WAITING TO LEARN WHAT HOLY WEEK ENTAILS @ MMT............

Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. for Passion 'Palm' Sunday at Mercy McMahon Terrace, at which I hope to learn how much of a Holy Week schedule is observed here as the Easter Triduum from Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday takes place.  This is the first time since I have been a priest that I will not be presiding or concelebrating during these most important days in all of salvation history, which I have relished participating in from my boyhood.  The doctor has said I am now able to celebrate two Masses daily, so please God, my being sidelined will soon be resolved and I will resume my priestly, pastoral ministry, to which I remain committed, as I stabilize my health and work productively from a wheelchair until my ability to walk with my prostheses is achieved............Fr.  Troy    

ROMNEY LEADING SANTORUM IN TUESDAY'S WISCONSIN PRIMARY............

The new NBC News-Marist College Poll out today shows Mitt Romney with a seven point lead over Rick Santorum, in the April 3rd Wisconsin Primary.  Romney is polling at 40%; to Santorum with 33%; Paul at 11%; and Gingrich with 8%; while 8% are undecided, or supporting former or lesser candidates.  Wisconsin is thought by many to be a must win State for Santorum if he is to fully breakthrough against the Romney bandwagon which continues to roll out Establishment endorsements such as Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, a Tea Party idol;  Former President George Herbert Walker Bush; and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin............Fr.  Troy

CLINT DELIVERS MY NEAR COMPLETED PERMANENT PROSTHETIC LEG............

Clint Jonutz, from Anchor Prosthetics returned to see me on Thursday afternoon, bringing with him my nearly completed prosthetic right leg, which fits well and allows me ease of movement as I put it on, wear it, and stand, and walk, with it so far.  Clint left it with me to use for the next week before taking it back to make a cover for it and make any adjustments necessary.  I am very grateful to Clint for the attention and care he is taking to getting my permanent prostheses completed, as it is two months sooner than the one year  wait for a permanent, I was told to expect when receiving my temporary prostheses last June.  Now, I will increase my therapeutic exercises and excelerate learning to walk independently with it and then to drive using it.  A further bright note, in this sea of indefiniteness and uncertainty, my involuntary exile from parish life and ministry is currently causing me to experience...........Fr.  Troy

ANNUAL EVENING OF FRATERNAL CORDIALITY, HOSPITALITY, AND LITURGY............

Back from this evening's festivities at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, at 11th and K Streets in downtown Sacramento, it was as it is annually one of cordiality, hospitality, between my brother priests in the presence of Bishops Soto and Weigand, and with the Deacons, Religious, and People of God, in a near full Cathedral for the Mass of the Holy Oils.  There to greet me was my priestly colleague and beloved friend, Reverend Father Benedict DeLeon , who saw to it that I moved up to the head of the line to get my photograph taken, and then to be seated for dinner, which he rounded up for me from the serving table.  Fr. Ben also graciously agreed to be my driver back to Mercy McMahon afterwards.  It was also my first opportunity to see and visit with Fr. Tony Traynor in two months as well as chat with several other priests including my ordination classmates Fr.  Paul Schloeder, and Fr. Eduino Silviera, along with Fr. Mike Downey, and Fr. Marty Brusato, Fr.Johnathan Molina, Fr. Frank Velasquez, Fr. Avram Brown, and Msgrs. Jim Church and Ed Kavanagh.  I also conversed with my cousin Barry and his wife.  Fr. Paul was kind enough to up me up and down the Cathedral main aisle, in the opening and closing processions of the Mass, and also took me up into the sanctuary in my wheelchair to receive the Precious Blood from the Chalice at Communion time.  As uneasy as I presently feel about being kept away from parish life and pastoral ministry at this time, tonight I was present and participating in the essential core of the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, successfully from a wheelchair - underscoring the capacity I retain, as do all disabled persons with physical limitations, but unvanquished spirit, intellectual capacity, and communication skills, remaining actively committed for the next decade or more to being the Priest in my heart and mind, I know God wants me to be............With Praise And Glory To Jesus The True High Priest,   Fr.  Troy

CHRISM MASS DAY IN SACRAMENTO............

Today the priests, deacons, religious, and laity, of the Church of Sacramento will gather in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament this evening for the celebration of the annual Diocesan Chrism Mass.  I will be attending arranging transportation either by the MMT shuttle or a taxi.  The Holy Oils used in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Community of Believers will be consecrated by Bishop Jaime Soto and the renewal of the commitment of the priests serving in the Sacramento Diocese and acknowledgement and affirmation of the ministries carried out by the religious, deacons, and laity, will also take place.  I attended my first Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday 1968, with my mother; and it was twenty five years ago tonight that I participated in the Mass of the Holy Oils, as the Deacon of the Gospel, just a few weeks before my priestly ordination, the silver jubilee of which is now just five weeks away............Fr.  Troy  

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR MONSIGNOR SCHONS SET............

The Funeral Rites for 92 and a half year old retired priest Msgr. Gerard Schons, who died last Friday  March 23rd,  will be held in the Kavanagh Hall at St, Rose's Church, 5905 Franklin Boulevard, in South Sacramento.  The Vigil Service will be held Sunday April 1, at 7 p.m.; and his Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday April 2. at 10 a.m. ............Fr.  Troy

FOUR VISITORS IN LESS THAN TWO HOURS............

From just after 11 a.m. until just before 1 p.m., I received four visitors today.  Msgr. Ed Kavanagh arrived with our mutual friend Frank McNamara and as they were leaving Bishop Quinn came in to see me, having come up to the second floor to anoint one of the other residents.  In the midst of our visit, Joe McNamara, Frank's son and my very good friend dropped by to see me on his lunch hour.  All of the four made for delightful conversation as we caught up on among other things planning for my Silver Jubilee and the permanent prosthetic leg being built.  Their visits along with that of Teres Mugnaini, Monday; Roger Geach, yesterday; and Joe Gibson's continuous visits during the past two months; supplemented by parishioner visits, makes this involuntary exile from parish life more tolerable............Fr.  Troy

MY PERMANENT PROSTHETIC LEG IS ORDERED, PRESCRIBED, AND MOLDED...... NOW BUILDING IT BEGINS...........

Clint from Anchor Prosthetics returned to see me today with my temporary/temporary prostheses, with the news that the the order issued, Dr. Cookson's prescription submitted, and the molding have been done, he will now build my permanent prosthetic leg.  He said he may have something to show me by the end of this week............Fr.  Troy

MY NEW DOCTORS IN PLACE............

Dr. Jakkidi Reddy, an Internal Medicine M.D., has accepted me as a patient and is my new Primary Care Physician; (PCP) and Dr, Michael K. Laidlaw, M.D.,  will be my new Diabetes Specialist; (Endocrinologist).  I have an appointment with Dr. Reddy, Thursday April 5th, and await scheduling of my first appointment with Dr. Laidlaw, as soon as he reviews the medical records from Dr. McMonagle I requested today be sent to him.  So my team of doctors is again complete, praise God !............Fr.  Troy

CLOSING IN ON NEW PRIMARY CARE AND DIABETES DOCTORS............

Dr. James McMonagle's retirement last month has had me searching for not one, but two, new doctors as he was both my primary care physician and diabetes specialist.  Criteria one after their qualifications is to assure that the new doctors can be teamed with Doctors Martin, Cookson, and Bhat, with unobstructed information sharing and intra-office communication, unobstructed by restrictions between health systems, thus the new doctors need to have Sutter Health affiliation, as my other doctors, are Sutter affiliated doctors.  After researchiing availablec doctors and exploring recommendations from the other doctors, I am down to a few very good choices, which I am optimistic will allow me to select new doctors in a matter of days.  As the maintenance and stability of my health is essential to carrying out my ordained ministry as a Priest of Jesus Christ, I look forward to getting started with them............Fr.  Troy

RETIRED SACRAMENTO PRIEST MONSIGNOR GERARD SCHONS DIES............

Reverend Monsignor Gerard Schons, a native of Chicago, Illinois and a priest in  the Sacramento Diocese since 1953, and ordained for the Claretian Fathers in October 1947; died Friday night in Elk Grove, at the age of 92.  Msgr. Schons taught and served as librarian at Sacramento Catholic high schools, and was was Diocesan Vicar for the Hispanic Apostolate in the 1970's and 1980's.  He lived In Residence and celebrated Sunday Masses at All Hallows Parish and St. Rose's from 1953-1979; and continued assisting until well after my poriestly ordination twenty five years ago.  Monsignor Schons also served as Pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, Marysville 1981-1982.  Funeral arrangements are are being made for a Vigil Service next Sunday and a Funeral Mass next Monday.  More details forthcoming............Fr.  Troy

SUNDAY MASS ON SATURDAY @ MMT............

