HAVE YOU SUBMITTED YOUR DISABILITY MINISTRY EVALUATION COMMENTS FOR MY D.MIN CLASS PROJECT ?..............

CARDINAL MAHONY BLOGS, "DON'T BLAME THE CHILDREN AT THE BORDER"..............

IT IS TIME TO EVALUATE MY THREE DISABILITY MINISTRY NEW EVANGELIZATION PROJECT BLOG COLUMNS..............

My Faithful Blog Readers / Followers,

I must ask a favor of you.  As I proceed into the Final Exams for Year One Cohort of Classes for the Doctor of Ministry degree program at the Catholic University of America, I need your assistance.  In my New Evangelization class my final exam Project on Disability Ministry revolves around the three special blog columns I posted on Thursdays June 19th, June 26th, and July 3rd, I posted.  They need to be responded to with your comments, as a means of evaluating how effective I was in making the case for  the Greater Necessity for Ministry to Disabled Persons and those with Special Needs, in the U.S. Catholic Church.

Your comments should address the areas of :

Was I clear in communicating the need for unconditional Disability Ministry in Catholic parishes and dioceses in the United States ?

How convincingly did I make my points as a resource of Evangelization - welcoming and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and the Gospel Values the Catholic-Christian Church believes and teaches ?

What else do you feel I need to address in completing this project to strengthen the awareness of, and advocacy for, wholistic Disability Ministry in the Catholic Church ?

If you please, grade my effectiveness in communicating the Greater Necessity for Ministry to Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs. A- Excellent  B-  Very Good  C-  Average/Fair  D- Unsatisfactory  F- Poor

Thank you for taking the time to evaluate my work.  Please send your comments no later than Saturday July 12th, at 12 noon Pacific Time.  ..............Fr.  Troy David Powers

AN IRISH TENOR TRIBUTE CONCERT HONORING MONSIGNOR KAVANAGH..............

Sacramento's Joseph Patrick McNamara celebrates his Birthday today as does his mother, Sally.  A very, very, Happy Birthday to you both.  As always, Joe devoted as he and his family are to their Irish American heritage and the authentic actualizing of it, is presently promoting a fine musical concert on July 24th and 25th.  The renowned founding member of the "Irish Tenors", Anthony Kearns, will be presented by the LaSalle Club of Christian Brothers High School in the George Cunningham '40 Performing Arts Center on the campus.  The Thursday night July 24th show is a tribute to the iconic senior Honorary Prelate of the Sacramento Diocese, Monsignor Edward J. Kavanagh. Tickets are $35 for the Mezzanine and $50 for Orchestra seats.  The  Show will also feature the McKeever School of Irish Dance.   Tickets can be purchased online @ www.lasalleclub.com / Looking forward to seeing you there..............Fr.  Troy

14th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AND OUR RELATIONSHIP IN CHRIST WITH GOD AS ABBA FATHER..............

The forecast in Sacramento is for a hot and sunny triple digits day on this 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time and 4th of July holiday weekend.  The Gospel Proclamation Matthew 11:25-30, speaks  to us of the attitude of gratitude Jesus has for His Heavenly Father for revealing to the meek and humble key insights into the mysteries of God's Kingdom to Come and for the relationship  of pure Love He shares with God the Father.  Jesus is also reassuring to those who believe in and follow Him as fervent Disciples, that we need  not fear in times of trial and tribulation but to turn to Him.  Our Faith and Fidelity in the Good News of Redemption for Humankind in the Risen and Ascended, Lord Jesus, and in the Second Coming Christ at the end of time, has the power to lighten our burdens and sustain us.  May the abundant  Blessings of God's Love transform you and me to become evermore Faithful Witnesses to others of the relationship we are graced  to Share with God the Father and the Son, through the Unity and Love of their consummate bond - the Holy Spirit..............Father Troy  David

REMEMBERING "92" AND MEMORIES SO VIVIDLY TRUE..............

