COMPLETING THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2013 - THE FINAL DAY..............

On this last day of 2013, as we prepare at Midnight to greet the New Year 2014 in the Year of our Lord and the Common Era; it is my hope for you that you are in holiday mode, not only tonight and tomorrow, but into next week.  In whatever state of life you have found yourself for better, worse, or in-between, let us pray together on the threshold of a fresh calendar that Blessings and Graces will be with us as we enter it and live the 365 days ahead.  Whoever, However, we are Faith in Jesus The Christ our Lord and Savior and the Holy example of our Holy Father Pope Francis, there is optimism, potential, and a higher purpose for us to be discovered and appreciated, as we embrace it and push forward.  For everyone who has affirmed, interacted, supported, and friended me during  this year, I give you my gratitude and continuing prayers.  May the Lord of Life Bless us and keep us, make His Face to shine upon us and give us Peace,  as we say GOODBYE to 2013 and HELLO to..............2014 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!>>>Father Troy David Powers

THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS DAY SIX..............

On this next to last day of Calendar Year 2013 A.D., THE 6th day in the Octave of Christmas 2013-2014, I provide you with the following as a spiritual bridge between the celebration of Christmas week and the start of the New Year of our Lord..............

LET US PRAY -

 God, Heavenly Father as we continue to marvel and rejoice in our commemoration of the Coming in History of Your Co-Eternal Son in His Holy Birth as the Word Made Flesh for the Redemption of Humankind, may fully embrace and continue to flourish the Spirit of Christmas forward into the New Year and make the Truth of the core meaning of the Incarnation of Jesus The Christ more than a seasonal observance and instead an everyday reality in our daily Discipleship as we seek and find the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that leads to Your Kingdom of Everlasting Life.  We invoke this prayer in the promise to live our Faith in the power of the Nativity and the Resurrection to truly transform us...In the Name of Jesus the Messiah, our Lord and Savior we Pray...
AMEN.
..............fr.tdp

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY ON THIS FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS..............

The central pillars of the Spirit of the Season of Christmas are encountered in Faith, Family, Fidelity, and Fellowship, that provide us with a sensation of Joy and Peace in the serenity of the of hope in the Redemption of Humankind initiated by the Holy Birth of the Christ Child in the Incarnation.  On this 5th day of Christmas we focus in on the pillar of the Family. as the chief thread of civility and stability in Society.  For about a century today's Feast of the Holy Family has been on the Liturgical Calendar shifted to various dates.  For nearly four and a half decades it has been calendared on the Sunday following Christmas Day, except when that day is Sunday, when it is transferred to later in the first week of the Christmas Season.  All Catholic-Christian Families should concentrate in a particular way and means on your relationships as a family unit.  To share the respect, esteem, and appreciation, for the roles and responsibilities. parents, children,, and other family are commissioned by God and inspired by the Holy Family of Nazareth to carry out.  The opening lines of Second Reading in the Liturgy of the Word  at Christmas Holy Family Sunday Mass and Worship Services from St. Paul.s Letter to the Colossians starting at Chapter 3, Verse 12, may be a very beneficial blueprint for organizing and observing this Christmas Feast concentrated on the interpersonal well being of the holiness and wholeness of our own families.To build and further the Call to Holiness in our families the Apostle Paul proclaims that, Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, and Patience, are mainstays under-girding the attributes every Human Family requires to truly emulate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  On this Christmas Feast of the Holy Family, what acts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, will each of your families share together today in seeking to live the holiness we are intended to envelop deeply into our Redeeming Journey of Life and Faith?????..............Fr. Triy David Powers

FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS..............

The 4th day of Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, commemorating the infants two years old and under who were slaughtered by order of King Herod, out of anger and insecurity about being misled by the Magi about the Birth of who they described as, the Newborn  King of the Jews.  They are venerated by Catholic-Christians as Martyrs and Saints, for having died a sacrificial death for Jesus The Christ, the King of  Salvation.  Into the 3rd Millennium of Christianity, the Holy Innocents now include all those persons who have been killed giving their lives for the good of others.From the innocent unborn to police officers, firefighters, military service members, and all children, women, and men, who innocently are killed as a outlash of Violence, Oppression, and Social Injustice.  As we remember and lift up the Holy Innocents on this fourth day of the Season of the Holy Nativity, may among us who are Disciples of Christ the King of Humankind's Redemption, rise up more men, women, and children, who will faithfully and fearlessly Witness to Jesus, despite the persecution they face, or dying for Christ that may be ours..............Fr.  Troy David

THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS AND THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST..............

