Preparation instructions for sets of parents and godparents, tonight and tomorrow, before we go to once monthly Baptismal classes and Baptisms monthly in rotation at one of the Sunday Masses; means shifting gears today to put the Prayers of the Faithful and my Homily, in final form.  Whatever your Friday and weekend brings here's wishing you well..........In Jesus The Christ,   Fr.  Troy    

THE ARMISTICE THAT BECAME VETERANS DAY IN THE USA; REMEMBRANCE DAY IN GREAT BRITAIN..........

On the 11th Day of the 11th Month, at the 11th Hour, November 11, 1918, at 11am in France, the Treaty of Versailles was signed that ended the First World War (1914-1918).  It became known as Armistice Day.  Today, in the United States we celebrate it as Veterans Day , honoring all the men and women who have served in our Military during the past century from World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War, Afghanistan War.  We thank them for their service and pray for the safety, as express our gratritude personally, and as a nation for the contribution to Peace and Justice they have, and are, making to the world..........God Bless All Our Veterans,   Fr.  Troy

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY RECTORY DINNER WITH AND FOR FATHER TONY TRAYNOR..........

The November Birthday parade rolled on today in my circle, as my Deacon Year Pastor, Spiritual Director, and now Pastor Emeritus, Reverend Father Anthony Traynor, a native of Bailieborough, County Cavan, Ireland, and a 52 year priest of the Sacramento Diocese, celebrates his birthday today.  To fete him on his birthday and appreciate his more than half a century of priestly ministry to the People of God  not only in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Sacramento, 1988 - to the present; but Sacred Heart Parish, Red Bluff, 1958-59; Immaculate Conception Parish, Sacramento 1959-60; All Hallows Parish, Sacramento, 1962-65; St. Joseph's Parish, Marysville, 1965-69; St. Mel's Parish, Fair Oaks, 1969-71; and then becoming Pastor of St. John's Parish in Quincy along the Feather River Canyon, from 1971-81; Pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, Auburn, in the Gold Country, 1981-1988; where I served my Transitional Diaconate Year with him in 1986-87; and then sixteen years as Pastor here at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Sacramento / Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta / Robla / and until he retired included Natomas / all the way to Sacramento International Airport, which is fourteen miles from the parish church.  So today and tonight, we salute and honor Fr. Tony Traynor for the assiduous pastoral, priestly ministry he has provided eight parishes of our Diocese, five of them as an Associate Pastor and three of them as Pastor.  On behalf of the People of God, I wish him God's most abundant blessings on his birthday and everyday.........."May The Road Rise Up To Meet You Tony And Always Be At Your Back",   Troy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A MOTHER / DAUGHTER DUO AND TWO FRIENDS WHO ARE TRULY FAMILY..........

As I blogged at the top of my earlier column today, November 10, in addition to being the Memorial of St. Leo the Great, Bishop and Doctor, is also the Birthdays of a truly outstanding  mother / daughter duo, I know in Sacramento, who I have been certifiably blessed to call friends, family, and fellow believers since September 8, 1979.  They are Ramona Bugatto and Teres Mugnaini.  They and their families have been mainstays of the Italian American, East Sacramento, and St. Mary's Parish Community, for several years.  When Lionel Ritchie and The Commodores sang their 1978 hit song, "Once, Twice, Three Times A Lady", that song title is but a fraction of the three times multiplied unendingly, of the kind of Ladies, Ramona and Teres are.  They are the perfect blending of constancy and tradition, while not being stodgy or indifferent to the real world.  The love and care they show for their fanily, neighbors, parishioners, friends, co-workers, and the needy, is a commendable example of authentic Christian Discipleship.  So dear Ladies, I send you all my Love and affection on this your shared mother / daughter birthday, with the assurance of my prayers, Masses, and continuing gratitude..........Love + prayer Today And EveryDay,   Troy  

ST. LEO THE GREAT, POPE - DEFENDER OF THE FAITH AGAINST HERESY AND BARBARISM..........

I EXTEND VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES TODAY, TO A MOTHER / DAUGHTER DUO, THAT ARE OUTSTANDING EXEMPLIFIERS OF FAMILY, FAITH, FRIENDSHIP, AND FELLOWSHIP  - MY LONGTIME CLOSE FRIENDS,  RAMONA BUGATTO AND TERES MUGNAINI.  ALL THE BEST TO YOU BOTH ON YOUR PERSONAL SOLEMNITY !!!!!!!!!!