Father Francis, the Parochial Vicar at St. Mary's Parish in East Sacramento was the presider at our 5th Sunday of Lent Mass, in the Mercy McMahon Terrace Chapel, yesterday at 4 p.m.  Those in attendance again numbered 45 persons or more............Fr.  Troy

100% COUNTED, SANTORUM WINS LOUISIANA PRIMARY BY 22% MARGIN OVER ROMNEY............

The Louisiana Secretary of State's Office has now reported with 100% of the vote counted Rick Santorum has won the Louisiana Primary by a margin of twenty two percent over Mitt Romney, winning 49% with more than 91,000 votes; Romney with 27% getting over 49,000 votes; Gingrich with 16%, more than 23,000 votes; Paul with 6% some 11,000 votes; and 1% of the vote each for Texas Governor Rick Perry, and former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer.  With just ten days until the Wisconsin Primary, Santorum has regained momentum in the lead up to the April 3rd vote in the Dairy State............Fr.  Troy

WITH HALF OF LOUISIANA PRIMARY VOTES COUNTED, SANTORUM LEADS ROMNEY BY NEARLY 2 - 1............

With 50% of the votes in the Louisiana Primary counted Rick Santorum is leading Mitt Romney by a nearly two to one margin, 49%; to 26%; with Gingrich 17%; Paul with 6%; and other candidates still garnering 2% of the vote.  Santorum, according to the exit polls won the majority of the votes cast by conservatives, working class voters, and those who said the economy, is the number one issue.  Romney was strongest with voters having income $100,000.00 and higher, and those who believe electability in the General Election is priority one............

SANTORUM PROJECTED WINNER OF THE LOUISIANA PRIMARY............

Rick Santorum is the projected winner of the Louisiana Republican Presidential Primary, the projection made as soon as the precincts in the Pelican State closed at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.  With 1% of the votes counted Santorum has 38% of the vote; Romney 30% of the vote; Gingrich 23% of the vote; Paul 7% of the vote; and the remaining 2% going to other candidates............Fr.  Troy

LOUISIANA PRIMARY DAY............

Today Republican Primary voters in Louisiana get the opportunity to cast ballots for their preference for the GOP Presidential Nomination 2012.  Despite big wins in Puerto Rico, and Illinois, last week for Mitt Romney, it is Rick Santorum who is strongly favored to win the Louisiana Primary, perhaps by a double digit margin.  One of the questions today's outcome may answer is whether Newt Gingrich's campaign has any punch left in it, and can he finish in second place to Santorum, and put Romney in a third place finish.  Secondly, will a big win by Santorum in Louisiana, spur him on to run strongly in Wisconsin, the most likely upcoming primary state other than Pennsylvania, where he stands the best chance of defeating Romney presently.  Precincts close in Louisiana at 9 p.m. Eastern Time tonight, and I will be online blogging as the results come in............Fr.  Troy

A MMT ECUMENICAL SERVICE............

Canon George Carey, the retired Rector of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, in downtown Sacramento was the presider at an Ecumenical Worship Service in the Chapel of Mercy McMahon Terrace today.  He led a twenty minute service of hymns, prayers, Scripture readings, and a Homily.  I was the only male resident present and enjoyed the further opportunity for communal prayer in this setting it provided............Fr.  Troy

SANTORUM SERIOUSLY QUESTIONS WHETHER ROMNEY WOULD BE BETTER THAN OBAMA AS PRESIDENT............

Campaigning Thursday in anticipation of Saturday's Louisiana Primary, Rick Santorum in his latest salvo against his Republican Presidential Nomination rival Mitt Romney proclaimed that re-electing President Obama would be preferable to electing Romney, whose true conservative convictions he continues to question, and who he again referred to as a, "etch a sketch candidate".  Romney campaign spokespersons and other Republican operatives decried Santorum's statement as going to far in expressing favor for the incumbent President over his fellow GOP challenger, and expressed that conservative Republican base voters, who staunchly oppose Obama, would strongly disagree with Santorum's statement.  Will the Santorum campaign pull back the comment as many expect will happen, perhaps as soon as today; or will it stand and be re-enforced in coming days, will determine whether Santorum spoke recklessly and committed the newest gaffe and unnecessary error the American electorate has witnessed in Campaign 2012 to date.  Whatever the immediate fallout from Santorum's latest remark, pundits are predicting that if Romney is the Republican nominee, that the Obama campaign ads will incorporate the Santorum comment into the General Election contest............Fr.  Troy

"ETCH A SKETCH" PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS............

Buried in one of the closets of my childhood, like that of millions of children, is a toy made by the Ohio Arts Company, called an "Etch A Sketch".  After a comment by Mitt Romney presidential campaign senior adviser Eric Fehrnstrom, yesterday morning on CNN, saying that after gaining the necessary delegates and the nomination the Romney campaign will be like an etch a sketch, which by shaking it you clear and can change the screen.  That infers a shift in Romney's position on issues for the General Election campaign against President Obama, which has been a problem for him during the primary and caucus season to date, due to past political and governing issue positions taken by Governor Romney's that he has shifted his views on as a candidate for the Republican Presidential Nomination.   Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, the Democratic National Committee, among others -pounced on the Fehrnstrom comment and it not only overshadowed the afterglow of his Illinois Primary win, but also the endorsement he received yesterday from former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.  Etch A Sketch toys are being used by his Republican challengers and Democratic opponents, and being handed out at Gingrich and Santorum campaign events, and Santorum is calling him the etch a sketch candidate, and Gingrich is stating we cannot have an etch a sketch president.  How long, far, or deep, the fallout from the etch a sketch gaffe will go, as the remainder of the 2012 Presidential campaign continues  is uncertain.  But if the symbolism permeates the public's consciousness as the defining reason the Most Conservative and Tea Party Republicans, as well as some Independents, are skeptical of the Romney candidacy, he may find the perception it causes impossible to overcome in this his second quest for The White House.  One astonishing response to the the gaffe is that just one day later Amazon.com reports requests for Etch A Sketch toy screens has increased 3,000 percent !!!!!!
So the Ohio Arts toy company and it's meager valued stock. which was moving up today, are the immediate beneficiaries of the latest topsy turvy gaffes and misfires updating the Presidential Politics of Election 2012............Fr.  Troy

DID THE STAND YOUR GROUND LAW LEAD TO VIGILANTE INJUSTICE IN SANFORD, FLORIDA ?............

On February 26th, Trayvon Martin, a 17 year old boy walking back to his father's house in a gated community in Sanford, Florida, from a convenience store, came to the attention of George Zimmerman, a 28 year old neighborhood watch volunteer, who suspicious of Trayvon's presence set forth to pursue him, armed with a gun.  George called the police and was told they did not need him to pursue the Martin boy, but Zimmerman persisted in doing so.  A confrontation and altercation between Zimmerman and Martin ensued.  Moments later a single gunshot was fired and Trayvon Martin was dead, found with only a bag of Skittles candy and a can of soda on his person.  Zimmerman claims Trayvon attacked him and he shot him in self defense, which falls under the Stand Your Ground Law, enacted in Florida in 2005.  Florida is one of twenty one States with such a law, that allows use of deadly force to defend yourself if someone feels their life is in danger.  Thus Zimmerman was not arrested or charged with a crime; nor was he drug and alcohol tested, although Trayvon's dead body was tested and found negative for use of drugs or alcohol.  The outcry of a deadly injustice having been perpetrated has come to a crescendo this week as the protests of Trayvon Martin's  parents, family, and civil rights leaders, have appeared in the media and a community wide and national outcry has led to an investigation by the by the U.S. Justice Department into the handling of the case by the Sanford Florida Police Department.  Why George Zimmerman continued to pursue Trayvon Martin after being told by police not to ?  Why a neighborhood watch volunteer like him is allowed to carry a gun and pursue a supposed trespasser, when police have been notified; given this deadly episode occurs and it is now revealed Zimmerman has contacted the Sanford Police forty six times in the past reporting other suspicious persons in the neighborhood ?  These questions and more need to be investigated and answered as the appropriate legal proceedings are carried out and the truth in this occurrence arrived at so that Justice, not Vigilantism, be the standard of Law maintained in every locality and every state in the United States of America............Fr.  Troy

AN AFTERNOON VISIT FROM DR. RANDY MARTIN............