Our 3rd day of Christmas is the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, who is spoken of in the Christian Scriptures as the, "Beloved Disciple", as an Apostle of Jesus.  As we proceed in celebrating with Christmas Joy our Messiah's Birth the Gospel Proclamation takes us to end of Jesus' earthly life at the Tomb on Easter morning, where St. Peter and another disciple believed to be St. John arrive to find and observe the Empty Tomb. Sacred Tradition holds that John is the unidentified Apostle at the Tomb for the special bond of friendship and love he shared with the Lord Jesus, a bond that made him a fearlessly faithful witness to the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ.  He is the one Jesus chose from the Cross to be the guardian of his Blessed Mother; and it is John the Evangelist who authors a Gospel much different from Mark, Matthew, and Luke, with a higher level of Divine emphasis and distinct theological discourse on the Public Ministry and Paschal Mystery of Jesus The Christ. Thus on Christ Day 3, the discipleship, evangelism, and personal experiences and discernment, of John as an Apostle of Jesus, bridges the intersection of Christmas and Easter.  May the Christian Discipleship of St. John the Evangelist, along with St. Stephen the Martyr, inspire us to further the depths of our own relationships with our Divine Savior in being the Faithful Witnesses to the Holy Birth, Saving Death, and Risen Life  we are initiated and enabled to be as Believers and Followers of Jesus The Christ..............Fr.  Troy David

THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS AND THE FEAST OF STEPHEN..............

The second day of Christmas is the Feast of St. Stephen, Deacon of the Church, who is the First Christian Martyr.  Stephen, one of the initial Disciples commissioned by the Apostles to assist them in caring tor the poor and the needy, was a strong spokesperson in advocating for the less fortunate. his fervency in bearing Faithful Witness to Christ the Savior was so immense it seriously riled the Jewish authorities who charged him with blasphemy, and put him on trial before the Sanhedrin and he was sentenced to death by stoning.  Stephen's compassion and forgiveness for his persecutors, as they were killing him, is an outstanding example of unconditional Discipleship in Jesus the Lord. caused to sacrifice himself for professing and practicing his Christian Faith also denotes the reality of Suffering being a component of being a Believer in, and Follower of, the Messiah of God's People. Yet, it also underscores the Blessings to be granted to those who suffer and are martyrs for Christ, as God grants them Everlasting Life.  As we continue our celebration of the Holy Birth of the Christ Child lift yourself up in a Prayer of Thanksgiving and Gratitude to the Divine, for the Salvation gained for us by the Redeemer of Humankind, in whom St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, placed his consummate faith, hope, and love, resulting in his sacrificial death...A continued Holy and Happy Christmas Season..............fr,tdp

CATHOLIC-CHRISTIANS CURRENT CHRISTMAS : O COME LET US ADORE HIM.............

On Christmas Day 2013-2014 in the spirit and truth of Living Faith essential to the purpose of the Solemnity of the Nativity of Jesus The Christ our Savior and the Redeemer of Humankind, we rejoice in His Holy Birth and the Gift of God's Love and Grace it is for us and for all Peoples of Good Will.  Please God you have taken time to lift your hearts and minds in Prayer and praise; Worship and communion; Ministry in reaching out to and with others within the Church and beyond; and have gathered with your loved ones sharing the food, fun, fellowship, and gift sharing of being Family.  Christmas and the Incarnation it celebrates stands as the intersection of Faith and Family, Reconciliation and Redemption.  May the Blessings of being united with family and friends, including others in the Family of God; and renewal of your relationship with God and your embrace of the redeeming Savior continue to unfold for you and yours during the Season of the Holy Birth we continue to commemorate through the Baptism of the Lord on January 12.............Fr.  Troy David

CELEBRATING AND CONCELEBRATING CHRISTMAS VIGIL AND MIDNIGHT MASSES.............

