Happy New Year! And, a suggestion....

Have a very happy, healthy, and prosperous new year to you, your family and friends!!! 

As at Christmas, I share this wish to you not only for myself but, also, on behalf of the officers, staff and volunteers of Queen of Peace Radio.

As we progress from the old year to the new, it is customary to reflect upon our goals, dreams and aspirations that we would like to see accomplished by this time next year.  We are motivated by such sayings that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.  So, whatever you plan for yourself, I hope that you succeed so long as it is moral, ethical, and lawful.

I just want to give you a suggestion.  Add to your to-do list, this one simple thing - try each day to do one simple act of kindness.  Not a random act of kindness but one simple planned act of kindness for each day.  Just a smile or kiss to your family, opening a door for someone, letting a car into your lane, or a smile to someone. 

   

Now, this is very simple, I know.  But, think about it - if you do it, you will have done at least 365 acts of kindness by the end of 2013!  You will have made an impact on other people’s lives 365 times.  And, it will not have cost you anything more than a small act of planned kindness.

The strange thing about this is that it becomes habitual and a regular part of your life.  Just think how much this would accomplish if more and more people would do this on a regular basis. 

There was a story on television on a news program recently about a city where people regularly pay for the orders of the next person in line at drive through fast food restaurants and that it is not unusual to go for as long as an half hour with everyone paying for the orders of the cars behind them.

Maybe it sounds silly but I think that is great.  And, I think Americans are really that kind of people.  Look at how we step up for each other in fund raising and volunteer help whenever a bad storm or event strikes another community.  I just think that we all have it in us to do planned, not random, acts of daily kindness.

Let me know what you think.

Let the light of our Lord shine upon you!

REM (Ray Makowski) Co-Founder, Director and Secretary-Treasurer

THE Reason to Celebrate!

Merry Christmas to you, your family and friends!!! 

I share this wish to you not only for myself but, also, on behalf of the officers, staff and volunteers of Queen of Peace Radio.

On Christmas day, we celebrate the most remarkable event in human existence - the birth of God incarnate to live as a human on earth for the cause of the salvation of all humanity.  The love of God and His Divine Mercy is beyond our understanding.  But, as has been said since the annunciation - let us rejoice!

Let me know what you think.

Let the light of our Lord shine upon you!

REM (Ray Makowski) Co-Founder, Director and Secretary-Treasurer

Whither the devil, evil and sin?

The tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, got me, like everyone else, to reflect about this incredible tragedy.  And, like so many of us, I was riveted to the television news programs to learn more about it.  Among so many other things, it really tragic that it comes during the happy holiday Christmas season for Christians and during the Channukah season for Jews.  The senselessness of these killings is certainly beyond our ability to fathom - a very young man shooting his mother in the face killing her and, then, killing the toddlers and their teachers at the school. 

Like so many previous senseless shootings, the media and politicians goes into their predictable tirade about guns and the need for more gun control.  Interestingly, the Governor of Connecticut admitted that his state has one of the strictest gun control laws in the country.  An interesting statistic is that over 16 million background checks for gun purchases occurred last year of which only 0.47% resulted in rejections.  In this case the guns were registered - to the mother of the shooter.  So, after so many similar shootings over the years, more gun control laws definitely do not appear to be the answer.  But, this is not about the pros and cons of more gun control legislation.

Parenthetically, it is interesting to consider that these same gun control advocates who are offended by the killings of these innocent are, at the same time, open advocates for abortions and assisting the  suicide for the elderly.

But, let me get back down to the point of this missive - no one, I mean no one, in the media coverage from the investigators to the friends and family to the politicians ever mentioned sin and the devil!  There were some mentions of mental derangement of the shooter in this case and of the shooters in other cases.  This is, most likely, a reasonable explanation for these shooters.  But, where does the stimulus for their actions to kill come from?  The devil?  No one mentions it despite our Judeo-Christian backgrounds?  Why not?  In other earlier times, it would have not at all unusual to think that the person who did such a thing was possessed by the devil.  But, in our contemporary 21st Century, ridicule will flow to those who suggest the role of the devil and of sin. 

I, certainly, do not know the answer in this instance, but pose the idea that, yes, the shooter was mentally ill.  But, what caused him to act upon that illness and kill people?  Even more so, what caused him to kill these harmless little children especially this otherwise happy time of year?  Is it so totally out of our 21st Century modernistic and cosmopolitan thinking to consider that the impetus and the stimulus to move this mentally ill man to such horrible actions was the devil?  Why do we not want to recognize the face of evil and the devil anymore?  Because we do not want to be viewed as being old-fashioned, primitive, unsophisticated?  But, we still go to our churches and proclaim our faiths.  And, our faiths recognize not only God but, also, a God who speaks to us about avoiding the devil, his evil, and sin. 