Today the Church memorializes a 5th Century Pope and Doctor of the Church, who was a great defender against Heresy and in supporting the primacy of the Bishop of Rome.  HE is called Leo the Great, for not only being an ardent pastor of souls and preacher of the Christian Gospel, but for literally combatting the major heresies of Pelagianism, ( denial of original sin) and Manichaeism, ( a lack of allowing for God's Grace and placing the sole focus for a person's conduct on the exercise of Free Will)  .  Leo wrote a highly persuasive tome on the Catholic-Christian belief in the Two Natures of Jesus Christ, which ultimately was adopted by the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D., and refined the teaching in the Nicene Creed about Christ being fully, "true God and true Man".  St. Leo the Great was also responsible for saving Rome from being overtaken by marauding barbarian Huns and Vandals.  As a Pastor, Bishop, and Doctor, of the Church St. Leo also contributed prayers that have come down to us through the centuries in the Roman Missal, thus prayers used at Mass.  And so as we liturgically commemorate St. Leo the Great, may we too be inspired to defend, as well as practice, our Catholic-Christian Faith with steadfastness and compassion..........iN tHe Spirit of Le's Holy And  Untiring Faith And Fidelity,   Fr.  Troy

TALKING RELIGION THROUGH THE PRISM OF STEVE MARTIN'S MUSIC WITH DR. COOKSON..........

Seeing my orthopedist at Sutter Roseville Medical Center for an appointment today, we beagan our conversation as we usually do, discussing religion.  He asked me if I like Bluegrass Music.  When I acknowledged liking some of all kinds of music, he told me about an, "Austin City Limits" program he had watched, featuring comedian / actor Steve Martin playing bluegrass.  Martin is actually a banjo player, as is Dr. Cookson, so he tuned in enthusiastically.  Then he went on to describe a funny song Steve Martin and his band sang about the differences between Catholic-Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Atheists.  So you sing even at a medical appointment, the primary focus of my life, Faith and Religion, remain in the mix of activity.  Dr. Cookson is a very devout Believer who teaches Sunday School at the Bayside Church in Rocklin, and almost annually donates his professional services to Third World countries, as a part of their family vacation.  That is truly being a   Faithful Witness Christian.  Most of us do our witnessing within the parish and neighborhood.  How faithful are you being to doing something that is undeniably making an ongoing contribution of your time and talent, to serving the needs before you ?  OLOL parishioners have that opportunity everyday in the more than 15 ministries that make up our Community of Believers.  A big part of my priorities are , and will be to increasingly involve all our members in at least one ministry of parish life.  For to paraphrase 16th Century poet John Donne, "No person is an island".  We are attached, affiliated, intended, to be interactive beings, and the Body of Christ, the People of God, who are The Church, is definitely founded, called, and challenged to be fully alive and involved in making a difference here and now that builds the Kingdom of God..........How Are You Fulfilling Your Discipleship Today ?,   Fr.  Troy

MOVE OVER ST. PETER'S - BEFORE THE BEAUTY OF YOUR BASILICA, WAS THE ROMAN CATHEDRAL - THE BASILICA OF ST. JOHN LATERAN..........

Catholics and non Catholics tend to think of St. Peter's Basilicia in Rome, as the main church of Catholic-Christians in the world.  Actually it is second to the true Roman Cathedral, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, which was constructed in the 4th Century, and was dedicated on November 9, 324; whereas St. Peter's Basilica was built from the year 1506 to 1626 A.D.  St. John Lateran Basilica is built on on Roman land that was donated by the Laterani Family, during the Pontificate of Sylvester I, who is commemorated on the liturgical calendar on the last day of the year, December 31.  As the Cathedral Church of the Pope as Bishop of Rome, it is called, "the mother and head of all churches in Rome and the world".  It was also the residence of the Popes from the 4th Century until 1309 A.D., the year the Papacy was exiled to Avignon, France for a significant period of time.  Of the 21 Ecumenical Councils convened in the history of Catholic-Christianity, 5 of those Councils of the Church Leadership have been held at St. John Lateran Basilica. The Lateran Basilica was originally dedicated in the 4th century to the Savior Jesus the Christ and was latter re-dedicated to St. John Lateran.  The Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica, is also a feast of remembrance for the day parish churches throughout the world have been consecrated to serve God and all Believers in their local communities.  So even though I know our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church Dedication Day WAS jUNE 14, 1959, the day we will commemorate it annually during my pastorate, we join with  churches everywhere today in a special way as a day of remembrance and rededication..........Christ Our Savior Hear Us; St. John the Baptist Pray For Us,   Fr.  Troy

DANCING WITH THE PRESIDENTS.....SPOTLIGHT ON BUSH 41..........

