Wish I Had Known Him

The news reported a huge traffic jam that was hit from behind by a semi-truck causing a gigantic fire. The crash happened on I-70 near Colorado Mills and three semi's and twelve cars were involved. The news was horrible and reported that Stan Politano had been killed. He was the husband of a lady I knew. She had worked at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community and had recently retired. 

My heart ached for Cathi, the wife of the man that had been killed on his way home from work. If I felt bad after hearing the horrendous news, I couldn't even imagine the shock his wife must have felt when she found out her husband was dead.

Nine days later, on May 3, 2019, there was a vigil for Stan. The parking lot (looked like Sunday mass) as the church filled with family and friends. The priest explained that the vigil was for the family and for those attending. We pray for Stan and for each other. The analogy of the five marks on the Paschal Candle that represented the five wounds of Jesus was like having Jesus standing by the coffin.

Two friends gave us a better understanding of who Stan had been. Stan had been a good friend, practical joker, hard worker, good family man and loved his wife and children. It was mentioned that once he knew you, you were a friend for life. I wish I had known him.

The funeral mass took place the following day and the mass was celebrated by three priests who had previously served at the parish. The beautiful music was provided by Spirit of Christ Catholic Community music director. One previous priest gave the eulogy and he had everyone laughing through the tears telling us about the life of Stan Politano. The reception was one of the biggest I have ever attended and there were many dishes and desserts. It was sad to see the family, keeping a strong front, though I can imagine they were filled with sadness at losing a husband and a father.

He was an interesting man described with these words: Selfless, romantic, loving, kind, funny, deliberate, compassionate, thoughtful, trustworthy, diligent, disciplined, task oriented, loved music, embraced life, played golf and cards, rode a motorcycle, liked billiards and once one met him, he was a friend for life. I don't think there was an adjective that wasn't mentioned in describing him.

In hearing about his life I couldn't help thinking that he would have been an interesting person to know.

Resting in the arms of our Lord.

"Do it today

you never know

about tomorrow."

Stan Politano

Not An Ordinary Veteranary

Last evening I attended a show featuring Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald. He was advertised as a comedian and I was prepared to hear some good jokes. His act came as a surprise because even though his remarks were funny the highlight were the films in his life working with wild animals in different countries.

The whale seal was hilarious and informative. Watching them go chest to chest to see who would win a female was funny to see especially one that did not have a male seal to fight. Yet, he went through the motions as if he did have someone to fight!  The snakes were not appealing to me yet interesting to see how they were captured in a tube and had micro-chips inserted into their scaly bodies.

I enjoyed watching the cute baby lion cubs and how they played and stayed close to the mother lion. The male was no where around during the growing up of the cubs because he would eat them.  Seeing a vulture practicing and exercising to learn to fly made us laugh, especially with Fitzgerald's comments. A large animal that looks very much like our Rocky Mountain sheep with the curled horns was captured and the Dr. and students examined, gave it a shot, drew blood and checked every crevice the animal had. Once a hood was placed on the animal it was still, probably thinking it was night time.

As the films showed the different animals, Dr. Fitzgerald made funny comments on what we were watching so it did turn out to be a comedy show.  He did not have to make any remarks about the animals because  wild-life have their own funny expressions and actions.

Dr. Fitzgerald is an interesting man and at one time was a bouncer at bars in Denver. He was also voted one of the most eligible bachelors in 2001 by People's magazine.  He has his veterinary office on Alameda and continues practicing.  He has been in various television shows and is often seen on Animal Planet. He travels all over the world and at sixty-seven years old is planning a trip to Mongolia to study more animals.

The sold-out show was over an hour and during that time we learned about his care and attention to the animals. "Every creature is on this earth for a reason."

An interesting show by a casual looking guy with head of white hair and a calm voice made the audience think about our environment, ecology, preservation and protecting our earth.

Photo from the Internet

Kevin Terrel Fitzgerald,

A Board Certified Veterinarian.

Works at Alameda E. Veterinarian

Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

My Beautiful Church

On Easter Sunday at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community there were many white lilies throughout the church. Lilies are symbolic of joy, hope and life and represent a time for rejoicing and celebrating. In searching the Internet I found a legend I had never heard. Lilies began with the teardrops that Eve shed as she left the garden of Eden. I found out lilies also represent a new season and a new birth. They also represent Christ's resurrection. Very appropriate for Easter.

