TrulyGrace

Last night had a Google meeting with N from ~as. Awoke early this morning to do several loads of laundry before 08.30. Had a phone chat with RAF at brunchtime. Did some ~as volunteer work on the computer (working on a dossier), watched some "Cash Cab," ate some slunch (snacks and lunch), scanned a couple of documents, and generally helped out and about. We all have scheduled a sibling Zoom session with the parents, all for this evening.

I was in the habit of telling my students when I taught at PITT that "you should always be on your best behavior, because you never know who knows whom." I also would regularly tell them to "always behave above the board, such that your behavior is never suspect." The second quote was for testing/assessment situations. The first quote was for behavior when meeting people whom you don't know well.

Most everyone, including M and D and US were present at our 20.00 to 22.30 Zoom session, but k and K could not make it.

Watched and participated in the 27th SUN in Ordinary Time 10.00 AM Mass with D and M. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Kris Stubna with Deacon Tom Berna. There was our usual altar server, Kimo Jung was the lector, and Shane cantored, accompanied by the organist in the loft. The homily was delivered by Fr Kris. Initially, he detailed COVID logistics (entering and exiting the church building), including the directive by Bishop David A Zubik that the congregation can receive Communion during Mass, leaving kneelers down to expedite cleansing and sanitizing, and, to exhibit Christian charity for others and to receive Communion by the hand. 

He spoke about the first reading  (Isaiah 5:1-7), 

mentioning that "Everything that we have is God's," and to pray, "thank you, God," is sufficient (as stated by a mystic). God is the author of Life.

Secondly, gifts to us are freely given. We do not have to earn Grace. Faith unites us to our brothers and sisters, who are the other faithful, good stewards of God's gifts. We must build up each other, especially the poor and vulnerable.

Thirdly, this takes hard work and sacrifice. The 2nd reading (Philippians 4:6-9), with the quote "whatever is true.....Think about these things" was mentioned, along with the Catechism, with a call/vocation to become more holy. Anyone who desires to be in the kingdom of God must be the least. An account of service and an account of sacrifice will echo an imitation of Jesus. To become more holy and perfect, the Love of God is given to us in Jesus Christ. 

The sung hymn at the Preparation of the Gifts was "Lord, at Your First Eucharist."

There was no invitation to a Sign of Peace, as is customary during COVID-19 times.

There was an Act of Spiritual Communion,

During Communion, the hymn was "Taste and See....the Goodness of the Lord."

The Feast of St. Francis of Asissi was today and we were invited to bring our small pets for a blessing on the lawn at 14.00.

I ran a drugstore errand for M later this afternoon, in North Oakland. I took care of some computer work after that, and M and I Zoomed with k, JO, MM, SC, BF, and WA, tag-teaming the host. k did not have a chance to Zoom with us yesterday (2.5 hours), so we zoomed 18.30 to ~21.00 tonight. This time we made plans for sharing recipes, especially for Thanksgiving. We all loved K's onion pastry, those of us who have tried it. JO and k agreed that King Arthur pizza with NYT pasta sauce rock! M handed down sayings from our ancestors:

"Nasa Dios ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa."  ---Lola Saning and Lola Tanang

"Bahala ako sa sarili ko," ---my Grandma Ising

We also talked about various birthstones for each month. I also told my phone call experience at the end of my first semester in college, when I was moved by the Spirit. 

A fun time was had by all.

Early photos and inventory of Christmas dolls with M and P;a. We were organized. Then, pull out and organize for photos more Christmas items. Food deliveries from the food warehouse, I had a cart ready. M, D, and I ate lunch. Worked more on a dossier for ~as.

Also had dinner with D and M, watched Jeopardy! with M. Scooted home afterwards.

This morning bicycled: Spent 07 minutes in warm-up. 4 minutes fast cycling, and 3 minutes in cool-down. 

Time to make voting decisions. Considered information on websites vetted by the local chapter of the League of Women Voters as I make my decisions. Project with M this afternoon. D haircut by M. Zoom meeting for ~as this evening.

Bible Study for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Fr Mike Darcy facilitated, with Emily as our technical guru. 

No visitors today. Took photos of collections yesterday and today.

Helped M and D organize their CD collection. Headed home after watching a webinar on Women of the American Revolution.