A Happy and Holy Christmas 2013-2014, to you my blog readers and internet friends, for your presence here as we Come into the celebratory observance of the Birth of the Messiah Jesus The Christ.  May you and yours wherever you may be around the World today be blessed with Joy and Wonder of the Incarnation of the Co-Eternal Son of the God of the Universe; Who Became The Word Made Flesh for our Redemption.  It is my hope filled prayer today that in this Season of Christmas between today and January 12, you will make the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and Prayer, Worship, and Ministry, with your Church community a central part of your celebrations.  For me, this Christmas opens with two liturgical celebrations - presiding at a Vigil Mass with the Friedrich Family in Carmichael, as their "titular Dad"; and concelebrating the Midnight Mass with Msgr. Walton and Fr. Juan, at Sacred Heart Church joined with these wonderful and welcoming People of God in East Sacramento.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in my circle of family, friends, fellow believers, supporters, advocates, readers, for your affirmation and acceptance of my personhood and my priesthood, and their merits despite the physical challenges of my life.  The Christmas Season lets us realize ever more clearly the inherent dignity and value of every human being not only the whole and fully abled, but the ill and the disabled, as well.  That is the healing and inclusiveness of Life and Faith Jesus our Lord and Savior, and Pope Francis the Vicar of Christ on Earth, call us to renew our own outreach to - as we remember and provide a place for the poor, the alienated, the marginalized, even unbelievers, and as one of 14 million Catholics in the United States and tens of millions more throughout the World know intimately well, the disabled members of the Body of Christ, as active participants in His Church.
May the Blessings of the Incarnation of Jesus The Christ be yours in abundance this Christmas.  Faithfully and Gratefully Yours, Fr.  Troy David Powers

CHRISTMAS EVE 2013-2014.............

If you have been reading this blog the past three weeks. you will not be confused or unsure about the title of this blog column.  Although it is still Calendar Year 2013, in the Year of Our Lord; The Church's Liturgical Year begins with the Season of Advent in late November-early December, thus we are celebrating Christmas 2013 in Liturgical Year 2014.  As you and yours celebrate the Christmas holidays in these closing days of 2013 and prepare to cross the threshold into 2014, in what ways will you sanctify the Season of the Messiah's Holy Birth in a religious and spiritual manner ?  Attendance at a Christmas Mass either this evening or tomorrow morning; or presence at a Christian Worship Service should be at the heart of your celebration of Christmas Eve and Day.  There is plenty of time for the socializing togetherness this Christmas will bring,, why not make time to spend some of your time this Christmas with Jesus and the People of God in your Church community.  Remembering rightfully, that The Nativity of Jesus is the Reason for the Season.............Fr.  Troy David

THE CRESCENDO DAYS OF THE 'O' ANTIPHONS.............

The last three of the ancient messianic acclamations in the Hebrew Scriptures anticipating the Coming of the long awaited Savior of God;s People, read as follows...

December 22 - "O King of All Nations; Come and save us, Who you formed from the Dust".
December 23 - "O Emmanuel, King and Lawgiver; Desire of the Nations, Savior of all Peoples, Come to set us Free Lord our God".
December 24 - "O Radiant Dawn, Splendor of Eternal light and Sun of justice; Come and shine on those who dwell in Darkness and in the shadow of Death".

As you ready to Greet the Lord's Holy Birth this Christmas may you acclaim the Lord's Coming as do the "O Antiphons", of old, as we make them new again.............fr.tdp 

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT AS WE DRAW QUITE NEAR TO CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.............

Our fourth and final Sunday of the Season of Advent 2014, as we join the homes of our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls, with the proclamations of the Prophet Isaiah and St. Matthew the Apostle, who evangelize us about the Coming Birth of the Christ; how ready are we to truly experience and encounter readied your lives he Nativity of the Messiah during the next three weeks ?  In addition to the shopping, socializing, presents, and re-gifting, of the holiday season; what spiritual, sacramental, or social justice, way have you generously prepared your lives for the deepest meaning of Christmas ? - God Becoming Man for the Salvation of Humankind !  It is not too late to be Advent People in the Spirit of the three-fold Historical, Current, and Future Glory, Coming of Jesus the Christ.  Spend the next 2 days doing more to celebrate the greatest reason for the, "holyday" as well as, 'holiday' season, THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH.............Fr.  Troy David

KUDOS AND CONGRATS TO FATHER ENRIQUE AND ST. LAWRENCE'S PARISHIONERS.............

St. Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Church, in North Highlands was be re-dedicated this morning after a renovation that has made the church edifice accessible to the disabled, that includes a wheelchair ramp into the altar sanctuary. St. Lawrence;s Pastor, Reverend Father Enrique Alvarez, and the People of God in the North Highlands Parish Community conducted a capital campaign, 'A Journey Together Building Our Faith', to bring this accessibility and inclusion projection to fruition,  A full capacity church of the faithful were present at the Re-Dedication Mass that was presided over by Bishop + Jaime Soto, concelebrated by Father Alvarez, and ten other priests, including Pastors Emeriti, Reverend Father Vincent O'Reilly, and Reverend Joseph Ternullo.  I was proud to be among them and able to get into and out of the church sanctuary by way of the newly installed ramp that like the sanctuary ramp in Divine Savior Church in Orangevale last Tuesday I was able to personally roll myself up and down, thus participate fully in the Eucharistic Liturgies.  Kudos and Congrats to Fr. Enrique and St. Lawrence's for leading us forward into ever more necessary inclusive Ministry to and with Persons With Disabilities in the Sacramento Diocese as throughout the Catholic-Christian Church in the United States.............Father Troy David

THIRD ADVENT FRIDAY CLOSING IN ON CHRISTMAS.............

As we saddle up to the weekend that includes the 4th Sunday and the final days of the Advent Season, we increase our readiness to Welcome the celebration of Christmas this year.  We prepare to eagerly embrace the commemoration in History of the long awaited Messiah of God's People. His Birth into the World from the right hand of the Father as the Redeemer of Humankind that brings ultimate meaning and purpose to our lives.  As you continue to the culmination of your current Advent Journey today and during the next four days, may your Faith, Hope, and Love, in and for the Christ of Creation grow even more intense and complete.............fr.tdp
"O Key of David, Opening the gates of God's eternal Kingdom; Come and free the prisoners of Darkness".

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A VERY VENERABLE MAN.............

The choicest of God's Blessing be with Francis "Frank" 'Mugs' McNamara today on this his BIG 8-0 Birthday !!!!!!!!!!!!!  Loving Husband, Father, GrandDad, Son, Brother, Uncle, Cousin; Dedicated Teacher, Principal, Baseballer, Softballer, Catholic-Christian, Irish American, are some of the apt ways to describe and define the many, oh so many attributes of this wonderfully fine man, I am but one of a multitude of others who are greatly blessed to have him as a Friend.  To Frank and his beautiful bride of 53 and a half years, Sally - and the ENTIRE McNamara Band of Family and Loved Ones,  I raise a glass of the 'Relative', Powers Gold Label, to toast the health, happiness, friendship, and faithful witness, of a man so dear !  May your 80th Personal Solemnity be everything You deserve, for everything You are and continue to be Mugs.............Peace, Prayers, Gratitude, + Love,  Troy David

GENEROUS SELF GIVING IN THESE SACRED SEASONS.............

At the heart of the Christmas event is the Incarnation, God Becoming Human for our Salvation.  At the very core of the salvific act of the Incarnation that led to the fulfillment of the Paschal Mystery of Christ is the generosity of Self-Giving.  In what way are you as a Believer and Follower being truly Self-Giving in the Advent / Christmas Seasons this year in your gift of Time, Talent, or Treasure, to a person or charity in need ?...MORE TO COME.............fr.tdp

ADVENT WEDNESDAY WEEK 3.............

The Advent I offer you this Wednesday  of the 3rd Week of the 2014 Liturgical Year is :

LET US PRAY -
                               As St. Joseph was informed by God's angel in a dream to fear not but to safeguard the Holy Family in cooperation with the Divine Plan for Humankind's Redemption from the death of Sin, so too may we live in fulfilling the dream of being co-heir sharers in the Light and Salvation the three-fold Coming of Jesus the Messiah of All Creation brings us.  Through Christ Our Lord,
                                                                                                           AMEN.

"O Leader of the House of Israel, Giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai; Come to rescue us with Your mighty Power'.
.............fr.tdp

MONIQUE WILLIAMS FAITH FILLED CATHOLIC-CHRISTIAN; DEDICATED CATECHIST; REST IN PEACE.............

A wonderful French woman who was proud to be an American and of the Catholic-Christian Church, which she cherished and challenged to be the, "best", it can be; Monique Williams, who lived her life in service to her family, friends, fellow believers, and all peoples she encountered - died on December 9th at age 87.In my first parish assignment as a newly ordained priest of the Diocese of Sacramento from July 1,1987 - September 25, 1988; I had the opportunity  to work in parish catechesis, with Monique as she served as the assistant to our DRE Linda Shumate.  After an insightful homiletic dialogue by Fr. Mueller with those present at her Funeral Mass and a heartfelt remembrance of their faith formation leadership journeys together by Linda after Holy Communion, Fr. Roman offered me the opportunity to speak.  I shared my foremost lasting impression and memory of every time I interacted with Monique, was the warmth and welcome of her smile and the inner joy she radiated to others with her smile.  Awoman of great Faith and a lasting and powerful love for God's Word, in Bible Study, RCIA, and Returning Catholics Ministry, the rootedness of her service and catechetical leadership in the parishes of Orangevale and Citrus Heights, will continue to bear fruit.............God Grant Her The Crown of Eternal Life.............fr.tdp

REAL REJOICING REQUIRES REPENTANCE AND RECONCILIATION.............