As I stated in today's other blog column, Former President George W. Bush is launching his presidential memoirs book tour, with a multiplicity of media interviews, tonight, tomorrow and this coming week.  In recent months we have seen much of Former President Bill Clinton obn the campaign trail.  And currently President Barack Obama is on a four country visit to Asia, starting in India, where we saw he and Mrs. Obama dancing with young people on Sunday.  That picture and the fact that the NBC Television Network is counterprogramming the number one show in prime time this tv season, ABC's "Dancing With The Stars", with President George Walker Bush's memoirs interview with Matt Lauer, gave rise to the title of this blog column.  And as I ponder it, "dancing" is an apt metaphor for what we do in relating to most recent Presidents.  After the rigors of a long, drawn out, electoral campaign, we choose a President and seemingly show very good support for them at the outset, but as soon governing sets in, the dance gets interrupted and we change partners, not comfortable in sticking with the one we brought to the dance with our support and votes, and seeking someone else to continue the next political/governance dance with.  There are no perfect candidates, there are no perfect politicians, and certainly there are no perfect Presidents.  But once we make our choice to elect someone to a 4 year term of office as President of the United States, we must set politics aside and allow leadership and governance to have an unobstructed opportunity to work in addressing national and international issues and affairs.  The constant, virtually ever ongoing, non-stop election campaigning and partisan sniping does not serve the best interests of our country, it denigrates it. So as we dance with our current and former Presidents into another term of governance, may our focus be for them and  all our citizens what serves, conserves, and preserves  the United States of America, and the common good of all our People...........Fr.  Troy

TIME TONIGHT FOR A PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING..........

It is time to hold the next Parish Pastoral Council Meeting tonight, at 7 pm, which most certainly extend into the 8 pm NBC News special with Matt Luer interviewing Former President George Walker Bush, about his presidential memoirs to be published tomorrow, "Decision Points".  I watched the report on the Today Show this morning, so hopefully the half of the hour I miss tonight won't be too ruin-some.  The Pastoral Meeting is set to discuss the annual ThanksGiving Dinner on Saturday November 20, for the parishioners and the needy in the wider community; the Parish Christmas Party sponsored by the Ladies Council, after the 10:30 am Mass on Sunday December 5; the Christmas Dinner-Dance on Saturday December 11, after the Sunday Vigil Mass; the Parish Advent mission December 7-8-9; and the change in the Baptismal Preparation and Sacramental Celebrations once monthly beginning in Advent.  After we complete the regular Council Meeting, I will have my Parish Ministry Meeting with the Pastor with the Pastoral Council members.  An interesting evening on this first weeknight of early darkness in Pacific Standard Time, for this autumn and winter..........Trying Not To Fall Back Any Further Than An Hour,   Fr.  Troy  

BIRTHDAY "PEACHES" FROM THE GEACHES..........

The Geach Family of South Sacramento / Elk Grove, who have been friends of mine for more than thirty years, continue to be a significant presence in my life, from the time I first met them at St. Rose's Church  on Franklin Boulevard, and was the Confirmation catechist to the children, through my years of seminary formation and priestly ministry, and the Weddings, Baptisms, and Funerals, I have celebrated with and for them.  They are a constant presence to me - of  love, support, faith, friendship, fellowship, and remembrance.  Earlier this spring they asked me to preside at the First Holy Communion of  their child and grandchild, Reagan.  Reagan, is the son of Rodd and Karla, owners of the "Original Pete's" Pizza and Grill, on Elk Grove Blvd.  I mention that because in August 2009, eight days before my kidney transplant Rodd and Karla held an evening at Original Pete's, from which they donated a portion of the proceeds to defray pre and post transplant expenses I incurred.  And the word, "peaches", in the title of this blog column refers to the ongoing generosity of the Geach Family from my seminary years to the present.  My fellow seminarians declared the regular delivery of thoughtful gifts Karin and Roger, Mother and Father Geach sent to me and the lads in Kilkenny, "peaches from the Geaches".  Today, I received the installment, as Roger and Karin drove from Elk Grove in the lashing rain to attend the 10:30 am Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes.  Then we went to lunch at Brookfield's Restaurant on Madison Avenue, this being the Sunday following my birthday.  These visits they make regularly every year to whatever parish I  am serving in.  During my six months at Sacred Heart from January to July of this year, they came on two Sundays, and that has been true of all the parishes to which I have been assigned.  I thank them and express my gratitude for them.  For they, like so many of my family members, personal friends, and present and former parishioners, have been, are, and continue to be, the affirmation, encouragement, and core support, that strengthens and sustains me personally and vocationally..........Thank You, God Bless You, And Love You,   Fr.  Troy

