Dedication of Mother Teresea's Treasures

Today was the dedication of the new Mother Terese's Treasures and Newburgh Food Pantry.

Eight years ago when a local neighborhood grocery decided to close, there was one who thought there was a perfect use for the store. Margaret suggested to Father Joe that it could be used to house the Newburgh Food Pantry. The food pantry had outgrown it's present location and needed a larger space to operated. She thought half of the store could be used for the food pantry while the other half could be opened as a thrift shop with the donations of those wanting to dispose of unwanted clothing, linens, toys or small appliances. The resale of these slightly used items would be what paid for the utilities, the property, and upkeep of the building to support the food pantry.

So here we are 8 years later. The thrift shop paid for itself and more. It outgrew the shop and the store was in disrepair and would cost a more to fix than to build a new shop. So it was that 6 months ago the work began and culminated today in the dedication by Bishop Gettelfinger.

We gathered in the new parking lot as a community of faith, praying for the blessing of a building that has contributed much to community of Saint John the Baptist Parish and to the community of Newburgh as a whole.

During the bishop's words I noticed a butterfly light on the pavement. As a church of signs, I saw this as an affirmation of renewal, rebirth. We have a commission to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and care for all according to their needs. I saw the butterfly as a sign during this Easter season as Christ in our midst.

And though Margaret could not be with us today, her memory will always be a treasured part of what Mother Teresa's Treasures is meant to be. This endeavor is meant to be a visible witness to all of the principle of Christian Charity. The gift of love and generosity to all through our Lord Jesus Christ. We, who were privileged to know Margaret, have her legacy to hand on to others.

For this opportunity to have been able to share in this for this eight years, I feel very privileged. Through Margaret's wisdom and diligence, we have been shown that the will of God can be carried out in the smallest corner of this world. And because of this we are able to touch the lives of many.

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Thanks be to God!

Gratitude...

At times I am embarrassed at work when someone says thank you to me for whatever it is they are grateful. But I am seldom taken by surprise as I was just the other day. I had just weighed this dear lady, who now needs the use of a walker, and we were going down the hall to the patient room. I told her you're welcome and then asked her why? She said it was because I said "follow me" not "walk this way." One seldom thinks about the words we use and how they might be understood by others. It was a lesson for me in kindness. She was grateful for my choice of words which to her allowed her to feel less handicapped. Perhaps, now I will be more thoughtful in my use of language in the care of my charges each day.

Cinquain on Kindness
Kindness
True charity
Given in tenderness
Virtue

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Thanks be to God!

The Cherry Tree Carol (Trad.) - José Feliciano

This is an excerpt from The Blue Book. It relates to one of the legends that surround the season of Christmas.

A legend or a fable is a story that doesn't pretend to be historical, but teaches a lesson. The events surrounding the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt gave rise to many legends.

The Legend of the Cherry Tree

Mary and Joseph were traveling to Bethlehem for the census.

Along the way,they passes a cherry orchard. The ;pregnant Mary asked her Husband to pick some cherries for her but Joseph told her to have the child's father do it. Then the child in Mary's womb moved. He spoke and told it to lower a branch toward Mary.

As Joseph Watched the miracle,he was sorry for his harsh words.

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How often do I behave as Joseph in this story? This story can be a reminder for me daily as I move among God's people. I am called to service. I can offer a reply like Joseph's or I can offer assistance. I am not to rely on someone else's generosity. I am to offer my own, whatever that may be. Or like Joseph God will remind me and I too will be humbled and feel remorse at my neglect. Stories like this are true lessons of real charity, love!

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Thanks be to God!!

Wordless Wednesday for me...

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Thanks be to God!

China Little Flower

This letter from Shannon at China Little Flower is just a reminder to all that we are entrusted with the care and nourishment of souls that cross our paths. In this month in which we give thanks for all our blessing. Please take time to investigate how you can personally become involved in the lives of those in most need. God will be good to you just as he has always been.

I received this gift from Esther. I am pleased she thinks this blog is HOT. So, I will pass it on to some other Hot Blogs. Thank you Esther!!!

1. Mike at This I Do
2. Angie at Sonflower
3. Joy at Norwich Daily Photo
4. Tracy at A Catholic Mom in Minnesota

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Thanks be to God!

Charity begins at home...

