PRAZY, LAZY, GRAZY, DAY OF REST ON THIS LAST DAY OF AUGUST...........

I AM IN NEED OF A DRIVER THIS FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2, AT 9:15 A.M., TO GO TO MY LAB DRAWS AND THEN FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT WITH DR. MCMONAGLE, AT THE TOWN AND COUNTRY MEDICAL COMPLEX ON NORTH SUNRISE AVENUE, JUST BEYOND DOUGLAS BOULEVARD IN ROSEVILLE.  MY ESTIMATED RETURN TIME TO OLOL PARISH RECTORY BEING 11:30 A.M.  IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE ME WITH TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THESE MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS,  PLEASE CONTACT ME BY  BLOG, E-MAIL, OR PHONE, BY 9 P.M. THURSDAY NIGHT...........fr.tdp   troydavidpowers.blogspot.com  troypow@yahoo.com   925-5313.


Concluding the first two thirds of Calendar Year 2011,  on this Wednesday August 31, and gearing up for the start of Parish Year 2011-2012, which opens in just twelve days from now, after celebrating the 8 a.m. Mass, I made this, my official weekly day off, a day of total rest.  For me, the words, "day off", have been a relative term as each week of the year thus far, has been interwined with my amputation, hospitalization, rehabilitation, convalescent, and post transplant assessment.  Having completed my 2nd annual kidney transplant last week at the Mayo Clinic Arizona, in the record setting temperatures of the Phoenix desert over four days; I returned to four full days or resurging parish activity, so that today was truly catch up day with my body, in what I describe as a, "prazy, lazy, grazy", way :  Praying, Sleeping / Resting, and Eating, !!!...........Tomorrow brings the deadline for submission of the Annual Financial Report of the Parish, to the Diocese, which is complete except for the financial details from the one parish ministry, that has yet to provide me as Pastor, nor the Parish Finance Council, canonical entity, appointed and empowered with pastoral and temporal oversight over the Parish Budget, and all monies raised, disbursed, or held, by Church ministries in OLOL Parish.  The deadline will be met, and the unnecessary, tug of war over proper and rightful authority and oversight for Parish Life, will be resolved, as I carry out the pastoral, administrative, and prophetic, responsibilities of serving and leading the common good of OLOL Community of Believers, despite the islands of individuality and cliques that crop up, unless the required policies and practices of parish life are met by all our members...........With Prayer And Praise To God, For Keeping Me And The People Of God Entrusted To My Patoral Servant Leadership And Care,   Fr.  Troy

PHONES, BULLETIN PREP, DESK WORK, DROP INS, AND EVENING MEETING PREP, FILL MY DAY...........

In the opening months of my pastorate of OLOL last summer, I was able to compose my weekly Sunday Bulletin copy on Tuesdays between 9-11 a.m.,in time for the Secretary's arrival in the Parish Office, and our transmission of the Bulletin to JS Paluch, by 1 p.m.  This year, since my return from being in the hospital and rehab in March, that window of opportunity and completion each week has had to be extended, as parishioner needs and requests have substantially increased.  Today has been no exception, with phones ringing between 8 -11 a.m., to my answering until Frances, the Parish Secretary arrived; necessary administrative and pastoral desk work  needing to be dealt with today; a couple of drop ins appointments dealing with maintenance and RCIA; and my preparation for this evening's Parish Parking Lot Sale Coordinating Committee meeting; have all vied with my need to meet the Bulletin copy,  deadline.  I had my copy in the Secretary's hands for formatting and transmitting at 2 p.m., so that it can be sent by the end of the work day.  And I wrote the major portion of my Sunday Bulletin last night, before and after, the Parish Finance Council meeting.  I share this, not in the form of a complaint, but to indicate the vital ministry as a parish priest and Pastor, I am doing, as the popular phrase of old goes, "happy as a clam", to be doing it.  This is why I am a Priest of Jesus Christ, and especially a diocesan priest assigned to parish ministry.  For I remain, despite my personal physical health challenges, committed to serving and leading the People of God entrusted to my pastoral care, by the Bishop of the Sacramento Diocese.  Another day in Year 25 of my priestly ministry as a native born, locally grown, vocation.  The 40th Sacramento Diocesan vocation to be ordained a priest, since the erection of the Diocese of Sacramento, on May 28, 1886...........Alleluia !!! Amen !!! ,   Fr.  Troy
                                    4:44 p.m. - The wife and daughter of parishioner Virl Dunn, who passed away Monday, following a heart valve surgery, came by just after 4 p.m., to discuss his funeral arrangements...........

PASTORAL PLANNING AND PREPARATIONS FOR THE NEW PARISH YEAR 2011-2012...........

As the summer months continue winding down, OLOL Parish, like other parishes in the USA and around the globe, are gearing up for the resurgence of parish activity and in the American experience, the start of the new Parish Year, that runs approximately post Labor Day, to pre Flag Day; September to June.  These weeks of summer, through my continuing physical therapy, rehabilitation, and convalescence, before and after my annual post kidney transplant evaluation last week, I have been ministering full time, foregoing a vacation - to plan, prepare, and promulgate, the pastoral and temporal ministry and administration, of Parish Life in readiness to roll out an effective and productive New Parish Year, beginning Sunday September 11th.  Now a cycle of parish ministry meetings resume, to set in motion the activities and responsibilities we need to carry out to get the new Parish Year fully engaged.  The Parish Finance Council met last night to review and finalize the Financial Report to the Diocese of Sacramento for Fiscal Year July 1, 2010 -June 30, 2011, the first year of my pastorate of OLOL Parish.  That report is due to Bishop Soto and the Diocesan Finance Office, this Thursday September 1.  OLOL Parish Finance Council will then present the parishioners, a two-fold report.  The first, presentation of the Parish Budget for FY 2011-2012, the weekend of Sunday September 11th, and a detailed report on parish finances during the previous FY, the weekend of Sunday November 6th.  All of these steps are essential to our Good Stewardship, in accountability, transparency, and responsibility, to the Chief Shepherd of our Diocese, the People of God in OLOL Parish, and ultimately to God.  That means all fundraising, expenditures, and disbursements, done on behalf of OLOL, including that of Parish Ministries maintaining their own banking of funds, bear the responsibility of providing full accountability, and transparency, for all their temporalities.  Three of our parish ministries are in that category. The Parish Finance Council and I, as Pastor, are finalizing the provision of that information this week, as one of those three ministries, has not yet submitted the required information, necessary for full compliance.  An important part of overseeing the stewardship of parish life as the pastor of souls, and administrator of temporalities, is to prophetically and precisely see to it, that what we do as members of the parish, we do for the common good of all the People of God, in this Community of Believers.  That is not always a popular responsibility to have to carry out, but is vital to the integrity of the work we do, in full accountability for our ministry, transparency for our decisionmaking, and responsibility for our actions.  Tonight, there is a meeting of the Parish-wide Parking Lot Sale Coordinating Committee, to organize the event on Saturday September 17th.  On Thursday night I will meet with the members of the new Parish Maintenance Committee, to strategize and prioritize the needs for repairs, and renovations, in maintaining our parish plant.  The other daily work I am doing setting up the details of both continuing and newly created parish ministries, are at the center of why I enjoy and chose to become a diocesan / parish priest.  By far, the joys and successes achieved exceedingly outweigh the downside and  at times - unpopularity, of being the chief steward and prophetic voice, of making OLOL Parish, everything it must be for God's Greater Glory, and the Common Good, of all our parishioners...........Through Christ, With Christ, In Christ,   Fr.  Troy

...........A very Happy Birthday today to Ted Sheedy, former Sacramento County Supervisor, for whom  I served as a student intern at the Board of Supervisors, for two young during my junior and senior  undergraduate years at California State University, Sacramento.  I have known Ted and his family since 1974, and it was through them that I was introduced up close and personal, to OLOL Parish area, as we walked the 1st Supervisorial District together, during my internship years.  Currently, I am working again with the Sheedys, this time, Ted's wife Sandy, who is the incumbent City Council member from City Council District 2, which includes OLOL.  One of the projects we are attempting to collaborate on in conjunction with her and other churches in Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda, is the community-wide effort known as, "Faith And Homeless Families"...........fr.tdp

BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SPEAKS TO THE POWER OF PROPHECY...........

The liturgical feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, is a powerful reminder to all Catholic-Christian Disciples that prophecy and speaking with a prophetic voice, has a discernible affect on the life of the world, as well as the work of God's Kingdom.  John the Baptist whose role and responsibility as the last herald of the Lord's Coming into the World, was to proclaim the Truth and prepare his listeners for the message of Salvation Jesus preaches.  John the Baptizer was raised up by God, to be the final prophetic voice before the Coming of the Messiah,- the Christ,- the Anointed One,- Who is the Redeemer of Humankind.  John 's completed his prophetic purpose by carrying out his role as precursor to the Christ, austerely, abstemiously, and focused on evangelizing, and converting, the hearts and minds of his audience, in repentance and the seeking of forgiveness for sin.  From the appearance of Jesus, at the outset of His three year, Public Ministry, John the Baptist sought to lessen his role and focus attention on the work of Jesus the Christ, and the salvific mission He accomplishes as God's Son.  John grew lesser, as Jesus grew greater, to the point of the Baptizer's imprisonment in a dungeon; and his beheading as a result of King Herod's insecurity, foolhardiness, and timidity.  Remember the lesson of Herod, anytime you box yourself into a corner of cowardice.  Like the Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist on June 24th, the Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist, August 29th, causes me to remember the parishioners of Folsom, whom I was pleased to minister to as Associate Pastor , with Rev. Fr. William Kinane, from September 26, 1988 - May 14, 1992.  To the current Pastor, Rev. Fr. Rey Bersabol, member Elaine Massey, with whom I worked very closely, and all the good people of St. John the Baptist Parish, Folsom; I send my prayers and best wishes...........Fr.  Troy

PARISHIONER BERTHA BRESLIN CELEBRATES HER 90TH BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!!!!!...........

Bertha Breslin, a longtime, parishioner of OLOL, is celebrating her 90th Birthday this weekend both at Sunday Mass and in a Birthday Party in the Parish Hall, this afternoon.  Her family is gathering from around California, Nevada, Oregon, and North Dakota.  Thus a family reunion, to celebrate a very vivacious and healthy Bertha beginning of the tenth decade of her life.  Just last week, according to her daughter Bertha got her driver's license renewed and she aced the test !!!!!  With the number of family members children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, gathered in the church hall, Bertha Breslin's pro-actively proves the answer to the Gospel questions asked by Jesus in today's Gospel Proclamation at 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass.  To the answer to the question, What would it profit her to lay down her life for her family, friends, and fellow believers, but everything - happiness, fulfillment, and selflessness, can attain for a human being of fidelity to the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, Love.  I join with her family, friends, neighbors, and the parishioners of OLOL, in Sacramento / Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta / Robla, in wishing Bertha Many Happy Returns on her 90th Birthday.  The oldest known living person in the world today, is a 115 year old woman, who knows but that Bertha will give her a run for longevity !!!!!!!!!!!...........Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow,   Fr.  Troy

22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME IS A CATHOLIC-CHRISTIAN HISTORY LESSON FOR OLOL...........

