100 DAYS INTO THE SECOND TERM PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS A NEWS CONFERENCE.............

President Barack Obama marked this 100th Day of his second term with a news conference in the White House Press Conference early this afternoon, in which he discussed a phetora of issues.  Chief among them were current developments in Syria, the Boston Marathon Bombings, the still pending closure of Guantanamo, Immigration Reform, and NFL professional football center, Jason Collins.  The President reiterated concern that the requirement for 60 votes in the U.S. Senate to break a potential filibuster against even basic and primary legislation is, "gumming up", the process of getting the work of the Congress and Washington done on behalf of the American People.  However, he also expressed confidence there are things the White House and the Congress can mutually accomplish.  Responding to questions about the situation in Syria and the likelihood Bashar Assad has used chemical weapons against his own citizens, Obama said more evidence is needed to verify Assad has, and stated if  it is confirmed, "we would have to  rethink the options that are available to us".  He defended the handling of the National Intelligence Director and the review of the activities of Boston Bombings Marathon suspects, the Tsarnaev brothers before the terrorist act, "standard procedure".  The President when asked again said it remains his position that the prison at Giantanamo Bay, Cuba; should be closed - a first term promise he deferred on and did not attain.  He spoke of, "being impressed", with the Immigration Reform Bill authored by the Senate Gang of Eight, an all but surrogate stand in for the legislation bringing Immigration Reform to passage the Administration seeks.  As the news conference ended and President Obama was leacing the podium, he was asked about the admission of NFL player Jason Collins on Mondayof being homosexual.  He acknowledged having spoken to Collins and told reporters, "I told him I couldn't be prouder of him",..."the LGBT community deserves full equality, not just partial equality".  Some of the initial commentary and my cursory view having watched the questioning and answering of this 50 minute exchange, is how firmly set the White House will be in assering presidential prerogatives and pursuing Obama policy positions by filly engaging and interacting strenuously enough to get his priority legislation and polices addressed and enacted into law.............Fr.  Troy      

A MAYOR NOMINATED AS THE NEXT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION BY PRESIDENT OBAMA.............

From the East Room of the White House at he top of this hour President Obama announced his choice for the next Secretary of the Department of Transportation as a member of his second term Administration Cabinet.  To fill this role and carry the responsibility of leading D.O.T. through the next four years the President reached down to the local level of government and has chosen Charlotte, North Carolina Mayor Anthony Foxx as Secretary of Transportation-designate.  Mayor Foxx, who will celebrate his 42nd birthday tomorrow was elected Mayor of Charlotte in 2009, and has shown strong leadership in addressing transportation needs in the North Carolina city.  The Foxx Nomination was praised and greeted with, "hopeful optimism", by national transportation officials and labor advocates, as well as the retiring Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, the former Republican Congressman from Illinois.  Secretary LaHood specifically said of Mayor Foxx in commending his selection as his successor blogging, "From runaway improvements at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and the expanded LYNX light rail system , to feight and passenger rail upgrades and redesigned intersections on Interstate 85, the city of Charlotte has been on the forefront of American transportation development", wrote Secretary LaHood.  "Since 2009, Charlotte has made its largest ever investments in transportation, including a new streetcar system".  LaHood proclaimed Foxx's nomination to the post as, "no surprise", given his transportation accomplishments as a Mayor.  President Obama at the roll-out of the nomination with both Mayor Foxx and Secretary LaHood, gave Anthony Foxx great credit for "investing in transportation to help turn Charlotte's economy around", as Mayor.  His nomination will be sent to the U.S. Senate for confirmation.  Two more Cabinet choices are expected to be nominated very soon by the President according to the New York Times.  They are : Penny Pritzker, "a hotel magnate, longtime friend, and fundraiser", to be Secretary of Commerce; and Michael Froman, who presently serves as President Obama's "international economic adviser", as the next U.S. Trade Representative.............Fr.  Troy

GOD'S KINGDOM IS NOT JUST THERE BUT IS BEING BUILT HERE.............

God's Kingdom of Eternal Life Jesus re-opened by His Paschal Mystery is the goal, priority, and ultimate destination of every Believer, Follower, Disciple, of the Living and True God of All Creation.  It is not a disconnected, far away place distantly beyond the sky, as only a future state to be reached and experienced everlastingly; but is present and blossoming here and now on earth to be responded to and built by us.  How do we build God's Kingdom as Disciples of Jesus The Risen Christ and Members of the Community of Believers - the Church ?  By doing our utmost as conscientious and committed human beings redeemed by Jesus, to live moral and ethical lives steeped in the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, and the Gospel Values preached and practiced by Jesus during His Public Ministry, and the Apostles and other First Christians in the Early Church.  Also in the Church and World here and now, we must do what the Second Vatican Council called all Catholic-Christians to do : by answering the Universal Call to Holiness.  The Commandments, Beatitudes, Works of Mercy, and Gospel Values are the master keys to opening the doors of unconditional response to the Call to Holiness and accordingly to building up the Coming of the Kingdom of God.  During this 5th Week of Easter discern and determine the way you will respond to Building God's Kingdom in Holiness tapping the guideposts of Divine mandate and Human opportunity to make the contribution to the Coming of the Kingdom being asked of you.............Fr.  Troy

NEWS OF EARLIER RUSSIAN WIRETAP OF TAMERLAN TSARNAEV REGARDING JIHAD RELEASED.............