32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME : WHAT WILL OUR RELATIONSHIPS BE LIKE IN HEAVEN ?..........

As we come to the final Sundays of the Liturgical Year, our scriptural focus at Sunday Mass turns to what things will be like at the end times of Creation.  The Gospel Proclamation today from Luke 20 : 27-38; speaks of the dichotomy between earthly human relationships and transcendent eternal relationships.  Marriages and other bonds on earth will be transformed by the glorification all beings and relationships, will undergo in God's Kingdom.  We believe that our ties of affection will remain as we share in the glorified, everlasting, presence of the Holy Trinity of God, sharing in the pure and perfect Love of the Divine, and joined to the Communion of Saints in the continuous and unending glory and praise of the Supreme Being, we will not be concerned with human institutions or conveyances, but the total awesomeness of dwelling in the Light of Eternal Life.  What does this mean for our present status as human beings living as Disciples of Jesus the Christ and striving to build up the Coming of God's Kingdom ?   Discipleship by its very definition means we have and maintain a relationship with Jesus, that is the central reality in our lives.  Spending time with Jesus the Lord, in fidelity to the Gospel Values He preached, and that we profess, by virtue of our Catholic-Christian Initiation.  Being Faithful Witnesses and Loyal Followers, in the prayers, Masses, Sacraments, and ministries, we participate in on a daily and weekly basis, is the sure sign we are wedded to being united with Christ Jesus, in the mission of Salvation, that He accomplished for us and all Believers in the Paschal Mystery of Life, Death, and Resurrection.  As we consider the, "end time", of the current Liturgical Year, and ponder the coming of the, "end times", of the Second Coming of the Glorified Christ, how are you making your life evermore closely united with the Living and True God of Life Everlasting ?..........In Glory And Praise To Our Alpha And Omega,   Fr.  Troy

MINISTRY OR MAYO ? A NOVEMBER SATURDAY QUESTION..........

THIS IS, "INSIGHTS INTO LIFE AND FAITH BY FATHER TROY DAVID POWERS",  BLOG
 COLUMN NUMBER 500 !!!!!  THANK YOU TO ALL MY READERS AND FOLLOWERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD, FOR YOUR MORE THAN 4,500 VISITS TO MY BLOG TO DATE..........fr.tdp

During the two and a half years, and 371 dialysis treatments I underwent while awaiting my kidney transplant, one of the food stuffs was told I could have liberally, was mayonnaise. I like mayonnaise, so it was a regular ingredient in flavoring the limited foods due to potassium, my diet allowed me to eat.  This is not a blog column about mayonnaise, however, but about having to choose between fulfilling my Saturday parish ministries, or to attend a Mayo Clinic transplant reunion in Phoenix tonight.  The Mayo Clinic is a very thorough, follow through, medical institution.  And once you have been their patient, they never forget you and strive to keep patients and donors alike, in their Family circle .  Both Victor, my living donor and I,  were invited to a reunion of transplant recipients with the Transplant Team which they are hosting tonight, but Saturday ministries have both of us otherwise occupied in our respective parishes.  I very much wanted to go, but with not only Confessions and Mass between 4 -6 pm, but a Convalescent Center Mass at 10 am, a Baptism at 12 noon, a Meeting with the Parish Altar Servers at 2 pm, and completing my Sunday homily and Prayers of the Faithful, it wasn't possible.  And that is relatively light to the ministries Victor assists with in South Sacramento, from 8 am Mass this morning, to Baptisms, Weddings, Quinceaneras, and Funerals.  I really wanted to attend the reunion and see Dr. Moss, our surgeon and the other team members, but alas - in this very busy first week of November, it just was not possible.  Please God, Victor and I will be able to attend one together soon, and continue to celebrate and affirm, the new lease on life that the skills and care the Mayo Clinic Transplant Team provides me with, and that Victor made possible by his generous and selfless donation of one of his kidneys to me for the transplant..........In Gratitude For The Generosity Of So Many,   Fr.  Troy

THERE WILL BE A SUNDAY BULLETIN, BUT THE THIRD TIME IS NOT SO CHARMING..........