I spoke by telephone with my Infectious Disease specialist, Dr. Randy Martin yesterday and he told me he would come to see me at Mercy McMahon soon.  True to his word, he visited me this afternoon to be updated on my healthcare since January, and discussing my proceeding care.  He gave me the names of four doctors for my consideration in choosing  new primary care and diabetic doctors.  I hold steadfastly to retaining Dr. Martin, along with Dr. Cookson, and Dr. Bhat, and to add to the team of them, new doctors, that are fully caring and communicative with me and able to communicate and inform each other as my medical care and treatment requires.   With my new doctor search well in hand, time has come to finalize the details of my 25th Anniversary of Priesthood, celebration the first week of May............Fr.  Troy

MIDWEEK MARCH MUSINGS............

Continuing today to identify primary care physicians and diabetic doctors (endocrinologists) to replace the retired Dr. McMonagle, and get my physical therapy sessions resumed, I am making progress in putting new doctors and therapy in place.  At my request, Dr. Randy Martin, my Infectious Disease specialist has agreed to provide me with some recommendations for new doctors, as I want to assure anyone I choose to take over from Dr. McMonagle can be fully informed and communicated with by each of my doctors and the hospital.  That means choosing from Sutter Health as Drs, Martin, Cookson, and Bhat, are all affiliated with Sutter Roseville Medical Center.  I also learned this morning as my current residential location and the transportation challenge of continuing my physical therapy with my preferred personal therapist Quinn McArthur, makes presently continuing with him difficult, that I will need a doctor's order to do outpatient physical therapy across the street at Mercy General Rehab' Physical Therapy unit.  At mid morning, Msgr. Ed Kavanagh came to see me and we had a delightful visit catching up, a nice addition to my day.  As I get my new doctors / physical therapy needs in hand, next turning to finalizing plans and preparations for my Silver Jubilee Celebration, six weeks from today, May 2, will become the focus of attention............Fr.  Troy

59% OF THE VOTE SHOWS IT A 12 POINT MARGIN.............

Newt Gingrich is being interviwed at the end of Sean Hannity's Show on FOX News and is stating stopping Romney is first priority, preventing him from attaining the required 1,144 Republican Delegates needed to win the Presidential Nomination.  If so, then he feels he himself and his superior ability tro debate President Obama in the Fall, will be the nominee......With 59% of the Illinois Primary Votes Counted,  Romney has 47%; to Santorum with 35%; Paul with 9%; Gingrich 8%; ............

42% OF THE VOTE AND ROMNEY DIPS UNDER FIFTY PERCENT............

aS  Rick Santorum and family come onstage in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, with 42% of the Illinois precincts counted Romney has 49% to Santorum's 33% of the vote and Santorum after congratulating Romney on his win tonight, speaks of his success at garnering delegates and winning parts of Illinois both up and down state.  He is waxing intently on the importance of Gettysburg in American history and how the Values it denotes comes down to one word - the word on the banner behind him,  "Freedom".  He says we don't need a manager of government, but somebody who will pull up the roots of Washington and government.  He is proceeding to tout his personal identification with the working class with passion in the inflection of his speech and reminds his audience he is not using a teleprompter tonight !  Calls Obama Care and Romney Care interchangeable.  He claims Romney and Gingrich changed when the climate changed in regards to Energy and Global Warming.  Santorum is winding down by bringing the focus down to the Pennsylvania Primary, five weeks from now.  He says he and his wife Karen decided to run for President now with 7 children ages 3-20 years old, so that someday they would not have to tell their childrten and children's children, "That this was the generation that lost the torch of freedom".  On to Louisiana for Saturday's vote, he says he feels very good about winning there, where he is highly favored to prevail............

ROMNEY STILL SPEAKING AS VOTE COUNT MARGIN CHANGES AGAIN............

With 36% of Illinois precincts counted tonight, Romney's margin over Santorum is now eighteen points, as he leads  50% - 32%.  Romney is closing his victory speech proclaiming,  "America is humble, but never humbled".  Santorum is expected to speak soon......Neither Gingrich or Paul are giving speeches tonight............

SANTORUM NOW WITH 30% OF THE VOTE; TO ROMNEY WINNING WITH 52%............

With 27% of the precincts counted, Romney's lead over Santorum is 52% - 30%, a continuing closing of the margin, but one not expected to end up less than ten points or so apart with Romney the victor.  Romney has just stepped to the mic, after being introduced by his wife, and in thanking Illinois Republicans for their votes, called today, "an extraordinary victory".  He is shifting immediately to talking about the economy and attacking President Obama's record.  He said Americans deserve a President who believes in them and is touting his own business experience with reference to his non college educated father, and his own 25 years creating and running businesses and says you cannot learn that teaching Constitutional law, or a Community organizer.  Romney proclaims Economic Freedom is the key, and the President is starting to recreate his record.   He said he is going to change intrusion into economic freedom by replacing a law professor with a conservative businessman in the White House............

A SLIGHT SHIFT IN MARGIN AS VOTE COUNT INCREASES IN ILLLINOIS............

As this hour begins Romney has 54%; to Santorum 29%; a shift of four percent in favor of Santorum, but still a twenty five point margin of victory for Romney at this hour............

ROMNEY PROJECTED THE WINNER OF THE ILLINOIS PRIMARY............

Leading as the votes are being tallied in the Illinois Republican Primary, Mitt Romney currently with 56% of the votes, a more than two to one margin over Rick Santorum with 27% of the votes, has been projected the winner by CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News. Ron Paul with 9% of the vote, and Newt Gingrich with 7% of the vote, round out the current tally............

CNN FIRST ILLNOIS EXIT POLL

With the Illinois Primary polls closed, CNN'S Exit Polls today in the early offing shows voters indicated supporting Romney 45%;  Santorum 35%;  Gingrich 12%;  Paul 8%.  More to Come soon............

VOTING PRECINCTS CLOSING IN ILLINOIS IN LESS THAN TEN MINUTES............

Voting in today's Illinois Primary ends in just minutes and an interesting result may be shaping up according to the exit polls.  Mitt Romney is expected to show strong in the Chicago area and it suburbs, along with the collar counties surrounding Chicago.  Santorum is expected to have an edge with voters in the remainder of the state, especially the more rural, southern Illinois.  The CNN exit poll on today's Catholic Vote shows Romney favored over Santorum by 44% - 42%.  These are self described Catholics who attend Mass weekly.  Santorum is leading Romney amongst the Protestant Vote today, 40% - 37%/  If Romney wins the Catholic Vote in Illinois today, it will the second time in two weeks having won the Catholic Vote in the Ohio Primary.............Fr.  Troy

MY BLACK POUCH ARRIVES @ MERCY MCMAHON TERRACE............

My black pouch was found in the OLOL rectory this morning and delivered to me by Fr. O'Reilly, during the Noon hour, so that essential need is squared away in my personal possession.  My thanks to Fr. O'Reilly, Frances Hood, Jack Pennington, and Ted Dahlberg, for their determination to see that it was found and delivered to me today and not wait until sometime next week when Fr. Pius returns from his vacation............Pushing Forward,   Fr.  Troy

THE 'LAND OF LINCOLN AND OBAMA' REPUBLICANS VOTE IN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY TODAY............

The latest contest in the 2012 GOP race for President is in Illinois, political home of President Abraham Lincoln and President Barack Obama, today.  As was the case last Tuesday when Romney was showing greater strength than Santorum in the polls going into the primaries  in the Alabama and Mississippi, only to have Santorum win in both states, with Romney finishing in third place behind Gingrich; Romney seems poised to win in Illinois, but unless Gingrich continues to pull double digit percentage votes, Santorum's ability to win tonight remains.  I will blog tonight as results come in as we see whether tonight Romney can begin to nail down the nomination or if Santorum can further the effectiveness of his campaign to be the conservative alternative to Romney for the right to oppose President Obama in the November General Election............Fr.  Troy

THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE............

Because I chose to speak up and insist on receiving the Tylenol to relieve today's back pain, Dr. Martin was called and approved it, so that the contacting nurse brought it to me just before 8 a.m., about forty minutes after my initial request.  Although running late, I will not be able to go down to the nurses station for my blood sugar count monitoring and downstairs for breakfast.  The squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease............Fr.  Troy

TYLENOL IS ADMINISTERED HERE ONLY BY A DOCTOR'S ORDER !............

Experiencing significant and continuing back pain this morning as I got myself out of bed, washed, shaved, and dressed, when the nurse arrived with my morning medications, I asked for some Tyloenol.  Returning a few minutes later she informed me I did not have an order or supply of Tylenol available, and that I cannot receive it without a doctor's order, according to law.  I called the nurses station to inquire and was told the same and that the only doctor listed in my file was my eye doctor, with Dr. McMonagle now retired and my still in the process of finding new primary care physician and diabetic doctors, I referred the nurses station desk to contact Dr. Randy Martin's office.  I also voicemailed Joe Gibson to bring me a bottle of Tylenol on his next visit, as being denied an over the counter millions of Americans and others use everyday without delay seems ridiculous to me.  Now as breakfast nears, I have to decide whether to go downstairs or let the pain naturally subside before moving about much further than my recliner this morning............Fr.  Troy

YOUR AVAILABILITY TO PROVIDE RIDES TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS MY GREATEST CURRENT NEED............

