One of the things that immediately impressed me about Jesus the Divine Word Parish is the strong faith of the people in this parish. I especially like the prayer used in the petitions of the Mass where the response is "Lord graciously hear us." I have never heard that response in any other parish. There is just something about this particular prayer that always gives you the feeling that these petitions will make it to the front of the line and be answered immediately. The parishioners practice this faith each and every day by looking out for one another. This is especially apparent in the daily gatherings after morning Mass where they all meet to catch up on the latest news. Normally a large part of the conversation revolves around making sure that any parishioner in the hospital is visited and the family is cared for. Often, they are tripping over each other to see who can get in the door first to bring Holy Communion to the patient.
In the event you have not heard, our former pastor Fr. Milt Jordan is in need of a few prayers himself right now. He had emergency by pass surgery yesterday morning. I understand from a family member that he sailed through it with his normal blue ribbon performance. He is expected to make a full recovery. He is resting UNcomfortably now (which is VERY normal as a result of the procedures used in this particular type of surgery - just check it out on the internet if you don't believe me!). Please note that the doctors have restricted his visitors to the immediate family only in order to facilitate his complete rest and recovery. This will also substantially reduce the risk from infection for him. Since we would like to keep him around for a while, please do not rush up there to be the first in line to see him. Tickets will go on sale as soon as he recovers!!!!!!!!!!!!
It sounds like he will be out of commission for at least 7 weeks or so. Can you even imagine this guy taking it easy for that long????? I am sure the hospital will release him as soon as possible - otherwise the staff will never get any work done as they will be gathered around his bed listening to his spellbinding sermons and laughing at his jokes.
Just think - can you even imagine how powerful his sermons will be when he gets back on his feet and has all of this personal experience to share with us????????? They were outstanding before, but I am sure there will be some real insight there in the days ahead. He is probably writing them in his sleep right now!!!! Since he founded our Sodality, maybe we can get on the list for a speaking engagement here before he goes on a worldwide tour to discuss his experiences.
Speaking of that, Fr. Jordan has always been one to take good care of himself. In fact, pictures taken of him this year show him looking even younger than he looked 10 years ago. We have all heard him talk about the importance of eating well. I know that he will certainly have something to say on this topic in the weeks ahead. I am sure that any discussion that any one of us has with him will include some insights to the yet to be published "Fr. Milt's Holy Healthy Heart Cookbook." I am also sure that Dr. Milt will be dispensing quite a bit of healthy living advice to all of us. If I know him, I suspect that he has already worked out a deal with his doctor that for every one one of us he catches not eating a healthy diet whom he refers over to the heart doctor, a large contribution will go into that collection basket!!!!!!!
There is that old saying that, "Laughter is the best medicine." If there is one thing we all know and love about Fr. Milt, it is that he loves to laugh, and he has a great sense of humor. So, in addition to all of the prayers and holy cards that y'all send his way, please send him something to keep him laughing so he will heal even more quickly.
Let's see if we can keep his secretary busy working overtime just to keep track of his correspondence from Divine Word. I am guessing that he will not need any more statues here (but I could be wrong.) I am ordering three (3) nine foot statues to be delivered to him - one of Mary, one of St. Joseph, and one of St. Expedite. I have arranged for the construction crews to deliver and install them in his room before he returns home. I will also see if the pink flamingo choir has an opening in their schedule to welcome him home.
Father Jordan's mailing address is Our Lady of Victory Parish, 4835 MacArthur Boulevard, Washington, DC 20007. I would suggest sending a message to him via snail mail rather than by e-mail. Given the large amount of e-mail he receives on a daily basis anyway, he will probably never catch up at this point, especially with get well wishes coming from all over the world. And think about this - since he is under the weather and has no access to a computer, who is reading those e-mails???????????
I know this has been very serious news here, but for a laugh, check out his most recent blog post at http://www.dcolvhappenings.blogspot.com/ As you read this post, just picture a little cartoon character of Fr. Milty chasing the marathoners with his collection basket. Is that him or what??????? While you are at it, check out some of his other postings there. It contains many of his daily and Sunday sermons.