As we gather to celebrate the Prayer, Worship, and Ministry, of being Church in Jesus The Christ, the missionary appeal being preached this Sunday by Dominican Father Tony Wall, O.P., at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, in Sacramento / Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta / Robla / is a history lesson as to what it means to truly be, Catholic-Christian.  In his preaching on behalf of the Dominican Missions, Father Wall is speaking not only of their four missionary territories in Lithuania, Africa,the Phillipines, and Mexico, but of the Dominicans historical contribution to the settling of Catholic-Christianity in this part of the Lord's Vineyard, 160 Years ago, at the time of the California Gold Rush.  Reverend Father Peter Anderson, O.P., the first priest to celebrate Mass in Sacramento, was a Dominican missionary priest.  Father Anderson ministered for only six months in this missionary territory, having bent sent by his Superior, Reverend Joseph Alemany, he succumbed to death just six months after his arrival, and before Alemany was appointed from Rome, as the first Bishop of this expansive missionary territory, and would become the first Archbishop of San Francisco.  The focus of Father Wall's preaching this weekend is appealing to OLOL parishioners, as to how Catholic-Christian they are; in their support not only of the domestic, local, Church, but the universal, "catholic", nature of the Church.  In our support of the international missions conducted by his own Dominican Missionaries.  He speaks to the missionary work being done by the Dominicans, especially in work among the lepers in the Phillipines, who through the vision of one Dominican without the support of his province founded a parochial school, a secondary school, and a teacher's college, to educate them, that continues to the present. Now those teachers, freed from isolation due to their leprosy, are training others throughout the Phillipines in the Catholic-Christian Faith.  The message of this appeal for all Christian Disciples, is how catholic / Catholic, are we in embracing and supporting the worlwide mission of conversion, catechesis, evangelization, and fidelity to the Catholic-Christian Faith, and the Gospel Values of Jesus, Son of God, and Savior of the World ???  That is a pertinent question each  of us can ask ourselves, and from the interior of our hearts discover, as we fully proceed in Living Faith...........Through, With, And In, Christ Jesus Who Is Lord Of All Creation,   Fr. Troy

DOMINICAN MISSION APPEAL BY REVEREND FATHER TONY WALL...........

Dominican Missionary priest, Father Tony Wall concelebrated and preached at the 5 p.m. Mass this evening, with Fr. Tony, also concelebrating, and yours truly presiding.  Fr. Wall will concelebrate and preach with Father Pius presiding, and Fr. Traynor concelebrating at 8:30 a.m., and I will concelebrate the 10:30 a.m. Mass with Fr. Wall, as presider and preacher, on this 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time.  I prepared a dinner from what Esperanza cooked for the weekend - hamburger patties, noodles, brocoli, and cole slaw.  He is now watching the 49'ers exhibition game, while I am opening the week's mail, blogging, and chillaxing, before another early night.  It is good to be home, although Phoenix was a nice break, and may well be the only vacation I have this year.  As my use of the prostheses improves, I look forward to standing and walking more with both my walker and then orthopedic cane...........Forward Progress !!!!!!!!!!!,   Fr.  Troy

A DOMINICAN MISSIONARY APPEAL @ OLOL PARISH THIS SUNDAY...........

My return from four days in Phoenix and my annual Mayo Clinic post transplant evaluation, brings me back to a weekend with a Propagation of the Faith Missionary Appeal, by a Dominican priest, Father Wall.  He has just arrived and will be preaching at all three Masses, hearing the Saturday Confessions, and presiding at one of the Sunday Eucharists.  I have made Saturday a low-key, regrouping day, after the travel, movements, and heat/humidity, of Monday-Friday.  It reached 118 degrees Fahrenheit in Phoenix on Thursday, and felt as though it were growing hotter as we departed for the airport yesterday afternoon.  I am  pleased not only with the excellent results of my kidney transplant tests during the past week, but with the success of traveling with my prostheses, in a wheelchair and with a walker, virtually without a hitch.  The Americans with Disabilities Act, statutes worked wonderfully well in getting me through check in and homeland security, and on and off the airplanes and seating worked well, especially on the return flight back to Sacramento, when a third man joined Noe and I, in the front row seating.  I still had ample room for my prosthetic leg, without discomfort to myself or to either of them.  The cool down in temperatures last night and today, in Sacramento versus Phoenix, is a change of twelve to twenty degrees less, so a welcome reprieve !!  I am now turning to getting ready for the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass, followed by an evening playing host to our Dominican missionary priest...........In Jesus Name We Pray,  Alleluia !!!  Amen !!!,   Fr.  Troy

SLEEPING SOLIDLY FOR SEVEN HOURS AFTER MY TRANSPLANT EVALUATION VISIT TO MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA...........

Asleep by 10:45 p.m., last night after four days and nights in Phoenix, at the Mayo Clinic, undergoing my second annual post kidney transplant evaluation with it's excellent result, I was fully asleep within a few minutes of laying head to pillow last night, and slept for seven hours before awaking, two to three hours longer, than my customary length of sleep at one time, since having my transplant two years ago.  As I get back into the rhythm of parish schedule today and tomorrow, I will celebrate the 5 p.m. Mass this evening, and the 10:30 a.m. Mass, tomorrow morning. I am glad to have passed my evaluation with flying colors, and am happy to be back in the OLOL Parish.  Forward we go !!!!!!!!!!!  Peace + Prayers To All,   Fr.  Troy  

HOME AGAIN IN SACRAMENTO, SMOOTHLY, EVENLY, TRAVELING SUCCESSFULLY IN MY POST AMPUTATION, PROSTHESES WEARING, LIFE REALITY...........

Noe and I made one more friend on our flight home from Phoenix, an Air Force reservist, who works on airplanes as well as flies.  He sat between us in the front row bulkhead.  He grew up in San Jose, now lives in Davis, and has visited much of the world since childhood.  A family vacation to Ireland as an 18 year old made an indelible impression upon him, and he eagerly looks forward to visiting there again.  Arj, the 95838 taxi man was waiting on us, as we came through the doors of Sacramento International Airport.  It was a very good week and Noe was a great help to me all week.  I am convinced of the continuing ability to travel, from this point forward with a prostheses,  I feel a solid night's sleep ahead of me.  More Tomorrow...........Fr.  Troy

BACK TO SKY HARBOR / BARRY GOLDWATER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...........

My 1 p.m. Mayo Clinic Hospital appointment with Jason Bodner, Physician's Assistant, was very highly successful.  The results of this week's second anniversary kidney transplant are excellent.  There has been no sign of rejection during the past year, and all my labs are in the normal and preferred ranges.  My Prograf dose anti rejection drug is stable enough that Jason is lowering it from 1 mg. twice daily, to 1 mg. mornings and .5 mg. evenings, effective immediately.  My Monday morning twelve hours fasting, blood sugar, was 136, slightly high of the goal of 120; but in the range from the mid 120's to mid 140's it has been since my return to the parish rectory on July 6.  My cholestorol is slightly high, and the blood pressure monitoring shows, we can increase the coverage, given the current levels of medication, I am taking daily.  Otherwise, all my blood lab results are within the acceptable range.  Overall, Jason stated this year's findings are an improvement over last year. Thus despite the two infections, and my amputation, earlier this year, I am acclimating to the kidney transplant well.  I inquired about Dr. Moss, Dr. Heilman, and the rest of the Transplant Team, and Jason reported they are all in good form.  He said Mayo Clinic Arizona may well exceed its quota of  kidney transplants beyond 200, this year.   An increasing number of them pancreas/kidney transplants. Unless a Transplant Reunion during the next twelve months takes me back to the Mayo Clinic Arizona; hopefully building upon this very positive progress report regarding my kidney transplant, there will be no other reason to return before my annual evaluation in August 2012...........Alleluia !!!  Sing Glory and Praise To Jesus The Lord !!!,   Fr.  Troy

PACKING UP TO CHECK OUT, STORE OUR BAGGAGE AT THE HOTEL AND HEAD TO THE MAYO CLINIC HOSPITAL ONE MORE TIME...........

With twenty three minutes to check out time at Noon here at the Hampton Inn, we are checking our baggage at the front desk and shuttling over to the Mayo Clinic Hospital, for my wrap-up appointment with Jason Bodner, P.A.  He will review the findings from this week's testing with me and inform me of my kidney function, as of now - the two year mark, post transplant.  We return to the hotel from the Mayo, not only to pick up our baggage, but as the departure point for the 26 mile ride to the Sky Harbor Barry M. Goldwater Airport.  More blogging from the airport, before our departure this evening for Sacramento, as this second anniversary of my kidney transplant Evaluation week draws to a close...........Fr.  Troy

MEETING THE LAST DAY OF MY POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT 2ND ANNUAL EVALUATION AT THE MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA...........

The forecasted high temperature in Phoenix this Friday, is 112 degrees Fahrenheit. Weather reports are announcing the start of a weekend with dangerously high temperatures.  So, as I begin my last day of this week's Mayo Clinic post transplant evaluation, at the two year mark; my one remaining appointment is with Jason Bodner, P.A.,  the Physician's Assistant, assigned to overseeing and interpreting the results for me.  Noe and I check out of the Hampton Inn, at 12 noon; will have them hold our baggage, while we shuttle to the Mayo Clinic Hospital campus, and have my meeting with Jason. Then we come back to the Hampton, collect our bags, and take a taxi to the airport for the return flight to Sacramento.  A 6:55 p.m. departure, we are scheduled to arrive in Sacramento, at 9 p.m.  It has been a good week, and having Noe come with me, has simplified the details of movement and provided assistance as necessary, as well as companionship.  Breakfast, packing, chillaxing, until check-out and our last shuttle to the Mayo, are on the agenda, the next four hours.  It is expected to be 105 degrees F., by 12 noon...........Heating Up Once More Today, To Cool Down Tonight,   Fr.  Troy

THE DRIVE TO, DINNER AT, ANDIAMO ITALIAN BISTRO CAPS OFF FOUR DAYS AND NIGHTS IN PHOENIX FOR MY 2ND ANNIVERSARY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA...........

Noe Perez and I marked the second anniversary of my kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic Arizona on Thursday in Phoenix, with a dinner at the Andiamo Italian Bistro, the restaurant where Victor Herrera and I, had dinner in June 2009, the night of our initial interview with the Mayo Clinic Transplant Team.  It was a delightful combination of a drink , delicious Italian zuppa, (soup) for me, and insalata, (salad) for Noe; with warmed Italian bread with virgin olive oil and balsalmic vinegar; and entrees of spaghetti bolognese me, and lasagne, he; with two glasses of a super Tuscan cabernet sauvignon.  We made it our earliest night of the week and are going to our beds before 10:30 p.m.  My concluding Evaluation year 2 appointment is at 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon, and then our 6:55 p.m., flight back to Sacramento...........Until Morning, In Christ,   Fr.  Troy

ROUND TRIP FROM HOTEL TO MAYO HOSPITAL PHOENIX AND TO AND FROM THE MAYO CLINIC SCOTTSDALE; AND BACK TO THE HAMPTON INN AGAIN...........

Nick, the Hampton Inn shuttle driver has just returned us to the hotel for an hour's freshening up and chillaxing, before heading out to the Andiamo Italian Bistro, for dinner.  It is the classic family owned and operated restaurant that Victor and I dined at, on our interview first visit to the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center.  The Bone Mineral Analysis went smoothly enough and its result and those of all the tests I have taken this week will be summarized and shared with me tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m., when I have my  wrap-up of the Evaluation appointment the Physician's Assistant, Jason Bodner, P.A., with whom I have met with a number of times before.  We are having a 8:30 p.m. dinner of what I remember as being some very delicious pasta.  Marking this second anniversary of my kidney transplant and the perfect blood match Victor and I are, just as the woman who shuttled back to the hotel with us, from the Mayo Hospital, was a perfect kidney donor match for her husband, ten years ago...........Glory And Praise To God !!!!!!!!!!!,   Fr.  Troy

RAIN COMES TO PHOENIX IN THIS RECORD SETTING WEEK FOR HEAT...........

