Monthly Archives: August 2023

Father Paul told the story of a man who wanted to be a monk. He was admitted to the monastery for a trial as a postulant. On his first day he was assigned a job of sweeping the floors in … Continue reading →

As we get older, we experience more and more the loss of those we love – among our families, our friends, and our church family. We feel increased loneliness. Sometimes, the gathering of our loved ones in heaven seems bigger … Continue reading →

People here at JOY! know that I discourage the “w” word, which is worry. My close cousins who do not share my last name call us “worry Wuertz’s,”  ‘cause that’s what we typically do. Even now my dad confesses that … Continue reading →

On our liturgical calendar, we are in the season after Pentecost.  In fact, we’re right smack in the middle.  Half of the Sundays after Pentecost are behind us, half lay ahead.  What does this mean?  Probably nothing, but it did … Continue reading →

        According to Wikipedia, it has been suggested that the hymn was inspired by the story of Constantine the Great’s conversion to Christianity after seeing a cross with “In hoc signo vinces” on it, a Latin phrase meaning, “In this sign thou shalt … Continue reading →

Jesus learned of His cousin, John the Babtist’s death from the disciples.  This affected Him deeply. He left in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself to grieve as many people do in their time of sadness. … Continue reading →

Last week, we spent a few days in Maine visiting friends and family. On Thursday night, my sister-in-law Anne prepared and served a delicious Maine dinner with her signature crab cakes and other seafood delights. We had a very pleasant … Continue reading →

I learned this song in Sunday School. There were Twelve Disciples Jesus called to help him.Simon Peter, Andrew, James, his brother John,Phillip, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alpheus,Thaddeus, Simon, Judas, and Bartholomew.     We always got louder when we … Continue reading →

            I’ve just read the short, interesting, book A Brief History of Sunday by the Church historian Justo L. Gonzalez.  His two-volume set The Story of Christianity, is a readable and informative history of the Church, and the Sunday book … Continue reading →

The yellow buses are on the road.  The kids are up early and waiting on the corner.  Stores have sold notebooks, pens, and bookbags.  Teachers have readied classrooms with new bulletin boards.  The days are still hot and humid, but … Continue reading →