Ninety two years ago today, July 5, 1922, my mother Josephine Virginia was born at home in Sacramento California.  She went home to God and Eternal Life on December 2, 1982.  In her 60 years 4 months and 27 days of life on earth she was generously and religiously loving. faithful, and true, to her family, friends, neighbors, fellow believers, and to strangers, with an abundance of daily kindnesses and remembrances, that form a treasury of memories that flow deep even now, nearly thirty two years after her death.  Two of the most vivid treasures my mother shared and instilled in me were a profound love for God and our Catholic-Christian Faith; and the strength to stand up and be counted about what I strongly believe in, just as she did throughout her life.  In fairness and justice my mother spoke up when she or others she knew and cared about were victims of wrongdoing.  Were she alive now as my priestly ministry is being marginalized she would be true to her convictions and be unequivocally advocating for my return to full time parish ministry, as she was always wholeheartedly supportive of my discernment and decision to become a priest, even though she died in the first year I was a seminarian.  And so those who think I am too strong willed in my resolve to resume carrying out my vocation as an ordained  Catholic priest who is physically disabled but still very able to minister as a presider, preacher, and servant-leader, of God, know that my perseverance in doing that has been inculcated into me by the fidelity and fervency of my beloved Mother -  Josephine Virginia Corey Feusi Powers.  God Love You Forever.  I Do..............Troy David

THE RED, WHITE, & BLUE, USA OF INDEPENDENCE DAY "238"..............

Two hundred and thirty years ago today, July 4th, 1776, our founding forefathers, who were colonists of Great Britain in the New Land of America, signed a document  authored by Thomas Jefferson that became our Declaration of Independence.  Their spirit of patriotism was self evident in the liberty and freedom of becoming citizens of a sovereign nation nome of the national traditions associated with the 4th of Julyo longer governed by the British, but uniquely, independently, American.  As you share with your family, friends, and neighbors, some of the national traditions of the 4th of July : parades, barbecues, concerts, and fireworks, may you be blessed with the freedom  of, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", this day represents and assures us as citizens of the USA.  Though my freedom to fully celebrate Independence Day is limited for the third consecutive year by being made to subsist in a sea of seniors decades older than me, I will at least have some corn on the cob and watermelon, to mark the day.  God Bless America, the "land of the free and the home of the brave".  May your personal liberties and our national freedoms, bring you the joy you seek and deserve and that our country's bold proclamation 238 years ago, gives each of us the opportunity to ascertain.  Happy 4th of July !!!!!!!!!!!!!!..............Fr.  Troy David

EVANGELIZING ABOUT THE NECESSITY FOR UNCONDITIONAL DISABILITY MINISTRY IN THE U.S. CATHOLIC CHURCH PART THREE..............

Here is the is the third of three Thursday blog columns (June 19th, 26th, and today July 3rd,) on addressing the necessity for a greater implementation of Ministry to Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs in the Catholic Church throughout the United States.  Having in the first two blog columns spoken about the 1978 U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Statement and the National Catholic Partnership for Disability (NCPD) that emerged out of that Statement - Today I will focus on my personal experiences in and with the Disability Community and how the New Evangelization and U.S. Bishops National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization, "Go And Make Disciples", (1992 to the present) are reflected in my proposal that there is a much greater need for American Catholics and our Church to develop and embrace a wholistic commitment to carrying out Disability Ministry.  These three blog columns are part of my final examination project in the Doctor of Ministry program at the Catholic University of America and the class on the New Evangelization. with Dr. Richard DeLillio.  Please respond to them as an evaluative component of  my project.  Thank you.