The latest news this morning on the dead Boston Marathon Bombings suspect, the older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, is that he was wiretapped in 2011 by the Russian Government in a telephone call with his mother in which they discussed Jihad.  Jihad, is translated, "holy war", the Islamic extremist declaration of attack on other religions, cultures, and countries, that disagree or oppose their rigid points of view and practices.  This wiretap may provide the basis for the radicalization the older Tsarnaev brother Tamerlan is suspected to have undergone.  What role it may play in his follow-up activities that led to he and his younger brother's terrorist acts in Boston twelve days ago.  What role, encouragement, support, or knowledge, their mother may have provided her sons is unclear.  More details and analysis as this the story of the Boston Marathon Bombings and Aftermath proceeds.............Fr.  Troy

THE SITUATION IN SYRIA GETS MORE SERIOUS - WHAT WILL WE DO ?.............

Latest news reports regarding the Dictatorship of the President of Syria Bashar Assad, coming from an American intelligence assessment is that the Syrian Government has used a chemical weapon to at least a small extent, in the current civil war in Syria.  The Obama Administration earlier this year agreed to humanitarian aid and military assistance to the insurgency combatting Assad, vowing that a red line as to development and use of chemical weapons exists that Assad's Government will not be allowed to cross.  President Obama said today given the latest occurrence that he will pursue the response, "prudently and deliberately", but not rush into quick action before assessing the evidence.  "Knowing that potentially chemical weapons have been used inside of Syria does not tell us when they were used, how they were used", Obama said today.  The President in remarks to the media just prior to his meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan, went on to state, "But I meant what I'd said"..."To use potential weapons of mass destruction on civilian populations crosses another line with respect to international norms and international law.  And that is going to be a game changer".  The Obama Administration is said to be moving cautiously so as to avoid repeating the mistake of surmising based on faulty intelligence, that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction in 2003, as an argument for mounting war against Iraq, when to date none have been found.  On that front the Obama Administration was joined in verbal concern by British Prime Minister David Cameron.  Here in the USA, calls for a more forceful American response to the Syrian situation and Assad, are being declared by U.S. Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham and other neo-con interventionalists, mostly Republicans, who have staked out a position for more vigorous military actipon by the United States in Syria, for the past year.............Fr.  Troy

THE DEDICATION OF THE GEORGE WALKER BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY IN DALLAS.............

George Walker Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, January 20, 2001 -n January 20, 2009; joined his Family and three of his predecessors in the White House, as well as the current President who succeeded him in celebration today of the Dedication of his Presidential Library and Museum.  Beyond the politics and personal partisan differences that separate them, they were gathered together today in unity of the highest office in the land they have shared in common and that only forty three men have ever occupied.  Located on 23 acres of the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas; the alma mater of his wife, former First Lady Laura Welch Bush.  Included in the facility in addition to the 14,000 square foot Library and the Museum and its 70 million pages of documents and 4 million e-mails, and 43,000 gifts from foreign leaders; are the George W. Bush Institute and the G,W, Bush Foundation.  Today's celebration was one of presidential unity and fraternity, positively contributed to in feting the 43rd President by the 39th, 41st, and 42nd, and 44th Presidents Jimmy Carter, George Herbert Walker Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama, expressing nothing but commendable statements of their fellow former occupant of the Oval Office.  President George W. Bush himself spoke of Freedom, the chief goal and focus of his Administration he proclaimed, without making a single reference to the Iraq War he chose to mount and only a brief passing reference to his Vice Presidential partner, Dick Cheney, the perhaps two most controversial aspects of his Administration in the aftermath of the attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. For all the affection and admiration expressed in Dallas today, the most enigmatic comments came from former First Lady / First Mother Barbara Pierce Bush, who in a joint interview with her daughter in-law Laura, and granddaughters Jenna and Barbara, with Matt Lauer on the Today Show when asked about the presidential prospects of her other former Florida Governor Jeb Bush answered, she thinks he is, "the most qualified candidate", for President in 2016; but that "he should not run"; saying, "We've had enough Bushes".  A striking and contrasting response to make on this Bush 43 Presidency focused day of dedication and remembrance from only the second woman ever in American history to be both wife and mother to a President.............Fr.  Troy

WEEK FIVE OF THE DADS GROUP @ SACHEART AND THE HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER OF JESUS.............

At our weekly SacHeart Dads Group meeting tonight the topic of our discussion of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's book, "Jesus Of Nazareth" Volume Two - 'From Holy Week To The Resurrection'; was the chapter, "The High Priestly Prayer".  A hearty, insightful, ninety minutes of sharing together and responding to the material it continues to be - as we read, probe, and share questions, and answers, about +Benedict's theology of the Paschal Mystery of Christ.............Fr.  Troy

THE CAUSE FOR THE SAINTHOOD OF ARCHBISHOP OSCAR ROMERO UNBLOCKED.............

The priest who is the postular, the primary advocate for the cause of the beatification and canonization of Archbishop Oscar Romero, of San Salvador, El Salvador; assassinated in 1980, as he was celebrating Mass in a hospital chapel announced on Sunday the effort has been unblocked.  Pope Francis has indicated his support for proceeding with the process which was begun in 1993, but was put on hold from 2000-2005, and has been slowed by concerns over the theological and moral legitimacy of some of +Romero's preaching and teaching in light of Liberation Theology.  Fiercely devoted to serving the poor, persecuted, and marginalized, in the volatile and politically contentious Central and South America that affected El Salvador almost forty years ago, his prophetic and faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the need for social and economic justice, ultimately cost him his life and made him a martyr.  As a proposed candidate for sainthood as a martyr, no miracles need to be attributed to him in order to be canonized.  Therefore, the announcement of the postulator that the causes can go forward unblocked is very good news and a highly hopeful sign that the life and ministry of Archbishop Oscar Romero and the betterment for the People of God he ministered to with fidelity to Jesus Christ will go forward to him being declared blessed and then a saint, unfettered by politics and personal disagreement.............Fr.  Troy

WOUNDED SECOND SUSPECT IN BOSTON BOMBINGS CHARGED IN HOSPITAL BED.............