Every year during the Easter Mass we, Catholics, renew our Baptismal promises which cover the following: that we renounce Satan who is the author and prince of sin, his works, all his empty show, sin so as to live in the freedom of God, and renounce the lure of sin so that sin may have no mastery over us.  So, why do we not view this evil from the devil as the impetus to these shooters keeping our Baptismal vows in mind?  Even the media and the politicians call murderers, terrorists, child abusers, and like evil.  But, where does that evil come from?  Satan, our Baptismal vows would assert so why is that not mentioned in the public debate?  There was a public memorial for these victims which show our belief and faith in God and the rendering of our prayers to him.  There was a mention of free will by a rabbi.  But, where was the discussion of evil and the devil? 

Where is the discussion about the rejection of prayer at public governmental functions, the declining morals of our society, the declining attendance at religious services and the increasing ridicule of the faithful of all religions?  This, I posit is where the discussion for solutions in the public debate should be rather than in the tedious repetitions of gun control, more security at schools, and the identification and treatment of the mentally ill.

Let me know what you think.

Let the light of our Lord shine upon you!

REM (Ray Makowski) Co-Founder, Director and Secretary-Treasurer

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Wednesday, December 12, 2012, marks the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  This follows Saturday’s Feast of the Immaculate Conception which follows the celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  All of this is very appropriate this month in which we celebrate the birth of Christ.  After all, the baby comes from his mother.  Here, the baby Jesus comes from the mother Mary who bore him for 9 months.

The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and her appearance to the native peasant is very remarkable in so many ways.  She appeared to a peasant nearly 500 years ago outside what is now Mexico City and not to a Spanish conquistador.  The Bishop did not believe Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin ("speaking eagle") who reported the miracle to him.  The Bishop, the story goes, asked for a sign that the lady who appreared to Juan Diego was, indeed, the Blessed Virgin.  It was December and roses did not grow in the vicinity but, as Juan Diego walked along, he came upon a rose bush full of roses.  Juan Diego, put these in his peasant apron called a tilma and took them to the Bishop.  When Juan Diego emptied the roses from his tilma for the Bishop, there appeared the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the tilma.  The tilma was made from fibers from a cactus plant and do not usually last very long.  The tilma of Juan Diego with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe still remains in tact and shows no sign of aging.  

This is truly an amazing story and a true, indisputable, miracle.  A few years ago, Catholic scientists with digital cameras asked for and were granted permission to further photograph and study the tilma.  Their cameras discovered an amazing thing - on the retina of Our Lady’s eyes on the tilma shows what she observed which included the Bishop and those with him in his room!

This story never ceases to amaze me and my reverence for Our Lady of Guadalupe continues to grow.  I hope that you think the same.

Share your thoughts with me and please...

Let me know what you think.

Let the light of our Lord shine upon you!

REM (Ray Makowski) Co-Founder, Director and Secretary-Treasurer

Advent, The New Year and You

Advent has begun this Sunday and it is the new liturgical year.  This, also, brings on the anticipation for the birth of Christ and the celebrations.

In the northern hemisphere, it is a time of shortened days where Christmas and the beginning of longer days almost coincide.  Like Lent, this should be a time of reflection in which we should consider the blessings of the past year and contemplate what a new year will bring to us. It is a time to reflect upon what our new year resolutions will be.

So, instead of the dreads and the stresses over the right presents to buy, the reunions with family members with whom we don’t see eye-to-eye, and the financial demands of the season, take a break and reflect upon the blessings that each of us do have.  And, think of those blessings and the consolations of God and His strength through bad times over the past year.

Try to keep in mind the admonition of Jesus to “not let your heart be troubled.”  All is certainly easier said then done but take a moment to do so each day.

In Jesus Beloved Son: Daily Advent Meditations and Prayers by Henri J. M. Nouwen, there was a prayer for the day yesterday that we should, probably, keep in mind and say daily, “Dearest Lord, help me overcome my insecurities and discover what it is you want for me.”  At all ages and stages in our lives, this would certainly be appropriate for each of us. First, to overcome our insecurities which we all have in some respect would be a wonderful blessing from the Lord.  Second, to discover and learn what it is that He wants for each one of us.  This part of the prayer is interesting.  The first part of the prayer is paying to Him for His help so we are, in so doing, doing the talking to God.  The second part of the prayer is asking Him guidance for our life so, in this part, God will be doing the talking and we will be doing the listening. 

In praying, we are usually doing the asking of God but do we spend enough time in listening and meditating upon His desires for us in our lives?  I suspect not. Most likely, we think that the listening is only an activity the saints do.

Plus, we do not think we are worthy for God to speak to us.  Well, we do believe and accept the concept of inspiration.  And, the word comes from the concept that the idea or prompting comes from the spirit - divine inspiration?  The Holy Spirit?  Find out for yourself and let me know what you discover. 

Since the last blog I have been reflecting on how to deal with the beginning of Advent ane the new liturgical year and now you have it.  Share your thoughts with me and please...

Let me know what you think.

Let the light of our Lord shine upon you!