While I reside at Mercy McMahon Terrace arranging transportation to my doctors' appointments will continue to be necessary, as MMT does not provide rides to residents beyond a ten mile radius.  Therefore, my options are hiring taxis to make the 30-40 mile round trips, or ask my available friends for assistance in getting to and from these medical appointments.  Dr. Cookson, my orthopedic surgeon had a cancellation opening today at 2 pm today I was unable to accept, as I lacked a ride.  I could not take a taxi today and my 10 a.m. postings on my Blog and Facebook, did not garner a response.  The orders for my permanent prosthetic leg have been sent to Dr. Cookson, but he cannot authorize it until I keep a follow-up examination appointment with him.  The earliest scheduled appointment available with him is during Holy Week, still more than two weeks away, unless he has another cancellation opening.  And until my black pouch is back in my hands, hopefully by early next week, I have no access to my personal finances  or even money to pay for incidental costs such as taxi rides with.  Wanting to remain as independent and self sufficient as I can be, it is not easy for me to ask or otherwise impose, on the small number of you who are already so very generous and attentive to me, as you have been for years.  Know that I  am deeply grateful for whatever you have done, can do, and will do, to assist me with transportation to medical appointments.  Let me know what days and times you are available, in the event I am in need of a ride...........Confident this Frustrating Uncertainly will soon be Resolved,   Fr.  Troy

NEEDING A RIDE TO SEE DR. COOKSON @ 2 PM TODAY............

Dr, Cookson's office just called with a 2 pm opening today to see me, leaving me scrambling to find transportation.  The transportation Mercy McMahon provides is only within a ten mile radius, and Dr. Cookson is 16 miles away, at North Sunrise Avenue and Cirby Way, in Roseville.  I would appreciate your help, and apologize for the very short notice, but I will have to wait more than two weeks longer if I cannot get there today.  The order for my permanent prosthetic leg is the purpose of today's appointment............Fr.  Troy

ST. JOSEPH'S DAY GREETINGS............

Today as we celebrate the Catholic-Christian Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Foster and Legal Father of Jesus; I am thinking and praying especially for my mother Josephine, for my friends, past and present parishioners, and the people of Yreka, Siskiyou County in St. Joseph's Parish, my first pastorate; who are of Italian ancestry.  By greeting other MMT residents this morning at breakfast in the dining room, with the words, "Happy St. Joseph's Day", drew me questions about not only about the significance of the day, but the assumption on the part of one of the table of residents I greeted on my way to my own table, that I must be of Italian ancestry myself !  St. Joseph teaches us valuable lessons about fidelity, loyalty, holiness, and being humble, core attritubes of Christ's Disciples.  I wish everyone of you commemorating St. Joseph's Day  blessings, best wishes, and a bountiful celebration, especially if you are keeping the Italian tradition of having a St. Joseph's Table, feasting with your families with favorite food and drink............Fr.  Troy

THE REPUBLICANS PUERTO RICO PRIMARY VICTORY BELONGS TO ROMNEY BY AS MUCH AS A 10-1 MARGIN ............

Mitt Romney has added a victory in today's Puerto Rico Primary, to his taking of the GOP Caucuses in Guam and the Virgin and Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, during the week, being the first choice of Republicans in the U.S. trust territories for the 2012  Presidential Nomination.  With 23% of the votes tallied Romney is overwhelmingly out front with 83%;  Santorum with 8%;  Gingrich 2%;  Paul 1%; which if Romney finishes above 50% of all the votes cast, means he win all 20 Delegates available in Puerto Rico.  The focus now turns to the Illinois Primary this Tuesday, which Romney is favored to win; but in this year's unpredictable, topsy turvy, nominating contests it could well indeed be a closer outcome than anticipated............Fr.  Troy

THE FIRST 1% OF THE VOTE COUNTED IN PUERTO RICO............

With one percent of Puerto Rico's Republican Primary votes tallied the results thus far are  Romney 86% = 700 votes;  Santorum 8% = 65 votes;  Gingrich 1% = 8 votes;  Paul 1% = 8 votes;.  These preliminary results would seem to indicate Puerto Rico Primary voters may choose Romney for the GOP Presidential Nomination by a very wide margin............

AWAITING RESULTS FROM TODAY'S PUERTO RICO PRIMARY............

With the Illinois Republican Presidential Primary looming on Tuesday, today the Puerto Rico Primary is being conducted.  With the primaries and caucuses back and forth continuing to unfold between Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, can Romney prevail in this United States trust territory, where he is considered the favorite to win, as he has in Guam and the Virgin Islands; or will Santorum upend him ?  How will Santorum's statements during the last several days in regards to English becoming Puerto Rico's primary language for purposes of attaining Statehood, influence and impact the votes cast by Puerto Rican GOP voters ?  The precinct polling places closed forty five minutes ago, and first results are yet forthcoming.  I will blog as the vote tally rolls out............Fr.  Troy

THE REASONS TO REJOICE IN OUR MORE THAN MID JOURNEY THROUGH THE LENTEN DESERT............

The Year of the Lord 2012 being a Leap Year makes today the 4th Sunday of Lent, rather than the Memorial of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, who the liturgical calendar commemorates sandwiched between the feast days of St. Patrick yesterday, and St. Joseph tomorrow.  The 4th Sunday of Lent which in Latin is named, 'Laetare Sunday', meaning "Rejoice", is a reminder that amidst the penitential acts of Lent we carry out in answering the call to Contrition, Conversion, and Sacrifice, the Joy of the New and Risen Life of Jesus Christ of Easter this year, is now more than fifty percent closer than it was on Ash Wednesday.  It also reassures all who bear the heavier crosses of pain, illness, disease, or disability,  that the winter of afflictions and limitations is not permanent for those who believe in the Love of the Living and True God.  The reconciliation we make during the remainder of Lent with our Heavenly Father, the Co-Eternal Son, and their Holy Spirit,  and with those we have hurt by our sins prepares us to share more holistically in the renewal that Easter on earth and in the eternity of God's Kingdom to come.  Despite the heaviness of whatever crosses you may be enduring this Lent, may this day and every succeeding day, bring you increasing joy and the lifting of the limitations  which you are  currently enduring............Fr.  Troy

PHONE CALLS AND PERSONAL VISITS............

As I adjust to being a temporary resident of Mercy McMahon Terrace, past parishioners and some of my personal friends, are responding and communicating not just by e-mail and Facebook, but with phone calls and personal visits.  In addition to Joe Gibson's almost daily visits, Teres Mugnaini has e-mailed, Facebook-ed me, and called;  yesterday St. Philomene's parishioner Diane Jones, called, and St. Rose parishioner Ralph Merletti, visited; today my longtime friends and former fellow parishioners, Irene and Ted Dahlberg, were here to see me, and brought me a St. Patrick's Day treat of sugar free cupcakes.  These five days have also brought calls from some of my dearest priest and religious friends and colleagues.  In addition to blogging today, I have been interacting by Facebook and e-mail with some of my Irish and Irish American friends, on this St. Patrick's Day............Fr.  Troy

ST. PATRICK'S DAY PEACE............

The presence of the color green is so evident here at MMT, as it has emerged daily this week, that I wondered what today would bring.  In addition to a movie matinee today, "My Wild Irish Rose", starring Dennis Morgan;  and Irish songs with piano accompaniment yesterday and tomorrow; arriving in the dining room for breakfast told the tale.  An array of green apparel, blended with the wall decorations and the green tablecloths and napkins.  Sitting at the next table to my left, one of the male residents was dressed in a deep green tee shirt, costume orange beard, and a luck of the Irish baseball cap.  LOL !!!   No sign yet of green eggs, water, juice, or coffee, or meds.  Ha Ha !!!!!!  As you celebrate today, whether by the wearing of the green, attending Mass, a parade, eating Irish bacon / corned beef and cabbage, or drowning the shamrock, may the Peace and Prayers of St. Patrick be yours on this his Feast Day............Fr.  Troy

KHARZAI IS KRAZY.........