INDY at Sunrise
October, 2008

I am privileged to live in a place that has exquisite beauty. You live in a place wherever that may be with its own exquisite beauty. Why? Because God made it for our pleasure. Still there are those who live where we do who may not see this privilege because they only see the poverty and feel the hunger. They suffer from pain and no way to ease it. We are called to love. This is not a choice for those who claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We are not to spend our lives taking. We are to spend our lives giving. Why? Because he gave His ALL for us.

So please listen to the words of wisdom offered by Archabbot Lambert Reilly, O.S.B. in his book Latin Saying for Spiritual Growth.

Caritas prima sibi
("Charity is first to itself.")
John Wycliffe

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Where does love begin?

The Scriptures offers the answer, simple and profound: "God is love" (1John 4:8).

God is the source of love. God's love surrounds us from our beginnings, offering us an embrace we are free to accept or reject, filling us with a peace we are free to keep for ourselves and to share.

And what then? God loves us, so whom must we love?

It's not enough to love in general or to profess love for people we never meet. We're called to love people, as they are unique and specific brothers and sisters.

The only place to begin, then is with those around us, as the common translation of this saying instructs: "Charity begins at home."

As with every other virtue, love takes practice. We learn how to love by taking small steps of kindness and sacrifice right where we are, with those closest to us. At home we develop this habit of love, so when we walk out the door into the business of our daily live, we bring God's love wherever we are and to whomever we chance to meet that day.

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Why this call to love, yet again. It should be a constant call for us privileged enough to have the capacity to GIVE. Today I have heard that food pantries everywhere are having a difficult time feed the poor. It will only get worse before it gets better. We love our family enough to feed them in many ways. We feed with hugs, attention, and love that feeds the spirit and soul. But food for the body may be a commodity which we take for granted and because we have never really been hungry. I would, therefore, challenge anyone reading this to contribute to the local food pantry in your area. You need not take food to the pantry. Perhaps your church has a food drive or place to leave food donations. Even better!!! Send a check directly to the local food pantry so they can shop for their needs and supply what is most needed. Call the local St. Vincent de Paul. You know best!!

Right now my stomach is comfortably full. But out there are children and the elderly who are not as fortunate. Many homeless only have an occasional meal at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Please pray for them, yes, but also contribute to THEIR welfare in a concrete way. GIVE the love that begins at home to those in great need. Give as He gave...until it hurt!

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For you all I say,
"Thanks be to God."

Humility

I am inspired today to write about humility. There is a reason for this. And this reason has brought me closer to the realization that God is truly working in our lives and though we do not see it all the time there is no where he cannot be found!

On my roof at this time, even as we speak, there are 7 men and Ron putting on the new roof. Ron has spent all day with our friend, Bill Wallace, taking off shingles from the front half of the roof. The story really begins when Ron asked Chris , whose family works in building contracting, at Bible study last spring if buying shingles would be wise with the rise in gasoline prices. Chris said it would be well to do that, and when was Ron going to put the roof on. Well, Ron told him not soon, but we would have the shingles when we could budget the roofers. Chris came back a week or two later and told us if we could get the shingles off he, his dad, and brothers would put the roof on sometime in the fall. Right now in Christian charity and kindness these men and Ron are putting shingles on the roof. Well, Ron is still removing shingles from the other half of the roof. Twenty years ago Ron was part of a work crew that helped put a roof on another parishioners house. Perhaps a work repaid.

I feel certain when James was writing his letter he was speaking of such things as this (James 2: 14-26). These are faith filled men who by their works, honest and good, witness to their faith. It causes my heart to swell to be the recipient of such agape love. Tears well in my eyes as I realize the wealth we have in the goodness of God and our fellow pilgrims.

May we always be blessed with charity and faith. And the hope that we will be worthy stewards of the gifts offered and received. The three virtues are all integral to the life of a Christian!

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My heart is so full, all I can say is,
"Thanks be to God!"

China Little Flower

It time for the most recent newsletter for China Little Flower. Shannon is home for a short 10 days then she returns to China to care for her wee ones. It's especially important that we all pray for Shannon, the caregivers and the children in their care as they have to move yet again.

Please visit Prayer, Poetry and Praise and see how you can contribute to China Little Flower and get a lovely book of poetry at the same time. Ann is generously donating her proceeds to Shannon's cause.

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Thank you all
and
Thanks be to God!

China Little Flower

It's time for the monthly update. And with the Olympic Games coming to China, I thought I would share the notes from Shannon and the pictures she sends. Please pray for her and all who assist her in her work with these lovely children of God.

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Thank you
and
Thanks be to God!