Wednesday night between 8:30-9 p.m., Noe was sitting out on the balcony of our third floor suite, when he began to feel raindrops cascading down upon him.  The hot and humid desert air, became windy and it actually rained inside an hour, in this summer week in Phoenix that may reach temperatures as high as 116 degrees Fahrenheit.    I am celebrating Msss in our hotel suite today, however neither of the two restaurants adjacent tro the hotel, can sell me a glass of red wine, off license.  Thus we will have to buy a bottle of wine at the market just east of the Hampton Inn, upon our return from the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale.  We are taking the hotel shuttle at 215 p.m., to the Mayo Clinic Hospital campus, on Mayo Blvd. near 56t Street, to drop off my now procedurally finished BP monitor at the front desk of the Medical Specialty Building.  Then from outside the Hospital entrance, take the Mayo shuttle for the fourteen mile ride over to Scottsdale and the Mayo Clinic campus site, on East Shea Boulevard and 134th Street, for the Bone Mineral Analysis testing.  Then we take the internal Mayo shuttle, back to the Hospital and the hotel shuttle back to the Hampton Inn.  I will then celebrate Mass and we will proceed to   the Andiamo Bistro, for dinner.  Will there be more rain today / tonight ??...........Onward Kidney Transplant 2nd Annual And 2nd Anniversary Day Evaluation In Phoenix, At Mayo Clinic Arizona, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow,   Fr.  Troy

THIS LEISURELY MAYO CLINIC SCHEDULE DAY DISRUPTED BY HAMPTON INN HOTEL FIRE ALARM...........

With the 24 hour Blood Pressure Monitoring I am doing continuing until 1 p.m. , both of my Mayo Clinic post Transplant Evaluation appointments are in the afternoon : 1 p.m., or thereafter at the Mayo Hospital campus, to drop off the monitor and cuff, at the front desk of the Medical Specialty Building, and then after taking the Mayo Shuttle, the fourteen miles to Scottsdale, a 3:30 p.m., a Bone Mineral Analysis procedure, at the Mayo Clinic campus site.  The plan for our last night here is to have dinner, at the same family owned and operated Italian restaurant, "Andiamo Bistro", where Victor and I had our departing, first interview visit dinner in June 2009.  This morning's leisurely start was interrupted by a hotel fire alarm, at approximately 8:30 a.m., which sent us out of our suite to a shuttered elevator, so that Noe went downstairs to the front desk via the stairwell, while I waited on the 3rd Floor hallway between our door and the elevator.  While I was awaiting his return the hotel manager came up on the elevator, to check on us and said it was all clear, with no fire having occurred.  By 9:20 a.m., we were having breakfast, and are now back upstairs chillaxing.  I will be celebrating Mass in our suite before lunch and our departure for the Mayo, In Thanksgiving on this 2nd Anniversary of Kidney Transplant for all my medical team, benefactors, and caregivers, Victor and Tammy, chief among them !!!!!!!!!!!............Alleluia ! Amen !!, As I Sing To Jesus In Gratitude And Praise,   Fr.  Troy

THIS LEISURELY MAYO CLINIC SCHEDULE DAY DISRUPTED BY HAMPTON INN HOTEL FIRE ALARM...........

THE 2ND ANNIVERSARY OF MY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT DAY HERE AT MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA IN PHOENIX...........

Two years ago today, at this 7:30 a.m. hour, Victor Herrera and I, were already in the transplant surgery room  and our multi - hours surgeries, that took Victor's kidney from his perfectly blood matched body with mine; and put it into my much needing a new and fully working kidney, body, were underway.  The Transplant Team at Mayo Clinic operating with their renowned precision and orderliness, carried the kidney transplant  out successfuly, with reasonably minimal, pain to both of us.  As I am blogging this first column for today, a nurse from the Mayo Clinic has just cellphoned me to inquire how I am doing after yesterday's biopsy of my kidney, as part of this second annual post transplant evaluation, I here in Phoenix, Arizona undergoing, this week.  Follow-up calls like this one, are a part of the wholistic lifetime commitment the Mayo Clinic maintains in caring for, and following through with, me and other transplant recipients.  Praise God, the Mayo Transplant Team and Hospital Stff, Dr. Bhat, and ny Sacramento Medical Team, Victor, My Living Donor, and all my CareGvers,  for the roles they played, and the professionalism, and unconditional, personal proficiency, they have contributed to my successful transplant, two years on...........The Lord God Bless And Keep All Of You In The Palm Of His Hand,   Troy David Powers

SOME OF MY IRISH FRIENDS - 'IN MEMORIAM' - 1981 - 2011...........

As I finish my night prayers on this Feast Day of St. Bartholomew, Apostle; thinking of Msgr. Ed Kavanagh, flying home to Ireland, on vacaton; I close this second day of my kidney transplant evaluation in Phoenix, at the Mayo Clinic Arizona, I am remembering my Irish friends of the past thirty years who have passed on.  Mae Broderick; Matt Kavanagh; Mrs. J.J., Molly Kate Kavanagh; Kitty Kavanagh; Dr. Frank O'Connor;  Msgr. Martin Joseph Campion; Noreen "Mother" Maher; Gerry Baker; Patrick Dunne, Sr.; Granny Griffin; Granny McDaid; John, Kitty, Billy, Paddy Cleere; Michael Mullins Sr.; among others...........Eternal Life Grant Unto Them o Lord,   fr.tdp

"LEGENDS" BAR AND GRILL ACROSS THE WAY FROM THE HAMPTON INN, IN PHOENIX A 'NO GO', DUE TO CLOSURE FOR RENOVATIONS...........

Our Wednesday night dinner had to be relocated back to, The Tilted Kilt tonight, due to our first choice, Legends Bar and Grill, where I hopeD to have an, "I Canorvore",  "beef is meat": dinner, as my friend, the late Michael Mullins, who was a, renowned Kilkenny Butcher, used to say; so I settled for a TK Irish, We Mean French Dip Sandwich, and a hearty, beefy, bowl of TK Chili.  Su-perb, "pub grub", as the Irish  say.   I called Fr. Dan Bollard, this afternoon to extend my 30th anniversary good wishes to him, as I said in today's earlier blog columns, being true to his innate and sincerely developed spirituality, Dan is on a 30 day Retreat, so I send him my fondest regards and grateful best wishes for our friendship, fraternity, and fellowship, over the past 30 Years.  Speaking of this night 30 years ago, in Kilkenny - at just after 9 p.m., that evening, Fr. Marty Joe, we as seminarians called Fr. Campion, drove the two of us, to the home of a family in Kilkenny City.  Their home was the first of a handful of homes we visited during the two weeks I was there.  This first Irish home, was of a young married couple, whose home has been the second home to dozens of priests and seminarians through the years, the home of Patricia and Michael Shortall.  Their cordiality and hospitality was awe-striking.  They were very welcoming and curious about my first thoughts of seeing Ireland and Kilkenny, and soon provided ample refreshments, a drink poured, chicken and ham sandwiches, and biscuits, (cookies) as I called them, and a pot / "cuppa" tea !!!!!  Little did I know that night, their home would become a hearth I would be invited to return to repeatedly, over these subsequent three decades.  Returning to SKC, at around Midnight, I went to my room, said my prayers, and fell fast asleep.  Ever the thoughtful host, Fr. Campion arranged it, so that a late breakfast ten to twenty minutes after 10 a.m., was awaiting me when I reappeared in the main building the following morning...........Thank You All, For The First 30 Years of Personal And Communal, Experience of Ireland - 1981-2011 and going forward,   Fr.  Troy David Powers  aka SKC as, "Grand High BOZO" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Slainte to Reverend Monsignor Tommy Maher, Fathers Dan Bollard, Oliver Maher, Jim Cassin, Tom Norris, Jimmy Dollard, Fergus Farrell, Willie Hennessey, Martin Tobin, Kieran Cantwell, Jim Murphy, Paddy Baker, Denis Quinn, Paddy Dunne,  Bishops + Lawrence Forristal, + Seamus Freeman, Kitty O'Connor; Jim & Aine Kavanagh, and the entire Kavanagh Family in Urlingford, Dublin, Roscommon, and Mayo; Oliver Maher Sr., and the Maher Family in Freshford, and Roscommon; Brigid Mullins and Family; Geraldine and Kevin Butler and Family; Michael and Patricia Shortal;, John and Phyl Cleere; and  Paady Bollard, Paul, Stephen, Kay McDaid, and the complete McDaid clan; the Baker and Dunne families; Gerry "Bozo" Cleere; Shaun Doherty, and the LIST GOES ON...........THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING MY FRIENDS, AND TRULY MY IRISH FAMILY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..............................tdp

LUNCH IN THE PRIESTS' REFECTORY, A GUIDED ANS SELF GUIDED LOOK AROUND THE KIERAN'S CAMPUS, AN AFTERNOON NAP, AND EVENING TEA...........

My first seven hours in Kilkenny, Ireland three decades ago, were a combination of food, meeting new people, who were priests and staff working at Saint Kieran's, seeing the historic St. Kieran's College grounds, a walkabout into the city, and a nap in the seminary, Birchfield Hall, senior house room, Father Martin Campion assigned to me for my visit and my first evening meal, in Ireland, known as, "tea"; in the European the lighter meal, following the  midday dinner main meal, at the lunch hour.  It was thrilling.  Fr. Dan and I arrived at the College, just as Dinner was starting and the priests were gathering in the priests refectory, the main staff dining room on the front first floor hallway.  As we entered the room, with damask wallpaper and large portraits of Diocese of Ossory Bishops hanging on the wall, sitting at the head of the table was St. Kieran's President, Reverend Monsignor Thomas "Tommy" Maher, and a younger priest, Reverend Father Willie Hennessey, a teacher on the "layside", of the College.  Fr. Dan introduced me to them and then directed to a side table where the dinner was laid out, buffet style.  A nice, hot, dark brown, beef soup, a lamb roast, mashed potatoes, flowery, boiled potatoes, carrots, and  apple tart, were set on the side table.  I went down the line, moved to the table and was invited to sit to the left side of Msgr. Maher, with Fr. Dan seated across from me, and Fr. Hennessey to my immediate right.  We ate and started chatting.  Shortly, we had been joined by Fr. Campion, and then Fr. Fergus Farrell, a St. Kieran's Professor, and profound Scripture scholar.  It was a very sociable meal, and my first excited impression of being there was how collegial, warm, and welcoming, it seemed.  They were interacting with each other and me in a very friendly and comfortable manner.  After finishing dessert with either a cup of brewed  tea or coffee, the priests took an afternoon walk around the, "pitch" the large lawn and games field, inside the front entrance, Callan Gate, just in front of the seminary dormitories built in the 1970's.  They invited me to come along.  The priests walked in groups of 2 or 3, and I joined Frs. Campion and Bollard, for more chatting as we circled the pitch on the path, two or three times.  The others al returned to their afternoon schedules.  Fr. Campion took me to my seminary guest room in Birchfield Hall, showed me the building and left me for the time being.  I settled in, and then took a nap, as I was still dealing with my jet-lag.  Awaking at 3:15 p.m., I got up, and walked outside the grounds down into the town, and got my first look at High Street and Irishtown.  I returned to the College, in time to look around the buildings a bit, and then made my way to the evening tea, which was sausages, chips, and tea.  More to Come after Noe and I head across the street for Dinner at the Legends Bar and Grill, here in Phoenix, AZ...........Fr.  Troy  

30 YEARS AGO TODAY - ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S DAY, I MET ONE OF THE MOST SPIRITUAL PRIESTS I HAVE EVER KNOWN...........

