Inimitable, His Irrepressible Life Force Endures!

On Father's Day so many memories of my dad rush forward.

But mostly my mind tumbles back to the gritty, industrial city that I grew up in -- a riverfront city that didn't realize back then that its glory days were already behind it. It's a bleak, damp, gray December day but I'm warm and secure in the confines of my father's old Plymouth as we rush from place to place through narrow city streets marked by row houses and the occasional corner store.

We don't speak very much but I'm so happy to be with him. He's making lots of stops, picking up small treats and gifts from a variety of friends and businesspeople for whom he may have done odd jobs during the year. Whatever he manages to gather will help to make our Christmas a bit happier.
Even in the run up to Christmas, he's a tough negotiator. He barters with merchants and grocers. as he tries to select just the right provisions for our Christmas feast. He maneuvers through and around streets, neighborhoods and landmarks with the swiftness of a true native.

His energy fills the room wherever he goes. He's not a big guy but he makes a huge impact. He fears no one and his self-assurance seems as natural as the space he inhabits. Instinctively, I know that as long as I'm by his side, no harm can come to me.

The best dads give you a great sense of security. They're real. They're solid. There's no evasiveness and no pretense. Their love is quiet and constant, enduring and bankable.

In a myriad of ways my dad prepared me for the day when he would no longer be at my side. He did that by example. I've already enunciated the important things that I learned from him -- lessons that make me who I am today. These included the endless admonishments to "put a smile on your face" and "be nice to everyone because you never know who you're gonna need in this world" as well as "drop the subject" which was always his plea whenever I spent too much time rehashing something that was over and done with.

Yes, for a long time I thought I was as different from my dad as anyone could possibly be. But, as the years go by, more and more I find that such an assessment simply doesn't square with the person I've become. And these likenesses can be found at both ends of the spectrum with surprising intensity.

Of course, my dad was a matched pair with my irrepressible mother (both shown above in a photo from the 1930s). Their 55-year marriage was a testament to that.

Yet, dad was always his own man. He could not be cowered, nor was he easily deceived. And if you pushed him too far, he was likely to respond in kind. Though he could be combustible, my mom (and all of the rest of us) liked him that way. We respected him for it because we knew that he was a passionate man who was comfortable with his own feelings. So, his feelings were right out front. And yes, he taught me that's it's OK for grown men to cry now and then as well.

But there was something more that has remained with me more than 25 years after his death - a life force, an undefinable core of strength that can only come from love.

God willing, that reserve of strength, that unyielding love will carry me into the years ahead and the moment when I will be reunited with him. For now, his loving spirit sustains me every single day as his walks right beside me.

The REAL Truth About St. Valentine . . .

St. Valentine receiving a rosary from the Blessed Mother.

Just who was Saint Valentine and why is the day observed?

Well, it's all rather confusing. And it appears as if he could have been any one of a number of people.

Saint Valentine (from the Italian: San Valentino, Latin: Valentinus), officially Saint Valentine of Terni, is a widely recognized third-century Roman saint commemorated on February 14. Since the High Middle Ages he has been associated with a tradition of courtly love.

All that is reliably known of the saint commemorated on February 14 is his name and that he was martyred and buried at a cemetery on the Via Flaminia close to the Ponte Milvio to the north of Rome on that day. It is uncertain whether St. Valentine is to be identified as one saint or the conflation of two saints of the same name. Several different martyrologies have been added to later hagiographies that are unreliable. And, today we commemorate not the birth of this Saint but what is considered to be the date of his death or martyrdom.

Because so little is reliably known of him, in 1969 the Catholic Church removed his name from the General Roman Calendar, leaving his liturgical celebration to local calendars. But, the Roman Catholic Church continues to recognize him as a saint, listing him as such in the February 14 entry in the Roman Martyrology, and authorizing liturgical veneration of him on February 14 in any place where that day is not devoted to some other obligatory celebration in accordance with the rule that on such a day the Mass may be that of any saint listed in the Martyrology for that day. So, if you heard that Valentino/Valentinus is no longer a saint, you heard wrong. Saint Valentine's Church in Rome, built in 1960 for the needs of the Olympic Village, continues as a modern, well-visited parish church.

Saint Valentine is commemorated in the Anglican Communion, as well as in Lutheranism. By some of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Saint Valentine the Presbyter of Rome is celebrated on July 6 and Hieromartyr Valentine (Bishop of Interamna, Terni in Italy) is celebrated on July 30.

Notwithstanding, because of the relative obscurity of these two saints in the East and since there is no commemoration of St. Valentine in the Greek Orthodox Church, members of the Greek Orthodox Church named Valentinos (male) or Valentina (female) may observe their name day on the Western ecclesiastical calendar date of February 14.

She Was An Incandescent Bounty Of LOVE!

My sister, Lenora Annibale, would have been 79 years old this Sunday, October 21.

But she only made it to 77.
She remains deeply missed and dearly beloved.