It is interesting that the beautiful flower is toxic to cats and by eating any part of the lily plan they can get kidney failure and die.

A few days after Easter I stood at the entrance of the church and couldn't help think how I enjoy attending functions at this church.

 Outside the trees are blooming in pink and white and there is peaceful feeling surrounding the area.

I also know it is not the beauty of the flowers that makes this church special. The people make this church a loving home for many of us. Friendships abound and it appears that there are no strangers. Everyone is welcome with a smile. Our two priests are not only good-looking but wonderful faith leaders. Yes, I love my beautiful church!

CHURCH:

WHERE WORSHIP LIFTS US

THE WORD CHALLENGES US

THE HOLY SPIRIT IMPACTS US

AND THE FELLOWSHIP ENCOURAGES US!

Brian Charles Houston

The Princess and the Pea

What I remember is a fairy tale to find out if the young girl was a princess. A pea was placed on the bed and then many mattresses were stacked over it. When the young girl woke up, she complained that something like a rock had bothered her all night. This proved that she was a princess because of her sensitivity to the pea.

I am one hundred percent positive that there is no royalty blood in my veins. Last night I slept comfortably all night long. When I got up I was surprised to find the television remote control underneath me. Never felt a thing! Which proves that I do not have the sensitivity of a princess!

"Each night when I go to sleep,

I die. And the next morning, 

when I wake up, I'm reborn."

Gandhi

Easter 2019

Since I had a practice run yesterday to get to mass, today was easier for me. The morning was
perfect; blue sky, orange sun rise, white moon on western sky, green trees, and snow covered mountains. As I drove I sang, "Oh what a beautiful morning."  The church was beginning to fill up when I arrived and every where I looked were large pots of white lilies.

Waiting for mass to begin I looked around the church,  and realized that I am a visual person. I like statues and pictures to help me meditate. Spirit of Christ Catholic Community has neither and I found it strange that I had never noticed it before. The choir had one man singing along with the pianist and a drummer. Of course, the piano player has an operatic type voice and the three men made beautiful music together. Why is a large choir needed?  I thought.

How peaceful I felt. No matter what doubts I may have about my religion, I know with all my heart  that I could not have made it without God's help!

After mass a friend and I went to eat breakfast and the weather was still mellow. I came home to prepare a mousse to take to another friend's home and I noticed it suddenly got dark outside. Then I heard the rain drumming on my roof. By the time I arrived where the dinner would take place, the weather was beginning to warm up and the sun was trying to poke its face through the clouds.

The family consisting of twenty persons were already munching on a table full of snacks. Italian sausage, salami slices, four layer dip, cheese, deviled eggs, chips and donut like Italian bread. Some of us sat around the table and chatted, others were in the living room watching a game and some were outside on the patio. I feel so at home with the family and one person commented, "You are family."
I feel fortunate to be adopted by this family! I even had a glass of wine and did not wheeze because it did not have any sulfates!

The main course was meatball/sausage in sauce, ham, funeral potatoes, stuffed pasta, salad, and rolls. Everything was delicious and then out came the desserts.  Fruit salad, jello-coconut salad, pumpkin mousse, cupcakes, cheese cake with blueberries on top, Italian cookies and birthday cake. Four people celebrated birthdays!

What can I say....I am stuffed. It is almost nine o'clock and I will not eat anything more today!

"Easter is the time to rejoice

and be thankful for the gift

of life, love and joy.

Have a Blessed Day."

Internet Quote

Ready For Easter

Many of my friends compare notes about aging and we all seem to have the same or similar problems.  This morning I woke up at 6:10 in the morning. Instantly, I knew I was late. My plan was to go to the seven o'clock mass on Easter Sunday. I jumped out of bed like I was twenty years old, took a three minute shower, got dressed, splashed some makeup on, and out the door at 6:40 a.m.