Arriving midday in the Kilkenny train station on Monday August 24, 1981, the first train I had ever taken, at age 24, I walked off the train and down the path toward the station.  In the nearing distance I saw a man wearing a clerical collar emerging toward me.  He was youthful, and wearing a grey shirt and coat. As we neared each other smiling, he said, "Are you Troy Powers ?"  I answered, "Yes".  He responded, "I am Father Dan Bollard, here to take you to St. Kieran's College".  Reverend Father Daniel Bollard is a native Kilkennyman, and priest of the Diocese of Ossory.  Ordained a priest on June 11, 1972, Father Dan was Spiritual Director in St. Kieran's Seminary from 1978 - 1992.  A truly spiritual man, as I have known  him the past thirty years, I have experienced, as have countless others, his stellar spirituality.  To me, Dan is the epitome of  a well rounded Catholic-Christian disciple, and priest of Jesus Christ.  I will blog more about this wonderful man and the insights into faith and Irish life, his friendship have garnered me.  Now it is time to take the hotel to the Mayo Clinic Hospital for a Biopsy, Ultra Sound, and start of a 24 hour Blood Pressure Monitoring, connection...........Slan,   Fr.  Troy

2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS, AND 4 DAYS, AND 20,000 PAGE VIEWS OF MY BLOG, "INSIGHTS INTO LIFE AND FAITH", HAVE BEEN MADE...........

Upon our return from our late afternoon / early evening meal at, The Tilted Kilt', I discovered the latest attainment for this blog, "Insights Into Life And Faith",  'By Father Troy David Powers',  while we were dining six more persons read the blog, and it surpassed 20,000 page views, since its inception on April 19, 2009 - 2 years 4 months and 4 days ago !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Thank You, one and all !!  Praise God For the Blessings of Life and Faith, and the Insights, garnered, shared, and communicated to an increasing worldwide internet blogsphere of readers and followers.  On this my 30th anniversary of visiting Ireland for the very first time, Noe and I celebrated by having this pub and eatery's aptly Irish named, "Maggie Mae's Fish n Chips".  I had a side of onion rings with my Arnold Palmer, while NN, (Nicholas Noe)  had a Sprite.  I left my phone behind at my bedside and missed Msgr. Ed's return phone call, on the eve of his Irish vacation departure, so I called back and left him and Msgr. Jim, A Happy Parish Feast Day message.  It is 110 F. degrees plus, here in Phoenix, today, with 112 degrees forecosted tomorrow, 114 degrees on Thursday, and as much as 116 degrees on Friday / Saturday.  It is definitely a Desert Summer in Arizona, this week...........More Later From This Tilted Mayo Cinic Post Kidney Transplant X 2 Years In Phoenix,   Fr.  Troy 
    

A CHILLAXING DAY IN AND ABOUT THE HAMPTON INN HOTEL IN PHOENIX..........

After resting for a few hours after returning from my blood labs, at the Myo Clinic, and breakfasr here at the Hampton Inn, a telephone call to Oliver in Kilkenny, on this my 30th Anniversary date of first arrival in Ireland, August 23, 1981; and a call to St. Rose's Church in South Sacramento, on this St. Rose of Lima Feast Day, the 79th Anniversary of the date St. Patrick's Home For Children opened on Franklin Boulevard, after being transferred from it's founding location in Grass Valley, where it was founded by the Sisters of Mercy and Father Thomas Dalton in 1863; Noe and I spent two and a half hours out around the pool, in the foyer of the hotel, and finally doing my standing and walking exercise therapy in the hallways of the hotel.  After relaxing back in our refreshened suite for awhile, we will go across the parking lot for a late lunch / early dinner, at, The Tilted Kilt.  We are also sussing out sights and sounds of the Phoenix area, as tomorrow my only scheduled Mayo Clinic procedure is the essentially important Bioposy of my Kidney Transplant.  Then, on Thursday, which is the second anniversary of my transplant, I have a twenty four Blood Pressure Monitoring to complete.  We look forward to utilizing the times open in between to do a wee bit of sightseeing.  I am getting very hungry so food is not far removed...........Fr.  Troy

BACK FROM MY BLOOD LABS AT THE MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA; DAY ONE DONE...........

Noe and I departed the Hampton Inn, by the hotel shuttle, with their driver Nick, who I remember from the previous two years stay here at the hotel.  We arrived and were checked in for the twelve hours Fasting Blood Labs taken by 6:25 a.m., and were called and blood labs completed by there scheduled time of 6:50 a.m.  Unlike the twenty plus vials of blood drawn in 2009, and last year on day one of Evaluation, this morning the lab assisistant drew only eleven vials of blood from me.  That was my Mayo   testing for today, until returning tomorrow morning at 7:15 a.m., for the crucial Biopsy / Ultra Sound of donated kidney.  I called Victor Herrera, my living donor, at 7 a.m., and left him a thank you message of gratitude anew, on this second anniversary of the date we arrived here to have the kidney transplant performed, two days later.  We sat outside the Medical Specialty Building for more than a half hour waiting on the return of the shuttle, longer than usual, due to telephone difficulties reaching him.  Like his Hampton Inn colleagues, Nick our shuttle driver today is a very congenial and friendly person.  We arrived back in and went straight to the complimentary breakfast, this morning consisting of scrambled eggs, sauasages, fresh potato tots, wheat bread, a small raspberry danish, and coffee.  We have returned to our suite to chillax for a few hours, and Noe went back to sleep, until we decide in a few hours what more we want to do today.  Lunch, or 'Luinner', as I sometimes refer to it, between lunch and dinner today we be at the pub / restaurant, across the parking lot, The Tilted Kilt...........Fr.  Troy

MAYO CLINIC EVALUATION MORNING ONE UP AND UNFOLDING...........

The 5:15 a.m. wake-up call that greeted me this morning was responded to faster than I expected to meet it.  I am perky and moving quick enough at this early hour that I am ready to meet the hotel shuttle to the Mayo Clinic with more than twenty minutes to spare.  Checking in with Mayo Clinic for the Blood Labs, by 6:45 a.m., the process of checking in fir each individual appointment, or procedure, is necessary.  Utis done by the registrars at the front desk in very efficient order.  Although I was allowed a bedtime snack as a diabetic, despite the twelve hour fast; I did not have it and only drank half of a diet Dr. Pepper, and sipped on water through the night.  It's time to head downstairs for the shuttle and meet the first heat and humidity of the day...........Fr.  Troy

STARTING MY POST TRANSPLANT 2ND ANNUAL EVALUATION @ MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA; 30 YEARS AGO TODAY I ARRIVED IN IRELAND FOR THE FIRST TIME...........

30 years ago today, have been invited and recruited by the Rector of St. Kieran's Seminary, in Kilkenny, I made my first visit to the Republic of Ireland, and arrived at Shannon Airport, on a Sunday afternoon, straight into a major Hurling match involving County Kilkenny, thus I had to find and make my own way to Kilkenny City, by bus and train.  Then the fun began.  The non Kavanagh bus, broke down from Shannon to Waterford, and the delay caused me to miss the last train to Kilkenny.  That set off an Irish adventure for me, that resulted in my staying at St. John's College, Waterford, not St. Kieran's Seminary, Kilkenny, on my first night ever in Ireland...  Today, I will recap that day and my stories of meeting the Irish people in their native environs, before arriving at the place that was my very reason for even being there.  On this day three decades later, as I am in Phoenix, Arizona; not Sacramento, or Kilkenny, starting my second anniversary post kidney transplant evaluation, at the Mayo Clinic Arizona.  Time for bed, as the wake call comes at in four hours, to be there and do Blood Labs, at 6:45 a.m. ...........Fr. Troy

HOT AUGUST NIGHT ONE 2011 IN THE PHOENIX DESERT...........

As we came out of the Carlos O'Brien's, where we enjoyed Albondigas soup, and chicken Tacos with blacks beans and rice for me, and a chicken Chimichanga and rice and refried beans, for Noe; the 7 p.m. temperatures were still intense.  After chillaxing for an hour and a half in our hotel suite, Noe opened the door to the balcony, only to discover it is still quite hot.  I told him sitting out there about Midnight will be perfect !    At this hour I am having a final diet soft drink, before water becomes my only intake until after my blood labs in the morning and breakfast after that sometime after 7:30 a.m., or so.  We are hanging out in the hotel tonight, with a 5:15 a.m. wake-up call and a 6 a.m. shutt;e to the Mayo Clinic Hospital...........More Tomorrow...........Fr.  Troy

111 DEGREES IN PHOENIX FORECAST TODAY AS WE LAND AND GET SITUATED AT THE HAMPTON INN...........

Our Southwest Airlines flight from Sacramento to Phoenix, flowed very smoothly, for Noe and I, this afternoon.  The airline skycap, security detail, and airline attendants, were all aces; making my movements uneventfully chillaxed.  I was allowed to roll my own wheelchair onto the plane and transferred the few feet into my seat, with the assistance of my walker.  Noe is wonderfully helping me as necessary, as for the most part I fend for myself as much as I can.  The Hampton Inn hotel suite is great, the very same one, my twin sisters Alice and Alene stayed in two years ago this week, as I was having my kidney transplant.  Noe has gone to a nearby supermarket to buy a few groceries, as we have a full refigerator, stove, microwave.  Also off the living room area, we have a sitting balcony.  We are having an early dinner at Carlos O'Brien's restaurant across the street tonight, as I must eat by 7 p.m., due to 6:45 a.m. blood labs at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in the morning...........Fr.  Troy

AT SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AND A SMOOTH ARRIVAL TO GATE 15 AND DEPARTURE IN AN HOUR...........

BK Taxi, my 95838 Indian Family cab company picked Noe and I up at 11:15 am,and brought us to SMF, 1:15 p.m. Southwest flight to Phoenix.  My home health nurse made her Monday visit and veroified the entire picc line exited my body last night, so none is remaining inside ,me.  Upon Dr. Martin's Office about what to do about this problem, after hearing and analyzing the facts, he decided to handle the situation upon my return.  His medical assistant's exact words, from him were - "Enjoy the tip.  We will take care of it, when you get back".  Our airport check with the skycap out front, went smoothly; as did our homeland security security screening.   I rolled through a special employees' gate, and was patted down and had my wheelchair and body, including the prostheses swiped with with small white inspection paid testing.  I approximately fifteen minutes we were at Gate 15, with Noe directing me in my wheelchair, with my walker in his hands also.  After the morning work-out of Mass, administrative details, my home health visit, and squaring away packing for departure; my brunch of scrambed eggs and turkey bacon, I had to eat in the taxicab on the way to the airport, I am ready for a snooze, even here at the flight gate.  More upon our arrival in Phoenix...........Hampton Inn Scottsdale  Road Here We Come !!!!!!!!!!!,   Fr.  Troy

MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA, HERE WE COME !!!!!!!!!!!...........

Noe Perez is here at OLOL with me, as we prepare to fly to Phoenix today for my 2nd annual Kidney Transplant at the Mayo Clinic Arizona.  I will be there from this afternoon until Friday evening, doing the tests and receiving the assessment, as to how my kidney transplant is fairing, after two years, the anniversary of which is this Thursday.  I have the 8 a.m. Mass, and some Monday morning administrative work, to do before departure.  Also, my home health nurse makes her weekly visit this morning, and I have to address the coming out of my picc line last night, after my p.m. infusion therapy treatment, as I pivoted from my bed to the wheelchair, and somehow the the antibiotic line connecting the cylinder and the pump to my port, got caught in the wheelchair wheel, wrapping around it and getting caught.  My attempts to loosen and free it caused the picc line to pull from my arm.  So I will have to sort out getting it replaced perhaps at the Mayo Clinic while there.  Time to fully get this day started.  More Later on this liturgical feastday of the Queenship of Mary..........."Pray For US, o Holy Mother Of God, That We May Be Worthy Of The Promises Of Christ",   Fr.  Troy

IN TODAY'S GOSPEL PROCLAMATION, MATTHEW 16:13-20; JESUS ASKS US, "WHO DO YOU SAY I AM" ?????...........