Like many Catholic parishes during these Advent Days counting down to Christmas SacHeart Church in East Sacramento is holding an Advent Communal Penance Service with Individual Confessions.  This celebration of penitential sacramental readiness to worthily celebrate the Nativity of the Lord is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight Monday December 16, in the church at 39th and J Streets.  I will be assisting Msgr. Walton, Father Juan, and other visiting priests in hearing Advent/Christmas Confessions.  Have you considered where and when between now and Christmas you will confess your sins and receive sacramental absolution, so as to cleanse the home of your body and soul to welcome and receive the Grace and Peace the Coming of Jesus The Christ in History, has for you and your families during this year's celebration of the Season of the Holy Birth of the Messiah of Humankind.............Fr,  Troy David

GAUDETE ! THAT IS, REJOICE IN THE LORD JESUS THIS 3RD SUNDAY OF ASVENT.............

Despite the travails humans face daily even the most fervent Disciples of Catholic-Christianity, the Third Sunday of Advent Scriptures and Liturgical Prayer and Worship focus hearken us to break the chains of captivity and frustrations that may beset us and rediscover our surest and most dependable anchor in Life and Faith, Jesus the long awaited and ever honorable Messiah, and the Joy to be experienced beyond our worldly inflicted crosses by Rejoicing in the nearing Coming of the Lord.  The rose colored or pink candle we light around the Advent is a sign of our Joy that the Lord's Coming this Christmas is getting close.  The insight from personal experience I share with you today is tapping into Advent  Rejoicing is more than a calendar triggered automatic response.   It arrives with the reality of disappointments, frustrations, pressures, and stresses, also undeniably present in our lives; not to ignored or denied, but folded into the greater reason for Joy : the redemptive and reconciling presence of the One Truth that makes us whole and complete - Jesus The Christ; the Co-Eternal Son of the Heavenly Father and the Triune God in relationship with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, as the Lord of Salvation and Eternal Life.  Just as I have poured the increasing frustrations of the past 21 months into the call to Advent Joy today, so too may you and all Believers blend the adversities of your lives into the Advent invitation to Joy that enlightens our way during this Third Week of Advent.  "Rejoice in the Lord Always.  Again I say, Rejoice !".............Father Troy David Powers

DISABILITY MILESTONES 6.............

Continuing the march of progress in Ministry to Persons with Disabilities on the part of the Catholic Church that numbers 14 million Disabled Catholics in the United States, I share with you the following Disability Awareness and Action Milestones :

2006 - National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) Council on Mental Illness established.
2007 - NCPD hosts first of 16 national webinars.
2008 - Launch of the Washington office of the International Catholic Foundation for the Service of the Deaf.
2008 - A Conference for Deaf People and Pastoral Leaders in the Catholic Deaf Community entitled, "One Faith : The Call to Discipleship in the Global Deaf Community", held in Rome, Italy; Deaf Catholic Groups from over 33 countries attended, speaaking many languages.
2009 - The Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care hosted "The Deaf Person in the Life of the Church", which took place in the Synod Hall of the Vatican.  Presentations were given by Deaf Catholics from the United States and other countries.
2010 - NCPD Autism Task Force established.
2011 - Loyola Press releases Adaptive First Eucharist Preparation Kit for preparing students with Autism and other Developmental Disabilities. 
2013 - Boards of NAfIM, National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministries and NCPD, National Catholic Partnership on Disability approve NAfIM joining NCPD as the NCPD Council on IDD, Intellectual Developmental Disabilities.

Kudos to the visionary and One Church inclusiveness of the Catholic-Christian Leaders in the Church of the United States who over the past 176 years and continuing, who have and are doing what is right, just, and vitally important to the accessibility, inclusion, presence, and participation, of the Disabled, just as Jesus did during His Public Ministry.............Father Troy David Powers