Catholic Evangelization, the sharing of the Good News of Jesus as the Christ of Salvation is rooted in reaching out to all peoples.  Following the Second Vatican Council 1962-1965, and the Synod of Bishops gathering on Evangelization in 1974, Pope Paul VI issued an encylcial (papal teaching document, "Evangelization In The Modern World" (1975) , in which he enunciated that the Catholic Church must not be, "defensive or rigid", but "better equipped to carry out Christ's mission of bringing the Good News", a message that we are 'saved and healed' to everyone.  For over more than 40 years the Catholic Church has reiterated this message in placing a greater awareness and practice of a renewed love of reading, studying, and praying, with the Sacred Scriptures; that places a much greater focus on our relationship with Jesus as His disciples who are intentionally seeking to love and follow Him and invite others to do so also; with an attentiveness and heightened focus on the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives; and through sacramental renewal and our mutual faith journeys in dynamically witnessing to our Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, as disciples and evangelists who inspire and encourage others to join the Catholic-Christian Church.

The foremost attribute of Catholic Evangelization is that it must be Welcoming to those seeking to enter and be present and participating members of the Community of Believers.  Extending an openness and warmth to visitors, inquirers, and newcomers, as well as parishioners that  is selfless and sincere in reaching out and  inviting them into spiritual and social interaction.  The three central Goals  of the U.S. Bishops' "Go And  Make Disciples", (GMD) underscores the pivotal need for evangelizing and being re-evangelized, in an all inclusive way.  Their 1st Goal is to - "Bring about in all Catholics such  an enthusiasm for their faith that in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others."   The 2nd Goal of GMD, IS - "To invite all people in the United States whatever their social or cultural background, to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ so that they may come to  join us in the fullness of the Catholic faith".  And the U.S. Bishops 3rd Goal is - "To foster gospel values within our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of the family, and the common good of our society, so that our nation may continue to be transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ."  All 3 Goals  shape and define our call to action as American Catholics.  For purposes of applying their intent into the focus on greater Catholic Disability Ministry I will concentrate on Goal 3

"Promoting the dignity of the human person", as stated in Goal 3 of GMD, is a core teaching of the Respect For Life the Catholic Church believes in and teaches.  Therefore, in order to affirm the God given right to every person to, "live, dwell, and have our being", requires an openness and acceptance of all people regardless of their state or condition, as equal co-heirs to God's Kingdom and thus to "full, active, and conscious",  participation in the sacramental, liturgical, spiritual, catechetical, and social, life of the Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ.  This pertains as much to Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs, as it does to everyone else.  Inaccessibility, the lack of Inclusion, and the failure to  Empower, the Disabled by the Church is a violation of their dignity and human rights along with discrimination and the disqualification of our baptismal right to the priestly, prophetic, and kingly, Mission and Ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus The Christ.  How can we authenticate the, "importance of family", and the common good of our society", while we exclude or obstruct the presence and participation of the 14 million Catholics in the United States with Special Needs.  We will not be truly transformed or transformative in the, "saving power of Jesus Christ until the disabled have an equal place of membership and ministry in the Catholic Church.

I myself have experienced it both ways.  From childhood up to recent years as an inviting, welcoming, full opportunity, experience of Church as a lay minister for eighteen years and an ordained deacon and priest since 1987.  My physical disability did not preclude my ability or opportunity to minister to God's People.  That acceptance, affirmation, and support, have not continued the past few years, as now as a right leg below the knee amputee I have been sidelined in my mid 50's into a senior citizens residence and  left without assigned priestly ministry for the last two years and two months. My story of being treated as if I am disqualified instead of the truth being I am disabled but still able of fulfilling my priestly duties of presiding at Mass, preaching, administering Sacraments, catechizing, and evangelizing, is just one example of the inconsistent, incomplete, and inappropriate, response to Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs the Catholic Church in the United States must forthrightly eradicate parishes, dioceses, and ministries.  The Bishops 1978 Pastoral Statement, the ongoing efforts of the NCPD since 1982, the USCCB;S Strategic Plan and their 3 Goals for Evangelization, are a sure sign of hope in eradicating the indifference and insensitivity, that unfortunately still exists. The authentic practice throughout our national Church of compassion and mercy for all persons, particularly those of us in the disability community who are 20% of the Catholics in the United States is urgently overdue without exception now and presently pushing forward.  For how else will we be a caring, loving, interdependent, and wholistic,Body of Christ and Catholic Community now and ever more, as long  as  we fail to welcome and affirmatively include all our members and visitors in the prayer, worship, and ministry, of being Church ?..............