Lenora was one of the last persons on earth to know me from the time I was born -- and, as the years went by, she and I naturally grew closer. 

Since the death of our parents in 1988 and 1999 respectively, no one on this earth knew Lenora longer than I did and few knew her better.

Lenora's name was as unique as she was. Indeed, she prided herself on having a name that few others shared. 

And when you saw or heard her name, you immediately wanted to add an explanation point to it. It just seemed right: Lenora – slash, dot. 

Because she lived her life – all her life – with an explanation point. And, since she was my sister, I was fortunate to partake of it all and wise enough to know that in terms of charm and personality I could never, ever compete with her.

Lenora had a natural way with people. She could talk to anybody -- anyone from a total stranger on the street to the President of The United States. She was fearless about that and she was also a natural-born salesperson. What she was "selling' depended on the moment. But, once she focused on you, she cast a magical spell. She made you feel special -- like you were the only person in the world. To this day, many people tell me they would seek Lenora out simply because she was so great to be with -- she made them feel better, livelier, happier, more "in the moment".

Lenora was a vivid personality. And she had such a zest for life that I called her “an incandescent force of nature” or the "bounty of love itself". 

Sometimes I joked with her that she was truly unsinkable – virtually indestructible. But she always cautioned me not to make such assumptions. After all, she fought two valiant battles with cancer and had both hips replaced. But these were things Lenora almost never spoke about, never complained about and never dwelt on. 

It’s not that Lenora didn’t know she was vulnerable and breakable, like the rest of us. It’s just that, as far as anyone could tell, she simply ignored it.

Some people dip into life cautiously, with a demitasse spoon. Not Lenora. She used a ladle – passionately scooping up all the good stuff. Maybe Lenora knew that she would not live as long as either of our parents (and only a bit longer than her husband) and that caused her to soak up life so ravishingly. Who knows?

There were so many things she liked -- things she actually dived into with total abandon. Dining,  shopping, travel, fashion, jewelery and entertaining were among her passions. She enjoyed a great movie, a spirited political campaign, an engrossing TV series and just about any sport that featured a winning Philadelphia team. But, above all, she loved children. She simply knew how to be totally in touch with them. And children loved Lenora because they know she was real -- they knew that her feelings were honest and heartfelt.

My mother always said Lenora should have been born a Vanderbilt because that’s the way Lenora wanted to live. As for Lenora herself, she simply chose to live a Rolls Royce life even though she often found herself in a Chevy environment. I honestly don’t know how she did it. The only person who knew the secret to that was her late husband (and one true love) Frank and he took the secret with him.

Still, when all was said and done, nothing was more valuable to Lenora than love and no love was more important than the love of family. She was a devoted daughter, a wonderful sister, a loving wife, a hugely loving mother and grandmother, an effervescent and all-time-favorite aunt, an incredible sister-in-law, a great cousin and, as many of you know a loyal and cherished friend.

Two phrases can sum up her life and each one is no more than three words. The first is this: Enjoy each day. Enjoy each moment the way Lenora did --and remember her for that. And the second? Those are the three words I will leave you with: Love one another!

Please click here to see lots more from the Dan Cirucci Blog!

Maybe THIS Is What They Wanted Most Of All, Huh?

Our wise and very perceptive Facebook friend, Patrick Cascio has written as follows:

The last week we saw two people with fame and fortune take their own lives. Very sad,
and well reported stories.
When I read the articles, they talked about all the accomplishments, awards, status, wealth, and stature achieved.
Nowhere did I read the word LOVE.

Our society and culture put so much emphasis on achieving material things, and yet we all aspire and need spiritual peace. Serenity.
Even atheists want to be loved.

We cannot live without Love.
Try as we might, that empty spot in our hearts can only be filled with God’s love and family’s love.

St. Paul wrote these famous words. Maybe this might help others who are going thru a hard time.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Now, Try To Do It All Year Long, OK?

I hate the ballad, My Funny Valentine.
To me the song is sad and preachy.
And we're forced to hear it every year around this time.
The truth is that Valentine's Day is a damned stupid "holiday."
I don't want to be a spoil sport but this is a classic Hallmark Holiday. It was created to generate commerce after Christmas, in the dead of winter when nobody really wants to go out.
And over the years Valentine's Day has been pumped up into something so much more than it really is. It requires you to be loved, to have a sweetheart, to be wanted, to feel that you belong.
And if you don't fit one of those categories, you're pretty much left out.
Cupid passed you by. Tough luck. Stay away. Don't show your face. Don't spoil the day.
For guys, Valentine's Day involves enormous anxiety and pressure.
Guys really don't like to shop and they often have no sense of romance whatsoever.
So they seldom know what to do for their sweethearts.
Candy? It's too fattening. Flowers? They die. Cuddly bears? They lose their cuddliness and wind up as part of the clutter. Jewelry? Often too expensive.
Even today, many guys will still be in a quandary as to what to do. You could see them roaming aimlessly at the CVS or the Walgreen's looking for something, anything that will do that trick.
And then there's the whole dining out thing.
The restaurants were jammed all weekend -- jammed with roses for the sweethearts, special menus (usually pricier) and lots of fawning and feigned affection.
And since Valentine's Day comes close to a three-day weekend this year, there are bigger package deals at area hotels, resorts and casinos. And you better believe these attractions will make sure they get every penny that's coming to them.
Hey, capitalism is wonderful. And I don't begrudge them whatever extra bucks they make.
Still, there's something beyond merely silly -- something desperate -- about Valentine's Day.
And there's nothing romantic about desperation. Nothing.
So, if you have somebody that loves you, be thankful every day and never take that person for granted.
And if you love somebody, let that person know that he or she is loved. Do special things spontaneously and enjoy life's special moments and unexpected treats.
And if you don't have somebody right now, be thankful for what you do have and we hope you've tried to enjoy the day anyway. We hope you've indulged yourself away from all those forced funny Valentines
But above all -- don't wait till Valentine's Day.
Try to be a warm and loving person every day.