Human beings cannot live a fulfilling life in isolation, detachment, or separation, from real relationships with other persons.  If indeed as the poet waxes, "No man is an island", then we are meant to be involved in interpersonal relationships.  Yet as humans, we can have an abundance of boundless interpersonal, human relationships, and very close romantic or personal friendships, and still be lacking fulfillment, if we are not well grounded in our essentially first and highest priority relationship, as persons of Faith and People of God; our relationship with Jesus The Christ.  In today's Sunday Gospel Proclamation, from Mt. 16:13-20; Jesus questions His Apostles about who they and others, say He is.  Jesus is said to be the reappearance to all the greats of that age, Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, et al, and then he asks His Disciples personally, who do they tell others, He is.  Today Jesus poses that same question, "Who Do You Say That I Am", to us.  As a baptized Disciple, and loyal Follower, of The Christ, how do you define, and describe, who Jesus is to you and the relationship of Living Faith you share with Him, as the Lord our God ?  The relationship each of us shares with Jesus Christ, is not a private possession, but an interpersonal and communal experience of discernment, discovery, and determination, to grow the relationship we share with the Divine GodHead, by serving the common good of the Community of Believers, to which we belong.  Is who you say Jesus is, reflected in your participation in the life of the Church, and the responsibility for ministry in OLOL Parish, or whatever parish you are a member of, wherever you are ?  I am striving as Pastor of OLOL in Sacramento / Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta / Robla / , to expand the horizons of parishioner presence and participation in all facets of the Community's livelihood, and to eradicate - apathy, burnout, and complacency; and to refresh, renew, recruit, more of our parish members to give God greater Glory, by seving the Common Good.  Reminding Us All, "Many Hands Make Little Work"............In Christ Jesus, Who is Lord Of All Creation, And King Of Our Salvation,   Fr. Troy

21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME.....@ OLOL'S IS HOSPITALITY SUNDAY AND FR. PIUS' 21ST ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION...........

The August heat is up and down, and the cooler breezes of present days are very welcome.  Come Monday, the temperatures of Phoenix, will keep me and Noe Perez, heated up, if not all but baked forv four days !!!!, ha ha....  This Sunday opens for us here at OLOL, with a focus on the celebration of August Baptisms, at Saturday evening Mass, and we celebrate as a parish community, with Fr. Pius - his 21st anniversary of Priestly Ordination at Mass, and at the Hospitality Sunday, in the Parish Hall, following both the Sunday Masses.  Also, the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver have a special Turn Out Affirmation at Mass, which will continue into the Hospitality Sunday reception.  The day will also require my squaring away for travel arrangements, any of the things I would normally be doing next week, including my Sunday Bulletin copy, and packing the right clothes and properly readying the antibiotic medication, pump, and treatment supplies, as well as my diabetic, transplant, and amputation, meds.  As I undergo this p.m. therapy tratment, My volunteer and I, are watching the Montgomery Clift / Olivia deHaviland film, "The Heiress", on this Summer Under The Stars, day featuring the films of Monty Clift.  Wishing you a prayerful and restful Lord's Day In The Peace Of Jesus The Lord Of Our Salvation...........Fr.  Troy

A FUNERAL MEMORIAL MASS, TWO BAPTISMS, SATURDAY CONFESSIONS AND THE SUNDAY VIGIL MASS.....COMPRISE TODAY'S PARISH, PRIESTLY, MINISTRY...........

I begin my blogging today, with a celebratory shout out, to Reverend Mt his mASSES.  day.  Msgr. Schons, served for two decades as an educator-librarian at Christian Brothers and Bishop Manogue High Schools in Sacramento.  He was also the first Vicar for the Hispanic Apostolate in the Sacramento Diocese, and lived In Residence at All Hallows and St. Rose's parishes in South Sacramento, from 1953-1979.  He has resided in Galt, in southern Sacramento County, since 1979, to the present.  From 1968-1982, while he was presiding at 2 Sunday Masses each week, ministered as both an altar server, lector, and extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, for him through those years.  A stemwinding preacher, his Sunday homilies were always a practical, pastoral exposition of how to productive living as Christ's Disciples.....The pastoral ministry schedule of OLOL Parish today begins with the Funeral Memorial Mass for Peter Gutierrez, who worked for several years as a golf pro, at Haggins Oaks Golf Course.  Father Traynor, and I, will concelebrate the Mass at 11 a.m.  There are 2 Baptisms scheduled at the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass this evening, as our monthly rotation of celebrating baptisms in the parish at Sunday Masses monthly in rotation, continues to unfold.  And Confessionsc and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are from 4 - 4:45 p.m., in the church prior to the evening Mass.  Parishioner John Thomas, who was last night's antibiotic infusion returns to facilitate tonight's 8 p.m. session, and Jack Pennington, will be here to connect and disconnect me Sunday morning.  Otherwise I am battening down the hatches in preparation for Monday's trip to Phoenix, Arizona, as I fly with Noe Perez, to undergo my Tuesday - Friday annual Kidney Transplant evaluation, at the Mayo Clinic...........Peace + Prayers in Jesus Who Is Lord,   Fr.

>>>.....OLOL Parishioners are also being asked this weekend to sign-up for the PARISH-WIDE PARKING LOT SALE COORDINATING COMMITTEE, to organize and oversee the carrying out of the event, on Sat. Sept. 17.  Representatives from all of the upwards of 20 parish ministries are invited and expected to participate.....<<<

WEEKEND INFUSION VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED...........

Ruby and Bill Shepherd, who are OLOL parishioners and have been volunteering as assistants with my antibiotic infusion therapy for the past few weeks, came for an additional session last night, just as they did last week, due to otherwise uncovered openings, needing to be filled.  This weekend, I still have three slots open, requiring volunteers, Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 10 a.m., and Sunday at 8 p.m.  This need is another opportunity for more of you in my past and present parishioners and friends circle, to come through, in assisting me with this vital therapy in my post amputation rehabilitation.  I ask any of you in the Sacramento area, who are reading this blog post, to kindly consider being the person who agrees to facilitate one of these three weekend sessions for me.  Contact me at OLOL rectory, 925-5313, or by leaving a message here on the blog.  Thank You Who Serve God'S Greater Glory, By Serving The Common Good Of Others...........Fr.  Troy

PREPARING FOR MY JOURNEY TO PHOENIX, ARIZONA FOR MY MAYO CLINIC 2ND ANNUAL KIDNEY TRANSPLANT EVALUATION NEXT WEEK.....ADULT FAITH FORMATION COMES FULLY ALIVE @ OLOL...........

On Monday I will fly to Phoenix, Arizona, with Noe Perez, accompanying me; for my 2nd anniversary of Kidney Transplant annual evaluation at the Mayo Clinic.  As I have been undergoing my a.m. antibiotic infusion therapy today, i have been researching and reading the TSA - Transportation Security Administration regulations pertaining to air travel by disabled persons with medical conditions such as my amputation and anyibiotic medications and supplies.  This is in follow-up to a thorough discussion I had with Curtis Richards earlier in the week about this. The information and insight he shared with me, were spot on, with the information I found on the TSA website.....>>>>>  On the pastoral front this week, I am arranging and organizing adult faith formation ministries for OLOL, in Parish Year 2011-2012, which begins on September 11.  The September through November Faith Seeking Understanding series on the implementation of the New Roman Missal, 3rd Edition,using resources from the Liturgical Training Press;  A two year, parish Rite of Christian Initation of Adults formation program, with resources published by RCL-Benziger;  A Parish Scripture Study afternoon offering, using materials from, 'The Word Among Us'; and coming in January, with the start of our three year, parish spiritual revitalization process, a six week Sunday morning faith formation enrichment presentation, "Lifting Up Our Hearts", from RENEW International, a follow-up formation process focused on the New Roman Missal; and a Lenten and Easter Seasons RENEW Year One weekly sessions offering, "Arise Together In Christ".  I have also been doing some work on our Advent Parish Mission in December.  It is so fulfilling to be doing the essential pastoral, and spiritual, as well as liturgical, and sacramental,  ministry of being parish priest and Pastor.  And to know, that as IN strive to serve and lead OLOL, to greater growth and development, as a viable, wholistically active, and involved, parish community, where all members participate in ministry and contribute to the common good of all our members; I am confident the vast majority of our faithful, and fervent, parishioners will choose to embrace one or more of these faith formation opportunities...........Seeking To Renew And Reinvigorate The Precious Gift Of Faith In Our Lady Of Lourdes Parish, Sacramento / Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta / Robla /,   Fr.  Troy

FIFTY YEARS AGO TODAY THE CRISTO REY PROVINCE OF THE CANOSSIAN DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY WAS FOUNDED IN NORTH AMERICA...........

Twenty days before I started Kindergarten in 1961, the Canossian Sisters, who have served in the Sacramento Diocese since 1969, beginning in Jackson; and  in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Sacramento, from 1972, to the present; came to North America with the foundation of the Cristo Rey Province, headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This morning's 8 a.m. Mass at OLOL, in Del Paso Heights,was celebrated In Thanksgiving on this 50th Anniversary Founders Day of the Canossian Daughters of Charity's Cristo Rey Province.  OLOL's Canossian Sister Teresa Norris, was one of the original four foundresses of the Cristo Rey Province.  Today, Sister Teresa serves in OLOL Parish, catechetically, liturgically, and in the pastoral care, of the sick.  To the five Canossians currently serving in parishes in the Sacramento Diocese, not only here at OLOL; but in St. Joseph's Parish, Lincoln; and the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament; Sister Felicity, Sister Teresa, Sister Lisa, Sister Eliza, Sister Jenny, we offer prayers of thanksgiving, and a vote of appreciation, for the half century of ministry the Cristo Rey Province has provided the People of God in North America...........Fr.  Troy

THURSDAY EVENING AND SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, ANTIBIOTIC INFUSION THERAPY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED THIS WEEK...........

My schedule of need for antibiotic infusion therapy volunteers this week, still has openings for helpers on Thursday August 18th, at 8 p.m.; Saturday August 20th, at 10 a.m., and 8 p.m.; and Sunday August 21st, at 10 a.m., and 8 p.m.Any parishioner, past, or present, or personal friends, who are available to be trained and can help are needed and most welcome...........Fr.  Troy

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY - DOGMA AND HOLYDAY...........