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Sunday Bulletin is printed by the JS Paluch Company, after we prepare it in the Parish Office and transmit by a computer PDF program to them.  It is due to them on Tuesday afternoon at 1 pm.  Tuesday mornings are a busy time weekly preparing, proofreading and transmitting the Sunday bulletin copy.  This week was unlike most any other weeks to date in my pastorate, as the bulletin for this Sunday November 7, had to be wordprocessed not once, but three times.  The first two times it was done and proofed, ready to be put in final PDF form for transmission, this computer froze, ate the copy, and left either a blank page or a page with just the bulletin outline, minus the written copy.  Tuesday's 1 pm, became a Thursday 2 pm submission, and a rush to transmit it in time to receive the distribution ready bulletins back, so that the proofreading process was quickened, and as a result I  count at least typographical errors in the published copy. Trust me parishioners - I am not that thick.  I abhor errors like this, but alas it can't be changed now.  Which makes me wonder what didn't the computer like about this week's Sunday Bulletin ?  If it were going to place tricks on OLOL shouldn't it have been the Halloween Bulletin instead ?  Ha Ha..........I blog about this experience to share the lighthearted side of parish work, that can sometimes go all right, and other times like this go very wrong.  Until I figure out what caused this to occur, I plan on taking a deep breath and resolve to not rush any part of the final transmission process, the next time.  After all the most frustrating and embarrassing part is to see and read all those additional or missing letters in some of the printed words, capitalization that isn't intended, and the sloppy incompletion, of what should be a clear, clean, crisp, and concise, presentation of pertinent parish news.........In The Hopes Of Vanquishing This Computer Glitz,   Fr.  Troy

BUSY FIRST WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER ON TAP..........

As I organize my desk this morning, dealing with the bits and pieces a week brings, discussing the broken church window repair with the glass company technician; sorting out a baptismal request involving an out of state family with a Cathedral staffer; opening the morning mail; and sending thanks to my birthday greeters; Saturday and Sunday will be full throttle ministry days.  After my second First Friday Mass tonight at 7 pm, I will be presiding at a 10 am Mass tomorrow at Vintage Estates Convalescent, holding a 2 pm Altar Servers Parish Ministry Meeting With the Pastor, hear Confessions at 4 pm, and Vigil Mass at 5 pm.  Then on Sunday, in addition to the 8:30 am and 10:30 am Masses, there is the Religious Education Fundraising Breakfast and Raffle, and the Ladies Council Holiday Craft Fair and Bake Sale, to attend.  My ever faithful friends, Karin and Roger Geach are also coming to the 10:30 am Mass and going to lunch with me afterwards. So it's shaping up, as is to be expected in November and December, to be a crackling weekend, with the end of Daylight Saving Time thrown in !!!!!!!!!!..........Fr.  Troy

A BIRTHDAY WITHOUT CAKE..........

As we finished my Birthday Dinner Thursday night, my Rectory Cook Esperanza, who had prepared a wonderful dinner of Chicken with vegetables and her homemade guacamole, served those who wanted it coffee, but no dessert.  Could it be a Birthday celebration without Cake ?  Well fortunately, I had some Peanut Butter cookis available, so I served them.  It seems we got our wires crossed.  I presumed she would provide the dessert, while she thought someone else would be giving me a birthday cake.  Still funnier, if only I had followed my gut feeling which is always 99.9 right, there would have been a birthday cake.  Driving past the supermarket on the way home from a birthday lunch at "La Rosa Blanca" Mexican Restaurant in midafternnon, the thought occurred to me that I might pop into the store and get a carrot cake.  But alas, I didn't thus the no birthday cake, birthday dinner.  It is the first time since I was 7 years old, that I don't remember having one, yet it does not seem to have diminished my birthday at all.  Except to think presume not, talk about it, know what's happening, and be prepared, lest there be no cake, no candles, no ice cream, to celebrate attaining another year of life with.........And who was it that said, "Let them eat Cake" ?..........Fr.  Troy

54 !!!!!!!!!! CELEBRATING MY BIRTHDAY AS PASTOR OF OLOL..........

