From November 30th to December 9th, I will be in the Holy Land (Israel and Palestine) with Fr. Bill Burton, OFM, and with 32 other pilgrims. This will be my 27th pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Each visit is like the first. I still get so excited about going and being there. In 1983, I lived in Jerusalem for four months on a study program with 38 others. We traveled all through Israel, Egypt, and Greece.
What a wonderful way to begin the 2008 season of Advent - in the land of Promise/Fulfillment!
Be assured of my prayers for you and yours daily as we celebrate mass each day in one of the Holy Places - in Bethlehem, in Jerusalem, in Nazareth, in Gethsemane, on Mt Tabor, etc.
May we all be blessed with Peace, with Shalom, with Salaam!
Fr. Chuck Faso OFM
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
It's All About RELATIONSHIPS
May the Lord give you Peace!
St Francis of Assisi models for us all the most important aspect of our human journey - Relationship. To be in relationship with everyone and all creation was one of the central "organizing" values in Francis' life:
- Relationship with the Most High God
- Relationship with his brothers in the gospel fraternity
- Relationship with St Clare and the other women who followed her vision
- Relationship with the poor who represented for Francis a privileged moment of encounter with the living God
- Relationship with those in power who did all they could to stay in power and who kept trapped those living in poverty
- Relationship with leaders of the Church who themselves lost sense of their dignity and the dignity of those entrusted to their pastoral care
- Relationship creatures great and small who bore the various qualities of a God who refuses to be controlled and contained.
Let us reflect on the quality of all of our relationships in our personal and ministerial lives and to allow God to once again infuse these with the dignity and goodness reflective of God's originating grace, a grace that enables us to seek the way of the reconciliation and a new trust.
- from Oct. 4, 2008, letter to the Friars from Michael Perry OFM & Michael Jennrich OFM
St Francis of Assisi models for us all the most important aspect of our human journey - Relationship. To be in relationship with everyone and all creation was one of the central "organizing" values in Francis' life:
- Relationship with the Most High God
- Relationship with his brothers in the gospel fraternity
- Relationship with St Clare and the other women who followed her vision
- Relationship with the poor who represented for Francis a privileged moment of encounter with the living God
- Relationship with those in power who did all they could to stay in power and who kept trapped those living in poverty
- Relationship with leaders of the Church who themselves lost sense of their dignity and the dignity of those entrusted to their pastoral care
- Relationship creatures great and small who bore the various qualities of a God who refuses to be controlled and contained.
Let us reflect on the quality of all of our relationships in our personal and ministerial lives and to allow God to once again infuse these with the dignity and goodness reflective of God's originating grace, a grace that enables us to seek the way of the reconciliation and a new trust.
- from Oct. 4, 2008, letter to the Friars from Michael Perry OFM & Michael Jennrich OFM
Friday, November 21, 2008
Vatican Set to Go Green
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican will be taking a step toward promoting a greener culture next week as it inaugurates new solar panels on the roof of Paul VI Hall.
The inauguration will take place Wednesday at the headquarters of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, a Vatican communiqué reported today.
The 2,400 solar panels replace the deteriorating concrete roof panels, and the photovoltaic cells will convert sunlight into electricity, and generate enough power to light, heat or cool the 6,000-seat hall.
The Vatican says the solar panel project is one of the "concrete and tangible initiatives" of the Vatican to promote the protection of the environment.
The statement added that it is also is part of the "green culture characterized by ethical values" promoted by Benedict XVI.
Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, governor of Vatican City State, will preside at the event.
Pier Luigi Nervi designed Paul VI, which was completed in 1971.
The inauguration will take place Wednesday at the headquarters of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, a Vatican communiqué reported today.
The 2,400 solar panels replace the deteriorating concrete roof panels, and the photovoltaic cells will convert sunlight into electricity, and generate enough power to light, heat or cool the 6,000-seat hall.
The Vatican says the solar panel project is one of the "concrete and tangible initiatives" of the Vatican to promote the protection of the environment.
The statement added that it is also is part of the "green culture characterized by ethical values" promoted by Benedict XVI.
Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, governor of Vatican City State, will preside at the event.