In the Salvation History of Humankind, the life of Mary of Nazareth, looms large.  A quiet, unassuming, innocent, teenage girl, chosen by God the Father of All Creation, to be the Mother of the Christ, was conceived immaculately free from sin, to be the worthy vessel to bear the Son of God; one of the two major, "sensus fidelium", Dogmas in the history of Catholic-Christianity.  Today we liturgically celebrate the feast that is the book-end to the dogma of the, Immaculate Conception; as the popular belief of the Faithful from the earliest years of the Community of Believers, in the holiness and fidelity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to God's Plan of Redemption, in the Solemnity of the Assumption.  The Assumption of Mary, is according to Sacred Tradition, the abiding belief of Catholic-Christians, that at the conclusion of her natural, human life, the Blessed Mother of the Son of God Jesus the Christ, did not merely die, and undergo the aftermath of human death by burial of her body.  Instead, we as Disciples and Faithful Witnesses to the purposes of Christ's Paschal Mystery of Salvation and Resurrection for Humankind, affirm our belief that Mary the Mother of God, was assumed undefiled, Body and Soul, into Heaven.  The Dogma of the Assumption of Mary, was the loyal belief and commemoration, for multitude centuries, unofficially, until August 15, 1950; when it was declared the official Dogma of the Church, by Pope Pius IX.  As a Holyday of Obligation equal to Sundays, in the heart and heat, of summer in much of the World, the Assaumption is perennially in its 61 year liturgical commemoration, the most lightly attended Holyday of the year, as most persons are still on summer vacations, including in Rome, where most citizens are outside the city, escaping the oppressive August heat, and even the Holy Father is customarily on his summer holiday, usually at the papal estate in Castlegandolfo.  However, undeniably, the Assumption is one of the essential dogmas in Catholic-Christian history.  It also shares in addition to book-end status with the Immaculate Conception, primary important in our definition of Salvation History, both the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption, are the only two Faith Beliefs, in the whole of the Church's existence, solely the two Dogmas to be declared Infallibly, as a papal pronouncement concerning, "the faith and morals", of the Catholic Church, "ex cathedra", as teachings we are required to give our assent of faith to as Catholic-Christian Believers.  "The Dormition", or Falling Asleep if the Blessed Virgin Mary, her glorious, wholistic, Assumption into Heaven, we celebrate and commemorate today, is a belief that binds us to the redemptive actions of the Supreme Being of the Universe, "Our Lord and Our God"...........Masses for this Assumption Day, Monday August 15th, Here At Our Lady Of Lourdes Church In Sacramento / Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta / Robla /, Will Be Celebrated At  8 a.m. & 7 p.m.,   Fr.  Troy

20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - HOW DO WE AS CATHOLIC-CHRISTIAN DISCIPLES MEASURE UP TO THE CANAANITE WOMAN ?...........

One of the basic beliefs I hold about the role the Church plays in our lives as Catholic Christian Believers, is that what we have and experience as a Community of Jesus' Disciples, is something far more important than the institution alone, it is the place where God's People come together, to pray, worship, and minister, as members of the Body of Christ in the World.  The buildings that comprise the gathering spaces of Catholic-Christian Disciples, "churches", are both God's House, and holy places; and our Second Home, on the earthly journey of life and faith.  They are sacred sanctuaries, where all our Welcome.  In that light, we hear the story of the exchange between the Canaanite Woman, Jesus, and His Disciples, in Matthew's Gospel. The Canaanite Woman who approached Jesus, was views as unchosen, unclean, aggressive, and someone separated from the Israelites.  Her exclamation, "Lord, help me", in Matthew 15:25; would not have found popular acceptance for others in Jesus' audience.  Yet, Jesus did not dismiss her, just because of who she wasn't.  Instead, Jesus mercifully and graciously, engaged her, even though His Disciples wanted Him to send her away.  And hearing her out and experiencing the deepness of her faith, accepted her faith, and healed her very ill daughter.  The Canaanite Woman's steadfast faith made a difference for her and meant Jesus accepted her and taught His followers to be inclusive of her and others like her, outside the fold, who also sincerely seek the coming of God's Kingdom.  Who is the Canaanite Woman in our lives today ?  Those we are not naturally disposed or inclined to embrace, yet who have the need and the righteousness to seek to believe and be like we are, fervently seeking followers, of Jesus The Christ ?
As Catholic-Christians we do not have a monopoly on righteousness and justice.  We do not have an exclusive claim on God's mercy and compassion.  We must remain open to God's Spirit and the opportunities Living our Faith, unconditionally provides us to be more ecumenical, more inclusive, more just, righteousness, compassionate, and merciful, Disciples of the Living and True God.  Identify and respond to one of those persons, who are different from us, this week...........Fr.  Troy

SATURDAY BRINGS BAPTISMAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS, CONFESSIONS, AND SUNDAY VIGIL MASS...........

With summer streaming forward, schools, colleges, and universities, are preparing to start their new academic year.  Both Father Jerry Ryle, and Father Steven Avella, have returned to their respective Catholic university campuses, Sacred Heart University, in Fairfield, Conneticut, and Marquette University, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  I wish them both well in the coming year of educating and forming our young people for their roles and responsibilities in the 21st Century, and in helping them in developing their faithful witness to God and sharing in the community of believers.  I am profoundly grateful for Steve and Jerry's friendship, fraternity, and fellowship, during the summer months, and in Steve's case this go round, during his sabbatical year, home in Sacramento.  Parishioner Connie Matthews, is this morning's infusion therapy volunteer, and will connect me prior to the beginning of our August Baptismal Instructions class for parents and godparents of newborns to 6 year old children, at 10:30 am.   As in most Catholic parishes, OLOL will have our weekly celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, at 4 pm, followed by our Sunday Vigil Mass, at 5 pm.  Two more parish funerals are also under preparation, one scheduled for next Saturday morning, and the other still pending.  As I have been known for saying for several decades, "Such is life without a wife" !!!!!!!!!!!  Wishing you, wherever you are around the globe on this Saturday August 13, the best of days...........Fr.  Troy  

ERIKA RANSOM RETURNS TO DO MY FRIDAY NIGHT INFUSION TREATMENT...........

 Erika Ransom, my former parishioner and infusion therapy volunteer agreed to come tonight Friday, and has volunteered for both Saturday and Sunday night, to cover my weekend 8 pm treatments.  With only a total of 14 willing volunteers, to cover 14 treatments a week; and Fr. Pius being only the back-up, no-show, volunteer - making it actually only 13 volunteers, makes for a scramble, especially on the weekends.  As I have said numerous times the past six weeks, this is a simple and straightforward procedure, it is highly surprising there are not 114 volunteers plus, willing to do the connecting and disconnecting with me.  But go figure.  We live in an ever increasing, self absorbed , and less caring world; something as a Catholic-Christian believer and priest of Jesus Christ, I ever thought would be true of our own people.  Each day, and week, at the same time over the past two to seven months, these 14 persons and a small group of others in my circle, have affirmed their care, affection, respect, and appreciation personally and priestly, by their willingness to do more, not less to assist me with my current challenges.  Were it not for them, I would be residing semi-permanently in rehabilitation convalescence hospital care, off the job, and but so much less productive than I have the ability to continue being.  Unless God, has radically different plans for me, I have every intention of, "Pushing Forward", the next decade or more, to carry out the priestly pastoral, ministry I was called and ordained to fulfill.  How many people will be as intimate and important part of that is likely to lessen, as if in my current urgent need, I can only depend on two dozen or less persons, to be here unconditionally, I am not going to be gullible and believe, greater numbers are going to be there when I need them in the future.  It is ironic, my vocation is all about serving God, by serving others, regardless; yet when the need is reversed, far too few feel or reciprocate accordingly.  So Be It.  As the popular proverb proclaims, "Where There Is A Will, There Is A Way".  I have the Will, and I Will find the Way, to make the remaining number of antibiotic infusion treatments, rides to appointments, and any other needs happen, despite the diversion of time it takes, for I must, and I shall meet my obligations, to adequately and unfailingly meet my medical conditions...........Ever Greater Numbers Are Reading - Now If Only Increasing Numbers Will Respond To My Requests,   Fr.  Troy

The Antibiotic Infusion Therapy Volunteers Slots, I presently still need to fill are :

SU 8-14 10am  TU 8-16 8pm  W  8-17 9am  TH 8-18 8pm  SA 8-20 10am and 8pm  SU 8-21 10am and              
                                                                                                                                                8pm

RECRUITING MORE INFUSION VOLUNTEERS, SETTING MY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT EVALUATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR PHOENIX, AND BURYING THE DEAD, ON FRIDAY'S DOCKET...........

Having celebrated the 8 a.m., and having one of my newest volunteers, parishioner Margaret Griggs, the church sacristan, will connect me to my antibiotic treatment; then I will have some brealkfast, before conducting the Funeral Mass and Committal Service, for faithful parishioner, Josephine Johnson, I  am also in the midst of nailing down my travel arrangements for my 2nd annual Kidney Transplant evaluation August 22-26, in Phoenix.  My St. Philomene's parishioner / friend, Noe Perez, has agreed to accompany me to Phoenix for my three and a half days of Transplant Evaluation, which assures I will travel safely to and from Arizona, and have companionship and necessary assistance during those days.  Frances Hood, the parish escretary, who volunteered yeasterdaY to assist with my infusion therapy treatments will be attending the funeral and comes to office immediately following.  She will be doing my  antibiotic treatment disconnect procedure.  After the Funeral Mass, i will resume scheduling my 8pm volunteers for tonight, SAturday, and Sunday, and my 10 am Sunday volunteer as well.  Margaret Griggs, who like myself is half Portuguese ancestry, has made some Portuguese Enchiladas, umm, umm, yummy !!!!!...........Fr.  Troy

DR. MARTIN EXTENDS MY ANTIBIOTIC INFUSION THERAPY TREATMENTS ANOTHER 4 WEEKS...........

Dr. Randy Martin, my Infections Specialist has extended my current twice daily, in the rectory, antibiotic infusion therapy for another four weeks, thus I will be needing the help of daily volunteers until at least September 8, to assist me with connecting and disconnecting these treatments.
As of today Thursday August 11, I need volunteers for :
                                                                                                                                                            TH 8-11  8pm
F 8-12  9 am & 8 pm   SA 8-13   9 am & 8 pm   SU 8-14  10 am & 8 pm   M 8-15  9 am & 8 pm  TU 8-16 9 am & 8 pm  W 8-17  9 am & 8 pm   TH 8-18  9 am & 8 pm  F 8-19  9 am & 8 pm  SA 8-20  9 am & 8 pm  SU  8-21  10 am & 8 pm   M  8-22  9 am

I am also in need of  someone to accompany me to Phoenix, Arizona, from Monday August 22 - Friday August 26, for my second annual Kidney Transplant Evaluation.  Due to infection risk, I cannot fly, so I am considering either taking the train, or having someone drive me in a rented car.  

This is now an imperative appeal to as many of my friends and parishioners present and past, to lend me a hand and agree to assist me, either with my treatments or transportation.

Peace + Prayers For Your Affirmative Response,  Fr.  Troy

ST. CLARE, VIRGIN, SISTER OF ST. FRANCIS ASSISI, PATRONESS OF OUR ANTELOPE PARISH...........

St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan religious order, had a blood sister, who was a virgin, and whose holiness caused her to follow in her brother's footsteps, and in ministry to the most needy persons in twelvth century Italy.  After working with her brother Francis for a period of time, Clare became the foundress of a religious order for women, the Poor Clares, who following the Franciscan spirituality, focused their ministry on contemplative prayer and working on behalf of the poor.  The feastday of St. Clare, always causes me to remember and pray for my beloved friend and fellow believer, Claire Clark.  Clark was a truly wonderful Catholic-Christian woman.  A mother of four sons, and a daughter, Claire was a loving mother and a great devotee of the Blessed Mother.  Her son Tony was my most outstanding Confirmation students.  Meeting Claire and her children, in the last five years of my mother's life, she became a close and caring friend to me, and to my mother.  As Claire and my mother Josephine bounded, one of the monthly highlights my mother looked forward to with Claire, was attending the Evenings of Recollection held at the Cenacle Retreat House, to which Claire took my mother with her to.  St. Clare is the patroness of our Antelope area Parish near the Sacramento / Placer Counties line, in West Roseville.  I applied to become the founding pastor of the parish, which went to my more experienced and deserving colleague and close friend, Rev. Fr. Benedict DeLeon.  Currently, Rev. Fr. Steven Foppiano, is the Pastor of St. Clare's and doing a truly great job of ministering to the People of God, in that West Roseville / Antelope, Community of Believers.  That's all in this day for me on this St. Clare's Day 2011.  May The Catholic-Christian Charity And Concern Put Forth By St. Clare And The Poor Clares Flow In Selfless Disciples Of Jesus The Lord,   Fr.  Troy

LAWRENCEs - A DEACON AND MARTYR OF THE CHURCH AND A MUSICMAKER WHO ENTERTAINED MILLIONS ...........