During this hour in a Boston hospital room, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the wounded, surviving second suspect in the Boston Marathon Bombings and its aftermath one week ago today, has been formally charged with the crimes, facing two preliminary counts.  He is charged with the use and conspiring with his now dead older brother to use a weapon of mass destruction.  In addition, the charge of working in tandem with his brother Tamerlan to place and explode two pressure cooker bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  Reports that Dzhhokhar Tsarnaev has communicated with law enforcement officials who have questioned him over the weekend in the hospital has today resulted in the news disclosure that he has admitted he and his brother were motivated by a radical element of the Islam Religion, but claims it was their own effort, without ties to any terrorist group.  The two criminal counts Tsarnaev has been charged with include the possibility he will face the death penalty if convicted.  Due to his wounded and weakened condition, the interrogation of the suspect took place not in verbal exchanges, but in his answering questions in writing.  Authorities indicated today they are still seeking to verify the veracity of his answers, using personal interactions, telephone records and online use to reach that determination.  However, the details of the report outlining the charges brought against him cite camera videotape of the suspect wearing a knapsack and placing it on the ground before walking away from up and the knapsack exploding seconds later causing the second bombing.  A naturalized American citizen from Checyna (Russia) the suspect is being represented by the Boston Public Defender's Office.  The Obama Administration announced today United States Justice Department will prosecute the case against Tsarnaev in the federal court system, not in a military tribunal.  More as proceedings leading to the trial unfold.............Fr.  Troy

THE 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER - HEARING AND HEEDING THE CALL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.............

Having accomplished the Paschal Mystery of Passion, Death, and Resurrection for our Redemption, the Risen Christ as the Good Shepherd of Salvation, abundantly loves the sheep of His fold with compassion and completeness.  Inviting us to Faith and calling all who will believe in Him as, "The Way, the Truth, and the Life", to join in following Jesus in lives of Discipleship that serve others by bringing God's Love and Good News to them.  On this 4th Sunday of Easter as we ponder the call of the Good Shepherd in our individual lives, and within the community of believers, we must take the opportunity to discern what we can and must do in responding to that call.  We do this in order to carry out the invitation and opportunity to serve as Faithful Witnesses of the Risen Christ Who is our Good Shepherd, bringing the joy and hope of Everlasting Life in the eternal sheepfold of God's Kingdom.  The past week in Boston in the wake of the terrorism that struck the Marathon last Monday, the selfless and unconditional response of the citizens is a solid sign of the the goodness, and selflessness of decent, caring, compassionate, persons steeped in the hearing and heeding the Good Shepherd's call.  In the face of senseless terror and tragedy, good people stepped up and acted on behalf of those killed, injured, victimized, and traumatized.  They made a beneficial difference to a wanton situation, by answering the call and meeting the challenge.  As we pray and extend our support to Bostonians this Good Shepherd Sunday, may their example of response inspire and enlighten us to be just as responsive and serving in the ways we arec being called.............Fr.  Troy  

IF THE U.S. SENATE CANNOT PASS A GUN VIOLENCE UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECK WITH 90% AMERICAN SUPPORT WHAT CHANCE IS THERE FOR A MORE CONTENTIOUS IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL ?.............

What has been apparent for some years now became even more apparent on Thursday with the failure of the United States Senate to pass the Manchin-Toomey Amendment to the Gun Violence Bill which has been before Congress in recent months, a Universal Background Check for the buying of guns that has the support of 90% of all Americans; the ability of the Legislative Branch of our American Government is flawed and broken.  When the politics of self preservation and the prerogatives of one particular lobbyist group take precedence over the proper interpretation of the Second Amendment to the Constitution the Freedom to Bear Arms on the part of law abiding and peaceable citizens, not mentally ill, deranged, demented, criminal, violent, and terrorism intending, persons, in an open society of justice our nation was founded to be, then we face a crisis of civility and safety and a moral and ethical abyss  where common sense and the mutual good of the entire citizenry is supplanted in favor of self interest and the malcontent.  After the Newtown Connecticut mass shooting last December and the numerous other such occurrences that have taken place in the USA during past years, the widespread support and overwhelming embrace of our citizens for a consistent, absolute, universal background check for the purchase of firearms at gun shows and online, was thought quite rightly, to be the least the current effort to address Gun Violence would achieve.  And the bipartisan, Manchin-Toomey Amendment assured the background check would not infringe on sales or exchanges between family members or legally constituted groups of persons. strengthened the likelihood that a Universal Background Check would be passed into law with bipartisan support.  Alas the sad reality, 93% of Republican Senators voted against the Amendment, ( 42 out of 45 No) and 92% of Democratic Senators voted for the Amendment, (49 out of 53 Yes) with 100% of the Independent Senators voting in the affirmative, (2 of 2 Yes).  This resulted in a majority vote of 54 Yes; 46 No; for the Manchin-Toomey Amendment, because it fails the 60 votes necessary to overcome the Senate Filibuster rules.  Filibuster Reform is another topic of urgent concern in a country founded on majority rule that we must soon address.  However, at present as the struggle to enact Gun Violence reform that includes a universal background check for gun show and online buyers regroups, if this issue with 90% support of the populace can be blocked, what kind of legislation for vital concerns and necessary problems such as the need for objective Immigration Reform, a more contentious issue, can we be assured of achieving in the United States Congress ?  What is increasingly certain is the need to repair the politics fist brokenness that thwarts the will of the majority and prevents sound and necessary reform legislation from gaining passage into law.............Fr.  Troy

POLICE CAPTURE OF SECOND BOSTON MARATHON SUSPECT.............