Knowing that Easter mass is always crowded, I kicked myself for not setting my alarm. I would probably need to stand through the whole mass but at least I was going to be at the seven o'clock mass.  I was meeting a friend and after mass we were going out for breakfast. I had told her I would save a spot for her. There weren't too many cars on the road and I made every green light. I turned into the parking lot and was greeted with an empty lot; not a one car could be seen. I tried to rationalize that maybe the mass would be at 7:30 though that didn't make sense because another mass would begin at 8:30.

I looked at my watch, maybe I had looked at it wrong and I was an hour early.  Nope, my watch was almost hitting seven o'clock.  Why didn't I check the bulletin? Luckily I did not call my friend, though I felt like calling and asking why there was no seven o'clock mass.

Leaving the empty lot I started back home, puzzled at how I could have made such a blunder. Then, like a butterfly landing on my brain I knew instantly what was wrong. It was Saturday and not Sunday! Now, the very thought that I would confuse the days is both confusing and worrisome. How could I have thought it was Sunday? And why couldn't I have figured it out sooner? Maybe because I had been to church two days in a row and my brain thought this could be a trifecta!

In a way it was funny but the words dementia, Alzheimer's, old age, forgetfulness, stupid, etc. passed through my brain. Whatever it was, I will never know; just a case of a mistaken identity day!

Sunday morning.

Opened my eyes,

clock says I'm late, 

Jump out of bed,

rush to get ready

 make it to an

empty parking lot 

to find out it is

Saturday, not Sunday!

Holy Week

On Holy Thursday, Spirit of Christ Catholic Community had every pew full. Holy mass began at seven in the evening. Every year this is an  important day as Catholics near the culmination of Lent. The priests are dressed in white garments, renew their vows of priesthood and bless the holy oils. The three sacred oils are in glass decanters and are the Oil of the Catechumens, the Chrism and Oil of the Sick. The oils will then be used in baptisms, holy orders, confirmation, and anointing of the sick. The mass is then celebrated. I enjoyed seeing the two priests con-celebrating the mass. The washing of the feet also takes place on Thursday and this year there were many children, ages 5-7, getting their feet washed. I thought it was the priests' choice because it is easier to wash a child's foot than an old persons gnarled foot! A friend told me that the Pope had made it okay to wash women's feet and children's feet. Evidently, in the past, it was only men who had their feet washed. One exciting and beautiful moment was when the ringing of the bells took place with parishioners ringing bells.  The bringing of the gifts amazed me because the front of the altar was filled with boxes and bags. My gift of toothpaste and toothbrushes seemed small compare to what other people carried and placed on the altar.

As mass ended, the Blessed Sacrament was carried to the chapel through an alley-way of people holding candles. The silence as the people headed to the chapel or were leaving the church was surprising because usually people chat on their way out. Silence, in respect of Holy Thursday, was quite moving.

"As he bathes our feet

and feeds us with his

self, he simply asks,

will you let me love you?"

Unknown Quote

Good Friday is a day of prayer and being at church. It is the day that Christ died and as one priest said, "If you are at school or at work, you should take the day off and come to church on Good Friday." The church was once again full and the priests and deacons were in red and white vestments.  Two priests and two deacons prostrated themselves at the front of the altar for a few minutes and then the Passion of Christ was read by a few people. Hearing many voices say, "Crucify him, crucify him." is a moment that sends chills down one's back.  The homily began with "Bless me Father." Many topics were mentioned; abortion, priest abuse, government misconduct, and other subjects and they all began with "Bless me Father." When the priest sang "Where you there when they crucified my lord," I was filled with sadness.

Veneration of the cross began. Everyone in the church quietly and solemnly approached the cross and touched or kissed it. Some were barefooted. Communion for most people, yet I noticed a few who crossed their arms for a blessing. I wondered if maybe I should have done the same! After all, I haven't been to confession in a long time!

How I wish I had a stronger faith and that I believed without question but I will continue to pray that my eyes will be opened. After all, Mother Teresa was torn by feeling a stronger need in knowing that God was present, so if she asked for help, so will I!

"On this Good Friday

may we never forget

the true meaning of 

Easter. For when he

was on the cross, I

was on his mind."

The Fresh Quotes

Note: A couple of the photos are from past years because this year I did not have my camera.