Blessed Timothy

As I wrote in my last blog, the Pauline Family celebrates the Feast of Blessed Timothy Giaccardo on October 22. He died on January 24, 1948. His Feast Day marks the date on which he was beatified. I believe it was in 1989. Born Joseph Giaccardo in the town of Narzole in Italy's Piedmont region, Giaccardo is a holy man of the media of communications. He was one of the very first to join the Society of St. Paul in Alba, Italy. He was convinced that the press and other communications media are powerful instruments that can be consecrated to broadcasting the Good News of the Gospel. The Founder of the Society of St. Paul, Blessed James Alberione was assigned to the Church of St. Bernard in Narzole only for a brief amount of time. In that assignment, he noticed the young Giaccardo and encouraged him to pursue his call to the priesthood. In the seminary, Giaccardo again met Alberione who was one of his professors--apparently one of the most influential of them all. On this day when we celebrate the holiness of Timothy Joseph Giaccardo we pray that the media of communications may be used more and more "for God" and to uplift the lives of men and women throughout the word.
The photo on the left is a painting of Bl. Giaccardo in his home parish. The center picture shows him walking with the Founder. On the right is an artist's rendition of his likeness.

Jesus Master

This week marks a feast day for members of the Pauline family. On Thursday, Oct. 22, the church celebrates the feast day of Blessed timothy Giaccardo. Blessed timothy was the right hand man of the founder of the Pauline Family, Blessed James Alberione.
the two were of vastly different personalities, yet both are acclaimed as holy men by the church, and especially by members of the Pauline communities around the world.
On Sunday, Oct. 25, the entire Pauline family will celebrate the Feast of Jesus the Divine Master. Bl. Timothy, the first priest to join the society of St. Paul, had a very special devotion to Jesus the Divine Teacher, or Master. He explained so well that Jesus is our Way to the Father, the Truth for our minds, the Life for our hearts.
As we in the northern hemisphere enjoy the colorful Fall foliage, nature invites us to meditate more on who Jesus is in our lives.

October

After several rainy and cloudy days, we are being treated to a classic Fall Day. I just want to share some of God's autumn artwork with you as I snapped some pictures in Ontario.
Have a great rest of this month of the Holy Rosary.

Back Again

Has it already been four months since I blogged? I guess so! I'm glad to be back. My Facebook friends have been sending me messages. Since not all the world's on Facebook yet, I decided to renew my blog entry more often. the summer went very quickly. In my own family two of my blood sisters had cancer operations this summer. Of course, all my family my 11 siblings were effected by this sad and upsetting news. it certainly caused us all to pray more, and reflect on how precious a gift is our life--every single moment of it.
One sister has been receiving chemotherapy treatments weekly; the other has begun radiation. she continues her job as a grade school teacher. My middle brother was diagnosed with congestive heart failure last month. So health issues have been prominent. Yet there is always something to rejoice in, and every moment is a grace.
I trust in your prayers for my sisters'
and my brother's health.

In mid-summer I was crossing a toll bridge on a day when traffic was sparse. There was some good humored banter between the toll keeper and myself. His remarks were sobering and deeply spiritual. He noticed my habit and commented how he admires people like us religious who are "so focused." then he recounted how he had been in a horrific car accident the week of his graduation from a top military academy. Apparently, he never made it to graduation. Yet he said, he is grateful to God for every day that he awakens. What a cheerful and grateful person. I can still see his peaceful smile. From my position in a small car, I could not see if he was able to walk or not. My guess is that he is disabled. Sometimes God uses moments like these to "talk to me" through people like the toll keeper. He was a sort of angel who reminded me of what people of faith do when hit with adversity. I hope that his story will help any of you readers who may feel a bit down hearted or blue. God does love you and me with a fierce love. So go on on day at a time and trust in God. he will see you through!

In early September it was a privilege to join about 45 members of the Boston Chinese Catholic community in a pilgrimage to 4 churches dedicated to St. Paul in the Toronto area. It was great to see their fervor and renew my friendships with so many of them whom I know.
For those of you in the Northern hemisphere, enjoy the change of color. It reminds me too that if we get better as we grow older, our more beautiful colors come out. (I am still working on the growing older part!)