Thirty six years ago today on my 18th Birthday, as a freshman at Sacramento City College, I met and interviewed 36 year old, Jerry Brown at the Sacramento Executive Airport.  I t was the day before he was first elected Governor of California, and seeing an opportunity to speak with him, I jumped at the chance.  i asked him about the campaign and the Time Magazine Cover Story on him two weeks previous.  He was cordial and gracious in answering my questions.  Having an English 1A essay to write on a person I had recently met, I made him the topic of my essay and it got me my first A, in that class as the professor declared it A ++, for content and boldness.  Little would I have guessed that on this birthday, when my age has triple and his has doubled, that he would be Governor Elect again !!!!!!!!!!  It has been a FANTASTIC Day, full of ministry and also full of fun. Over four dozen family, parishioners, friends, fellow believers, and Facebook companions, contacted me with their Happy Birthday greetings, cards, gifts, breakfast, lunch, Portuguese sweet bread, roses, phone calls, e-mails, social network messages, and then a very nice Birthday dinner here at Our Lady of Lourdes, with Fr. Traynor, Msgrs. Kavanagh and Church, Victor and Tammy Herrera.  It  was a most enjoyable and affirming day, as my personal solemnity and new year of life begins.  To everyone who shared in my Birthday, here on my blog and everywhere, Thank You 30-60-100 Fold For Being Here For Me Now and Always..........Fr.  Troy David Powers

ST. CHARLES BORROMEO, A CATHOLIC BISHOP WHO EXEMPLIFIED GOSPEL VALUES OF REFORM AND RENEWAL..........

Charles Borromeo was a sixteenth Church leader, who hailing from the infamous Borgia Family, and whose uncle was the Pope, could have had a very comfortable, carefree, existence secularly or sacredly.  However he dedicated himself to God and the Church and by age 22, was not only a priest and bishop, but a Cardinal, and the Vatican Secretary of State.  As a Bishop of the Church he participated in the counter Reformation Ecumenical Council of Trent, (1545-1563), and then returned to his Diocese of Milan, Italy to put the reforms and renewal of the Council into effect.  He was, and is, viewed by many to be a model bishop, admired for his leadership.  Among his contemporaries who saw him in that light, was the great St. Francis de Sales.  Following the Council of Trent back in Milan, he vecame a founder of seminary formation for the education of future priests; placed a strong emphasis on the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, (CCD); and convened several provincial councils, and diocesan synods.  St. Charles Borromeo is the Patron Saint of Catechists and Cathechumens, the former - those devoted to teaching the Catholic-Christian Faith; and the latter - those who inquire into our Catholic-Christian Faith and seek to be initiated into membership.  Having been born on his Feast Day, I also claim St. Charles Borromeo, as my patron saint.  What an outstanding historical role model as an ordained servant-leader of God's Church could I have ?  And so, on this my 54th Birthday as I pray through the intercession of St. Charles Borromeo, may God continue to grant me the courage and the wisdom, to serve with the zeal with which he served, and to lead with the conviction with which St. Charles enlightened the Chuerc - The Body of Christ..........Fr.  Troy

UPDATING THE DAY AFTER ELECTION 2010.....READING THE RESULTS AND WHERE WE GO FROM HERE..........

On this day after Election 2010, all of us can breathe a sigh of relief, the politicking and relentless barrage of ads, attacks and counterattacks, are behind us for a short while.  The Republicans, who two years ago were thought to be on life support at best, have come back strongly in this midterm Election, thanks in large measure to the Tea Party.  Where this leaves the governance of the nation the next two years remains to be seen, as the Republican majority in the House of Representatives grapple with the issues confronting the United States economically, socially, morally.  Going back to the previous Administration's blueprint will not work, for those policies led to the economic decline and near depression like collapse, we are trying to turn around.  60-65 new House members for the GOP, and 6 new U.S. Senators, means compromises will have to be ironed out to achieve anything legislatively between now  and December 2011, in order to achieve consensus in serving the common good of our citizens, no small task given the partisan polarization that exists.  May sane heads and sincere hearts prevail, as we discover how our new split government will work together to accomplish something  meaningful..........Fr.  Troy

FOLLOWING ON ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS DAYS, CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN CELEBRATE ST. MARTIN DE PORRES - A MODERN DAY, "MAN FOR ALL SEASONS..........