With the two alledged perpetrators of Monday's Boston Marathon Bombings now identified as the Chechen born brothers, Tamarlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.  The older brother Tamarlan age 26, was killed in a shootout with the police last night and his younger brother Dzhokhar has been at large for the past eighteen hours, during a total lockdown of the greater Boston area.  At this hour developments in the Watertown area indicate law enforcement is closing in on him as a large contingent of emergency vehicles and personnel have rush in the past few minutes to a specific house and first reports confirming that they believe they have him cornered in that house.  About two dozen gunshots were heard about twenty minutes ago and now the house in question, is surrounded by police cars, ambulances, a city bus, and several dozen police officers in stand by mode.  The F.B.I. is confirming that Tamarlan Tsarnaev, they questioned in 2011, at the request of a foreign government.  CNN is reporting the one hundred police have a suspect they can see in a structure cornered but their is also in view some kind of device, that is likely to be explosive, thus they are proceeding slowly to be very careful in closing in on him. Authorities have now fired a flashbang and tear gas, eight loud firings heard, which would stun and overwhelm the suspect physically...Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the second suspect in the Boston Marathon Bombings and its aftermath since Monday has been taken into custody by police.  Just before his capture media reports confirmed he was hiding in a drydocked or trailered boat in a backyard of a Watertown, Massachusetts house.  Cheers and applause are emitting from people coming out of their homes now that the area is secure again.  More To Come.............Fr.  Troy

UNFOLDING INTRIGUE IN THE PURSUIT OF THE BOSTON MARATHON SUSPECTS.............

Just seventy four hours today, after the Boston Marathon bombings on Monday that killed three and wounded some 170 persons, the F.B.I. released videotape and photographs of two men considered to be the suspects who committed the crimes.  Five hours after the disclosure of their faces the next bizarre episode began to unfold : near the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (M.I.T.) the two suspects robbed a 7-11 convenience store, recorded by the store camera.  Minutes later the body of a 26 year rookie policemen was found dead with multiple gunshots, at M.I.T. .  This was shortly followed by a shootout in the Watertown area of Boston near the campus between police and the two terror suspects, estimated at perhaps the firing of sixty rounds of ammunition.  This resulted in the death of one of the men confirmed to be the person wearing the black hat in the videotape and photographs released earlier today.  The other suspect, wearing a white hat in the released photo and video, alluded capture from the police at the shootout and is at large,thought to be highly armed and dangerous, as the other suspect was found dead, with an explosive device attached to his chest, indicating if he had been not been shot dead, he was willing to to kill himself in the carrying out of this terrifying travesty.  The citizens of, and visitors to Boston, local and state law enforcement and governmental officials, and the F.B.I., have been valiant in addressing and getting on top of the post Marathon investigation and progress in identifying and surfacing the two suspects, and please God can capture the second one and resolve this continuing threat to the people of the greater Boston area, in this weak of shock and sorrow.............Fr.  Troy

WASHING OF THE FEET MANDATUM TOPIC OF TONIGHT'S DADS GROUP.............

The SacHeart Dads Group tonight will be joined by Permanent Deacon candidate Paul Friedrich, for discussion of Benedict XVI's Chapter 3 of, "Jesus Of Nazareth" Volume 2, 'From Holy Week To The Resurrection', titled "Washing of the Feet".  We are sure to have another well rounded group discussion of the dynamics vital to the humble service rendered the Twelve Apostles at the Last Supper, when He washed their feet and gave them a 'Mandatum', a commandment of Service as the authentic mark of Christian Discipleship.............Fr.  Troy

FIRST RECONCILIATION AND R.C.I.A. NEOPHYTES FAMILY CELEBRATION @ SACHEART.............

This morning brought the Sacred Heart Parish School's 2nd Grade First Reconciliation Confessions, which I assisted Msgr. Walton with, before returning to the Priests Retreat.  Then tonight, the concluding session of the Sac Heart R.C.I.A. Ministry for this Parish Year, and Mystagogia took place, which was a celebration with the new Initiates and their families.   Ongoing cycles in priestly, pastoral, ministry that make being a parish priest a continuously unfolding joy for me and other priests called to be Friends of the Risen Lord, as Servants of God's People.............Fr.  Troy

TERROR TRAGEDY AT MONDAY'S BOSTON MARATHON.............

In what is unfolding as another wanton act of senseless violence and tragic terrorism runners and spectators at the 2013 Boston Marathon suffered two explosions at the finish line.  A third potential explosive device is said to have been found in the vicinity, and a fire first reported as a third explosion at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in the area of Boston Harbor.  It was 2:50 p.m. Eastern Time, four hours and nine minutes into the Marathon, at a peak time when runners were arriving at the finish line.  Three persons are confirmed to be dead and 130 persons or more were wounded, many of them critically.  One of the deaths is that of an 8 year old boy.  This on Patriot's Day in Massachusetts, on Boston Marathon Day, dedicated to the 26 first grade students and their teachers killed in the Newtown, Connecticut; with many of their surviving family members present there today and in a reviewing stand near the finish line.  A heartbreaking day for not only the 500,000 persons present at the Boston Marathon as participants and fans, but this venerable historic city in our American heritage, as well as the Commonwealth, and our Nation.  May our prayers, sympathies, support, and compassion, be with and reach out to those victimized by this horrific act.  An investigation is underway and President Obama in a brief statement from the White House Briefing Room, vowed the perpetrator(s) will be found and brought to justice to the full extent of the law.  As of now it is not been determined or disclosed what political cell might be responsible for inflicting this terrorism.  In addition to praying for and lifting up those who were killed, seriously injured, and traumatized, today in Boston, I will blog further as developments and updates occur going forward.............Fr.  Troy

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY FATHER OLIVER MAHER.............