Thank you for reading and reflecting on today's and the previous two Thursday blog columns on Disability Ministry.  Now, please respond by posting your comments, reactions, or questions right here on the blog.  Peace + Prayers as we proceed to Push Forward in the Inclusion  and Empowerment of  those of with Special Needs in the U.S. Catholic Church..............Rev. Fr. Troy David Powers

THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS LAW WAS SIGNED INTO LAW 50 YEARS AGO TODAY..............

A half a century has past when on this date in 1964, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed into law the enactment of the Civil Rights Act, the most comprehensive effort to address the equality of ll Americans and elimination of prejudice, discrimination, and segregation, due to racial differences.  It came 187 years after our Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States of America.  A coalition of other than Southern Democrats and large numbers of Republicans in the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed the landmark legislation that a century after the Civil War began to accelerate our national commitment to fully casting off the ravages of slavery and permitting unconditional freedom and equal opportunity under the mandate of Federal Law to every American citizen. How far forward in making progress fifty years later do you think we have come as the, "land of the free...with liberty and justice for all ?" May our reflection on that reality being realized continue to bear fruit as we prepare to commemorate the 238th anniversary of the 4th of July that set the American experience of Freedom for all our peoples in motion..............fr.tdp

HAVE YOU COMMENTED ON MY JUNE 26TH DISABILITY MINISTRY BLOG COLUMN ? PLEASE DO SO..............

Blog column 2, of my Doctor of Ministry student at the Catholic University of America New Evangelization class project on the Greater Necessity for Ministry to Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs was posted on Thursday June 26th. Have you taken the time to read it yet ?  Will you kindly do so, and then respond by writing a comment on my blog.  The third and final of the three special blog columns will be posted this Thursday July 3rd.  Spread the word and say yes to sharing in my project as I begin to zero in on my focus for the degree I am seeking in order to further my priestly ministry to others in the Disability Community, 14 million who are members of the Catholic Church in the United States..............Fr. Troy David

A BUSY DAY AT THE SUPREME COURT AND THE WHITE HOUSE..............

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) and the President of the United States (POTUS) had a momentous day on this 30th of June, as they announced significant decisions.  The nine Justices of the Supreme rendered their judgment on the final two cases they undertook for the 2013-2014 Session of the Nation's highest Court of Law.  In two contentious, politically philosophical, conservatives versus liberals 5-4 split Decisions, with the 5 Republican appointed Justices prevailing over the 4 Democratic appointed Justices determined that small family owned businesses with religious convictions opposed to Contraception may choose to opt out of paying for birth control for their employees, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act national health care program frequently referred to as Obamacare.  In the other Decision the Justices Roberts, Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, AcDlito, again lined up in the majority; with Justices Bader-Ginsburg, Breyer, SotoMayor, and Kagen, dissenting, decided that some public employee union workers are not required to pay certain union dues involuntarily.  At the White House President Obama announced his choice as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs to join his Cabinet.  Bob McDonald, the former CEO of Proctor & Gamble, a who served as a younger man as a U,S. Army Captain is the nominee.  When confirmed he will take charge of addressing and reforming the Veterans Affairs hospitals scandal.  As summer unfolds so will the reactions and redirection brought about by the decisions  made today by both the POTUS and the SCOTUS..............fr.tdp

THE SUNDAY SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL..............