President Kharzai of Afghanistan, where Americans have been shedding their blood and losing their lives, for more than a decade - our longest fought war in history' had the audacity today to say he is, "at the end of his rope", over the rogue American soldier's Afghan civilian killings last Sunday.  The killings are untenable and our justice system militarily, and perhaps civilly will deal with the suspect.  But for Kharzai, whose corrupt, nepotism ridden, government, which American support has propped up the past decade in the fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda, to publicly play the victim to the degree of surliness, is beyond the pale.  The continuing inability of the Afghan military to take charge of, and contain, the terrorist threat they face without our ongoing costly support, portends another Vietnam scenario, that ultimately when we withdraw Afghanistan will be overrun anyway.  Or our departure could well become interminable and turn into another South Korea support presence on the part of our American troops.  I believe the American People are far too wise to support staying beyond our current commitment, set to end in 2014.  Kharzai needs to remain cognizant on the world stage that he and his country would now likely be not under his leadership, but under the reign of stifling terrorists, were it not for the United States of America and other freedom committed nations providing military and economic support.  Hammed Kharzai needs to clean up his act, abolish the corruption in his government, and work with us honestly, not create a stalemate that will delay the success of this ten year plus partnership............Fr.  Troy

MEETING DAILY NEEDS FROM AN AWAY LOCATION............

Being shifted from the Mercy Rehab Continuing Care Center to Mercy McMahon Terrace instead of returning to the parish rectory, means having to have necessary belongings brought to me by friends and parishioners; such as clothing and other personal items, that are vital to daily living.  My familiar black pouch, continuing my wallet, checkbook, passport, medical cards, and keys, hasn't resurfaced in the rectory, and with Fr. Pius on vacation in Nigeria, may not be available to me for another two weeks.  Transferring perscriptions to MMT, with Costco mail order delivery, will rake ten days to arrive and so the nurses here reordered two medications from my El Camino Avenue and Del Paso Boulevard Walgreen's needing to be picked up.  As I dressed this morning I discovered among the clothes I have with me, shirts are few and laundry here is done on Mondays, so I'll have to be creative the next four days in going beyond my quarters.  These are some of the practicalities faced by anyone who is uprooted from their accustomed surroundings.  For me, not wanting to be a burden or overly dependent on others to provide for me and lose my independence is important, as I do everything I can to eliminate the perception on the part of some, that I have become one............Remembering on the eve of his Feast Day, that the faithful St. Patrick also bore more than a few crosses,   Fr.  Troy

TOWN MEETING AND BROADWAY SHOW TUNES............

After lunch the monthly MMT Town Meeting was held in the Family Room, at which Jim, the Executive Director, other members of the staff, and activity coordinators addressed and updated the residents and answered questions.  Nikki, introduced me to the assembly, just as she informed us of other incoming new residents.  Bishop Francis Quinn, who resides here, took an active part in the meeting, and graciouisly offered his own words of welcome and introduction of me to the other residents, and he told them he likes calling me, "Google", for the bits of information I come up with.  At lunch he asked me who the 106th Pope was ?  I did not have the answer immediately, but after the Town Meeting with Google's help was able to tell him, the "106th Pope was Nicholas I, who reigned 858-867 A.D., called the "Great", for his decisive leadership and solidifying the Catholic Faith in Western Europe.  A professional group of young performers who are graduates of Sacred Heart Parish School and St. Francis High School in Sacramento, now working in Los Angeles and New York City, "Singers For Seniors", were here this afternoon performing Broadway show tunes.  Joe Gibson is stopping by for a visit later, continuing his loyal presence during this period.  Time to track and Update Election 2012 and today's presidential candidates activities, as dinner is at 5 p.m., and so that I see only the final minutes of the network news on tv, catching it alternatively after dinner online............Fr.  Troy

BLOGGING, E-MAILING, AND INFORMATION GATHERING, AGAIN WITH MY INTERNET CONNECTION INTACT............

After breakfast and an enjoyable conversation with my tablemate, JoAnne, Mrs. Marco Smolich, the late Sports Editor of the Sacramento Bee; about her lifetime in Sacramento and her family, I returned to my my suite to delve into my blog and returning e-mails after three days with only limited access to do so.  Clint, from Anchor Prosthetics called about an hour ago, asking that I contact Dr. Cookson for an appointment, so that he can proceed with the order to build my new prosthetic leg.  Lunch and then a chillaxxing afternoon interneting ahead............Fr.  Troy

UP AND READY TO FACE THE IDES OF MARCH............

Day 3 in MMT begins, as I have awoke, prayed, done my morning ablutions and dressed myself, taken my first meds, watched the first half hour of the Today show, and will momentarily go down for my blood sugar count and breakfast.  I am hoping to learn today what the physical therapy assistant can do to help me, and whether it is more than walking.  Resuming pt as soon as possible is imperative, to keep my progress over the past several weeks proceeding.  Adapting to the changes being in this setting have imposed upon my daily schedule has me feeling in the familiar phrase to many of you, "like a fish out of water".  I suppose the Ides of March is a good day to pray and ponder on what that means for me in pushing forward to resuming my priestly duties............Happy George Clooney Day ! LOL,   Fr.  Troy

AFTER TEN HOURS OF TRYING AND WAITING TODAY - CONNECTION ESTABLISHED............

I lost my intermittent internet connection last night in the midst of my last blog column of the night on the results from the Alabama and Mississippi Primaries.  This morning before I could use my laptop to blog, e-mail, or otherwise use the internet, the Comcast cable and modem installer was here.  He successfully connected the cable television, but was unsuccessful in getting the internet on my laptop connected through the modem he installed.  I had to have Nikki in the front office buy me a wireless router from Office Depot, and work with Richard the maintenance man this afternoon to try to get my computer connected to the internet, as after the installer's unsuccessful connection attempts, I could not make a network internet connection at all, even on the 1st Floor in the lobby area, or in the computer room.  Richard and I following the directions the router installation cd gave us came within one step of connecting and could not, even after two more phone calls to the Comcast installer.  Hoping against hope, that getting connected I simply came back to my laptop after and futzing around I reviewed the information and options Microsoft Windows gave me for troubleshooting, and voila !, I explored an option as an administrator, given I now have a personal Comcast account, and within a few minutes established a solid and secure internet connection, allowing me to blog tonight, in a much more chillaxxed state of mind, over last night and today.  With my newly established internet connection in my personal quarters, I assure you anew I will faithfully blog daily my Insights Into Life And Faith............Hallejuah !,   Father Troy David Powers

SANTORUM A DOUBLE WINNER TONIGHT AS HE TAKES THE MISSISSIPPI AS WELL AS ALABAMA PRIMARIES............

Rick Santorum is now the projected winner of the Mississppi Republican Primary for President, having been declared the winner in the Alabama Primary earlier tonight.  The results from the Hawaii and American Samoa Primaries, aso held today, will not be available for many hours yet.  Does this now mean that Rick Santorum can now claim to be the one true conservative alternative to Mitt Romney, in the remaining contests leading up to the Convention in Tampa, Florida in August.  Newt Gingrich is vowing tonight to stay in the race for the nomination to the Tampa Convention, despite increasing analysis that he campaign, after only winning in South Carolina and Georgia, and placing second in Alabama and Mississippi, effectively faces the end of his campaign; with these results sending Santorum forward with a much stronger head of steam as the Romney alternative.  Thus another electoral round is over in this year's GOP nominating process, and the putative, Establishment favored, and next in line at his turn, Republican candidate for the Presidential Nomination, Romney - continues to struggle in gaining support and though fatr ahead, amassing the 1,144 Delegates needed to win the nomination, sooner than later............

IS SANTORUM THE TRUE CONSERVATIVE ALTERNATIVE TO ROMNEY ?............

With Gingrich placing second in both Alabama and Mississippi, behind first place Santorum, will Rick Santorum lay claim to being effectively the one conservative alternative to Romney after tonight's results ?  Politico is reporting he will credibly be able to do so, as the very to most conservative Republicans have voted today for Santorum.  Santorum has just come on stage in Lafayette, Louisiana and is starting to speak, opening with the word, "We did it again !"  After thank yous, he says the most common thing people say to him after telling him they support him, is that they are praying for him.  I am waiting to hear how the Catholic vote turned out today, because although Santorum is a practicing Catholic, last Tuesday the industrial Catholic friendly state of Ohio went for Romney, with Romney, not Santorum carrying the Catholic primary voters in Ohio............

SANTORUM TAKES THE STAGE...........

CNN, and the Associated Press have now projected Santorum the winner in Alabama, and with 70 of the Mississippi votes counted, Santorum is leading, Gingrich in second, and Romney third; as Rick Santorum takes the podium to make his victory speech and Newt Gingrich with a sparse crowd gathered is expected to speak in less than nine minutes, thus the two speeches may create a split screen speeches occurrence.  Mississipi is virtually a three way tie with three quarters of the votes counted, with Santorum ahead by 1,800 votes over Gingrich, and 2,000 votes ahead of Romney............

TIGHT RACES IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI......BUT NBC NEWS MAKES AN ALABAMA PROJECTION............