For a more complete tribute to Fr. Milt, check out the blog posts written by his good friend Rocco Palmo on his distinguished Catholic blog "Whispers in the Loggia" read world over by Cardinals and commoners alike which can be found at http://www.whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/ Rocco did a wonderful job here. There are two posts on October 30, 2007, plus a link to another one. Enjoy.
From Lill Caplins' daily Mass petition, "Dear Lord, please watch over Fr. Jordan and keep him in the palm of your hand. Please give him a painless (as possible) and quick recovery. May he continue to retain his jovial and lovable nature and his positive attitude, so that he can continue to teach us how to follow in Jesus' footsteps."
Lord graciously hear us!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Sue Ballmann with a SUBSTANTIAL collaboration from Lill Caplins
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Late Nite Catechism - Sister is Expecting You in Your Seat, or You WILL Suffer the Consequences!!!!
It’s time to dig out those old Baltimore Catechism books and brush up on your Latin!!!!
Sister requests the honor of your presence at a performance of Late Nite Catechism. Attendance is mandatory!!! Any no shows or non-responders will be spending extra time on their knees in the confessional with Fr. Dan, where he will be handing out an extra penance. The show is at the Olney Theatre on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at 1:30 pm. Tardiness will NOT be tolerated. All attendees must behave appropriately during the performance or risk sitting in the corner on the stage of Sister’s classroom.
The Sodality has reserved a block of tickets. All the women in the parish are welcome to join the group and invite their friends. We will be carpooling from the parish and leaving at approximately 11:30. Please contact either Robin Pilkerton at 410-535-2787 or Sue Ballmann at 301-908-7002 or Sharon Stallings at 410-414-7543 for additional information.
The cost of the play $29.00 per person. After the show, we will be going to dinner at a local restaurant in Olney. We are still working on those details. This will give us all a chance to laugh about the play together and exchange our memories of Catholic school. You will find this experience hilarious whether or not you went to Catholic school. This will be a great chance to meet some new friends and for some of those old timers to tell us how it was in the “good old days.”
We would like to increase the size of our group, so everyone is encouraged to invite potential new members. Please try and let us know that you are coming ASAP so that we can easily reserve more tickets, if necessary. Also, please pass any of this information on to members of the parish who may not have internet access. We will update this blog with any additional information as soon as it becomes available.
Sister requests the honor of your presence at a performance of Late Nite Catechism. Attendance is mandatory!!! Any no shows or non-responders will be spending extra time on their knees in the confessional with Fr. Dan, where he will be handing out an extra penance. The show is at the Olney Theatre on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at 1:30 pm. Tardiness will NOT be tolerated. All attendees must behave appropriately during the performance or risk sitting in the corner on the stage of Sister’s classroom.
The Sodality has reserved a block of tickets. All the women in the parish are welcome to join the group and invite their friends. We will be carpooling from the parish and leaving at approximately 11:30. Please contact either Robin Pilkerton at 410-535-2787 or Sue Ballmann at 301-908-7002 or Sharon Stallings at 410-414-7543 for additional information.
The cost of the play $29.00 per person. After the show, we will be going to dinner at a local restaurant in Olney. We are still working on those details. This will give us all a chance to laugh about the play together and exchange our memories of Catholic school. You will find this experience hilarious whether or not you went to Catholic school. This will be a great chance to meet some new friends and for some of those old timers to tell us how it was in the “good old days.”
We would like to increase the size of our group, so everyone is encouraged to invite potential new members. Please try and let us know that you are coming ASAP so that we can easily reserve more tickets, if necessary. Also, please pass any of this information on to members of the parish who may not have internet access. We will update this blog with any additional information as soon as it becomes available.
Posted by Sue Ballmann
Monday, October 22, 2007
Bible vs. Cell Phone
From an e-mail sent by Sharon Stallings:
I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.Makes you stop and think "where are my priorities"?And no dropped calls!
I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.Makes you stop and think "where are my priorities"?And no dropped calls!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Minutes of Meeting on Thursday, October 11. 2007
October 11, 2007
Minutes
ATTENDEES:
Sharon Stallings
Shirley Clement
Charlotte Rank
Ella Mae Raysinger
Rose Lee Jackson
Joan Voss
Charlotte Whidden
Debbie O’Brien
A. Margaret Cross
Charlotte Gioffre
Lil Caplins
Peggy Arnold
Marianne Roberts
Members met in the Chapel before meeting and said the Rosary.
