July 2009 Issue Extras

Inaugural inspiration

At President Barack Obama's inauguration, Rev. Joseph Lowery, a Black American Civil Rights leader, delivered a beautiful benediction:

“God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou, who has brought us thus far along the way, thou, who has by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path we pray, lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee, lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee. Shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand true to thee, oh God, and true to our native land. …Our faith does not shrink though pressed by the flood of mortal ills. For we know that, Lord, you are able and you're willing to work through faithful leadership to restore stability, mend our brokenness, heal our wounds, and deliver us from the exploitation of the poor, of the least of these, and from favoritism toward the rich, the elite of these. …And while we have sown the seeds of greed and corruption, and even as we reap the whirlwind of social and economic disruption, we seek forgiveness and we come in a spirit of unity and solidarity to commit our support to our president by our willingness to make sacrifices, to respect your creation, to turn to each other and not on each other. And now, Lord, in the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate; on the side of inclusion, not exclusion; tolerance, not intolerance. And as we leave this mountain top, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship and the oneness of our family. Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek your will. …We go now to walk together as children, pledging that we won't get weary in the difficult days ahead. We know you will not leave us alone. With your hands of power and your heart of love, help us then, now, Lord, to work for that day when nations shall not lift up sword against nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid, when justice will roll down like waters… Amen. Shalom. Salaam. Pax!                  

View it on YouTube:

America's Catholic Church celebrates jubilee

Basilica of the National Shrine of thte Immaculate Conception web site»

Under the WORSHIP tab, there are links called Light A Candle and Prayer Requests.

Shoestring Summer: 16 suggestions for free (or almost free) fun

1. Take advantage of free days or evenings at museums, galleries, gardens and zoos.
2. Go to the shore — whether a lake, a river or an ocean beach. Even if you don’t swim, being by the water refreshes. Or find a fountain, preferably one you can romp in.
3. Attend fireworks displays.
4. Stargaze. Remember the Pleiades Meteor Showers happens in early August.
5. Take a nature hike – perhaps in a park, if you don’t have woodlands. Pack a picnic and book to help you identify flora and fauna.
6. Try your hand at homemade ice cream or variations on Popsicles.
7. Attend free concerts. Many are staged in conjunction with Independence Day.
8. Play in a sandbox. Build a castle.
9. Study fireflies. Or hummingbirds. Or butterflies. Ants and bees are interesting, too.
10. Play hopscotch. Or freeze tag. Or jacks. Jump rope and learn some new jump-rope jingles. These simple, nostalgic games are fun and get us up and moving.
11. Go ice skating — indoors, of course. Search the Web for locations and discounts.
12. Go swimming at a municipal pool.
13. Attend free outdoor movies or go to the drive-in theatre; pop your own popcorn and pack a cooler with beverages.
14. Catch a ride on a colorful carousel.
15. Blow soap bubbles.
16. Plant zinnia seeds, which thrive in heat and sun, but remember to water them during dry spells.

Kids corner: Kids Celebrate Soldiers

Unfortunately, this web site is no longer active.