Today, across the miles in Urlingford, County Kilkenny, Ireland; Reverend Father Oliver Maher is celebrating a milestone personal solemnity.  I won't state his actual age, but suffice it to say he has entered the decade of life I am already well into !  Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Birthday Oliver, ny beloved classmate, friend, brother.  Eight weeks and one day from today Father Oliver will mark his Silver Jubilee as a Peiest of Jesus Christ in the Diocese of Ossory.  I look forward to being there to celebrate these two milestone occasions with you and send you my love, prayers, fraternal gratitude, and best of wishes in this very special season of attainment in your life and priestly ministry.  May the Risen Jesus continue to Bless and Sustain the Faithful and Loyal Friend, and Dedicated and Effective Priest YOU are Oliver Desmond Maher.  God Loves You and so I, and oh so many People who Know and have you in Their Lives.  Slante, as I raise a glass of the 'Relative' to You.............tdp

FURTHERING OUR EASTER EXPERIENCES OF THE NEW AND RISEN LIFE OF JESUS.............

We like the Apostles and first Disciples are initiated into embracing the fullness of Jesus on this Third Sunday of Easter 2013.  In fidelity to the ministry Jesus commissioned them to carry out, Peter, John, and the other early Christian leaders fervently witnessed to the wholistic Christ, the crucified and the risen Jesus, despite the threat to their own livelihood and well being it presented.  They did so imbued with the Gifts and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit to guide and sustain them.  We too, as Disciples who actively follow the Risen Christ bear the same Grace that God's Spirit bestows on us, to proclaim in Living Faith actions that witness to our belief in our Call to exemplify what it truly means to be Easter People.  The closing chapter of John's Gospel emphasizes that the Paschal Mystery of Jesus' Death and Resurrection is an event to be shared by all people.  Just as our First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 5:27-32, 40 b-41; speaks to our belief and actions in the Risen Jesus bearing fruits for ourselves and others, so too does Revelation 5:11-14; symbolically present the purpose of the number 7, as the sign of completion and perfection.  Thus the 7 Apostles perfectly represent the complete 12 Apostles ministering in the Faith of the Risen Jesus The Christ.  In the same way the multiplicity of fish caught by the Apostles in the Gospel passage today numbered at 153, mirrors the total number of species of fish Greek zoologists found to exist, underscoring God's Call is to all People, not just some of the World's population.  What this means is that all of us are meant to share in Easter Experiences of Evangelization and Faithful Witnessing.  What we do makes a difference and furthers the spread and effectiveness of the Good News, Christ Is Risen, Alleluia !!!  How will you take that responsibility beyond the walls of Sunday Worship today ?  God's Spirit and the New and Risen Life of Jesus is prompting us to act.  Do so without delay.............Fr.  Troy                                                                                                                                                          

POPE FRANCIS AT ONE MONTH AS HOLY FATHER.............

As +Jorge Bergoglio arrives at the one month mark as Pope Francis today, he is being received with astounding numbers of favorability and approval.  The Pew Research Opinion Poll out this week finds that 84% of American Catholics and 57% of All Americans have a Positive view of Pope Francis as of now.  The approval ratings of American Catholics for Pope Benedict XVI, took until his 2007 visoyit to the United States to reach 83% and was 64-67% at his retirement.  Pope Francis is drawing high support for his humble, pastoral, outreach to all - Catholics, other Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Non Believers.  Also for his simple, straightforward, and personal manner, as well as his succinct and pertinent preaching.  As Holy Father during the first month of his Pontificate has borne the indication of reform and renewal for the Church in Rome and internationally.  His Holiness has made only one appointment to the Roman Curia during the past month of a Franciscan Friar, elevated to Archbishop by his appointment  as the Vatican's overseer of Religious Orders.  Pope Francis has yet to name his choice as Vatican Secretary of State, or any other senior appointments; until today when he announced appointment of a group of eight of the World's Bishops to a new Papal Advisory Group.  Among the newly named prelates to this new group is American Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston, certainly a leading reformer bishop in the U.S. Hierarchy, when it comes to addressing theSexual Abuse of Minors, a topic that Pope Francis has begun to speak out on proactively during the initial month of his papal service as the Vicar of Christ.  Let Us Pray the wonderful start our new Supreme Pontiff has had will continue into the full length of his reign as the Universal Shepherd of all God's People in the Church and the World.............Fr.  Troy

ONE YEAR, ONE MONTH, AND COUNTING.............

Another month has passed in my enigmatic residency at Mercy McMahon Terrace, making thirteen months of being warehoused away from full time priestly ministry because I am in a wheelchair as a result of my right foot and leg below the knee amputation.  After a very active month of March participating in liturgies and other priestly ministry experiences and successfully standing on and walking with my prosthetic leg and gaining greater stability and ability with it, recognized by others in my circle of family, friends, and former parishioners, the diocese continues to remain silent and status quo about my remaining here and doing priestly ministry only part time by invitation versus by assignment.  What sense it makes that I remain here in a retirement community with residents two to four and a half decades others than I am, and doing less ministry as an active priest than I am capable of carrying out, is unnecessary, unfair, and unjust.  Unretired, there is no reason for me to be residing for one year and one month in a retirement community, with no assurance of an exit date in sight.  For the past month I have begun to search for alternative housing, if not possible in a parish rectory where I prefer to be, then in an apartment of my own choosing, where living normally for a person and a priest my age is possible.  My patience and willingness to remain here has expired.  The time to move out and go forward in fulfilling my vocation in parish priestly ministry has more than come.  Being sidelined to vegetate here most of the time makes no sense and is wasting the full time capabilities as a priest I retain.............Fr.  Troy

KOREAN WAR CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN POSTHUMOUSLY RECOGNIZED WITH THE MEDAL OF HONOR.............

