From My Inbox: $20

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this. He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?"

Still the hands were up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?"

Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE. You are special- Don't EVER forget it."

If you do not pass this on, you may never know the lives it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to, or the hope that it can bring.

Count your blessings, not your problems.

And remember: Amateurs built the ark.
Professionals built the Titanic.

If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.

Tags: From My Inbox

Soccer Lessons

I haven't been posting lately because the beginning of the school year has hit us like brick. With Kathy working as the cafeteria manager at the kiddos' school, and with me being at the beginning of the school year, we haven't had much time for anything but eating and sleeping (and not much time for those, either).

I have mentioned in past postings that Nicholas is playing soccer for his school's middle school this year, even though he is in 5th grade. Practice and games have taken up every other day and the weekends lately. However, this evening's game made me the most proud.

Keeping in mind that Nicholas is in the 5th grade and he's playing for a middle school team, he doesn't get much playing time. He averages 5 minutes at the end of each half if he is lucky. He doesn't seem to mind, and we have encouraged a "team player" mentality when it comes to sports. God bless him if he has inherited his dad's athletic ability.

Tonight's game was his crowning moment so far this season. And he didn't even play. There was anotherplayer who locked his uniform in the school today and was unable to play. Recognizing that this other player was an intergral part of the team, Nicholas offered his jersey and cleats to this other player so he could play. The coaches didn't ask him, the players didn't ask him. I truly believe that he knew that sacrificing himself would benefit the team. I actually was angry when I saw the other player with his jersey, until I found out it was a selfless act initiated by Nicholas himself.

Whay do we have our kids play sports? To learn teamwork? To learn sportsmanship? To learn empathy? Nicholas seems to have learned all that already. He didn't score a goal. He didn't block a goal. He didn't even play - but according to his coach, he was the hero of the game.

Minute Meditations - August 26

Scripture
"Giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father."
(Eph 5:20)

Reflection
"We must never fail to thank our Lord after we have received some sign of goodness, some benefit, from Him.
For God loves grateful hearts and heaps blessings on them."
- St. Mary Euphrasia

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for all the graces and blessings You have bestowed on me from my birth. Help me to show my gratitude by using all Your gifts for Your glory and the betterment of human beings.
- Every Day is a Gift

Tags: Minute Meditations

Minute Meditations - August 22

Scripture
"My fruit is better than gold, yes, than pure gold, and my revenue than choice silver."
(Prov 8:19)

Reflection
"Mary is the stem of the beautiful flower on which the Holy Spirit rests with the fullness of His gifts. Hence, those who want to obtain the seven gifts of the Spirit must seek the flower of the Holy Spirit on the stem [Mary].
We go to Jesus through Mary, and through Jesus we find the Grace of the Holy Spirit."
- St. Bonaventure

Prayer
Heavenly Father, You made Mary the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. Help me through Mary and Jesus to reach the Spirit and obtain His surpassing gifts.
- Every Day is a Gift

Tags: Minute Meditations

Busy Busy

With the start of school (both mine and my kiddos) last Wednesday, it's been hard to find time to blog. In addition, Nicholas is playing for his school's soccer team this year, so we have games and practices to fit in our schedule as well.

A few prayer intentions, though:

• For G.N. and family in his recovery from by-pass surgery....


• For all administrators, teachers, students and parents this new school year....


• For M.C. and his struggle with finding a bone marrow donor....


• For the turmoil in the Middle East....


• For M.P. and family in his continual struggle with serious health probems...


• For A.N. in her struggle with back pain/spasms...


• For M.W. and her boys for a safe and fun-filled weekend...


• For all my family and friends...

...Let us pray to the Lord.

From My Inbox: Mother Teresa-In Her Own Words

Click here for a nice PowerPoint slideshow.

Tags: From My Inbox

From My Inbox: Serious Times...People of All Faiths

During these serious times people of all faiths should remember these four religious truths:

1. Muslims do not recognize Jews as God's chosen people.
2. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
3. Protestants do not recognize the pope as the leader of the Christian world.
4. Baptists do not recognize each other at Hooters or liquor stores.

My Comments:
Laugh, it's funny! I'll be posting more "serious" reflectoins in the next couple of days.

Tags: From My Inbox

Minute Meditations - August 12

Scripture
"A gracious woman wins esteem...A kindly man benefits himself."
(Proverbs 11:16-17)

Reflection
"Do not chase after all kinds of knowledge, enlightenment, and understanding in the hope of gaining the hearts of others.
You will gain those hearts more surely by showing openness and graciousness to them."
- St. John Chrysostom

Prayer
Gracious Lord, help me to show openness and graciousness to others. In this way, let me win over their hearts on earth and gain their souls for eternity.
- Every Day is a Gift

Tags: Minute Meditations

An Evening Among Friends 3 - Howie Mandel

click poster to enlarge

RICHMOND, KY - On Saturday evening, August 5, 2006, Father James Sichko announced to new parishioners and members of the 101 Club the "mystery guest" for next year's Evening Among Friends 3 - Deal or No Deal's host Howie Mandel!

