Spirituality

Fr. Glenn: Roses And Thorns

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By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Such rhetoric nowadays! It seems that it has become a favorite pastime to find fault … not with oneself (perish the thought!), but rather with others. One misspoken term …. a phrase mangled out of all contextual recognition … and you may be condemned as Satan’s spawn, accusers so often hurling their darts across the protective abyss created by social media or—worse—openly and publicly attacked. Do or write a seemingly-innocuous something-or-other that someone doesn’t like and you’re liable, liable for libel … lawyers a’flockin’ and lawsuits a’flyin’.

One hardly knows Read More

National Guard Chaplain Praised For COVID-19 Service

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Fr. Ryan L. McDaniel cited for rare dedication in support of troops. Courtesy photo

AMS News:

ROCHELLE, IL — A Catholic chaplain serving in the Illinois National Guard (ILNG) has received high praise for his role in the fight against COVID-19.

Father Ryan L. McDaniel (Ch., Capt.), and his Religious Affairs Specialist (SPC) Bryan Neice, were recently commended for their service to troops supporting multi-agency operations at a 330-thousand-square-foot warehouse in Rochelle, where the state is storing emergency supplies related to the COVID-19 response and other Federal Emergency Management Read More

Fr. Glenn: Sowing Seeds

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By Fr. Glenn Jones

“I say, old chap; awfully unkind of you.”

Such were the words that went through my mind—or words to that effect (ahem!)—when a humongous firework was exploded at 5 a.m. very near my living quarters. Sigh.

Driving on the interstate in early morning, a car rockets past everyone in the early morning rush, and suddenly careens over 5 lanes of traffic to make the exit, causing other drivers to swerve in surprise. Sigh.

Vitriolic emails from “Christians” not only condemning me to eternal damnation, but wishing me to go there. Heavy sigh. Missed that “love thy neighbor” thing of the Gospel, Read More

Fr. Glenn: ‘And I Will Give You Rest.’

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By Fr. Glenn Jones

I was at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe the other day, officiating at the last farewell to a beloved former parishioner—a young wife and mother who succumbed, after many years’ valiant struggle, to unrelenting cancer. A privilege and blessing to be able to do this one last service for her, it was even more so to have visited and ministered to her at UNM Hospital in her last days … to spend time with this gentle and faithful woman who strengthened others by her resolute determination, and to be able to assure her of the eternal rest offered by God. 

Wandering afterwards through the Read More

White Rock United Methodist Church Presents New Minister

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New Minister Sean Smith of White Rock United Methodist Church at 580 Meadow Lane. Courtesy photo

New Minister Sean Smith of White Rock United Methodist Church with his wife Courtney and their daughters Lucy and Jane. Courtesy photo

White Rock United Methodist Church News:

The Reverend Sean Smith and his family arrived June 22 in White Rock from Odessa, Texas to serve the congregation at White Rock United Methodist Church.  

Coming during a pandemic has provided some challenges. First is being quarantined for 14 days. Second is not being able to meet congregation members in person. However, Read More

Scenes From Annual 4th Of July Memorial Flag Carry Parade

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Scene this morning from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints annual 4th of July Memorial Flag Carry on Grand Canyon Drive in honor of all those past and present who have paid for our freedom. Thank You! Photo by VaLynn Purvis

Scene of the flag raising this morning at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Photo by VaLynn Purvis

Scene of spectators honoring the flag this morning  during the annual 4th of July Memorial Flag Carry on Grand Canyon Drive. Photo by VaLynn Purvis

Scene of a spectator saluting the flag this morning at the annual 4th of July Memorial Flag Carr. Photo by VaLynn Read More

TOTH: Garage Sales Benefit Juarez Homebuilding Mission

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Scene of children helping the House of Hope team members from Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church build a home in the colonias near Juarez, Mexico.Courtesy/TOTH

Scene from the House of Hope team members from Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church building a home in the colonias near Juarez, Mexico. Courtesy/TOTH

By LYNN FINNEGAN
TOTH

Work From Home. Stimulus Package. Paycheck Protection Program. Our vocabulary in the United States has been expanded to include these pandemic-related changes, but the people in the colonias near Juarez, Mexico have no such options or protections.

Many live in Read More

Fr. Glenn: A Chosen Race

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By Fr. Glenn Jones

As you know all too well, the issue of race and racism has dominated the last couple of months, despite even the COVID-19 pandemic. This emphasis on eliminating racism and bigotry is a wonderful goal without doubt, but counterproductive if violence and property destruction worsens the disease rather than cures it, for one does not solve injustice by being unjust—the obvious “two wrongs don’t make a right” wisdom.

So, in combating bigotry, we mustn’t cultivate bigotry by inadvertently sowing weeds of resentment with the good wheat of equality and true growth. True peace requires Read More

Fr. Glenn: Just The Facts, Ma’am

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By Fr. Glenn Jones

Well, first of all … Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there! A blessed task and duty is fatherhood, as you are entrusted by God for the safekeeping and cultivation of those little images of Him … and of you and mom. “In His Image” in reference to God is in the spiritual being and the internal goodness within all persons … no matter how much it may be hidden. In your image, dads, by what you and mom imprint upon them—in physical likeness, yes, but ever so much more in values and wisdom. 

When we consider wisdom, we understand that it requires truth and facts, else it is no wisdom at all.  Read More