Extremely tight races are shaping up as the votes come in from the Alabama and Mississippi Primaries tonight.  Rick Santorum is ahead in both states, and NBC News has projected Santorum the winner in Alabama, the only media entity to make a projection tonight so far.  At this hour Santorum is first, Gingrich second, and Romney third, in both states.  Santorum is expected to speak to his supporters in less than ten minutes time, as the Romney canmpaign is floating word that their candidate may not speak, according to the Politico coverage I am watching live on C-SPAN......ABC News has now projected Santorum the Alabama winner.  More to Come, dependent on my iffy internet connection tonight in my quarters............

PROGRESSING INTO PLACE............

Richard, the MMT maintenance man was able to get my television connection made just before lunch, which is a flat screen provided by the Penningtons, replacing my picture tube failing standard set.  So I have the local Sacramento channels and some of the digital channels, in time to see some of the coverage of the Alabama and Mississippi Primaries tonight.  Jack and Mary Lou also brought my wheelchair cushion, transfer board, and diabetic monitor, but could not find my black pouch, with my wallet, medical cards, and other personal effects in it.  Comcast will be connecting mew to cable and installing a modem for the laptop, as the lobby is the only place I can presently get a consistent computer connection.  I had a wonderful phone call with Father Oliver for the first time in seven weeks, a conversation with Roger Geach as well.  At lunch Bishop Quinn stopped at my table to welcome me to MMT, and as always we had a pleasant conversation.  The two women was at table with for lunch bring their uniqueness, one being the mother of a Jesuit priest; and the other a real life cousin of Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) of the 'Seinfeld' tv show fame............Fr.  Troy

THE START UP CHALLENGES OF BEING UPROOTED............

As I begin my first full day as a  resident in Mercy McMahon Terrace, the challenges of being uprooted, and relocated such as no television connection, limited accessibility to the internet, due to WiFi weakness, given the thickness of the walls and pipes in the facility, which means until I can establish a more solid connection I must come to the lobby to blog, e-mail, or otherwise use my laptop.  I am reminded as I contend with such frustrations, this too shall pass, but it is frustrating to lose the control and independence to do such things without extra effort being required, such as leaving my own quarters to blog, e-mail, or otherwise get or impart information on the internet.  Patience in contending with matters like this, is not one of my virtues, but alas a reality to be dealt with.  The MMT staff and residents are being quite cordial and welcoming, as I get the lay of the land and sort out what my days here will be like .  Nikki and the maintenance man are already arranging my television cable connection.  Trying my best to remember my present motto, "Push Forward", in stability to get back to priestly, pastoral, parish, ministry............Fr.  Troy

SETTLING INTO MERCY MCMAHON TERRACE............

I arrived at Mercy McMahon Terrace (MMT) at 3:45 p.m., and with the help of the intake coordinator and the staff, along with OLOL parishioners Jack Pennington and his sister Mary Lou, began the preliminary settling in process of procedures, paperwork, and paraphanalia, necessary of each resident.  The living room area includes a kitchenette and a small balcony; the bathroom is very accessible; and the bedroom roomy enough to use my walker or wheelchair as needed.  My room is on the second floor and I will be dining downstairs with the other residents, but tonight a dinner tray was brought to my room as a parade of staff came to do their part in addressing my arrival.  The laptop and a small radio will be my media companions tonight, as the television will be connected tomorrow.  Hopefully, in time for coverage of the results from the Alabama and Mississippi Primaries............Fr.  Troy

MY TEMPORARY MOVE INTO MERCY MCMAHON TERRACE............

The Assessment Nurse from Mercy McMahon Terrace across the street from Mercy General Hospital Rehab Center has met with me this morning and the move over and into a room there is underway.  Jack Pennington and Bill Shepherd have arrived to help me move in, bringing some of my basic belongings such as clothing, medications, a bed, chair, television, and tables, to furnish the room.  Organizing my therapy sessions which supposedly can be done therein, will be my next priority, as I settle in for the time being.  I will blog later with further insight into this.  Thanks to all who have shared in, and cared for me through prayers, cards, calls, and visits, the past seven weeks............Gratitude and Peace,   Fr.  Troy

MISSING PARISH LIFE AND THE RCIA MINISTRY............

I chose to answer God's Call to the diocesan priesthood, over a career in politics, government, and public service, as my life's vocation in large measure because of the opportunity to serve and lead God's People in parish life.  My experiences of parish life and interaction with diocesan priests as a  child and young adult, were so positive and impressive, that despite the equal tug and intrigue from childhood in politics and government, that includes undergraduate degrees in Political Science / Government / History / from Sacramento City College and California State University Sacramento; being a candidate for the Los Rios Community College District Board of Trustees; a two year internship at the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors with Ted Sheedy; being a finalist for one of the very first Harry S. Truman scholarships; that I eagerly answered the call to becoming a priest, and the fortieth native born, local grown, priest in the history of the Sacramento Diocese, upon my ordination in 1987.  Therefore, I greatly miss being present and involved in parish life and the ministries of servant leadership being a Priest of Jesus Christ entail as a pastor of souls.  One of the parish ministries I have taken considerable delight in the past thirty years is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults,  (R.C.I.A.).  I am greatly missing being in the parish and the expanded R.C.I.A. Catechumenate Ministry underway at OLOL.  Until otherwise informed on Friday morning, I was very much looking forward to being back there on this Sunday, graduating back into the R.C.I.A. ministry and other parish activities.  Instead, I will be residing indefinitely at Mercy McMahon Terrace, missing the parish ministry I remain committed to carrying out at age 55, please God far from retirement, or allowing the circumstances I have been dealt to sideline me.  Let me assure my present and past parishioners, my circle of friends, and fellow Catholic-Christians, I am, and will continue to do everything I can not to be marginalized, and return to full pastoral, priestly, ministry as expeditiously as is attainable.  For as Psalms 37:23 proclaims, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord"............A Continued Productive Lent,   Fr.  Troy

SANTORUM WINS KANSAS CAUCUSES......ROMNEY WINS GUAM AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS............

Rick Santorum decisively won the Kansas Caucuses today garnering 51% of the vote; to Mitt Romney with 21%; Newt Gingrich wit 14%; and Ron Paul with 12%; of the vote.  Meantime, Romney took the Caucuses in Guam, the Virgin and Marianna Islands, trust territories of the United States.  This sets the stage for Tuesday's primaries in Alabama and Mississippi, where the latest polls show Gingrich leading, Romney running second and Santorum in third place............Fr.  Troy

ROOM FURNISHINGS............

My move into Mercy McMahon Terrace this coming Monday will require that I get a bed, a couple of chairs, and a few tables to furnish the room.  Anyone in the Sacramento area that can help me round up this furniture, please let me know by Monday morning.  Thank You for any help you can provide me at this time............Fr.  Troy

DISCHARGE DELAYED; MY MINISTRY INDEFINITELY ON HOLD............

My discharge from Mercy General Rehab Continuing Care Center has been delayed until Monday, as the Bishop's Office has decided I will not return to OLOL at this time but go to Mercy McMahon for an indefinite period of time.  I am very disappointed with this development as I have every intention of returning to my priestly and pastoral ministry as soon as possible.  To the parishioners and staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Sacramento / Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta / Robla / I apologize for my unavailability and pause - in serving you my healthcare and this further delay, causes you.  You are and will remain in my prayers and thoughts, until we see each other again real soon............Fr.  Troy

DISCHARGE DAY............

I was released from physical and occupational therapy here at Mercy General Rehab yesterday, as I have successfully regained the ability to transfer, and to ambulate a fair distance with the assistance of a walker, so that stablized again - the doctor and therapists have decided to discharge me today.  Jack Pennington is coming to take me back to the rectory to proceed with my progress and ongoing prosthetic physical therapy, as I transition back into everyday activity.  My thanks to the Mercy General Rehab medical team and therapy staff in the Continuing Care Center, and to my circle of parishioners, fellow priests, and friends near and far, who have shared in and supported me during recent weeks.  My appreciation and prayers are with all of youm as I move toward resuming my priestly, pastoral duties at OLOL Parish............Fr.  Troy

WHO IF ANY OF THE REMAINING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES WILL PULL OUT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION CONTEST ?............