Next to St. Stephen, the first Martyr of the Catholic-Christian Faith, who was a Deacon of the Church, St. Lawrence, is perhaps the most well known canonized saints, who was both a Deacon and Martyr.  As a dedicated Christian Disciple, Lawrence faithfully ministered to fellow Believers in the 4th Century.  Lawrence's commitment to his ministry and the People of God he served served was so effective, that during the persecutions, under Emperor Valerian.  He was put to death, and became an exemplary martyr of the Catholic-Christian Faith.  In the face of opposition, persecution, and execution, St. Lawrence remained steadfastly committed to God and his membership and ministry, in the Church - for which he has been continuously commemorated.Our neighboring parish in next door North Highlands, is named for St. Lawrence.  So today i wish their current Pastor, Rev. Fr. Enrique Alvarez, and the parishioners of St. Lawrence's Church, a very happy Feast Day.  In the United Sates, the most popular and famous of Lawrences in the 20th Century was bandleader and television show host, Lawrence Welk, "the Champagne Music-maker".  A devout Catholic-Christian, who faithfully witnessed to his discipleship, by the way in which he lived and carried out his work as a musician.  His Saturday night television program, which was broadcast on ABC-TV, fro 1955-1970; and in syndication 1970-1982; remains a mainstay on the Public Broadcasting System, all these years later.  The Lawrence Welk Show, premiered on network television, the very same autumn, St. Lawrence's Parish, was founded in North Highlands, 1955...........Remembering These Two Beloved Disciples Of The Lord Jesus, "With A Song In Our Hearts",   Fr.  Troy

JACK PENNINGTON VOLUNTEERS FOR THURSDAY'S APPOINTMENTS DRIVING...........

OLOL parishioner Jack Pennington called this afternoon to volunteer to be my Thursday morning driver to my appointment with Dr. Martin at Sutter-Roseville Medical Center, for my follow-up infections exam and hopefully to learn the termination date of my antibiotic infusion therapy.  Then Jack will drive me to Anchor Prosthetics on Auburn Boulevard and Watt Avenue, for my next regularly scheduled appointment with my prosthesist, Clint.  Jack, like his sisters and brother in law, continue to provide yeoman volunteer assistance to me, multiple times a week, when others in my circle have failed to acknowledge or respond to my need for volunteers.  I will continue to post my treatment and appointment needs for volunteer assistance, hoping that time will move the hearts and minds of more of you, to provide a lending hand and allow my basic philosophy of life, ring true anew - "Many Hands Make Little Work".  With my Mayo Clinic 2nd Annual Post Kidney Transplant Evaluation set for August 23-26, I am seeking one of my male adult friends to accompany me to Phoenix roundtrip, by train - Monday afternoon Aug. 22 -Friday evening Aug. 26.  If you are available and willing to accompany me to Phoenix and back, please contact me...........With Hopeful Expectation SomeOne Of You Cares To Join Me In This Journey,   Fr.  Troy

MY THURSDAY MORNING APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN MOVED UP TO 9 A.M., SO MY ANTIBIOTIC INFUSION THERAPY MUST BE STARTED AT 8 A.M. BEFORE GOING TO SUTTER ROSEVILLE MEDICAL CENTER...........

Dr. Martin's Office called this morning, to re-set the time of my appointment with the Doctor, this Thursday up by forty five minutes, to 9 a.m., which means my morning antibiotic infusion therapy treatment must be connected by 8 a.m., in order that my volunteer ride to Sutter-Roseville Medical Center, can get me to the appointment on time.  I do not yet have an infusion therapy volunteer, or a driver, so anyone willing to do one, or both, of these acts for me is most welcome.  My 11 a.m. appointment at Anchor Prosthetics, at Auburn Boulevard and Watt Avenue, I also still need a ride to and from to.  If you are available to assist me with this, please contact me right away.  On the blog, or by calling the parish office, 925-5313.....Thank You for caring enough to help me...........Fr.  Troy

HOME COOKING AND NEEDED VOLUNTEERS...........

Over the weekend, in addition to the home grown vegetables and fruits the OLOL rectory is being abundantly gifted with, during these days of summer, a parishioner who is an excellent cook, and who in years past was the cook for Monsignor Terwilliger, and Father Madigan, here at OLOL, and went on to be a cook at the Ellis Senior Center, at Immaculate Conception Church, in Oak Park - Connie Matthews, who is also serving as one of my antibiotic infusion therapy volunteers, - cooked and brought me some of her wonderful Barbequed Chicken, Ribs, macaroni salad, and green beans.  Like her Chicken and Dumplings last month, the BBQ, which I truly love, was brilliant and made for a most delicious weekend of dining at home.....This Thursday, August 11, I have an appointment with Dr. Randy Martin, at Sutter Roseville Medical Center, for which I am still in need of a ride.   My appointment is scheduled for 9:45 a.m., just after I am connected to my morning antibiotic treatment, as I take the portable pump with me.  I also have an appointment following the first one at Sutter-Roseville, with Clint, at Anchor Prosthetics, on  Auburn Boulevard and Watt Avenue, immediately following in the 11 o'clock hour, so a driver who can take me to both appointments, would be best.  If you are available on Thursday, between 9:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m., I can use your assistance as my driver.
I am awaiting the weekly visit from my home health care nurse, Susan Boyle, at 7 p.m., and then my infusion therapy volunteers, Bill and Ruby Shepherd, at 8 p.m. .....Also today, my 2nd Annual Evaluation Itinerary, reviewing my Kidney Transplant, at the Mayo Clinic Arizona, in Phoenix, August 23-26, arrived today, so I am in the throes of arranging taking a train to and from Phoenix that week, and finding a traveling companion to go along with me, on this first post amputation journey, outside of Sacramento...........Can You ?  Will You ? Help Me ?   Fr.  Troy

ST. DOMINIC, PRIEST OF JESUS CHRIST AND FOUNDER OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS...........

From the late twelvth and early thirteenth centuries, Christianity experience the growth and development of religious orders with unique charisms and spiritualities, that fortified the holiness and ministries of the Church down through the centuries right into the 21st Century and 3rd Millennium of Catholic-Christianity.  St. Dominic was a young priest of that period, whose personal holiness and spirituality was in the teaching and praying of the devotion of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Dominic founded a religious order known as the Dominicans, officially named the Order of Preachers, abbreviated,  O.P. .  The Order of Preachers are dedicated by virtue of their religious vows, to preaching the Gospel.  They do this not only by serving in parishes and mission churches, but by preaching  Retreats Missions, and Evangelizing Presentations to Catholic-Christians throughout the World.  As a teen, as I began to seriously contemplate a vocation to the priesthood, I knew in my heart that if I became a priest, I would likely be a Sacramento diocesan priest, seeing it as the greatest need.  But responsibly I spent a period of time considering what kind of priestly vocation God and the Church might be calling me to, and I looked at some of our religious orders, and the Dominicans, being the Order of Preachers, was chief among them.  Having been a highly oral and verbal person from boyhood through adulthood, the possibility of making Preaching the center of the priestly ministry I would carry out strongly appealed to me.  Being true to my diocesan roots, I instead was ordained for the Diocese of Sacramento, as only the 40th  native born, local grown, diocesan priest, in our then 100 year history as a Diocese.  In January 2010, I was introduced to a local Sacramento group of Lay Dominicans, who attend Sunday Mass and meet monthly at Sacred Heart Church, in East Sacramento.  One of their members, who was serving as President of the group, Andy Opsahl, was completing his interview process with the Dominican order and entered their House of Formation, in Oakland, to study for the priesthood, in the Order of Preachers.  So today, as we commemorate the, "Faithful Witness", of St. Dominic, as a priest, promoter of the Rosary, Founder of the Dominicans, the Order of Preachers, and example of fidelity to Gospel Values, for all Disciples of Jesus The Christ, may we who have heard and answered God's Call continue to inspire and instill a deeper spirituality into the Church and the World...........St. Dominic, Priest of Jesus, Pray For Us,   Fr.  Troy  

19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AND AUGUST PRAYER, WORSHIP, MINISTRY...........

Faith, the human experience of being able to believe in the power of a supreme and divine Universal Being, that is the Lord God of All Creation and of Humankind's Salvation, is second only to the Gift of Life, in the primacy of our existence.  Living with Faith allows us to overcome the fear and weaknesses of our fallen human nature, inherent in our human condition, due to the selfishness of sin manifested in the original sin of Adam and Eve.  Fear is the exact opposite of Faith.  Fear, the worry, and destructive phobia of experiences we have a high degree of a lack of confidence in, or uncertainty with carrying out, is an antidote to Faith, and becomes incapacitating, and immobilizing, to our ability to proceed in moving forward positively and productively.  Today's Gospel Proclamation of Jesus sending His Disciples off in a boat after the feeding of the multitudes, coming to them across the waters, in the watches of the night, as the boat was being challenged by high waves; and Peter's less than successful attempt to come to Jesus by walking across the water himself, underscores the juxtaposed dichotomy, of Faith versus Fear.  One cannot experience the fruitfulness of Faith, and be held hostage to Fear.  True Faith conquers Fear; Ascendant Fear obstructs Faith's power to take unfettered hold in our lives.  In the Bible as a whole, 46 Books of Hebrew Scriptures, in the Old Testament; and 27 Books of Christian Scriptures, in the New Testament; the most repeated words woven throughout the complete compendium of Sacred Scripture are, "Fear Not", "Be Not Afraid".  Those words are spoken to us as a clear, strong, assurance, that Fear has no place in a Disciple's Witnessing, and that Faith, is our key to proactively Witnessing to Jesus The Christ, as members of His Church and citizens of this World.  May Faith, not Fear, govern your activities, and emotions today and always, as you respond to God's Call present in your lives...........Fr.  Troy

THE AMERICAN AND GLOBAL QUEEN OF COMEDY : LUCILLE BALL'S 100TH BIRTHDAY August 6, 2011....."I LOVE LUCY", @ 60 YEARS October 15, 1951.....THE WORLD LOVES LUCY !!!!!!!!!!!...........

DAY OF TRANSFIGURATION; DAY OF ATOMIC BOMB DROPPING; DAY OF A POST VATICAN 2 PAPAL PASSING; AUGUST 6, 2011...........