Pier Luigi Nervi designed Paul VI, which was completed in 1971.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Call to Action - Call to Justice for All
From Nov 7 to Nov 9, I joined c. 2500 Catholics at the 30th Call to Action Conference. It was held in Milwaukee. Major talks and many break-out sessions continued to stir us Catholics to make real and visible, tangible and desirable the vision of Church that God stirred in our hearts during the Vatican Council II, 1962-1965. We committed ourselves to journey of making our Church and World a place of justice for all. One of the inspiring speakers I heard was John Dear, SJ, a writer and activist for all things just that will bring about peace for all. Here are some of his reflections on the Call to Action weekend:
"This weekend, Barack Obama just freshly elected, I joined 2,500 Catholics at the annual Call to Action conference in Milwaukee. A spirit of hope hovered in the air. And in the air, too, was a general agreement that, the election notwithstanding, our work must continue. We need to keep pushing for an end to the U.S. wars on Iraq and Afghanistan. We still need to work to eradicate poverty, hunger, disease, corporate greed and environmental destruction. We still need to work for a more just society. Shortly put, we too have to be hopemakers, and carry on the hard work of making our hope -- a world of peace -- come true. Being hopemakers, a synonym for peacemakers -- this was the theme of my talks. It is up to us to pursue the audacity of peace, to practice the nonviolence of Jesus, and in the process, to help the church reclaim its peacemaking vocation. "
"This weekend, Barack Obama just freshly elected, I joined 2,500 Catholics at the annual Call to Action conference in Milwaukee. A spirit of hope hovered in the air. And in the air, too, was a general agreement that, the election notwithstanding, our work must continue. We need to keep pushing for an end to the U.S. wars on Iraq and Afghanistan. We still need to work to eradicate poverty, hunger, disease, corporate greed and environmental destruction. We still need to work for a more just society. Shortly put, we too have to be hopemakers, and carry on the hard work of making our hope -- a world of peace -- come true. Being hopemakers, a synonym for peacemakers -- this was the theme of my talks. It is up to us to pursue the audacity of peace, to practice the nonviolence of Jesus, and in the process, to help the church reclaim its peacemaking vocation. "
Monday, November 10, 2008
CELEBRATE GETTING OLD
For over 7 years, Regina Brett was a columnist at The Beacon Journal in Akron, Ohio, during which time she was diagnosed and successfully treated for breast cancer. Regina is now a columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio.
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here’s an update:
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God; God can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry, God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare. Then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words, “In five years, will this matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative—dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here’s an update:
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God; God can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry, God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare. Then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words, “In five years, will this matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative—dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Have you danced today?
And we should consider every day lost on
which we have not danced at least once. 
- Friedrich Nietzshe-
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
From Paris, France, I received this short email on this day after Presidential Election:
I looked for your face in the crowd in Grant Park last night !!
Congratulations; hope really does seem to have returned to the world today.
Its a great credit to America to vote in such massive numbers for such real change.
You really deserve to be proud of your country.
I received this email today after the history making election of Mr Obama:
I cried last night when Obama won. It's just incredible, and we couldn't be happier! This morning when I got Pierson out of bed, I told him the big Obama news. When I asked him, "guess who won the race and has become the next president of the US?" His first reply was, "Uncle Ben!" (maybe 'cuz he recently saw our friend run in the Chgo marathon...??) When I asked him again, he said, "mommy and daddy!" Finally, I slightly changed the question and asked, "Pierson, who did you want to be the next president?" He replied, "PIERSON!" (After last night, now any child can dream big and really believe it!) Then when he went downstairs and saw the Barack poster we have hanging, he enthusiastically waved and said, "hi Barack Obama!" So funny esp since he rarely says Obama's 1st name. While the US and the world certainly has its problems, it's just become a better place. Have an awesome day! : )
I cried last night when Obama won. It's just incredible, and we couldn't be happier! This morning when I got Pierson out of bed, I told him the big Obama news. When I asked him, "guess who won the race and has become the next president of the US?" His first reply was, "Uncle Ben!" (maybe 'cuz he recently saw our friend run in the Chgo marathon...??) When I asked him again, he said, "mommy and daddy!" Finally, I slightly changed the question and asked, "Pierson, who did you want to be the next president?" He replied, "PIERSON!" (After last night, now any child can dream big and really believe it!) Then when he went downstairs and saw the Barack poster we have hanging, he enthusiastically waved and said, "hi Barack Obama!" So funny esp since he rarely says Obama's 1st name. While the US and the world certainly has its problems, it's just become a better place. Have an awesome day! : )
Love,
Gem & Ps
PS. Peter & friends volunteered in Indiana and went door to door for Obama. It's a double bonus that Barack won that state. A democrat hasn't won it since 1964!!
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