The Older You Get, The Truer This Is . . .

Just In Case You Forgot . . .

Or maybe you never learned this or heard of it in the first place.
I did. I was there. And yes, I marched with Dr. King.



OK?
So the idea is NOT to answer hate with hate and not to answer violence with violence.
The idea is to answer hate with love and to answer violence with peace.
And, in our country -- IF we are to remain one nation -- this applies to everybody!

Who Really WAS This Guy, Anyway?

St. Valentine receiving a rosary from the Blessed Mother.

Just who was Saint Valentine and why is this day observed?

Well, it's all rather confusing. And it appears as if he could have been any one of a number of people.

Saint Valentine (from the Italian: San Valentino, Latin: Valentinus), officially Saint Valentine of Terni, is a widely recognized third-century Roman saint commemorated on February 14. Since the High Middle Ages he has been associated with a tradition of courtly love.

All that is reliably known of the saint commemorated on February 14 is his name and that he was martyred and buried at a cemetery on the Via Flaminia close to the Ponte Milvio to the north of Rome on that day. It is uncertain whether St. Valentine is to be identified as one saint or the conflation of two saints of the same name. Several different martyrologies have been added to later hagiographies that are unreliable. And, today we commemorate not the birth of this Saint but what is considered to be the date of his death or martyrdom.

Because so little is reliably known of him, in 1969 the Catholic Church removed his name from the General Roman Calendar, leaving his liturgical celebration to local calendars. But, the Roman Catholic Church continues to recognize him as a saint, listing him as such in the February 14 entry in the Roman Martyrology, and authorizing liturgical veneration of him on February 14 in any place where that day is not devoted to some other obligatory celebration in accordance with the rule that on such a day the Mass may be that of any saint listed in the Martyrology for that day. So, if you heard that Valentino/Valentinus is no longer a saint, you heard wrong. Saint Valentine's Church in Rome, built in 1960 for the needs of the Olympic Village, continues as a modern, well-visited parish church.

Saint Valentine is commemorated in the Anglican Communion, as well as in Lutheranism. By some of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Saint Valentine the Presbyter of Rome is celebrated on July 6 and Hieromartyr Valentine (Bishop of Interamna, Terni in Italy) is celebrated on July 30. 

Notwithstanding, because of the relative obscurity of these two saints in the East and since there is no commemoration of St. Valentine in the Greek Orthodox Church, members of the Greek Orthodox Church named Valentinos (male) or Valentina (female) may observe their name day on the Western ecclesiastical calendar date of February 14.

It's Upon Us! What SHOULD We Do About It?

I hate the ballad, My Funny Valentine.
To me the song is sad and preachy.
And we're forced to hear it every year around this time.
The truth is that Valentine's Day is a damned stupid "holiday."
I don't want to be a spoil sport but this is a classic Hallmark Holiday. It was created to generate commerce after Christmas, in the dead of winter when nobody really wants to go out.
And over the years Valentine's Day has been pumped up into something so much more than it really is. It requires you to be loved, to have a sweetheart, to be wanted, to feel that you belong.
And if you don't fit one of those categories, you're pretty much left out.
Cupid passed you by. Tough luck. Stay away. Don't show your face. Don't spoil the day.
For guys, Valentine's Day involves enormous anxiety and pressure.
Guys really don't like to shop and they often have no sense of romance whatsoever.
So they seldom know what to do for their sweethearts.
Candy? It's too fattening. Flowers? They die. Cuddly bears? They lose their cuddliness and wind up as part of the clutter. Jewelry? Often too expensive.
Even tomorrow morning and the next day, many guys will still be in a quandary as to what to do. You could see them roaming aimlessly at the CVS or the Walgreen's looking for something, anything that will do that trick.
And then there's the whole dining out thing.
The restaurants were jammed all weekend -- jammed with roses for the sweethearts, special menus (usually pricier) and lots of fawning and feigned affection.
And since Valentine's Day comes close to a three-day weekend this year, there are bigger package deals at area hotels, resorts and casinos. And you better believe these attractions will make sure they get every penny that's coming to them.
Hey, capitalism is wonderful. And I don't begrudge them whatever extra bucks they make.
Still, there's something beyond merely silly -- something desperate -- about Valentine's Day.
And there's nothing romantic about desperation. Nothing.
So, if you have somebody that loves you, be thankful every day and never take that person for granted.
And if you love somebody, let that person know that he or she is loved. Do special things spontaneously and enjoy life's special moments and unexpected treats.
And if you don't have somebody right now, be thankful for what you do have and we hope you've tried to enjoy the day anyway. We hope you've indulged yourself away from all those forced funny Valentines
But above all -- don't wait till Valentine's Day.
Try to be a warm and loving person every day.