President Barack Obama presented the American Military's highest award, the Medal Of Honor, to a Korean War Catholic Chaplain killed during the conflict in 1951.  Father Kapaun, who served as an Army Chaplain, was a prisoner of war who while in captivity with his fellow soldiers continued to minister to them by sharing food with them he stole from nearby farms, by cleansing those who had dysentery, and by uplifting the spirit of those soldiers struggling with despair of the brutality of their captivity.  Father  Kapaun was heroic he helping rescue some of the fallen, risking his life by rushing to them and in at least one instance carrying a wounded soldier away for a distance of four miles to safety.  His surviving fellow veterans sixty two years later still recall his "kindness", "caring", and "hope", in describing him.  Yet for the countless good he did as a prisoner of war, that in itself was not sufficient to be awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.  It was the valor of his service in combat during the Korean War that met the standard.  As is included on Father Kapaun's official Medal of Honor citation, "When Chinese Communist forces viciously attacked friendly elements, Chaplain Kapaun calmly walked through withering enemy fire in order to provide comfort and medical aid to his comrades.  When they found themselves surrounded by the enemy, the able bodied men were ordered to evacuate.  Chaplain Kapaun fully aware of his certain capture, elected to stay behind with the wounded".  Additionally in his comments regarding Father Emil Kapaun at the Medal of Honor Ceremony President Obama said of the deceased Chaplain he was a, "American soldier who did not fire a gun, but wielded the mightiest weapon of all, a love for his brothers so pure that he was willing to die so that they might live".  The President presented the Medal of Honor to the late Kansas Catholic priest's nephew, Ray Kapaun.  In addition to this greatest of American military awards, the cause for the canonization of Father Emil Kapaun is underway, and to date it has proceeded to him being declared, a "Servant of God".  The life and ministry of Father Kapaun is an outstanding example of Catholic-Christian Discipleship we can all gain insight and benefit from in living our own Faith as Easter People.............Fr.  Troy    

A GREEN LIGHT TO DEBATE GUN VIOLENCE COMPROMISE BILL NOW LIKELY.............

With thirteen Republican U.S. Senators, including the Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, threatening to filibuster any Gun Violence legislation, including the bipartisan Compromise Bill in an attempt to block passage of any reform of current gun laws, even though 86-92% of all Americans in several current polls support Background Checks for all gun purchasers; it seems a Senate vote within the next twenty four hours will allow the Compromise Bill to go to the floor for consideration.  The Gun Viloence Compromise Bill crafted by Republican Pennsylvania Senator  Pat Toomey and Democratic West Virginia Senator Jope Manchin, both Grade A recipients by the National Rifle Association, (NRA) the leading opponent of any new legislation legally require a less than universal background check that include guns purchased at gun shows and online, but exclude family member to family member sales or exchanges.  The Manchin-Toomey Bill does not include any provision for a National Gun Registry, nor does it authorize any form of Assault Weapons Ban.  It is being reported as highly likely the efforts being made by Senators TYoomey and Manchin, with an assist from New York U.S.Senator Chuck Schumer; will receive the 60 or more votes tomorrow morning to proceed to being debated by the full Senate.  I will monitor, and blog more about this in the days and weeks ahead as Gun Violence and whatever Bill emerges and is voted upon or enacted proceeds.............Fr.  Troy

MARGARET "MAGGIE" THATCHER BRITAIN's IRON LADY SUCCUMBS TO A STROKE @ 87.............

Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the octogenarian former Conservative Party Prime Minister of Great Britain from May 1979 - November 1990; the first and only woman to ever lead the British Government from 10 Downing Street, died Monday from a stroke.  She was 87 years old.  The daughter of a grocer, her slow and unlikely rise through the ranks of the Tory Party, to a surprising election as Conservative Party Leader in 1975, at a time of when the United Kingdom was troubled by internal economic and social strife, causing its decline in influence, the indominable Margaret rose to power, winning election as Prime Minister the first time in May 1979.  Loved by her faithful followers yet loathed by her political opponents, Thather's strong rule made her the longest serving British Prime Minister of the 20th Century, while also be the most polarizing of political and governmental leaders.  Her austere fiscal conservatism and drastic cuts to state spending, known as, 'Thatcherism' pronouncedly divided Britons striking the less well off and working class, while benefitting the affluent and came to light nearly a decade before her election as Prime Minister, when as Education Minister in the Government of Edward Heath, she made fierce cuts to the Student Milk Program.  Her resoluteness in successfully fighting the Falkland Islands War against Argentina in 1982; and in pronouncing Mikael Gorbachev a Soviet Leader she and we can work with, as the first Western Leader to meet with him; as well as her all but inseperable friendship / partnership with U.S. Presidfent Ronald Reagan, as "political soulmates", in the 1980's; strengthened her and the success of the eleven and a half year, hat trick, three election victories, governance of Great Britain as Prime Minister.  But in addition to her controversial, polarizing, Thatcherism economic policies, her  intractable, non negotiable, approach to relations with the Irish Republican Army,  (I.R.A.) whom she declared to be terrorists, a mutual emnity that led to the I.R.A. targeted bombing of her hotel in Brighton at the 1984 Conservative Party Conference; in which she and her husband were not injired, exacerbated and delayed the cause for peace and justice between historically, culturally, and economically, divided Catholics and Protestants in the North of Ireland and postponed the removal of British troops from the artificial borders of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, until nearly seven years after her forced retirement from 10 Downing Street, by her very own Tories.  Although undeniably a transformational leader of lasting influence; she was also a stultifying polarizer of adverse impact that will not be forgotten.  Popular as a memoirs author and speaker on the lecture circuit, of which she wrote and gave many for over a decade after being deposed, the final decade of her life has seen her lapse into dementia and suffer multiple strokes, including the one that ended her life yesterday.  News today is that she will be given a Ceremonial, not State Funeral at her own request and that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip will attend Baroness Thatcher's Funeral in St. Paul's Cathedral.  It will be only the second funeral of the eight deceased Prime Minister of the Queen's sixty one year reign to date.  Winston Church's Funeral in 1965 being the other one.   I will blog further on Prime Minister Thatcher's Funeral as the events take place.............Fr.  Troy    

"DANCING WITH THE STARS" VERSUS "THE VOICE" WITH OTHER MAJOR COMPETITION TONIGHT.............