With Super Tuesday leaving uncertain Mitt Romney's ability to definitely say he is the indisputable and acceptable nominee for President of the overwhelming majority of Republicans, winning six out of ten primaries and caucuses this past Tuesday, but still unable to nail down the votes from the most conservative members of his party, despite the increasing support of the GOP Establishment, the battle for the 2012 Presidential Nomination will continue to slog on.  Santorum's campaign is calling for Gingrich to withdraw from the race and Gingrich's campaign wants Santorum to end his own bid for the nomination; so that one of them gets to go forward without splitting the most conservative vote with each other against Romney.  But both are vowing to stay in.  Gingrich's two wins, being limited to South Carolina and Georgia to date and without the conventional campaign organization may find it the most difficult to stay in, especially if he is unable to win in some of the next states and Santorum translates his current seven victories into wins in Alabama, Mississippi, Kansas, and other upcoming states.  With 22 States finished with their primaries and caucuses, the victory list stands at  13 States for Romney;  7 States for Santorum;  2 States for Gingrich;  0 States for Paul.  Although Romney is well out in front as to the Delegate Count with between 375-425l more than three to one ahead of the others, until he or any candidate secures  1, 144 Delegate votes for the 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination, this race will continue, even perhaps to the Convention floor in late August............Fr.  Troy

SUBSTANTIAL FURTHER PROGRESS WITH MY REHAB THERAPY............

Now that the temporary, temporary, prostheses has been successfully adjusted, I am making quick progress standing, walking, transferring, showering, and toileting, successfully again.  The doctor and therapists are pleased with my overall condition and I experiencing mobility and movement again that are  normal for me at this stage in my ongoing adaptation to learning to live with a prosthetic right foot and below the knee amputation............Fr.  Troy

CNN. MSNBC, DECLARE ROMNEY THE WINNER IN OHIO............

With 96% of the Ohio Primary votes counted, and thirty thousand votes yet to be counted Mitt Romney has been declared the winner, given him 5 victories today, versus Santorum's 3 victories and Gingrich's 1 victory, with Alaska not yet counted.  Romney's Ohio win is seemingly by approximately by one percent, Romney 38%; Santorum 37%; Gingrich 15%; Paul 7%;.  Some in the Santorum campaign are calling for Gingrich to drop out and let their candidate but the single conservative alternative to Romney going forward.  A Gingrich campaign spokesman has already respond calling for Santorum to withdraw from the race............Fr.  Troy

NECK IN NECK BETWEEN ROMNEY AND SANTORUM IN OHIO............

Avery close race is shaping up as the result in the Ohio Primary for the Republican Presidential Nomination tonight.  Mitt Romney is clinging to a 38% - 37%  lead over Rick Santorum with more than 85% of the votes counted in Ohio; after a two to three percentage point lead by Santorum the past two hours.  Romney is winning the metropolitan areas of Cincinatti, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, and in suburban areas; while Santorum has extensively won the the rural towns......With 91% of the votes tallied in Ohio, Romney's 5,862 vote lead is not likely to be reversed by Santorum, but may be a close enough outcome teamed with his victories tonight in Tennessee, Oklahoma, and North Dakota, to let SAantorum claim a moral victory in Ohio.  Romney has won today's contests Virginia, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Idaho, and Gingrich in Georgia, leaving only Alaska outstanding and due to close in fifteen minutes.  Going into next week and the immediate primaries and caucuses ahead, Santorum will likely forge forward with appreciable contending momentum for the time being............Fr.  Troy

CBS NEWS PROJECTS SANTORUM THE WINNER IN TENNESSEE............

Santorum leading 45% - 27% over Romney, at the moment; has been projected by CBS News as the winner of the Tennessee Primary.  Meanwhile, Gingrich is speaking to his supporters not from Georgia, but in Alabama, where he is campaigning in advance of next week's Alabama and Mississippi Primaries.  He is delivering a much more animated analysis of the state of his race for the nomination, calling himself the tortoise, versus the bunny rabbits who run through and come up short, while he edges forward one race at a time............

OHIO SEESAWING BACK AND FORTH............

As the votes comtinue to be counted in the Ohio Republican Primary the vote tally is seesawing back and forth between Santorum and Romney.  A half hour ago Romney was leading with 39% - 37% over Santorum;  ten minutes ago Santorum was up, 39% - 37% over Romney; and now Romney leads 40% - 37 %......Santorum is leading Romney 42% -31% in Tennessee currently; and 39% - 27%; in Oklahoma............

OKL;AHOMA, TENNESSEE, MASSACHUSETTS PRIMARIES CLOSE AT THIS HOUR............

At 8 p.m. Eastern Time, three more of the ten States holding primaries and caucuses in the Republican Presidential Nomination contest, With Romney the projected winner in Virginia and Vermont; Gingrich the winner in Georgia; and Ohio too close to call; the Evangelical Vote in Oklahoma is 71% today; 72% in Tennessee; sa strong constituency for Santorum......FOX News is projecting Santorum the wiunner in Oklahoma; CNN has him leading there with 38% of the vote; to Romney's 25%; and CNN and MSNBC have projected Romney the winner in Massachusetts; where he served a term as Governor 2003-2007............

RON PAUL IS SPEAKING TONIGHT FROM NORTH DAKOTA............

Ron Paul is speaking to a crowd of 2,000 supporters in North Dakota tonight, where GOP Caucuses for President were held today.  As has become normal for his rallies and primary / caucus night gatherings, it is a room full of young people 18 - 29 years old......With 1% of the Ohio votes counted the results at present are Romney 39%; Santorum 37%; Gingrich 16%; Paul 7%;............

OHIO CLLOSES NOW...... AT THE HALF HOUR............

CNN and MSNBC are reporting Ohio is Too Close To Call, as polls close in the Buckeye State Republican Primary.  The CNN Exit Poll shows voters stated preferences in Ohio today were Romney 40% - Santorum 36% - Gingrich 12% - Paul 11% -.  Romney that same Exit Poll shows is the choice of 43% of the Primary voters who say Defeating President Obama is their number one concern; while Santorum is the first choice of Ohio Reoublicans who are the Most Conservative, or said their chioce was for the Most Moral, candidate......CNN has now projected Romney the winner in Vermont............

CNN EXIT POLLING SAYS OHIO MAY BE CLOSE AS THE CONSERVATIVE VOTE IS EVENLY SPLIT BETWEEN SANTORUM AND ROMNEY............

The CNN Exit Polls in the Ohio Primary today according to John King is equally split between Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney,  39% - 39%.  However, at this point Vermont's votes are showing Romney 38%; Santorum 27 ; Gingrich 23%; Paul 9%; - and in Virginia, Romney 58%; Paul 42%;......FOX News is now projecting Romney the winner in Vermont............

VIRGINIA, VERMONT, VOTING CLOSED - BUT AS OF NOW NO CALL............

The projected win in the Georgia Primary, is not replicated at the closing of today's primaries in Virginia or Vermont.  With only Romney and Paul, on the Virginia Primary ballot,  a victory for Romney there is expected relatively early; but in his neighboring New England state of Vermont, Romney has an early lead, but not enough votes yet counted, or a trend yet established to project a winner in Vermont............

GINGRICH THE PROJECTED WINNER IN HIS HOME STATE OF GEORGIA............

At the 7 p.m. Eastern Time CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News, have all projected Newt Gingrich the winner of the Georgia Primary, with it's 76 Delegates.  Exit Polls show that Gingrich won the Very Conservative and Somewhat Conservative voters in Georgia, by wide margins over Romney and Santorum............

WILL SUPER TUESDAY DETERMINE THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION ?............

With ten more states holding primaries and caucuses today in the Republican campaign for the Presidential nomination, Ohio, Georgia, and Massachusetts Virginia Tennesee, among them - the question of the day awaiting an answer from today's results is will the voting outcome determine whether Mitt Romney will be the 2012 GOP standardbearer to face-off against President Obama in November; or will victories by Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich, keep the nominating race alive ?  I will be blogging as the results come in beginning at 4 p.m. Pacific Time, (7 p.m. Eastern) as precincts in three of the States begin closing............Fr.  Troy

ST. KIERAN'S DAY 2012 - THIRTY YEARS INTO MY EXPERIENCES AS A KIERANSMAN............