St. Martin de Porres, whose liturgical feast day we celebrate today, was born in the late 16th Century in Lima, Peru, of a Spanish father and a Black slave mother.  He grew up to become a lay brother of the Dominican Religious order, and was a humble servant of the Lord, ministering to the sick, most especially African slaves.  Martin de Porres was devoted to the Holy Eucharist and was a great advocate for the poor.  His sense of social justice has remained an outstanding example to Christians worldwide for the past four hundred years.  Thus he is the ideal saint to be celebrated as we reflect on our lives as Catholic-Christian Disciples in the light of Gospel values, as we ponder the outcome of the midterm election we have just experienced as Americans.  How is our commitment to the Gospel Values of Social Justice reflected in the votes we cast, the candidates we elected, the position on the issues we took ?  Are we truly, "ambassadors of Christ", in the way St. Martin de Porres was,  in the actions and attitudes we carry out in our daily interactions with others, especially the marginalized and most vulnerable ?  May we take an inventory of how well we are devoting our lives to the Eucharist and to Social Justice, as Disciples of Living Faith in Jesus the Christ ?..........Fr.  Troy

UPDATE ELECTION 2010 : COUNTING THE VOTES AND ANALYZING THE RESULTS..........

As Midterm Election Day 2010 draws to a end and the votes continue to be counted, the outcome is definitively, a Republican, Tea Party, victory of a wave proportion.  Winning a projected 65 seats in the United States House of Representatives in the Congress; 5 seats in the United States Senate; 2 Governorships, in States of the Union; the neophyte Tea Party has succeeded in causing a major redirect in the leadership of the USA, in the third consecutive vote for change in our federal political and governmental processes.  Some pundits, analysts, and historians, have for a number of months been referring to the expected outcome materializing tonight, as a transforming, wave election.  And by the number of seat changes in the House, that included the defeat of several senior Democratic House members and Committee chairmen, it does rank with the 1994, 1986, 1974, 1966, 1954, and 1946, midterm elections.  Surprsingly, in perhaps one of the most watched US Senate races of 2010, in Nevada, four term Democratic incumbent and Majority Leader of the Senate, Harry Reid was able to withstand the hard hitting challenge of Tea Party, Republican candidate Sharron Angle, who was thought to likely vanquish Reid, and did not.  And then there's the outcome here in California in the US Senate and Governor's races, that went against the wave election outcome.  Breaking into the rarified circle of Hiram Johnson and Alan Cranston, the only other two US Senators from California to be elected to a fourth term, Boxer turned back the strong challenge of former Hewlett Packard CEO, Carly Fiorina; and former two term Governor Jerry Brown overcame the $141 million plus self funding of former E-Bay CEO Meg Whitman, to be returned to the California Statehouse in January 2011, at 72, twice the age he was when elected to his first term as Governor in 1974.  At the national level - as Congress will now be split with Republicans having a two dozen plus membership majority in the House and Democrats maintaining a narrow majority in the Senate, will the two parties and chambers of Congress be able to govern productively with each other and President Obama, or will the vitriol of the campaign season now over, and the 2012 presidential sweepstakes waiting to break open almost immediately, lead to stalemate  and intransigence ?  And what dimensions to governance will the freshman members, especially Tea Party Representatives and Senators, bring to the equation, with their enunciated principle of not compromising ?  The next two years are a crucible that will either affirm the desires of the American people, or possibly lead to yet another change election, whatever the definition of change really is.  Good government in the national interest is about  the ability to work together in a manner of principled governance serving the common good of all Americans; not partisan gridlock that is self serving and stalls sound decisions on the major issues confronting the USA and the World.
Coming days and the efforts of the new Congress and the Obama White House, will set the blueprint for governance or gridlock, yet to be written.  Please God, positive and productive responses and decisions that serve the common good of our nation, and not just political polarization will result.....To Be Continued..........God Bless America,   Fr.  Troy  

ALL SOULS DAY 2010 : ETERNAL REST AND PEACE, GRANT THEM O LORD - AND THE LIGHT OF YOUR KINGDOM SHINE UPON THEM..........