This is the day each year when on the Liturgical Calendar, Catholic-Christians celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the preview of His future glorification Jesus provided the Apostles, Peter, James, and John, atop Mount Tabor.  As the opposition to the preaching and public ministry of Jesus increased among the Scribes, Pharisees, and the Jewish Authorities, and His Sacrificial Death approached; Jesus chose to instill a sense of fortifying confidence and trust in His Disciples, that despite the suffering and death He would endure, the assurances of Faith which Jesus had imparted to them, would be fulfilled in the Paschal Mystery.  Christ's ultimate triumph over sin and death, are grounded in the glory manifested by His Transfiguration, the prevailing and eternal Glory of the Resurrection, for His faithful and loyal Disciples.  It was on this date in history, 66 years ago today, that the World was confronted by the dropping of the Atomic Bomb by the United States on Japan, during the Second World War.  At that time, the atomic bomb was a newly developed weapon of war, that was so confidential and secret a project, that on April 12, 1945, the day Harry S Truman , was thrust into the Presidency, by the death of President Franklin Roosevelt, one of the first matters of State he was made aware of moments after his swearing in as President in The White House, was to be informed of the existence of what was called, "The Manhatten Project", the top secret development of rudimentary nuclear weapons, which he had not been made aware of during his scant 82 days as Vice President.  The awesome mushroom cloud explosion of the Atomic Bomb, on that August 6th, over Hiroshima, Japan, was a counter transfigural appearance to the World of the destructive power, represented by those initial nuclear weapons.  It was also on this date in history, August 6, 1978, that the fifteen year reign of His Holiness Pope Paul VI, who had succeeded Pope John XXIII, between the first and second sessions of the Second Vatican Council, in 1963; and shepherded it successfully to completion and the more than first dozen years of transition, reform, and renewal, in the Church, following the Ecumenical Council.  Pastorally, today brings for me, two Committal Services, at Calvary Cemetery in Citrus Heights.  First, at 10 am I will join Bill Friedrich's Family, Deacon David Lehman, and Father Tony Traynor, for the Blessing of Mr. Friedrich's niche.  Then at 11:30 a.m., I will conduct the Committal Service, for the inurnment of the Cremains of Jack Pennington Sr.  I will then go to the Pennington Family Home in Rio Linda, for lunch...........8:41 a.m.

...........7:39 p.m.  I returned to OLOL rectory at 2:20 p.m., took my afternoon, checked messages and the day's mail, and then took a lengthy nap, before having a wonderfully home made prepared, Barbequed Chicken and Ribs dinner, with Green Beans, and Macaroni Salad, with Watermelon; made by OLOL parishioner and one of my antibiotic infusion therapy volunteers, Connie Matthews.  Lunch at the Penningtons was also delicious and, "I Carnavore", had a roast beef, turkey, and home sandwiches, chips, and Chinese food.  Not having had Chinese food, except for the rehab center's Asian Luncheon plate, I enjoyed it immensely.  Being out in the fresh air and sunshine for over 4 hours was most enjoyable.  It has me ready for an early and solid night's sleep, aftere Bill and Ruby Shepherd, return to disconnect me from my Infusion treatment...........Fr.  Troy

IN THE GOOD 'OL SUMMER-TIME, CALIFORNIA'S FOOD BASKET PRODUCES DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS FRUITS AND VEGETABLES...........

 Being born and growing up in California, as one of six children in an average working class family, food was was regular, daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but portions were small, and there was hardly many leftovers.  My mother, given my father's meager, hard worked for income, during our childhood, did a remarkable job putting food on our family table, given my father's weekly Friday paycheck,was always gone by Tuesday night, leaving two and a half days to squeeze and scramble, to stretch out the available food.  My father's backyard garden, and my grandmothers' canning, were great, delicious, nutritious, supplements to the meals, especially the summer dinners my mother prepared for us.  I have always loved Summer, from childhood, to present day; and one of my major enjoyments of summer are the fresh vegetables and fruits, homegrown, or store bought, that rounded out and increased our dinner plates and night snacks.  Among my favorites, have always been the corn on the cob, watermelon, oranges, tomatoes, peaches, nectarines, and apricots, that were some of the tasty produce I enjoy most even today..  During my childhood we cooled off in the evenings after sunset, sitting out in the night air, feasting on boiled corn on the cob, or cold watermelon, which are two of my four, all time favorite foods.  As I blog this post, as my afternoon snack, I am enjoying a fresh, parishioner home grown, peach and nectarine.  They are juicy and delightful.  California makes it contribution to the fresh produce provided not only to our 38 million citizens statewide, but the United States, and other countries around the world.  I remember in 1982 to 1984, while a first and second year seminarian in Kilkenny, Ireland, how the Irish citizens looked forward to the three week period each autumn, when California Sunkist navel oranges, would be in the shops and what a treat they were for me, and others in Kilkenny.  So tonight, over the weekend, or anytime this summer, you enjoy the freshness of the produce you are eating, thank God for the wonder of our soil, and the brilliance of our sunshine, that we in the Golden State,  and citizens of the World, can enjoy the delicious, nutritious, vegetables, and fruits, grown by our farmers and neighbors, and for the dedication and hard work they put forth over many months, to bring us these delightful foods...........Fr.  Troy

MORNING MASS AND ALREADY VOLUNTEERING PARISHIONERS AGREE TO COVER TONIGHT AND SUNDAY NIGHT'S INFUSION THERAPY.....WHO WILL DO IT FOR ME TOMORROW (SATURDAY) NIGHT @ 8PM ???????????...........

After a week of postinghg and requesting my need for volunteers to do my connections and disconnections to the antiobiotic infiusin therapy I am undergoing twice daily for the time being, I still had three treatments left uncovered at 8 pm, tonight, and over the weekend.  Thanks to members of The Pennington Family, parishioners here at OLOL, I now only need to find a volunteer for tomorrow night's Saturday at 8 pm treatment.  Ruby and Bill Shepherd, sister and brother-in law to Patty and Jack, have volunteered to come tonight, after having already covered Monday and Wednesday's 8 pm sessions.  Jack has agreed to take Sunday at 8 pm, and will be doing Saturday morning's treatment as well.  This freshly bereaved family, whose father's Memorial Mass was yesterday and whose inurnment Committal Service is tomorrow; will have provided seven of my treatments this week now ending, which is a yeoman response, given the timing for them.  So still needing a Saturday night 8 pm infusion therapy volunteer facilitator, who among you is willing to go Saturday Night Live connecting and disconnecting me to my infusion therapy.  I'm not holding my breath, yet know someone will have to agree, as foregoing any one of these treatments is not an option.  Those already volunteering are doing their share.  Some of the rest of you need to follow their example as Catholic-Christian Disciples and commit yourself to do the same...........With Hope Filled Expectation,   Fr.  Troy

THURSDAY 8-4-11, @ 8 PM, AND NO INFUSION THERAPY VOLUNTEERS YET FOR FRIDAY, SATURDAY, OR SUNDAY, NIGHTS AT 8PM THIS WEEKEND...........

My Thursday evening antibiotic infusion therapy volunteer is running more than ten minutes late, and hasn't arrived yet; but more importantly even though I have publicized my schedule needs for this week for six days now, I still have no volunteers signed up for he weekend - Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night.  If anyone in my circle of friends, is available on one or all of these three nights to facilitate the treatment in the rectory, I can walk you through the connection and disconnection procedure,   After more than four weeks of having to nail down the two times a day, with only a handful of willing volunteers, this is getting more frustrating and time consuming for me to make certain there are voliunteers to cover the daily/weekly schedule, a.m. and p.m. .  If only one percent of my Sacramento area circle, were to volunteer for all my post amputation rehabilitation needs, I would have m\ore than 80 volunteers to cover the bases.  8-18 volunteers in total, to cover the antibiotic infusion treatments, and drive me to medical appointments, physical therapy sessions, or other special events, is a continuous stretch, just to cover the essential bases.  I am beginning to pray that this will be the last time in the remainder of my lifetime, that I will ever have to request or depend upon the volunteerism of my circle of friends.  I have learned just how few of you I can expect to meet, what for the majority of you, I can only suppose are unreasonable demands on your time.  At the same time, it is causing me to grow in my boundless gratitude for the small group of you, who as you have through the years, always been there for me, even when I know it was not easy for you to be.  That is what gets me through the draining downside of the indifferent and unresponsive.  Speaking of which, my p.m. volunteer has not arrived, thirty five minutes into the starting time for the treatment, so it looks like I will have to press Fr. Pius into service, as I cannot forego the infusion.....On the physical therapy front, I progressed today to being able to walk up and down the inside temporary ramp, in the rectory -(one of two rectory ramps built by one of my less than twenty selfless volunteers, Merv Carson) and I did so with the walker, and only minimal assistance from the physical therapist, and I did it twice !!...........Fr.  Troy

THREE ANTIBIOTIC INFUSION THERAPY TREATMENTS, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY NIGHT NEEDING VOLUNTEERS...........

To round out and complete this current week of antibiotic infusion therapy in the rectory, I am taking twice a day, there are three holes remaining in the schedule.  Volunteers are need on Friday August 5, at 8 pm; Saturday August 6, at 8 pm; Sunday August 7, 8 pm; .  I can train you to do the conecting and disconnecting.  Can YOU ?  Will YOU ??  HELP Me ???...........Fr.  Troy

PEOPLE OF GOD : CREATED, CALLED, CHOSEN, CONSECRATED, TO GIVE GLORY AND PRAISE TO THE DIVINE ON OUR CONTINUING JOURNEY OF LIFE AND FAITH...........

God the Father and Creator of the Universe, made Humankind in the Divine image and likeness, to be the ultimate act of Creation, and share a close, abiding, intimate relationship of Life and Love.  The Divine Intention from the very Creation of the World, was for the Supreme Being, we acknowledge as the Living and True, Universal God, to be in a fully shared loving relationship with the all Human Being, unfettered by any obstacle whatsoever, in the freedom of Grace and Goodness.  But then Sin entered into the human experience and caused a breach of detachment between Humankind and the Divine, that could only be reconciled and resolved by the perfect act of atonement and sacrifice by God's Co-Eternal Son, Jesus The Christ's Paschal Mystery.  As Catholic-Christian Believers and Disciples, we are on an unfolding Journey of Life and Faith, through this World, with confidence and hope, of attaining a share in God's Kingdom of Eternal Life.  Our response to making and keeping ourselves on the right path during this earthly Journey of Life and Faith, is the foremost challenge and prime goal, we face, if we are  truly practicing the Catholic-Christianity we profess to believe in and follow.  This week, this month, and ever more regularly, due to their personal detachment and non-  practice of the Catholic Faith the parish is confronted by persons, deficient in any sense of the Community of Believers, and religion and the sacred, and make requests of all but a profane, or secular naturem, in regards to use of the church edifice, in the most stated words simply because it is, "a bigger place, or beautiful space, and the best   background", for the wedding, funeral, or other function, they want to, "rent", the church to hold.  What I consider and respond to as, "teachable moments" to briefly catechize and evangelize the Catholic persons involved in the unusual request, of the teachings and norms of the Catholic Faith, in the parish, diocesan-wise, nationally and universally.  I feel in that way I am fulfilling my priestly and pastoral responsibility to impart to them what the Church teaches and practices, and why we do so.  Not often do those persons accept or agree with the need to change their request, believing they should be made an exception for, placing their priority on the secular celebration as they want it, devoid of any appreciation or commitment, to the liturgical, sacramental, pastoral, norms; and the holiness, spirituality, and sacredness, of the occasion for us as Catholic-Christians, that are the reason weddings, funerals, baptisms, or any other event is held in the church edifice.  I cannot speak to what other Catholic churches or other Christian denominations do, regarding - "renting" out the church building itself for functions not pertaining to the prayer, worship, and ministry, of the Community of Believers, - but I have, and will, always continue to preserve the dignity and decorum necessary in God's House, and maintain the proper and appropriate use of the parish churches I am the priest and Pastor of, with a clear and faithful conscience, that to allow it to be compromised otherwise only re-enforces wrongminded thinking and avoiding turning the church edifice into public auditoriums, soundstages, or merely beautiful backdrops, devoid of their essential sacred purpose...........Fr.  Troy