A 'Hate Crime,' You Say? Mild Words, Indeed

Yes, this was a "hate crime." 

But it's important to remember that it was essentially an act of radical Islamic terror. 

Hating someone is not good, not healthy. But planning and perpetrating a horrific mass murder -- the worst in American history? Carrying out the worst terror attack on American soil since 9/11? That's pure evil!

And that's the crux of the matter.

This was an act motivated by an evil ideology -- an ideology which preaches not just hate but the active, brutal, mass, relentless destruction of Americans -- all Americans, everywhere -- and our way of life. 

Those who perpetrate these atrocities in the name of this evil (and those who plan to perpetrate them) MUST be stopped and, if need be they must be destroyed. In the name of humanity, they must be wiped out.

Love is a wonderful thing. No doubt about it.

But, no matter how much we may love one another (and thank God, many of us do) that, in and of itself, will not stop these evil ones among us. 

That alone will not make them any less intent on destroying us. Not one bit. 

They're after ALL of us -- gay, straight, black, white, whatever. We MUST unite in our resolve to take them out. We must be alert. We must get tough. We must stand together in our determination to vanquish the evil-doers.

If we don't do this, we (and our children and grandchildren) will enter the realm of permanent victimhood. And then, the hatred, the bloodshed, the carnage, the evil will become the norm. #wakeupamerica

How Have You Observed Valentine's Day?

I hate the ballad, My Funny Valentine.
To me the song is sad and preachy.
And we're forced to hear it every year around this time.
The truth is that Valentine's Day is a damned stupid "holiday."
I don't want to be a spoil sport but this is a classic Hallmark Holiday. It was created to generate commerce after Christmas, in the dead of winter when nobody really wants to go out.
And over the years Valentine's Day has been pumped up into something so much more than it really is. It requires you to be loved, to have a sweetheart, to be wanted, to feel that you belong.
And if you don't fit one of those categories, you're pretty much left out.
Cupid passed you by. Tough luck. Stay away. Don't show your face. Don't spoil the day.
For guys, Valentine's Day involves enormous anxiety and pressure.
Guys just don't like to shop and they often have no sense of romance whatsoever.
So they seldom know what to do for their sweethearts.
Candy? It's too fattening. Flowers? They die. Cuddly bears? They lose their cuddliness and wind up as part of the clutter. Jewelery? Often too expensive.
Even this morning, many guys were still in a quandary as to what to do. You could see them roaming aimlessly at the CVS or the Walgreen's looking for something, anything that will do that trick.
And then there's the whole dining out thing.
The restaurants were jammed all weekend jammed with roses for the sweethearts, special menus (usually pricier) and lots of fawning and feigned affection.
And since Valentine's Day comes on a three-day weekend this year there were bigger package deals at area hotels, resorts and casinos. And you better believe these attractions made sure they gpt every penny that's coming to them.
Hey, capitalism is wonderful. And I don't begrudge them whatever extra bucks they make.
Still, there's something beyond merely silly -- something desperate -- about Valentine's Day.
And there's nothing romantic about desperation. Nothing.
So, if you have somebody that loves you, be thankful every day and never take that person for granted.
And if you love somebody, let that person know that he or she is loved. Do special things spontaneously and enjoy life's special moments and unexpected treats.
And if you don't have somebody right now, be thankful for what you do have and we hope you've tried to enjoy the day anyway. We hope you've indulged yourself away from all those forced funny Valentines
But above all -- don't wait till Valentine's Day.
Try to be a warm and loving person every day.

Indiana's 'AMOR' Will Join 'LOVE In Philly

To honor His Holiness Pope Francis on the occasion of his visit to the United States, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Association for Public Art (aPA) are pleased to announce the installation of Robert Indiana’s monumental sculpture AMOR(1998) on the Museum’s East Terrace, where it will overlook the celebration of the Papal Mass on Sunday, September 27, which culminates the World Meeting of Families 2015. AMOR—meaning “love” in both Pope Francis’s native Spanish and the Church’s traditional Latin—will stand at one end of the Parkway facing, at the other end, Indiana’s renowned LOVEsculpture on John F. Kennedy Plaza.

