January 3, 2020

Thought for the Day:



"The first Catholic Family Day occasioned such a surplus of couples that several upstate celebrations in county seats were necessary to take care of the overflow.  The outpouring of affection for the Church was in itself an inspiration to those organizing these events.  One Italian patriarch telephoned the Chancery so often about his seating that by the third call we were chatty.  I asked him why so many Italians survived together for fifty years, while the golden jubilarians among the Irish were so few.  His answer in broken English was classic: 'Most of us from the old country had to fight our bosses every day to make a living.  But when I went home at night, I was the boss.  The Irish papa, he fight the boss all day and the wife all night.  He die at sixty.'"  

Page 73 of Inside 

My Father's House 

by Msgr. George Kelly, 

Doublelday, 1989

January 2, 2020

LETTERS  IN  THE  MAIL

I get various letters – saying:

“Goodbye”  and “Hello!”

“Go to hell!”  and “You showed me the way to  heaven.”

“You drove me out of the church – you’re too liberal!”

“You showed me that the church had a place for me.”

I read Paul’s letters – the head scratchers and heart snatchers.

There were the wedding invitations and the distant obituaries.

There were the subscription notices and the junk mail.

There were the Christmas cards and the “Thank you” notes.

Then there are e-mails, texts and twitter.

 ©  Andy Costello Reflections

January 2, 2020

Thought for today: 

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

Maya Angelou

January 1, 2020

NEW  YEAR’S  SOLUTIONS
AND RESOLUTIONS:  KISS!

KISS:  As they say, “Keep It Simple Stupid.”

KISS:  Kindness, Integrity, Simplicity, and Support.

KISS: Solve … dissolve …  resolve …. the differences.

KISS: As they say, “Kiss and make up!”

KISS: Sing the song, Simple Gifts and find                          yourself in the Valley of Love and Delight!

 ©  Andy Costello Reflections  2020
This is one of the songs I would
love to be sung at Communion
time at my funeral.

And if you have 43 minutes and
45 seconds listen to Appalachin 
Spring conducted by Leonard  Slatkin
with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

January 1, 2020

Thought for Today:

“The attraction of New Year is this: The year changes,  and in that change we believe that we can change with it. It is far more difficult, however, to change yourself than turn the calendar to a new page.” 

R. Joseph Hoffmann

December  31, 2019

ARE THERE HARD TIMES
LINGERING 
AROUND YOUR CABIN DOOR?

It’s what we see in the rear view mirror 

that often determines what we see ahead 

for us - out our front window windshield. 

Hard times begets hard times – but hope 

begets hope - for the best of times ahead - 

as we drive up or down the road of life. 

We need both: windshield and rear view

mirror. We need both: hope and realism.

We need all: God and grace and others.

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2019

December 31, 2019 

Thought for today:

"For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice." 

T. S. Eliot