Having presided and preached at the 9:30am Mass at Sacred Heart this morning, the focus of my Homily on this Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, was to underscore their effectiveness as Apostles after they embraced Jesus The Christ fearlessly and faithfully.  Despite Peter's denials of knowing and following Jesus before the Paschal Mystery was fulfilled, Jesus proclaims him to be the Rock and primatial Leader of the Church accepting Peter's confession of Faith in Jesus as the Christ of Salvation.  Paul's assiduous scholarly and learned fidelity to Judaism made him a persecutor of the first Christians, until his extraordinary conversion made him one of the most extensive missionaries to the Gentiles in all of  Christian History.  We too, in the Third Millennium of Catholic-Christianity are baptized and believing Disciples of the Lord Jesus, are called and commissioned to be Fearless, Faith-filled, Evangelists and Missionaries of Jesus The Christ.  Embracing the spirit of Sts. Peter and Paul, who will you be a bearer of the Good News  to today and in the days ahead ?  How will you choose to share the Mission of Redemption with them ?  It is a responsibility you and me and every Christian has been chosen to bring to fulfillment..............Father Troy David

PERMANENT DIACONATE ORDINATION DAY IN SACRAMENTO..............

Twenty new Permanent Deacons will be ordained for ministry in the Sacramento Diocese today in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament at 11am.  Three of the Deacons and their wives and families are former parishioners of mine in Yreka, Citrus Heights, and the Arden Arcade area of Sacramento.  They are Timothy Louie, Mark Hronicek, and Paul Friedrich.  I look forward to concelebrating their  Diaconate Ordination Mass as they are welcomed into the Order of Deacons..............fr.tdp

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS..............

One of the universal devotions of Catholic-Christians is veneration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, sign of the Love of Jesus The Christ for Humankind.  God is Love and the Heart of Jesus is the vessel of Divine Love that we as Christian Disciples can identify with and relate to as human beings who feel, share, and experience, the power of love in our lives.  As we commemorate today the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, may the enthronement of God's Love take center place in our lives, not  only today but everyday in increasing ways.  My thoughts and prayers today are particularly with the People of God in Sacred Heart Parish here in East Sacramento.  I am truly blessed  with their solidarity and support for my priestly ministry, during the twenty seven months I have been involuntarily exiled without a ministry assignment or parish placement.  May the kindness and acceptance you have shown me be blessed by the Love of Jesus' Sacred Heart and serve as an enlightenment to others who make my right leg below the knee amputation a pre-emption of my priesthood rather than choosing to empower my continuing in assigned, full time, active ministry of God's People here in my native diocese.  "O Sacred Heart, my hope lies deep in You"..............fr.tdp

EVANGELIZING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES ABOUT THE GREATER NEED FOR DISABILITY MINISTRY - PART TWO..............

Today I continue my blogging about Evangelizing the Catholic Church in the United States regarding increasing the necessity of Ministry to Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs, in the second of three consecutive Thursday columns.  On  June 19th I blogged about the U.S. Bishops 1978 Pastoral Statement.  Next Thursday, July 3rd my focus will be some of ways dioceses and parishes in the USA are providing Disability Ministry.  Today I am blogging about the National Catholic Partnership for Disability - NCPD, the developing and coordinating ministry that emerged in 1982 from the U.S. Bishops Pastoral Statement on Ministry to Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs.

For the past thirty two years, building on the foundation of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (U.S.C.C.B.) 1978 Pastoral Statement on Ministry to Persons with Disabilities, the  organization that emerged from the vision shared in the Bishops' Statement, the National Catholic Partnership for Disability (NCPD) has coordinated and developed training and leadership in ministering to the 14 million American Catholics who are disabled - "physically, intellectually, sensory, mentally, or emotionally".  The NCPD provides training, resources, and networking, to dioceses and  parishes throughout the country working with diocesan disability ministry directors and an array of other ministry partners to, "promote and defend the culture of life, upholding the dignity of every human person." The NCPD  achieves this by sharing with dioceses and parishes in the USA, "the best practices and resources being developed and utilized," to bring necessary and vital Disability Ministry into more effective existence in the Catholic Church.

