The temporary silence

A brief note on the recent silence regarding the blog. More than a week ago both my mom and aunt Gloria fell, hitting their heads. They were in the ER together requiring significant medical attention. My mom is fine, coming home with a bump on her head and pain in side. My aunt, however, suffered a traumatic brain injury. Following several medical procedures, including surgery, the Lord of Life called her home in the morning of the feast Saint Monica. My aunt’s Mass of Christian Burial was offered on August 30.

May I ask that you pray for God’s mercy and Gloria’s eternal memory.

A casual summer Saturday

Saturday’s are days to catch up on things: sleep, errands, oil change for the car, watering the garden, especially the vegetables; even having lunch with a friend and dinner with my family. It was a somewhat lazy summer day. In between I made a visit to Our Lady of Grace Monastery (North Guilford, CT) for the rosary, some quiet time with the Lord and to browse the gift shop. And of course, going to Confession. You?

25 years later

Today marks the 25th anniversary of death of my dear grandfather, Julius J. Zalonski. I can’t believe the time has moved so quickly. The noon Mass is celebrated for him as the Mass was celebrated for my grandmother last week on her 8th anniversary.

God was very good to me in giving me the grace of good grandparents on both sides of my family. A gift that allows me to be full of gratitude. Much good and love was experienced with my grandfather, more than what I am aware…
With the Church I pray,
O God, giver of pardon and loving author of our salvation, grant, we pray you, in your mercy, that through the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever-Virign, and all the Saints, my grandfather Julius who has passed from this world 25 years ago, may attain a share in eternal happiness.

Cardinal Francis George preaches Sunday Vespers for Lent I

PAZ & Cardinal Francis George Feb 26 2012.jpgA Christian’s observance of Lent brings with it, I hope, a certain discipline of prayer. At The Church of Saint Catherine of Siena (411 East 68th Street, NYC) the Sundays in Lent Solemn Vespers will be celebrated at 4 pm.

The Church’s prayer is understood as consisting in Lauds, Vespers and Mass. The sacred Liturgy can’t be conceived in any other way. In fact, the Servant of God Pope Paul VI wanted parishes to celebrate the Divine Office with regularity to fill out our worship of the Triune God. And as you know, priests and religious are obligated to pray the Divine Office for the Church on a daily basis; the laity are encouraged to pray the same. At Saint Catherine’s we pray Vespers following the evening Mass (M-F) and with a more solemn character several times a year. Our praying Vespers in Lent in a more substantial way with singing psalms and hymns, preaching, vesture and incense is consistent with the tradition found with Dominicans.
Lent II: Father Jordan Kelly, OP
Lent III: Father Jay Scott Newman
Lent IV: Father Joel Warden, CO
Lent V: Father Allen White, OP
Palm Sunday: Edward Cardinal Egan
Earlier this afternoon, Cardinal George’s homily was absolutely brilliant using Saint Paul’s theme of being free in Christ and viz. freedom today and the current issues we are facing in the USA with the current administration of the United States. The Church’s choirmaster, Daniel B. Sañez, and the Schola Dominicana was perfect for God’s glory.
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A frustrating week…

The week was a bear on many levels. The agony started when I arrived at the office and found out that the office laptop was stolen from my desk. Of course, not only was I angry at the un-named person who stole the computer, but at myself because nothing was backed up. Not having a virtual copy of the documents on an external hard drive was a big mistake. And the rest of the week was down hill because I began thinking about all the things I’ve worked on that are now gone plus all the personal information with it.

AND, the person who took the computer also took the pennies being collected for the poor. Well, at least that’s the assumption. The children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd are collecting their spare change –or their parent’s pocket change– for the “Pennies for the Good Shepherd.”

I’ve got to find room in my heart to let go of anger toward the thief and pray for his conversion and my own. So pray with me and for me and for the other person. Saint Dismas and Saint Nicholas, pray for me and the other.
Hence, not a lot of posting this past week.