Kevin's Corner 11-16-08
Written by Fr. Kevin McDonough
GOODBYE, MR. ZENO: Mr. Royal Zeno died last Saturday morning. He was 90 years old, and his daughter Rosemary and I agreed that he lived about 180 years in those ninety. He was first and last a family man, dedicated to helping them achieve a life of dignity and purpose. He was also a hard worker, who did what was necessary to make a living, mostly shining shoes and attending to the simple needs of people’s days. He was also a fundamentally good-humored individual – he had stories to share but never imposed them on anyone. His funeral will be here at our church tomorrow (Monday) at 12:00 noon. Join us if you can. Pray for him if you cannot be here.
Kevin's Corner 11-09-08
Written by Fr. Kevin McDonough
WHAT A WEEK! There are questions by which we remember electric moments in our history. For example: where were you when you heard that JFK was shot, or that the Twin Towers had come down, or that the Japanese had surrendered? Now there is a new one: where did you watch the election returns of 2008? Although it has only been a few days, I have yet to talk with a single person who was not deeply moved that Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States. Even those who disagreed with him over one or another important question of policy recognize that something very powerful has happened in our history. And at a time of anxiety about our future, his calm passion and best-of-America rhetoric have touched people in inspiring ways. You are feeling those things yourself, hearing them from friends, and reading them in the papers. Permit me to add three thoughts of my own, thoughts I have not heard as frequently from others. Kevin's Corner 11-02-08
Written by Fr. Kevin McDonough
TIME TO VOTE ... AND PRAY: Just in case you missed it, this is an Election Year (just kidding!). Election Day is this Tuesday. If you have the franchise, please vote. And whether you can vote or not, pray for our nation, state, and city. May there be peace on earth, and let it begin with each of us.
Kevin's Corner 10-26-08
Written by Fr. Kevin McDonough
SAINT PAUL BLACK HISTORY: SOME RESOURCES: For years, I have been asking for more-broadly accessible information about the rich African-American history of Saint Paul. How about a walking tour or some designations of historical sites or an on-line portal? On a recent trip to see my brother in Fort Worth, Texas, I found just that sort of thing in the tourist information office in the heart of that city's downtown - a simple photocopied map of about thirty important places in local Black community development. I began talking it up again on my return home and - eureka! - someone has finally started the process. Just this year, the first of what will be a series of “African American Heritage Guides to Saint Paul" was published. It is called "Points of Entry," and it describes how and where Black folks arrived in Saint Paul in the early days. It is a handsome multi-fold map and guide.Kevin's Corner 10-19-08
Written by Fr. Kevin McDonough
THE 10K CHALLENGE: At this weekend’s Masses, you are hearing how we can sustain our outreach commitments. A key part of that is what I am calling the “10K Challenge.” It is not a footrace, but a weekly goal to help us meet regular expenses. The formula is simple: to raise our Sunday collection to $10,000 a week. We can do so, but two steps are required. More of our regular attendees will become regular givers. And, all of us who are regular givers will raise our contribution. Success will allow us to spread out larger (usually outside) donations over the needs of several weeks or months. We often find ourselves behind now, paying last month’s bills with this month’s income, and that is not sustainable.
More Articles...
Page 1 of 7