The installation of AMOR outside of the Museum and overlooking the city of Philadelphia is also emblematic of an important civic and cultural collaboration between the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with its landmark building and internationally renowned art collection, and the Association for Public Art, which has placed sculpture throughout Philadelphia since 1872, notably along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Parkway is known for its world-class cultural institutions and public art treasures.

AMOR will be unveiled on Tuesday, September 22, at 10:30 a.m., before the start of the World Meeting of Families Congress. The Congress is the largest international Catholic gathering of families, held every third year in a different city around the world. More than a million people are expected to gather on Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the concluding Festival of Families on September 26, to be attended by Pope Francis, and again on September 27 for the Papal Mass.

Robert Indiana originally conceived the celebrated LOVE image in 1965 through a series of paintings, and a year later in 1966, conceived his editions of LOVE sculptures. His masterpiece quickly gained widespread recognition and public acclaim, entering into major private and public collections around the world, including and most significantly the City of Philadelphia. Indiana’s LOVE has become one of the rare icons of modern art that resonate with large and diverse audiences.

Indiana created the Latin/Spanish version of the sculpture, AMOR, in 1998, in response to the changing demographics of the United States and his desire to speak to his fellow citizens. The colorful 6-foot-high aluminum sculpture is on loan from the Morgan Art Foundation, courtesy of Simon and Marc Salama-Caro, who are dedicated to preserving and promoting Robert Indiana’s artistic legacy.

“With the installation of this generous loan atop our famous steps, we hope to add the most appropriate artistic note possible to Pope Francis’s visit to Philadelphia,” stated Timothy Rub, The George D. Widener Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. “We are grateful to the artist, the Morgan Art Foundation and the Salama-Caro family for making this exceptional installation possible.”

”In the traditional language of the Church, amor vincit Omnia—love conquers all. The message underscores this historic moment for Philadelphia, and also speaks to the message of the Museum, a place that welcomes everyone. We encourage visitors to experience Indiana’s sculpture, and as they celebrate the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia, also step inside and explore the art in our collections, so many of which evoke spirituality, faith, and the age-old theme of love.”

Penny Bach, Executive Director of the Association for Public Art, said, “Since Robert Indiana’s LOVE was installed in Philadelphia in 1976, in what has since become known as Love Park, it has become the most recognized sculpture in a city known for having one of the largest collections of public art in the country. Now, with the installation of AMOR, these two iconic sculptures will be in dialogue with one another, anchoring the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in love.”

“As the theme of the Eighth World Meeting of Families is “Love Is Our Mission – The Family Fully Alive,” we are thrilled to celebrate family and the sanctuary of love and life with the installation of AMOR as we begin to welcome pilgrims from over 100 nations to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection with open arms,” said Donna Crilley Farrell, Executive Director of the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015. “Pope Francis, a truly transformative global leader, will inspire Catholics and non-Catholics alike to reconnect to the importance of family as the cornerstone of society. With theAMOR sculpture, we will continue to be reminded that family and love formed the foundation of the upcoming events as we get ready to welcome the Holy Father.”

“Robert Indiana has said that LOVE is a one-sentence poem, which represents how he sees the world,” stated Simon Salama-Caro. “We are honored to be able to facilitate the loan of AMOR to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Association for Public Art as a reminder of the universal language of love.”

About Robert Indiana
Born in 1928, the American artist Robert Indiana is among the most universally recognized artists associated with the Pop Art movement. His work consists of bold, iconic images, and is represented in public and private collections around the world including the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Whitney Museum of American Art organized a major retrospective of his work in 2013. The artist’s work will be among the highlights of International Pop, a major exhibition dedicated to the range and impact of the Pop movement globally, opening at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on February 24, 2016, and organized by the Walker Art Center.

