stanthonywalnuttree

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Memorial Day

Today, citizens of these United States are called to remember and honor those members of the U. S. Military who died while in service to the country. It recognizes their dedication to the nation. Among us, there may be disagreements on how our armed forces may have been used in the past or currently. But there can be no disagreement about their dedication and their sacrifice. Eternal rest grant…

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WE HAVE AN AMERICAN POPE!!!!

Good lord, this I never expected in my wildest dreams!!! This will keep the “talking heads” going into overdrive!!! There are going to be folks, who will be very upset over this. At this moment the crowds are responding very joyfully!! His Italian seems to be very good!

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HABEMUS PAPAM!!!

Just finishing my lunch, half watching a tv report on some business matter. They had a split screen because the time was coming up for the vote for a new pope. There were a few seagulls examining the stovepipe coming out of the Sistine Chapel’s roof. I noticed that there were wisps of smoke, white smoke, coming out!! It grew into huge plume!! Still waiting for his appearance on the main balcony…

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Hello once again! Yes, I know I promised to be more regular with my postings. There have been some personal issues that required attention, but it is not quite time yet to discuss. But other than that… I was able to rise early enough to watch the funeral Mass for Pope Francis. It was amazing to see the crowds of people, both clergy, religious and lay who came to pray for the repose of his soul. The new camera technology has added what we are able to see and experience. One sight that thrilled my heart was seeing so many vested deacons with the rest of the clergy. As I am typing this, I suddenly realized that some of them, maybe all of them, were transitional deacons, on their way to priestly ordination. Which is fine, but I really hope that some of them were my brothers in the permanent diaconate. I have lived through many papacies, each one unique in their own way. I was a youngster when Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council. I am 71 years old now, as I witness the passing of Pope Francis. I have witnessed, joyfully, changes in the liturgical life of the Church. I witnessed debates among clergy and laity on how best to implement Vatican II, how involved should the laity be. ( A lot!). I have seen some of these debates done respectfully; others, not so much. Because of the way my health is right now, and the changes in where we are living; I have not been as active as a deacon as I would like to be. We shall see what the future holds. Looking forward to seeing the white smoke! Pax et Bonum to all!!

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The Passing of Pope Francis.

The Vatican I have a bad habit of waking up very early in the morning; 5:00 AM, early in the morning! I usually cannot fall back asleep, so I looked at my IPhone, and saw the bulletins, announcing the passing of Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church. Now, I am a skeptic of such “news” that comes over the Web. So I turned on the TV, and sadly saw that it was true. It was a bit of a shock,…

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“Jesus Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!!”

Easter Sunday; a time of joy, of families gathering; a time of bunnies, eggs, and chocolates. A time for snazzy suits, and pretty dresses! There is a risk of losing sight of the real reason why we celebrate this day! We must remember, that on this day, after experiencing suffering and death, Jesus rose from the dead and brought new life to all humanity! “The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed!!”…

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Starting Off On A Journey; …Again!

I am trying to write this “posting” on a kitchen table, located in a small house, in Orleans MA; which is located on Cape Cod. Long story, but eventually my wife and I will be in residence at a place in Hyannis; also located on the Cape. Long story short, we were offered an arrangement we could not refuse. I know I have not actually written anything recently for this blog. What is out there are…

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Regional Roundup

In TAU-USA issue #113, five of the 30 Regions are highlighted. La Verna region, Our Lady of the Angels Region, Tau Cross Region, Our Lady of …Regional Roundup

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What Are the Four Pillars That Anchor a Life in Grace?

Rise & Inspire: A Symphony of Motivation The Four Pillars of a Life Anchored in Grace Life is a journey of peaks and valleys, triumphs and trials. In… What Are the Four Pillars That Anchor a Life in Grace?

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John Allen’s conspicuous absence explained

ROME – Regular readers of Crux, or regular consumers of my weekly video or podcast, will have noticed my rather conspicuous absence these past three …John Allen’s conspicuous absence explained

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“Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.”

“Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever….. All you winds, bless the Lord. Fire and heat, bless the Lord. Cold and chill, bless the Lord. Dew and rain, bless the Lord. Frost and chill, bless the Lord. Ice and snow, bless the Lord.” (Daniel 3)

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Homily for 30th Sunday In Ordinary Time

“Jesus said to him in reply ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man replied to him, ‘Master, I want to see.’ “ In today’s Gospel of Mark, we see the encounter Jesus had with Bartimaeus, a blind man. Bartimaeus must have known something of who Jesus was, and the power of healing he seemed to possess. Bartimaeus decided to take a risk and began calling out loudly to Jesus, begging for…

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Saint John’s Seminary, School of Theology, Boston, MA

A looong time ago, I felt I had a calling to the Catholic priesthood. I spent four years in the Boston Archdiocesan College Seminary, then three years in their School of Theology. I finally came to the conclusion that was being called to another life path. Still, I never have regretted my time in the seminary. The college seminary no longer exists, but the original seminary still stands and is…

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The Influence of Francis of Assisi

Statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Carver MA Saint Francis of Assisi “I have done what was mine to do. May Christ teach you what is yours.” Saint Francis of Assisi Every October 4th, people around the world, Catholics, Protestants, persons with no declared religion; celebrate the memory of Saint Francis of Assisi. Born in the year of 1182, Francis was an energetic…

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Homily for Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - 2024

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Carver MA “He began to ask them, “‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.” (Mark 9: 30). Every time I have read that sentence from the Gospel of Mark, I find myself wishing I could change a small part of that sentence. I have to believe that they were not “discussing” anything …..they were…

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A Homily for Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 25th, 2024

Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, Bridgewater MA “He performed these great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among the peoples through whom we passed.Therefore, we also will serve the Lord for He is our God.” (Joshua 24) In this chapter from the Book of Joshua, we see the children of Israel, the ones who fled from Egypt, and their children, make a promise to…

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Boston’s new archbishop: ‘I realize my life is not my own now. I’ll be completely theirs.’

The new archbishop of Boston, Richard Henning, spoke with OSV News recently — and attention must be paid. He has a lot to say about his new …Boston’s new archbishop: ‘I realize my life is not my own now. I’ll be completely theirs.’