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"...Blue skies Smiling at me Nothing but blue skies Do I see..." (" Blue Skies ," Irving Berlin (1926) via Lyrics.com) But that's not literally true. We had blue skies with clouds Monday through Wednesday. Then it rained part of Wednesday night, pretty much all Thursday and part of Thursday night. So maybe this is more appropriate. Or was, until Friday's bright blue skies and sunshine.... (I have been feeling down, depressed and worse. So I wrote about emotions, personality disorders, predestination, flowers and making sense.) More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

  Holy Trinity Jusepe de Ribera [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 28:16-20   (English Standard Version, Anglicised) Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.   And when they saw him they worshipped him, but some doubted.   And Jesus came and said to them,  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   Léachtaí i nGaeilge Antiphona ad introitum   Entrance Antiphon Benedictus sit Deus P...

    I was reading a reflection by Father Patrick Butler, L.C. on the Laudate App. about Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Have you ever been at a family reunion where the elders attending were given a "pride of place"?  You know what I'm talking about.  Everyone moves in their direction to talk to them, recognizing there is something special in their presence.  They are cherished not only because they are the last surviving members of the original cast, but we know instinctively that much of our history lies within them.  They have cared for the family and looked after all of us for years.  They are the glue that has held us together during difficult, painful times and they have lovingly nurtured each of us into adulthood. At our family reunions, that has always been the case, but this year it will be different because the last of our "elders" has passed away.  We hope that we can hold together because of what they gave us and the memories we share...

This week hasn't been a good time for India. Statistics say Tuesday was their worst day yet for COVID-19 pandemic deaths. It's also when the worst cyclone of recorded so far hit India's west coast. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

I went to the local hospital this morning, got a sheaf of paper and a 3x5 card, had a short chat and followed green arrows to the elevator. I've walked down that corridor a fair number of times, and have even been in the elevator. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

    Pentecost El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] All [the apostles]  with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers . . .  When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.   (Acts 1:14; 2:1). Pentecost Sunday,  at the Vigil Mass  (Saturday evening), Years ABC NB: The Vigil Mass has its own prayers and readings. Those for the Mass During the Day on Sunday should not be used – though some priests seem to be unaware of this. It is incorrect to refer to this Vigil Mass as an ‘anticipated Mass’. It is a celebration proper to the evening before Pentecost Sunday and may be celebrated in an extended form. It also fulfils the Sunday obligation.   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA Gospe...

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Good news, my son and I had a long chat last Saturday. Not-so-good news, we had it in the local emergency room. Still, it could have been worse. After a few hours of fluids and pain meds, he wasn't feeling quite so awful, and I drove him home again. Blood work told us that his major systems were working. And a scan showed that his brain wasn't missing any pieces. So, basically, good news. Even so, I could have done without the stress. So, I'm sure, could my son. And I'm very glad that (almost) a week has gone by without a similar incident.... ...Imaging Tech: X-Rays and the Fabulous Foot-O-Scope (An image from my brain scans in 2018.) Medical diagnostic tech has come a long way since my youth, but we still can't tap into another person's sensory inputs. Which, from a 'privacy' perspective may be a good thing, and I'm wandering off-topic. Even so, we had impressive tech in my 'good old days.'... More at A Catholic Citizen in Am...

    Ascension Andrea della Robia [ Web Gallery of Art ] The Ascension, Year B   The Ascension is celebrated on Ascension Thursday, 13 May, in England & Wales and in Scotland. In the USA it is celebrated on Ascension Thursday in the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, Philadelphia, elsewhere on Sunday 2 June. In all of these areas Ascension Thursday is a Holyday of Obligation. The Ascension is observed on Sunday, 16 May, in Aotearoa-New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Philippines.   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel    Mark 16:15-20     (English Standard Version, Anglicised) Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not be...