USA Pope Visit Logo Emphasizes Love

Pope Sees 'Fracture' Between Family, Society

The education of children as the natural vocation of the family was the theme of Pope Francis' catechesis during this Wednesday's general audience in St. Peter's Square. The Holy Father, first citing the words of St. Paul to the Colossians: “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged”, emphasised the duty of parents to accompany their children step by step, without demanding the impossible, so as not to overwhelm them. He then went on to speak of the difficulties faced by mothers and fathers who often only have the opportunity to see their children in the evening when they return home tired after work – “those who are lucky enough to have work”, he added – and also referred to the even more critical situation faced by separated parents, inviting them to ensure that the conflicts between the couple do not have an impact on the children. Francis also mentioned that the family has been accused of other things, including authoritarianism, favouritism, conformism, and emotional repression that generates conflicts. “In fact, a fracture has opened up between family and society, undermining mutual trust, and in this way, the alliance between family and society in the education of children has entered into a crisis”. “There are many symptoms”, he continued. “For example, in schools this has affected relationships between parents and teachers. … On the other hand, there has been a proliferation of so-called 'experts' who occupy the role of parents even in the most intimate aspects of education … and parents are expected only to listen, to learn and to adapt. Deprived of their role, they often become excessively apprehensive and possessive with regard to their children, to the point of never correcting them. They tend to increasingly entrust them to 'experts', even in relation to the most delicate and personal aspects of their life, placing themselves in the corner. In this way, parents run the risk of excluding themselves from the life of their children”. “How have we arrived at this point? Without doubt in the past parents, or rather, certain educational models, had certain limits. But it is also true that there are mistakes that only parents are authorised to make, as they are able to compensate for them in a way that is impossible for any other person. On the other hand, as we well know, life now spares us little time for speaking, reflection and exchange. Many parents are 'kidnapped' by their work and other worries, and they find themselves paralysed by the fear of making mistakes. The problem, however, is not only about talking. … Let us ask ourselves instead: do we seek to understand 'where' our children truly are on their path? Where is their soul? … And above all, do we want to know?”. Francis underlined that the Christian communities are called upon to offer support to the educational mission of the family. “At the base of everything there is love, that which God gives to us, that “is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”. Even in the best of families, there is much to be endured, and it takes a lot of patience. Jesus Himself experienced education in the family”. “Even in this case, the grace of Christ's love fulfils what is inscribed in human nature. How many excellent examples we have of Christian parents full of human wisdom! They show that good family education is the backbone of humanism. Its spread through society is the resource that allows us to compensate for the shortcomings, the wounds, the lack of paternity and maternity that affect the least fortunate children, and works true miracles”. “I hope that the Lord may give Christian families the faith, freedom and courage necessary for their missions. If family education rediscovers the pride of its central role, many things will change for the better, for uncertain parents and disappointed children. It is time for fathers and mothers to return from their exile, and to fully resume their role as educators”, concluded Francis.

Answering The Question: What Is A Mother?

A mother is someone to shelter and guide us,

To love us, whatever we do,

With a warm understanding and infinite patience

And wonderful gentleness, too.

How often a mother means swift reassurance

In soothing our small, childish fears,

How tenderly mothers watch over their children

And treasure them all through the years!

The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness

For any mistake, big or small,

And generous always in helping her family,

Whose needs she has placed above all.

A mother can utter a word of compassion

And make all our cares fall away,

She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter

And make life delightful and gay.

A mother possesses incredible wisdom

And wonderful insight and skill -

In each human heart is that one special corner

Which only a mother can fill!

--Katherine Nelson Davis

Why We Shouldn't Need Mother's Day!

We shouldn't need Mother's Day to remind us that mothers are important.
And hopefully most people really don't need Mother's Day for such a reminder.
I know I don't
Even though my Mother passed away 14 years ago, she is still with me every day. She is still at my side. She is still here for me. She still comforts me. She still encourages me. She still cheers me up. She still urges me onward.
Why?
Because she gave me love.
And love really is eternal.
It never leaves us. It never goes away. It never dies.
When a mother gives boundlessly and unconditionally of her love, she actually seizes a slice of immortality. That's one of the great miracles of motherhood.
My mother was a very proud woman -- proud but always accessible, always approachable. She carried herself with great dignity and actually appeared taller and more regal than she really was.
But she was irrepressibly human.
She was also funny and quite a cutup. She had a knack for mimicking others in a generous but nonetheless targeted manner. Quickly, and shrewdly, she sized people up and then followed her instincts.
Though not formally educated past grade school, she read the newspapers assiduously every day. So, she had a keen sense of what was going on around her and throughout the world.
She did not dwell on the past but rather always looked to the future.
She didn't burden herself with unpleasant thoughts and didn't have an ounce of spitefulness or vindictiveness in her.
She was not a complainer, even under the most trying circumstances.
Always, she was sustained by her immediate family. Her family always came first.
She was happiest when her family was with her. She never smiled so brightly or so warmly or so genuinely as when she gazed upon her family.
And we were there for her till the very end, doing all that we could to give back to her just a bit of the love that she gave us.
So, we never needed Mother's Day then and we don't need it now.
Just as my Mother's love was never in doubt, the love that my sister and I gave back to her was constant and unequivocal.
And it continues to this day and every day.