The NCPD is trailblazing in Disability Ministry in the U.S. Catholic Church by means of the, "Catechesis, Ministry Specific resources, various Ministry Models, Spirituality, and Building Awareness," the National  Catholic Partnership for Disability provides for the U.S. Catholic Church. As my three Disability Ministry blog column series is an Evangelization project, I will concentrate primarily on the 'Building Awareness' aspect of their efforts.  In building awareness and sensitivity in ministering to Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs, the NCPD proclaims that, "attitudes are one of the biggest challenges faced by people with disabilities."  These attitudes are manifested in the 'Power of Language', in the 'Stigma', in 'What's in a Word and Words', in Dignity', and in 'Love'.

The language we use  in speaking about and doing ministry to and with the disabled, the NCPD advises us has an affect on our listeners.  We must avoid stigmatizing disabled persons by our use of prejudicial, insensitive, or outdated, words about persons with special needs. Take care to use Person First Language in discussing persons with disabilities, referring to them for example first by name - Troy, and then if necessary, - my friend with a below the knee amputee; rather than saying, - my amputated friend, with or without referring to me by name.  Avoid victimizing disabled persons by the use of words such as being, "afflicted" or, "suffering from whatever physical, intellectual, sensory, emotional, or mental, condition they are contending with.  Speaking of the disabled as being afflicted or suffering makes it seem their entire lives are dominated and determined solely by their disability, when  in truth  their special need does not always adversely affect and interfere with their daily lives.  Making fun of, or the name calling of disabled persons  is inappropriate at all times and must never be used or tolerated; including jokes and stories that only stigmatize and mischaracterize the disability and denigrate the human dignity of special needs persons.  Telling persons with disabilities they are, "a burden" to others, or that they will have to prove they are not, 'disqualified' from ministry, presence, or participation, in the Catholic Church, is grossly unjust.  The NCPD has much to teach us about this, including in the Parish Resource Guide they published in 2003, "Opening Doors of Welcome and Justice to Parishioners".

The National Catholic Partnership for Disability continues to promote and expand the horizons of Disability Ministry in the U.S. Catholic Church and I am pleased as a life long physically disabled person and a twenty seven year Catholic priest of the Sacramento Diocese, to be teamed with them in bringing about greater enlightenment about, and empowerment for, the 14 million  of us who are Catholics and have Special Needs in the United States.  It was privilege to attend their Partnership '13 Convention October 31- November 2, 2013 in Houston Texas.  I am further blessed to have made my initial visit to the NCPD headquarters on June 13, 2014 in Washington, D.C.  I eagerly look forward to partnering with them over the next several years as I study, research, and then write a doctoral thesis on the Greater Need for Ministry to Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs in the Catholic Church in the USA.  "Faith, Giftedness, Partnership".  These are the themes, the mission, and the accessible, inclusive, and empowering, Catholic ministry the NCPD, which I have evangelized you about today, strives ever more fervently to assure the Catholic-Christian right and opportunity of Catholics requiring Disability Ministry in the United States.Please reflect on what I have written and respond with your comments right here on my blog, or on Facebook.  Thank you for your assistance with my D.Min Evangelization project. .............Father Troy David Powers

HAVE YOU COMMENTED ON MY JULY 19TH DISABILITY MINISTRY BLOG COLUMN ?..............

Tomorrow, Thursday June 26th, I will present the second of three Thursday blog columns on the greater need for wholistic Disability Ministry in the Catholic Church of the United States.  I invite you to read it and respond with your reflections as this is a part of my final exam project in the New Evangelization class at the Catholic University of America and  my studies for a Doctor of Ministry degree.  I also continue to welcome your comments on my July 19th blog column on the unconditional imperative for Catholic Ministry to Persons with Disabilities  and Special Needs. Thank you for taking part in this project with me as I strive to advocate for and advance the right of the 14 million Catholics in the United States who are disabled to be welcomed to being present and participating with the Catholic Church with full accessibility, inclusiveness and empowerment..............Fr.  Troy

FEARLESSLY BEING PROPHETIC ABOUT JESUS THE CHRIST..............