Slated for a one show appearance on Saturday, May 19, 2007 for only 500 guests, Howie promises to give away up to $10,000 to one lucky audience member!

As with previous "An Evening Among Friends", next year's event's proceeds will benefit the Madison County Special Olympics and help reduce St. Mark's debt.

The first "An Evening Among Friends" in 2005 was hosted by Regis Philbin and benefited our local YMCA and Kids Connection.
The second "An Evening Among Friends" this year was hosted by Bill Cosby and benefited our local Habitat for Humanity and the Ennis Cosby Education Foundation.

See my related posts on previous "An Evening Among Friends" events:

• For a Good Cos


• News Briefs


• An Evening Among Friends II - Cosby

For more information on purchasing tickets for next year's performance, you can call St. Mark Church at (859) 623-2989.

From My Inbox: Pillsbury Doughboy

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.
Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.
Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.
Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.
The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

Tags: From My Inbox

Today's Saint - St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

Also known as:
Teresia Benedicta; Edith Stein
Memorial:
9 August
Profile:
Youngest of seven children in a Jewish family. Edith lost interest and faith in Judaism by age 13. Brilliant student and philospher with an interest in phenomenology. Studied at the University of Gottingen and in Breisgau. Earned her doctorate in philosophy in 1916 at age 25. Witnessing the strength of faith of Catholic friends led her to an interest in Catholicism, which led to studying a catechism on her own, which led to "reading herself into" the Faith. Converted to Catholicism in Cologne, Germany; baptized in Saint Martin's church, Bad Bergzabern, on 1 January 1922.

Carmelite nun in 1934, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Teacher in the Dominican school in Speyer, and lecturer at the Educational Institute in Munich. However, anti-Jewish pressure from the Nazis forced her to resign both positions. Profound spiritual writer.

Both Jewish and Catholic, she was smuggled out of Germany, and assigned to Echt, Holland in 1938. When the Nazis invaded Holland, she and her sister Rose, also a convert to Catholicism, were captured and sent to the concentration camp at Auschwitz where they died in the ovens like so many others.

Born:
12 October 1891 at Breslaw, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland) as Edith Stein
Died:
gassed on 9 August 1942 in the ovens of Auschwitz
Beatified:
1 May 1987 by Pope John Paul II in the cathedral at Cologne, Germany
Canonized:
11 October 1998 by Pope John Paul II
Patronage:
Europe; loss of parents; martyrs; World Youth Day

copied fromThe Catholic Community Forum's Patron Saint Index.

Minute Meditations - August 9

Scripture
"But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us."
(Romans 5:8)

Reflection
"A soul is a great treasure and a rich deposit.
For the eternal Wisdom, Who cannot be deceived, regarded it as more precious than His own Blood."
- St. Bernard

Prayer
Heavenly Father, let me never forget the incomparable value of my immortal soul. Help me to be willing to die rather than risk doing anything to lose that soul.
- Every Day is a Gift

Tags: Minute Meditations

Vacation Posts

Check the daily summaries of our three day vacation at Norton's News, Notes 'n' Nonsense.

• Day 1 - August 2, 2006 - Wildwood Inn


• Day 2 - August 3, 2006 - Newport Aquarium


• Day 3 - August 4, 2006 - Cincinnati Zoo

Gone Vacationing

Family is on vacation August 2nd - 4th. Check out the details at Norton News, Notes 'n' Nonsense.

Minute Meditations - August 2

Scripture
"A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth."
(Sir 6:15)

Reflection
"Friendship constitutes a country for those in exile, a fortune for the poor, a remedy for the sick, and a life for the dead.
It provides pleasure for those who are well, strength for the weak, and a reward for the strong."
- St. Augustine

Prayer
Loving Father, grant me the great grace to form true Christian friendships. May my friends and I help one another to lead good lives and attain the happiness of those who serve You.
- Every Day is a Gift

Tags: Minute Meditations

Minute Meditations - August 1

Scripture
"May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all."
(1Thes 3:12)

Reflection
"The means for attaining perfect love is to accomplish frequent acts of love.
Fire is kindled by the wood that we cast into it, and love is enkindled by acts of love."
- St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Prayer
Loving Father, grant me the grace to strive after perfect love. Help me to bring forth frequent acts of love so that I may grow in this greatest of virtues.
- Every Day is a Gift

Tags: Minute Meditations