REM (Ray Makowski) Co-Founder, Director and Secretary-Treasurer

Thanksgiving and You

The annual celebration of the holiday Thanksgiving is upon us again which has caused me to reflect upon it.  What is it to me and to you?  The title of this blog is to stimulate you to think about what Thanksgiving means to you. 

Since my birthday falls near Thanksgiving, I grew up in my early years thinking that everyone celebrated my birthday by giving thanksgiving that I was born! 

As I got older, I discovered that it was not all about my birthday to my great chagrin!  I learned that it had to do with gratitude to God for helping the Pilgrims to have a good harvest which allowed them to survive up until then and into the new year.  So, it was gratitude to God for survival and for the provisions for a new year. 

So, this time of year, I reflect upon my survival since the last Thanksgiving in terms of life, health and blessings in the way of family, friends, food, shelter and other blessings from Him.  Even though I have not received the things that I have hoped and prayed for, I am grateful to God for what he has given to me.  We all have seen illnesses and death suffered by ourselves, family and friends. Therefore, we are grateful for the health and healthcare that we do enjoy.  We have seen disasters throughout the world including as near as the Northeast and see on the news stories about people in need of electricity for heat, for shelter and for food.  We see the developing conflict in the Holy Land between Gaza and Israel and all the deaths, injuries, destruction and suffering.  Therefore, in contrast to those tragedies we must be grateful for not having natural catastrophes and for not having war and terrorism.

 We cannot take these for granted as New York City has learned from 9-11 and from the superstorm Sandy.  However, we can, must and should thank God for what we do have.

It is very disconcerting to have this wonderful holiday of depth and meaning turned into one of superficial self-indulgences.  Food, drink, football games, black Friday sales starting on Thanksgiving evening to get an earlier start of sales and, thus, depriving those employees and their families the opportunity to enjoy the day. Just as the consumerism and marketing have taken away the meaning of Christ out of Christmas, our society is diminishing the meaning of Thanksgiving by removing God as the focus of our thanks. 

Please reflect upon your blessings during the last year including your life, your health such as it may be, your intelligence and ability to just read this blog, and everything that you can recall.  Think of the meaning and fortitude of your tribulations during the last year.  Then, thank God for your survival and blessings and thank Him for the survival and blessings given to family and friends.  And, remember those who have passed in the last year and pray for them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let me know what you think.

Let the light of our Lord shine upon you!

REM (Ray Makowski) Co-Founder, Director and Secretary-Treasurer

Are You Welcoming?

Over the years, I have attended Masses, weddings, baptisms, first Communions, confirmations, investitures, and funerals at many Catholic churches locally and while traveling for business and pleasure.  One of the common things that I have noticed and have been chagrined over is the fact that other attendees do not seem very welcoming to strangers.

And, then, many in the welcoming line, if there is a welcoming group, do not look at you or say anything to you while they “greet” you because they are engaged in conversations with the others in the welcoming line or other friends of theirs. Why do we fail in this behavior?  We are all going to a celebration of the Mass and the Holy Eucharist.  After I started observing this, I became very aware of my own behavior and found that I was, also, guilty of such behavior.  So, I started to smile and wave at other attendees as I got out of my car and walked into the church and as I left it to my car. I swear that some people mistook my welcoming behavior and thought I was some sort of freak and some women, of all ages, sizes, and marital status, thought I was flirting with them!

Over the years, this lead me to thinking about comments of Catholics who have left the Church for Protestant churches and the popular non-denominational mega-churches.  These wayward Catholics speak about how welcome they feel their and how nice the parishioners in those churches are from their welcoming committees to their new-member committee and the after-service snacks and socialization.  What is wrong with Catholics who constantly bemoan the loss of members and declining conversions and sustainment of converts?

I write this blog now to recommend to you the article in this current issue of the St. Augustine Catholic entitled “How Welcoming Are You” by Lilla Ross.  As the title suggests, she deals with this very topic.  She relates from a book by Richard McCorry entitled Company’s Coming: A Spiritual Process for Creating More Welcoming Parishes. He has traveled all over the country assisting parishes to become more inviting.  In doing so, he relates that his “common experience is feeling invisible.”

I can attest to that very feeling.  It is not unusual for a visitor to attend a Mass and never speak or have eye contact with another attendee.  This is so true.  We can go to a public social or entertainment event and not have such an isolated experience.  But, we Catholics are going to the celebration of the Mass so why don’t we make all other co-attendees feel the friendship and love of Jesus Christ?  The first step is awareness of this situation and the second step is self-examination of our own facial expression and actions. The third step is to make others aware of this situation. The final step is to change our behavior. And that is the point of this blog, the article and the book.

He directs us to the passage from I Peter 4:9: “Be hospitable to one another without complaining.”

Who should do this - everyone.  McCrorry writes that “best welcoming committee is the entire parish.”  You can learn more at www.catholichospitality.com.

Thanksgiving is upon us as is Advent, Christmas and the new year - what a great time to start!  Please join me!

Let me know what you think.

Let the light of our Lord shine upon you!

REM (Ray Makowski) Co-Founder, Director and Secretary-Treasure