John the Baptist who testified to Jesus in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Visitation she made to her also pregnant cousin Elizabeth, was himself a special child from the moment of his conception.  To be born in six months following the Visitation as the only son of a very elderly and barren couple, when John leapt in his mother's womb when Mary and Elizabeth greeted  each other, he was acknowledging the special, prophetic, mission of his cousin.  John as a  contemporary of Jesus grew in wisdom and holiness and when the appointed time came thirty years later, he was chosen by God the Father and imbued by the Holy Spirit with the privilege to become the last of the Prophets raised up to proclaim the Coming of the Messiah of God's Chosen People.  John heralded the imminent arrival of the Christ by boldly preaching Repentance and Baptizing sinners with water.  When Jesus presented Himself for baptism by John, he reluctantly consented because he believed Jesus to be the long awaited Messiah, and acclaimed Him to  be the perfect Lamb of God and forgiver of sins.  John the Baptist was God's Prophet in proclaiming the Christ. He did so without fear of the martyrdom he would suffer as a result.  We too, as Followers of Jesus The Christ as our Messiah and the Redeemer of Humankind are meant to be prophetic voices in furthering the Mission of  reconciling sinners and building up the coming of God's Kingdom.  How are you and I being prophets of the Lord Jesus in the present moment.  Pray and ponder that you will hear and answer the invitation to become an unconditional prophetic voice for Jesus as we follow Him daily..............fr.tdp

ORDINARY TIME, ORDINARY PEOPLE..............

Having returned to what is liturgically designated by Catholic-Christians as Ordinary Time for the next five months, with the high seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, complete for the Year of Our Lord 2014 - we spend the majority of the Liturgical Year living out the everyday events of life having  been graced by the pinnacle experiences of the Lord Jesus and God's Chosen People in Salvation History, we put flesh on the bones of our own Faith  experiences by taking our beliefs and practices as  Followers of Jesus The Christ into all aspects of our individual and interpersonal relationships at home, work, school, social activities, as well as in and with the Community of Believers.  We fulfill the significance and meaning of Ordinary Time by fervently reflecting the Gospel Values we profess, throughout all 52 weeks of the year in fidelity to our Discipleship.  How are you witnessing as Ordinary People of God as we return to the rest of Ordinary Time for this year ?..............fr.tdp

THE EUCHARIST MAKES US THE BREAD OF LIFE FOR OTHERS..............

Christians have celebrated the Holy Eucharist on Sunday from the occurrence of the Resurrection of Jesus more than two thousand years ago to this present moment. Many Catholics celebrate the Eucharist daily as an even more profound share in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus' Passion, Death, and Resurrection.  Our Catholic-Christian belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist Vatican Two proclaimed as the, "source and summit" of our Faith.  Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ - Corpus Christi.  It  is a Eucharistic liturgical feast that crowns and highlights the weekly and daily celebrations of the Mass.  It is one more  opportunity to affirm our Living Faith in the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior as the Bread  of Life and Cup of Salvation that feeds us spiritually and sacramentally, and allows us to become the Bread of Life for others - especially the poor, the ill, infirm, disabled, elderly, marginalized, or alienated. Who will you be the Body and Blood of Christ for today and this week, as you feed others with the Real Presence you have received in the Eucharist ?..............Father Troy David

LIVING FAITH IN THE SPIRIT, THE TRINITY, AND THE EUCHARIST..............

As we settle back into the long term of  Ordinary Time for 2014, the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, the  central Mystery of the Holy Trinity of God, and the source and summit of our Catholic-Christian Faith - the Sacrament of the Eucharist, stand before us as driving forces of the Discipleship we profess and follow everyday, be they ordinary or solemn days of Living our Faith in Jesus The Christ.  How are you going to be a fervent reflector of Pentecost, the Triune God, and the Body and Blood of Christ , in your daily, ordinary, lives moving forward through the months of Ordinary Time liturgically just ahead ?  A commitment to praying, worshipping, and ministering in and with your local Community of Believers is the ideal way to Faithfully Witness to being wholehearted Catholic-Christians in season and out of season..............fr.tdp