The meeting was called to order by our Prefect Sharon Stallings following the Rosary.
The September meeting was a pilgrimage to Mt. St. Mary’s in Pennsylvania. Our Vice Prefect Charlotte Rank was installed at Mt. St. Mary’s Grotto.
New members Charlotte Whidden and Debbie O’Brien were welcomed into Sodality.
The Treasurer reported that we have a balance of $1,010.53. Dues ($15.00) will be collected from members at the November meeting.
Other Issues/Reports:
Thanksgiving boxes were discussed. Some of the boxes being prepared by the church will be used for local families. It was agreed that twenty (20) $25.00 Giant gift cards will be purchased by the Sodality for the local boxes.
Our Christmas social was discussed. Tentative date is Thursday, December 13. It was suggested that we have Mass and then maybe pot luck with gifts for Birthright. Peggy Arnold with discuss the Mass with Father Leary and report back in November.
There was much discussion about recruiting new members and new activities for the Sodality. The need to show our devotion to the Blessed Mother was discussed. The need to publicize our Sodality in the Bulletin and possibly having someone available to discuss what we do with people interested in joining. Margaret Cross said she had copies of the brochure and information we used to publicize before and would send them to Sharon. Peggy Arnold will prepare a new brochure for us.
Charlotte Whidden volunteered to contact other Sodality’s to see what their activities are and how they recruit new members.
It was also suggested that we expand our activities by becoming Good Samaritans. Activities such as taking people to the doctor, sitting with the sick, running errands, etc; may create interest in our group.
Peggy Arnold passed out a sign up sheet for attendance of the “Our Catholic Faith” series of videos beginning October 15.
Margaret Cross announced that she will be moving in November and thanked the members of the support she received while she was a member of the Sodality. She requested prayers for her and Robert in their new venture to North Carolina.
The meeting was closed with prayer.
SHIRLEY CLEMENT
Recording Secretary
Minutes
ATTENDEES:
Sharon Stallings
Shirley Clement
Charlotte Rank
Ella Mae Raysinger
Rose Lee Jackson
Joan Voss
Charlotte Whidden
Debbie O’Brien
A. Margaret Cross
Charlotte Gioffre
Lil Caplins
Peggy Arnold
Marianne Roberts
Members met in the Chapel before meeting and said the Rosary.
The meeting was called to order by our Prefect Sharon Stallings following the Rosary.
The September meeting was a pilgrimage to Mt. St. Mary’s in Pennsylvania. Our Vice Prefect Charlotte Rank was installed at Mt. St. Mary’s Grotto.
New members Charlotte Whidden and Debbie O’Brien were welcomed into Sodality.
The Treasurer reported that we have a balance of $1,010.53. Dues ($15.00) will be collected from members at the November meeting.
Other Issues/Reports:
Thanksgiving boxes were discussed. Some of the boxes being prepared by the church will be used for local families. It was agreed that twenty (20) $25.00 Giant gift cards will be purchased by the Sodality for the local boxes.
Our Christmas social was discussed. Tentative date is Thursday, December 13. It was suggested that we have Mass and then maybe pot luck with gifts for Birthright. Peggy Arnold with discuss the Mass with Father Leary and report back in November.
There was much discussion about recruiting new members and new activities for the Sodality. The need to show our devotion to the Blessed Mother was discussed. The need to publicize our Sodality in the Bulletin and possibly having someone available to discuss what we do with people interested in joining. Margaret Cross said she had copies of the brochure and information we used to publicize before and would send them to Sharon. Peggy Arnold will prepare a new brochure for us.
Charlotte Whidden volunteered to contact other Sodality’s to see what their activities are and how they recruit new members.
It was also suggested that we expand our activities by becoming Good Samaritans. Activities such as taking people to the doctor, sitting with the sick, running errands, etc; may create interest in our group.
Peggy Arnold passed out a sign up sheet for attendance of the “Our Catholic Faith” series of videos beginning October 15.
Margaret Cross announced that she will be moving in November and thanked the members of the support she received while she was a member of the Sodality. She requested prayers for her and Robert in their new venture to North Carolina.
The meeting was closed with prayer.
SHIRLEY CLEMENT
Recording Secretary
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