With the NCAA College Basketball Championship Game already forty minutes underway Live on CBS Television, between the Universities of Michigan and Louisville, the broadcast network viewing competition will be heated tonight as ABC Television airs week four of season sixteen of "Dancing With The Stars", and NBC Television has its surging now number one singing competition show, "The Voice", airing simultaneously.  Having watched the first hour and a half of the Louisville-Michigan Championship Game, has been delightful and will keep me coming back, even as I check in to 'DWTS' and the 'V'.  Then, for me it gets further viewer competitive as this week's episode of the new  "Dallas", on TNT is also  two hours tonight.  If you are watching tv tonight in the USA, which, if any of these shows will you be watching as your program of choice, vis a vis channel surfing back and forth, or by tivo-ing it ?  Life is to be enjoyed as well as endured, so enjoy whatever program or activity you take part in tonight for the personal and family entertainment it provides you.............Fr.  Troy

EIGHTH DAY OF EASTER IS DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY.............

This Second Sunday of the Paschal Season, known a s the Ocrave Day of Easter, (8th Day), was once known as the Low Sunday the week following the consumate High Sabbath, Easter Sunday.  It is now designated as Divine Mercy Sunday.  Today Pope Francis did something he would have done on Holy Thursday, had he celebrated the Mass of the Lord's Supper in the customary location of his personal  church as the Bishop of Rome, for it is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome.  It is where Pope Francis will celebrate Roman Liturgies on occasions such as the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's
Supper.  By doing so instead a week and a half ago at a juvenile detention centre, Pope Francis did not take possession of St. John Lateran Basilica.  That happened instead today, as the Holy Father went there to celebrate Second Sunday of Easter / Divine Mercy Sunday / Mass, and was enthroned before the Liturgy began.  He was joined at the ceremony and the concelebrated Mass that followed, by the Cardinal Vicar of Rome. as well as the Cardinal Vicar Emeritus, along with Bishops, AND Priests from the Vatican and the Diocese of Rome.............Fr.  Troy

POPE FRANCIS MAKES HIS FIRST APPOINTMENT TO THE ROMAN CURIA AT THE VATICAN.............

On this 7th Day of Easter and the twenty fifth day after being elected Pope of the Catholic Church, has made his first Curial appointment today choosing a Spanish Franciscan, Jose Rodriguez, 60 years old, to be second in command at the Vatican Office for Religious Orders.  Coming from outside the Vatican, he is the first pick of the new Holy Father, to a bureaucracy in critical need of cleaning out and reform.  Having been twice elected the Superior General of the Franciscan Order, the Friars Minor; the newly elevated Archbishop Jose Rodriguez, OFM, is since last year the Leader of an International Association of Male Religious Order Superiors.  Archbishop Rodriguez succeeds the American bishop +Joseph Tobin, who had been transferred back to the United States, as the new Archbishop of Indianapolis, Indiana.  With the Roman Curia mired in scandal and infighting, during the past few years, shed light on by the Vatileaks imbroglio last year and accusations of financial irregularities with the Vatican Bank again in recent years, a thorough cleansing of the Institutional Church beginning at its highest level is vitally imperative.  In coming weeks, the appointments of a new Vatican Secretary of State and other officials, hopefully substantially fresh faces from throughout  the Universal, who are genuine reforms insistent on renewing the Church and purifying corruption, will be named.  God Bless Pope Francis for this wise and optimistic first choice.............Fr.  Troy

"THE BIBLE" MINISERIES SCORES WELL IN THE RATINGS............

The History Channel on cable, scored first place among cable entertainment networks for March, with strong ratings for its five part mini-series, "The Bible", helping catapult it into the winning position.  The married couple of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, produced the mini-series, he the reality show creater of, "Survivor" and, "The Apprentice"; she the star of the nine season tv series, "Touched By An Angel".  "The Bible" finale on Easter Sunday night garnered a viewership of 11.7 million persons, down from the more than 13 million vieweras of its premiere episode on March 3rd, and up from the viwership of over 10 million persons during the three weeks in between the premiere and the finale.  A follow-up series, is already in the works as a result of the success of, "The Bible".  Michael Landon Jr., is producing and writing a mini-series sequel titled, "Jesus Of Nazareth", as a follow-up presentation on the History Channel.............Fr.  Troy

POPE FRANCIS SPEAKS THIS EASTER WEEK OF TRANSFORMING GRACE AND JOYFUL WONDER FOR BELIEVERS.............

Pope Francis during this Week in the Ocrave of Easter continues through statements he has made and at his Wenesday Audience yesterday, is summoning Catholic Christian Disciples to focus on God's Transforming Grace in our lives and to embrace the Joyful Wonder of the Paschal Mystery, as we share in the New and Risen Life of the Lord Jesus.  On this fifth day of the 50 Glorious Days of Easter, we are reminded that the central Reality and Truth of Faith in the Risen Christ is grounded in taking and making the spirit of Holy Week, the Easter Trifuum, and Easter Sunday, a continuing experience of Living our Faith throughout the Paschal, on the pilgrimage to Pentecost.  Deciding to take and make each day of the Easter Season an opportunity to reach out to others with the Good News that Jesus is Risen, in simple, thoughtful, ways at home, work, school, in the neighborhood, at the gym, by sharing a smile, a good word, doing a kind act, praying for another in need, affirming your personal and communal belief in the Resurrection by choosing a ministry to become a participant in, are some of the ways all of us can trult be God's People in Living Faith.  Alleluia !!!  Amen !!!.............Fr.  Troy

EASTER WEDNESDAY IN EAST SAC INCLUDES 2ND MEETING OF SACHEART's DADS GROUP.............