Pope: Church 'Suffers' At Failure Of Marriage

The beauty of Christian marriage, which is not “simply the beauty of the ceremony that takes place in church, but rather the Sacrament made by the Church, giving rise to a new family community”, was the theme chosen by Pope Francis in the catechesis of this Wednesday's general audience. “It is what the apostle Paul summarises in his famous expression: 'This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the Church'. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul affirms that the love between spouses is the image of the love between Christ and the Church. An unimaginable dignity! But in reality it is inscribed in God's plan of creation, and with Christ's grace countless Christian couples, even with their limits, their sins, have achieved this”. St. Paul, speaking of new life in Christ, says that “all Christians are called to love each other as Christ has loved them, that is 'submitting to one another', meaning at each other's service. Here he introduces the analogy between the husband-wife couple and that of Christ and the Church. It is clear that this is an imperfect analogy, but we must grasp the spiritual meaning, elevated and revolutionary but at the same time very simple, within the reach of every man and woman who trust in God's grace”. “'Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies', says Paul; 'as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her'. The effect of this radicalism of the devotion required of man, for the love and the dignity of the woman, based on the example of Christ, must have been enormous within the Christian community itself. This seed of evangelical newness, that re-establishes the original reciprocity of devotion and respect, has ripened slowly throughout history, but in the end it has prevailed”. The sacrament of marriage “is a great act of faith and of love: it bears witness to the courage of believing in the God's creating act and of living that love that drives us always to go onwards, beyond ourselves and even beyond the family itself. The Christian vocation to love without reserve and without measure is such that, with Christ's grace, it is at the base of the free consensus that constitutes marriage”. Furthermore, the Church herself “is fully involved in the history of each Christian marriage: she is built on its successes and suffers in its failures. However we must ask ourselves seriously: do we accept fully, ourselves, as believers and pastors, this indissoluble bond of the history of Christ and the Church with the history of marriage and the human family? Are we willing to take on this responsibility seriously?”. The decision to 'marry in the Lord' also contains a missionary dimension, which means having at heart the willingness to become conduits of God's blessing and the Lord's grace for all. Indeed, Christian couples participate in the mission of the Church inasmuch as they are couples. … And thus the life of the Church is enriched every time by the beauty of this matrimonial alliance, just as it is impoverished every time it is defaced. The Church, to offer the gift of faith, love and hope to all, is in need of the courageous faithfulness of married couples in the grace of their sacrament. The people of God needs their daily progress in faith, love and hope, with all the joys and the hardships that this path involves in a marriage and in a family”. “Yes: St. Paul was right, it is a great mystery”, concluded the Pope. “Men and women, courageous enough to place this treasure in the clay vessels of our humanity, are an essential resource for the Church, and also for all the world. May God bless you a thousand times for this!”.

An Exuberant Gigi Awakens A New Generation!

Experience the glamorous world of GIGI, now on Broadway, with these highlights. For tickets and information visit http://www.gigionbroadway.com


Gigi.
The very name conjures up visions of frothy French merriment.
And the words and music linger in our minds:

Gigi, am I a fool without a mind
Or have I merely been too blind to realize?
Oh Gigi, why you've been growin' up
Before my very eyes

But often the problem has been that Gigi was a bit too grown up right from the start.
How can a girl be transformed into a woman right before our "very eyes" in the span of two or three hours on stage or in the movies?
At least in Colette's novella of Gigi we had some time to savor it all -- we could take the story more slowly and imagine Gigi blossoming into a great beauty.
Of course, the original Gigi stage play starred Audrey Hepburn and her waif-like presence made the transformation believable. In the process, she captivated Broadway and became a star.
Then Lerner and Lowe gave Gigi's story music but instead of bringing the story back to Broadway they launched Gigi, the musical as a movie. In the process they introduced us to the beautiful Leslie Caron, gave Maurice Chevalier the dubious honor of singing Thank Heaven For Little Girls and led us to believe that Gigi could only be performed (and/or sung) by French actors or American actors who were able to carry off a phony French accent. We needed to hear that touch of French throughout the show, otherwise it just wasn't GheeeGheee! We weren't as well-travelled then, or as sophisticated.
Then, in 1973 Gigi, the live musical finally came to Broadway. But it simply didn't seem to captivate audiences the way the movie did. It ran for a few months and closed.
And that was pretty much the end of Gigi -- until now.
Now, Gigi is back on Broadway in a production freshly transported from the Kennedy Center in Washington where it had a successful tryout.
This time, Gigi is younger, fresher, more aware and more alive than she's been in years.
The faux-French heaviness is gone. There are no more French accents. The characters are more human and down-to-earth. And while Thank Heaven For Little Girls is still in the show it isn't sung by old men. Rather, it's sung (appropriately) by Gigi's aunt and grandmother. This move alone makes all the difference in the world because they are the real engineers of Gigi's transformation.
You see, Gigi is at its heart a naughty tale.
The story concerns Gigi, a free-spirited teenaged girl living in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. She is being groomed as a courtesan ( a high-class prostitute) by her aunt (relentlessly) and her grandmother (reluctantly), in her family's tradition. Before she is deemed ready for her social debut, she encounters the bon vivant bachelor Gaston Lachaille, whom she captivates as she is transformed into a charmingly poised young lady.

On its surface this is not a pretty story. But this is the Belle Epoch Paris of long ago and the story is presented with such bubbly subtlety that before we realize what's actually happening we've all been seduced. And, in 2015 nothing shocks us anyway.

This show is filled with lush music and lyrics: I Remember It Well, I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore, The Night They Invented Champagne, A Toujours and the wondrous title song, performed so well by Broadway's newest heartthrob, Corey Cott that it will take your breath away. 

This is a Gigi for a new generation -- a Gigi for millennials and even younger theater-goers. In fact, it's a Gigi perfectly designed to attract these groups to such a classic.