From the early years of Catholic-Christianity to present days, our Faith Tradition has always maintained a commemoration of the Dead, who are the Faithful Departed of the Church.  In the first three centuries persecution of Christians resulting in a major multitude of martyrs, who shed their blood because of their belief in Jesus Christ and unwavering witness to the Gospel.  Circa 1000 A.D., the Abbot of Cluny, made prayer and remembrance of the all the Holy Souls a priority, that extended to Universal Church, thus All Souls today and our November Month of Remembrance.  I am presiding at 2 All Souls Day Masses today, on a day when traditionally when priests are permitted to celebrate 3 Masses, equaled only to the 3 Masses priests may celebrate on Christmas Day.  May our prayers commemorating family members, friends, and fellow believers, who are Faithfully Departed assist them to attain God's race,  Peace, and Eternal Life..........Fr.Troy

CELEBRATING THE 2010 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS - SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS.........

With even their own team's Head Coach calling them, "castaways and misfits", earlier this baseball season, the 52 year West Coast, Bay Area Mjor League Baseball team, the San Francisco Giants, won their first World Series Championship tonight, defeating the Texas Rangers in 5 games, and winning tonight by a score of 3-1.  The storied Giants franchise, which last won the World Series in 1954, when they were still the New York Giants, have waited more than five decades and played in five World Series to finally attain their first Championship in the World Series as the San Francisco Giants.  Congratulations and Kudos to them on this great athletic accomplishment.  More To Come Soon..........Go Giants !!!!!!!!!!   Fr,  Troy

ON THE EVE OF ELECTION 2010..........

In less than twenty four hours the voting will be completed and we will begin to know the outcome of the American midterm Election 2010.  I will be eagerly listening, watching, reading, talking, and blogging about it, tomorrow and into Wednesday morning, as I feed and fuel, my avocation and passion for politics, government, history, and the Presidency.  Much of the American populace is turned off and tuned out, even as millions others have voted by mail or in early voting, or will vote in person on Tuesday.  Some of the apathetic and non-voting may say, "Wake me when it's over".  I say and do, just the opposite.  Being an avid follower and analyst of all this, I am wired for sound and not likely to sleep after awakening tomorrow morning until mid morning Wednesday, as I track the election results.  The first totally concrete political memory I have as a child at age 6, is midterm Election Eve 1962.  I remember laying on the living room floor watching television while my parents viewed the campaign wrap-up speeches for Governor, by the then former Vice President of the United Richard Nixon, and the then first term Governor of California Edmund G. "Pat" Brown.  I  can still see in my mind's eye how parts of both speeches got an animated response of agreement and or disagreement from my father.  Who knows but that was a moment of fascination sown into my psyche concerning the political and governmental process.  In the two decades that followed I found myself increasingly intrigued and involved in politics, government, and the study in college of these subjects. And my interest over the past three decades has not abated, so that I can proudly declare it my avocation, rounding out and fulfilling me personally, as I live my life's vocation as a priest.  Some of the analysis and commentary I will do here with you Tuesday, Wednesday, and beyond, are the kind of conversations I have had on Election days and the days following them with my close friends.  It is exciting to be able to add this facet of current technology, blogging - to my sharing of Update Election 2010 with you, the loyal and growing number of my readers here in the United States and around the World............VOTE ! VOTE !! VOTE !!!..........Fr.  Troy

THE SAINTS OF GOD IN GLORY - A COMMUNION OF HOLINESS WE ARE MEANT TO JOIN IN THE KINGDOM..........

In the 2,000 years plus of Christianity a countless multiplicity of holy women and men have heard and answered the call to Discipleship in Jesus Christ.  We believe that the Call To Holiness is at the center of our livers as Disciples of Jesus the Christ.  As we also believe in a Communion of Sants banded together in God's Kingdom, and commemrate the canonized saints of th Church with feast days and memorials; it is undrstandable and fitting as people of Faith, that we also include those who although are not officially canonized and declared Saints of the Universal Church, have throughout the centuries lived holy and exemlary lives as followers of Christ, thus this liturgical feast of, All Saints Day.  Falling on a Monday this year it is not a Holyday of Obligation, by decree of the U.S. Bishops, but what I refer to as a, "Holyday of Opportunity".  We will celebrate the Holyday it is and have 2 Masses, 8 am  and 7 pm.  Given the parishioners ample opportunity to present at the Eucharist today and tomorrow, I also scheduled 2 Masses for tomorrow, All Souls Day, trying to appeal to the older, retired, and less likely to come out after dark parishioners for All Souls Day with Masses at 8 am and 12 noon..........To All The Saints Who From Their Labors Rest, Honor And Praise For Your Exemplary, Holy, Faithful to God Lives,   Fr.  Troy