The new young Dads Group at Sacred Heart Church will be meeting for their second session with me tonight here at Mercy McMahon, starting at 8 p.m.  The focus of our consideration will be Chapter 1 of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's, "Jesus Of Nazareth" Volume Two, 'The Entrance Into Jerusalem And The Cleansing Of The Temple'.  We set a good foundation for our study and discussion for the Dads already in the group and others who will join us.  The overall goal of out gatherings is to increase and grow the Faith and Spirituality of these men as fathers and husbands.............Fr.  Troy

THE POST CHRISTIAN INITIATION JOURNEY OF FAITH IS ONE OF LIFELONG CONVERSION.............

Rita Spillane, Msgr. Bob Walton, and I, met with the Sacred Heart R.C.I.A. Neophytes tonight, to begin the fourth and final stage of the Catechumenate, "Mystagogy", with them, as they transition into full membership in the Catholic Church, as completely initiated Disciples of Jesus the Risen Christ.  It was an animated gathering of discussion, the sharing of questions, and answers, and information about resources such as the Collegeville Biblical Commentary, and the Harper Collins Study Bible, to help them read and interpret the Scriptures with in their daily Prayer and Spiritual Reading.  Just as this year's Neophytes  are called to embrace the lifelong journey of Conversion, so also is everyone of us called to continually convert our interior desires and motivations, along with our external acts and responses, to become more Christ centered, New and Risen Life oriented, Kingdom building, People of God.  On this 3rd Day of Easter 2013, how well are you and me living out our Discipleship in Jesus and His Resurrection ?  Take time tonight or tomorrow, to pray, reflect, and act, on a concrete decision to include time with the Risen Jesus scripturally and spiritually in your daily lives.............tdp

PRAISING THE LORD FOR EASTER BLESSINGS.............

On this Easter Tuesday as I ready myself to go to Presentation Parish to concelebrate the Memorial Mass for the Mother of our diocesan Rhwandan priest, Father Bernardin, I give glory and praise to God for the blessings of healing and grace in the lives of His faithful servants.  Roger Geach, who last week had prostrate surgery, has been found cancer free, thanks be to God.  I ask your prayers for him and for all who are convalescing and healing from surgery, sickmess, infirmity, or illness.  May the Risen Jesus, whose Newness of Life is our goal and the promise of Eternity our hope, continue to bless Roger, Karin, his wife; and the entire Geach Family.  And may the glory of the Resurrection also console Father Bernardin and his family, as well as the family of my cherished friend, Curtis Richards, and his family, who recently have been enduring the loss of his sister Jeanette.  May the Jesus The Christ, Who is Our Resurrection and Our Life, sustain them and All Believers in Faith, Hope, and Love.  Alleluia !!!  Amen !!!.............Fr.  Troy

JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN ! ALLEULIA !! THE 2ND DAY OF EASTER.............

On this 2nd Day of the Paschal Season of Christian Redemption, we rejoice and exult as Catholics and Believers in the Risen Christ, on Easter Monday, in many instances a a day of rest and refreshing ourselves, especially in the countries and localities were it is a holiday.  We continue what for the Catholic-Christian Church in what is a liturgical season of 50 Glorious Days, to exult in the Rising of Jesus from Death, and rejoice in the New and Eternal Life He has attained and gained for God's People in All Creation.  The ripeness of Alleluias onour lips and in our hearts and minds, are prevalent for the Risen Savior's devout and faith filled followers and will continue to be for the next seven weeks.  If you did not have Easter Monday and returned to work, school, or regular activities today, what ways are you making to keep the Spirit and Truth of the New and Risen Life of Christ in your lives ?  Perhaps the example of our newly Initated Members, the Baptized, Confirmed, Eucharisted, and Faith Professed, will serve as a fruitful guide.  Like them all of us as Disciples of Jesus the Lord of our Salvation, bear the need to pray more; reach out in ministering to others; and take the time to more fully incorporate and involve ourselves in Life of the Church, the Catholic-Christian Community, and the World.  May this Easter Season 2013, bring you and yours the Grace and Blessings to actively proclaim and practice, "Christ Is Risem, Alleluia"..."This Is The Day The Lord Has Made, Let Us Rejoice And Be Glad".  Alleluia Amen !!.............tdp

"INSIGHTS INTO LIFE AND FAITH" LOGS NEW HIGH IN MONTHLY PAGE VIEWS DURING MARCH.............

Easter Sunday concluded last night having helped reached a new milestone monthly record for page views of the blog pasts of, "Insights Into Life And Faith By Father Troy David Powers".  The previous high mark came three months ago in December 2012 - '5,003'.  The newest water mark accomplished yesterday for March 2013 is - '5,457'.  My Thanks and Gratitude to ALL of you who are reading my blog as well as commenting on the blog columns.  I am striving to be ever more diligent in blogging about topics and interests that are diverse, informative, catechetical, evangelical, current, historical, political, governmental, spiritual, social, that causes you to think and provokes a discussion, dialogue, or debate, for the Insight into Life and Faith, that provides us the opportunity to share viewpoints that represent who we are as People of God in the 21st Century and 3rd Millennium of Catholic-Christianity.............Peace, Prayers, + Power,   Fr.  Troy