And much of this has to do with the presence of Vanessa Hudgens as Gigi. The at once playful and exotic Hudgens was a child star who became best known for her role as Gabriella Montez in the Disney Channel's High School Musical and its follow-up films.

Hudgens is simply marvelous as Gigi - projecting an innocence masking its own share of savvy that eventually turns into budding sophistication. Hudgens really does make the transformation within the course of Gigi's 140+ minutes and she pulls it all off with aplomb. When she joins with Cott and the fantastic Victoria Clark to bring down the first act curtain for The Night They Invented Champagne, it's one of Broadway's most intoxicating moments of the season. You can literally feel the fine French bubbly tickling your nose. It's glorious!

Clark has been nominated for a Tony for her role as Gigi's grandmother and it's deserved. But the show warranted more Tony nominations beyond this one. Shame on the Tony Awards nominees who turned out to be, in the words of the New York Times "merciless" this year.

Sixty-four years after Audrey Hepburn made Gigi come alive on the Great White Way, Broadway now has a Gigi worthy of the original.

Gigi is more than mere "eye candy," as one critic termed it. Rather, it's a timeless tale with great music, lavish sets and costumes and a superb cast interpreting it all anew and giving it relevant meaning in a first-rate production that's worth a visit.

Choose L'amour!

A True Christmas Story: Love In The Face Of Loss

It's Christmas, a joyous time of the year.
And I see dead people.
They are all around me and they are here to celebrate Christmas with me.
I turn on the TV and Jimmy Stewart is racing down Main Street in Bedford Falls hoping to escape the confines of a small town but knowing that he never will.
And Alastair Sim, the quintessential Scrooge, is grimacing in the classic black-and-white version of everyone's favorite Christmas tale.
And in living color I still see Judy Garland and Bing Crosby and Perry Como and Dinah Shore and Andy Williams singing Christmas songs. Judy's still full of pathos as she tenderly sings Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
Jack Benny is here too and so is Lucy in a tender episode that ends with two Santas where there should be only one. One of the Santas is clearly Fred (William Frawley) but who's that other guy?
And when I turn on the radio. I hear Christmas carols by Luciano Pavarotti and Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra and Mahalia Jackson and Mario Lanza.
On You Tube I watch President Reagan deliver a Christmas message from the White House. The President is warm and reassuring and he speaks confidently of faith in God and our Judeo-Christian heritage.
My mind tumbles back to the gritty, industrial city that I grew up in -- a riverfront city that didn't realize back then that its glory days were already behind it. It's a bleak, damp, gray December day but I'm warm and secure in the confines of my father's old Plymouth as we rush from place to place through narrow city streets marked by row houses and the occasional corner store.
We don't speak very much but I'm so happy to be with him. He's making lots of stops, picking up small treats and gifts from a variety of friends and businesspeople for whom he may have done odd jobs during the year. Whatever he manages to gather will help to make our Christmas a bit happier.
Even in the run up to Christmas, he's a tough negotiator. He barters with merchants and grocers. as he tries to select just the right provisions for our Christmas feast.
He maneuvers through and around streets, neighborhoods and landmarks with the swiftness of a true native.
His energy fills the room wherever he goes. He's not a big guy but he makes a huge impact. And I know that as long as I'm by his side, no harm can come to me.
On Christmas eve aunts, uncles, cousins and neighbors come and go as the all-night feast of the fishes drifts into the wee hours of Christmas day.
On Christmas morning the uncles begin their ritual home visitations, gathering more participants as they move from house to house. Loud, boisterous and well-lubricated, they pass out silver dollars to the children. These will be accepted as treasured tokens and saved in a safe place.
Through it all I see my mother, full of wry wit, optimism and just a the right perspective on the whole panoply. She's got a sharp eye and she's a great mimic as she jokes about people, places and personalities.
If you press her, she may even remember some of the people from her own earlier Christmases but she'd rather dwell in the present. She's very much about her own family, right here, right now.
Of course, now I understand why she took that approach.
As you get older, this is what happens.
Christmas isn't totally joyous. It isn't always candy canes and sugar plums.

So many Christmas memories; so many Christmases past.

Christmas in your heart means Christmas with those who have passed on, as loved ones never leave you since love is eternal.
Christmas with dead people is bittersweet.
Not to worry, though.
The memories are good. And the sights, sounds and glad tidings live within me.
Plus, at this time of year all of these people seem to come alive once again -- alive in a very special way. They are with me. They are part of me. And I treasure them.
And I suppose that's one of the lessons of Christmas: Let all the people and the events and the memories of the Christmases past deepen and enrich your understanding of this wonderful holiday. Savor it all.
Bring them along with you. Let them walk by your side. Be strengthened by their presence and pass on what you know, who you are, how you feel, what you have learned.
And be proud, strong and tender -- especially for the children who watch you more closely now than at any other time of the year.
In that way, you'll keep the true spirit of Christmas.

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