Today, my father's sixth anniversary, is also the Feast Day of St. Kieran, the name of the Irish saint for whom the first Catholic secondary school and seminary founded after the abolition of the Penal Laws in Ireland, was named on November 4, 1782.  Within ten years after its establishment St. Kieran's College in Kilkenny, began educating priests not only for Ireland, England, and Scotland, but the United States, and Australia, as well.  Two hundred and thirty years later St. Kieran's College continues the mission of educating children and adults, existing today not as a boarding school, but a secondary day school for boys, and houses a technical vocational school, as well as excels in the Irish game of Hurling; while St, Kieran;s Seminary which closed in 1994, has been succeeded on the campus by the Credim Centre for the Continuing Faith Formation of Adults, and is now an satellite extension N.U.I.M., the National University of Ireland Maynooth.  Thirty years ago I became personally affiliated with St. Kieran's in Kilkenny, when I was recruited and accepted the opportunity to be one American student put in the midst of fifty Irish ecclesiastical students, as I began my seminary formation there in September 1982.  To Fathers Oliver Maher, and Daniel Bollard; in Kilkenny; to Monsignor Edward J. Kavanagh, Fathers William Walsh, Patrick O'Rafferty, Charles Brady, Thomas Delahunty, Thomas Dermody, Daniel Madigan, Vincent Brady, Francis Lawlor, Michael Downey, Patrick Henry,  in the Sacramento Diocese; and all my seminary classmates and all the priestly alumni in the Diocese of Ossory, and throughout the World, as well as the Kieransmen who have gone before, I lift up my heart and mind to God today in fraternity and gratitude for the priestly ministry we have and continue to share as Priests of Jesus Christ, with the common bond of St. Kieran's in Kilkenny as a lasting memory in our lives............St. Kieran of Saghir, Pray For Us,   Fr. Troy

2ND SUNDAY OF LENT GOSPEL......PREVIEW OF FUTURE GLORIFICATION............

As Jesus prepared to meet His prophetic and sacrificial Mission as God's Co-Eternal Son to be the source of perfect Salvation for Humankind in the Paschal Mystery of Passion, Death, and Resurrection, He endured to conquer the divisiveness of Sin and reconcile fallen, mortal, Human beings with the potential  and promise for Eternal Life; in the midst of teaching and forming His Disciples for what lay ahead, He steeled them for His Suffering, by giving them a preview of the future Glorification God would share with Believers in the Christ.  The Transfiguration Event experienced by Jesus and witnessed to by three of the Apostles - Peter, James, and John, served as an assurance of their faith in, and following of, Jesus, despite the Passion and Death He would shortly thereafter endure.  For Catholic-Christians over the span of the past two thousand years the promise and hope of the Transfiguration and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, has been an anchor of our Faith, that despite our own sufferings and sacrifices, we too through the salvific attainment of the Christ of All Creation can and will share in the state of everlasting Glorification in God's Kingdom.  Lent is our transfiguring experience of going through the desert of atonement and self sacrifice, to discover the growth and gain to be derived in the Eternal Easter of God's Glory.  The crosses of hardship, pain, and suffering, we bear during the course of our lives on earth are not the whole story of who we are.  Maintaining the constancy of our Faith in the New and Risen Life of Jesus The Christ, requires that we be reconciled and renewed in believing and anticipating the Glory awaiting us just as surely as it does Moses, Elijah, and all the Prophets, Disciples, and Saints, of God............Fr.  Troy        

'RUSH' TO JUDGEMENT............

In the midst of the throes of the ongoing debate over religious liberty and freedom of speech, crescendoed in the American Presidential nominating process by the controversy over Contraception coverage at Catholic and other religious institutions and mandates in the new National Health Insurance laws, reached another plateau of polarization in the past few days, with the insensitive, over the top, crude, comments of national radio communicator and conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh.  Limbaugh's unbridled broadcast attack on Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke, and her testimony regarding her access and insurance coverage for Contraception before Democratic women U.S. Senators stirred controversy and fallout with political and monetary ramifications.  Within hours of Rush Limbaugh's characterization of Sandra Fluke and what she is advocating in terms that ignited upfront opposition from the White House and Democrats in Congress; couched uncomfortability and distancing by Republican Presidential candidates; and stirred withdrawal of sponsorship by a number of his advertisers; sparked such controversy, that Limbaugh was moved to issue an apology today for what he said on his radio show on Thursday.  The intersecting of personal judgments, politics, and pulling of commercial sponsorship, in a volatile mix that was becoming a mounting lightning rod of negativity against Limbaugh, propelled his quick apology, which were threatening to substantially tarnish his credibility and effectiveness as an icon to his millions of listeners.  To be frankly honest Limbaugh's influence and role is primarily that of an entertainer, even by his own admission in the apology he issued today.  And applying his own analysis of what Sandra Fluke's statements about contraception coverage means about her sexual activity and morality, how does Rush Limbaugh square his own voracious views as a defender of such conservative values as traditional marriage and families, and law abiding adherence to use of narcotics, with his own multiple marriages and past addiction to perscription drugs ?  Limbaugh's so called, excellence in broadcasting as a communicaster is in entertainment vis a vis the opinion sharing and influence shaping, he imparts;  and not perfect and precise expertise, or adherence, to living the values he advocates and proclaims............Fr.  Troy

HEARTBREAK WEEK IN THE HEARTLAND............

It has been a sad and destructive week in the American heartland, from the tragic and senseless high school shootings in Ohio, to the devastating upheaval of tornadoes in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, along with one in the southern states of Tennessee, and Alabama.  The three high school students who were starting their school day on Monday morning, seated at a cafeteria table normally at one moment and suddenly and inexplicably shot by a fellow student the next, resulting in their deaths; and the path of destruction caused by multiple tornadoes in six American states over the past few days; has brought intense sorrow to families and communities, caused by these acts of violence and nature, that touches the core of how precious life is in the order of  Creation.  Can anyone aware of these occurrences not have your hearts, minds, and prayers, go out to the grieving families and decimated communities so tragically affected and adversely leveled by the loss of life thrust upon the three teenage students by a homicidal act; and the twenty or more persons, killed by these natural disasters ?  In these hours of human separation and sorrowful farewells in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Alabama, may our sensitivity, sympathy, and solidarity, reach out interpersonally and spiritually for the victims and their loved ones, as these communities strive to cope and reconstruct their lives............Fr.  Troy    

Update : 3-3-12 >>>As of early Saturday morning 32 deaths have been confirmed in the six tornado stricken states, and there are further tormado warnings in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina......
The first of the three student funerals will also take place today in Chardon, Ohio.<<<............tdp

35 YEARS AFTER I SAID YES TO LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY............

On Tuesday March 1, 1977, as a first semester junior at California State University Sacramento, (Sac State) and one week before the Election for the Los Rios Community College District Board of Trustees in which I was a candidate for the seat in Area 2 of a district wide campaign, I took the night off from touting my candidacy door to door, and returned to campus for a meeting with Jon Doak, who was the Director of Expansion for Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, which was attempting to establish a colony at CSU-Sacramento.  I had been the only respondent to a December 1976 invitational mailing to consider joining the upstart colony being organized and although very impressed with what I had read about this particular general social fraternity, had been unable due to my class schedule and campaign activities, to meet with Brother Doak during his two week visit to the campus recruiting fraternity members.  On Sunday night February 27, Jon had telephoned me and said he needed to see me before he departed on Wednesday morning, if I were going to become a part of the effort.  I assured him that  I would clear my Tuesday night campaign schedule and meet with him in the University Union building at 8 p.m.  After a very cordial and impressive meeting of nearly an hour in the Sacramento Room on the 3rd Floor, and as he prepared to extend a formal bid to me to become a founding member of the colony and`join Lambda Chi at Sac State; one of his fellow University of New Mexico Lambda Chi alumni brothers, Bil Cinnamon, who was to be the overseeing Coordinator of the colony, arrived to join our meeting.  Jon introduced me to him saying I was running for a public office in an ongoing election and when I clarified it was the Los Rios Colleges Board, Bil asked me for which seat I was running.  When I told him Area 2, and that Tom DuHain was the incumbent he exclaimed, "Oh No", and lowered his head onto the table.  He then honestly stated he was working for my opponent's re-election !  Jon Doak responded assuring me Bil's straightforwardness was one of the strengths of the Fraternity's principled approach to treating, "Every Man (as) a Man", underscoring I was a valued person to Lambda Chi Alpha, not just a warn body.  Jon then gave me a verbal and written bid, seconded by Bil, and I accepted.  That began a very involved following five and a half years as an active undergraduate and alumni member  working with the other charter members and early year chapter members in building and growing what became the Phi Pi Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha.  Through these proceeding three and a half decades, the cherished bonds of brotherhood have continued, even three years after the suspension of the active chapter after a three decade presence on the Sac State Campus.  Remembering, commemorating, celebrating, the "Honest Friendships", and "Shared Experiences", of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Expeience, I salute and share this day with all my Good Brothers, especially those with whom I continue to share a interpersonal relationships with, that mirror and magnify the 103 year heritage of General Fraternity in the United States and Canada, and the 35 years we have shared in Lambda Chi Alpha  Phi Pi Zeta and Superior California Alumni Association............Brother Father Troy David Powers  Phi Pi 2

>>>Intersecting with this 35th Anniversary week is the birth of Brother Phi Pi 1, Tom MacKenzie's first grandchild.  Congratulations to Tom, Carolyn, their son, daughter inlaw and grandson on this MacKenzie Family blessed event.<<<