Third time I have washed my hair with this new tube of shampoo. I like the outcome, and also the smell.  Called VZW regarding my account. 

Helped out with literature brochures, as well as online information.

After dinner, watched Jeopardy! with M.

Before lunch I contacted the public library. R in service indicated that there is a hold/request on my latest memoir book, which I will return before the 20th of the month. I was requested to return the other items, which have reached the limit of renewals (with COVID-19), though they have no holds on them. 

 

After lunch, I spent time organizing information into spreadsheets, sending photos by Googlemail, and sending emailed correspondences for M, and printing documents for M and D.

I fetched noodles so that M and I could make chicken macaroni salad for dinner, which we enjoyed before I left for home (and M tried to watch Jeopardy, which was preempted by the Jerome Bettis Show).

D, M, and I watched/participated in the Mass at the Cathedral for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Fr Steve Lowery celebrated the Mass. There were two servers (one who looked to be a Seminarian, the other to be a very young boy). Jeff S was the lector, and Christina McCann was the cantor, accompanied by the organist in the loft.

Reading 1 was IS 25:6-10A

Responsorial Psalm was PS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6   

Reading 2 was PHIL 4:12-14, 19-20  

Alleluia was EPH 1:17-18  

Gospel Reading was MT 22:1-14 OR 22:1-10, The parable of the Wedding Guest

In his homily, Fr Steven mentioned that the Old Testament and New Testament God were the same being, from our human perspective both harsh/intense and tender/merciful (as in the first reading).

He stressed that it is our Attitude toward God that demonstrates our behavior: As in the parable, the children of Abraham, though the first to be invited to the wedding banquet, do not come.

God sends a second set of servants to "Come and Receive," and some ignore the message of the servants (they have no taste for God's food---e.g., liking fast food, etc.), while others beat and kill the servants (as the prophets were killed).

As for the one not dressed well for the Wedding Feast, actually, the King was not unreasonable. The Lord gives us freedom: The wedding garment represents the Baptismal garment, which sets us free from sin. The man is silent, not responding, for he could have/should have received this (wedding) garment. God will, if we are ready, clothe us in the Holy Spirit, but not against our Will. Thus, he/we are often not fit for God's grace. Acknowledge we are unfit, we can then receive God's grace, and privilege  of cooperative grace, receiving it with God's plan of salvation for the whole rest of the world.

God's burden/Yoke is easy and light, with union with God. Jesus, we adore You.

Had a couple of small snacks in the early afternoon. Last night and today I gathered information to prepare my computer for the concert this afternoon--Cathedral concert series. Enjoyed the macaroni chicken salad, with flan, and vanilla ice creams for lunch.

Am currently listening to the Cathedral concert series on Fbook--- here is the program by Saint Paul Cathedral's own music director, Don Fellows:

Excellent concert! There was even a piece by Bob Farrell. 

 

I am reading a website about Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first Millenial-Aged person who is on the way to becoming a saint. His friends and contemporaries are 28 years old. This was found in a link on a page about a Detroit priest who had an invalid baptism, which WA brought to my attention. Another article about this has this quote:

“When someone is baptized, it’s not just a symbol or recognition of something that’s already happened. It’s actually making a change in the person,” Father Pullis said. “Because the sacraments actually bring about an effect, we have to be very precise in both the words, the form, and the matter, the objects, that we use.”

“That means we have to do it in the way the church tells us to do it,” he continued. “We can’t use Mountain Dew or milk instead of water, and we can’t use other words, like ‘I baptize in the name of the Creator …’ or ‘We baptize …’ instead of the words the church gives us.”

The church uses the phrase “I baptize” to signify that the person baptizing is standing in the place of Christ, Father Pullis said, not the community.....

.....“It’s a grace to realize that God is not a liar. Any experience of the sacraments, even if they were celebrated invalidly, God was still active in some mysterious way and God still honors the dispositions of those who were there in some way,” Father Hood said.

Copyright © 2020 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

https://catholicreview.org/detroit-priests-invalid-baptism-had-ripple-effect-archdiocese-says/

18.44 Just sent an email off for M and D, with attachments. Also found out from J O and k that we will  probably Zoom tomorrow late afternoon!