My Personal Connection to the 911 Tragedy

Gregory Mussmacher's personal connection to the 911 tragedy!! God Bless

I served in the Marine Corps with Gsgt. Garvey and Master Sgt. Curtin at 6th Communications Battalion. Police Officer Thomas Brophy was my parents next door neighbor and I knew him from Gold's Gym in Smithtown. All three hereos will be missed but will stay alive in the hearts and minds of all their friends and family. I am truly honored to have known these great human beings and hope that I could be half the men they were!

RIP Brothers




Semper fidelis "Always Faithfull"

CAMP COMMANDO, Kuwait (CNN) --Marines in Kuwait honored three of their own -- two firemen and a policeman -- who were killed when the World Trade Center collapsed September 11, 2001.
Marines of the 6th Communications Battalion from Brooklyn, New Tork, took part in the ceremony Friday at Camp Commando in the northern Kuwaiti desert. Sgt. Major Mike Curtin, Gunnery Sgt. Matt Garvey and Sgt. Charlie Anaya were members of the battalion when they died.
Camp Commando is usually a flurry of activity and dust as U.S. and British soldiers prepare for possible action in Iraq.
But the 6th Communications tent area was quiet Friday as the Marines unveiled three bright red signs with red lettering naming roads in the camp after the three: Michael Curtin Way, Matthew Garvey Lane and Charlie Anaya Avenue.
Staff Sgt. Steven Parides said the ceremony "gives us a good reason of why we are here today." A volunteer fireman, Parides knew Garvey and Curtin.
Describing Curtin, Parides said, "He kept the company as a family. He had a gentle side of him. Whereas Matt Garvey was all Marine all the time."
Staff Sgt. Nelson Hernandez said of Curtin, "He was very friendly. Some of the Marines, sometimes they get hard-nosed. He wasn't like that. He was a father figure."
Curtin is remembered for rescuing 28 people trapped on the roof of the World Trade Center building after a terrorist bomb exploded in 1993. He also was part of a Federal Emergency Management Agency team responding to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.
Curtin also is credited with directing his men to safety before his death when the World Trade Center's south tower fell.
Garvey was a Marine for 10 years before becoming a New York firefighter. He was a member of Squad 1, an elite group of specialized firemen. Garvey was last seen entering the trade center's north tower.
Anaya was on active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991. After deactivation, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter with the New York Fire Department. On September 11, Anaya evacuated civilians from the north tower, reaching the 28th floor before the building came down.

Sergeant Michael Curtin New York City Police DepartmentNew YorkEnd of Watch: Tuesday, September 11, 2001Cause: Terrorist attack
Biographical InfoAge: 45Tour of Duty: 13 yearsBadge Number: 3256
Sergeant Michael Curtin was killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while attempting to rescue the victims trapped in the World Trade Center. Sergeant Curtin was a US Marine Corps veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He had served with the New York City Police Department for 13 years and was assigned to ESU Truck 2. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, and brother. He was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.On the morning of September 11, 2001, seventy-two officers from a total of eight local, state, and federal agencies were killed when terrorist hijackers working for the al Qaeda terrorist network, headed by Osama bin Laden, crashed two of four hijacked planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City. After the impact of the first plane, putting the safety of others before their own, law enforcement officers along with fire and EMS personnel, rushed to the burning Twin Towers of the World Trade Center to aid the victims and lead them to safety. Due to their quick actions, it is estimated that over 25,000 people were saved. As the evacuation continued, the first tower unexpectedly collapsed due as a result of the intense fire caused by the impact. The second tower collapsed a short time later. 71 law enforcement officers, 343 members of the New York City Fire Department and over 2,800 civilians were killed at the World Trade Center site.A third hijacked plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania when the passengers attempted to re-take control of the plane. One law enforcement officer, who was a passenger on the plane, was killed in that crash. The fourth hijacked plane was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, killing almost 200 military and civilian personnel. No law enforcement officers were killed at the Pentagon.The terrorist attacks resulted in the declaration of war against the Taliban regime, the illegal rulers of Afghanistan, and the al Qaeda terrorist network which also was based in Afghanistan.On September 9, 2005, all of the public safety officers killed on September 11, 2001, were posthumously awarded the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor by President George W. Bush.The contamination in the air at the World Trade Center site caused many rescue personnel to become extremely ill, and eventually led to the death of several rescue workers.Please click here to visit the memorials of all of the law enforcement officers killed in this terrorist attack.



Visit Sergeant Curtin's memorial at http://www.odmp.org/

Name : Brophy, Thomas
Rank: P.O.
Shield #: 6957
Command: 109 Pct.
Date of Death: 2005-04-01

Cause of Death: 9-11 related illness



Police Officer Thomas G. Brophy died in April 2005 from metastatic colon cancer that was caused by inhaling toxic materials while partaking in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Officer Brophy gave 11 years of service in the 114th and 109th Precincts and Fleet Services Division. He too received recognition for excellent police duty. Officer Brophy worked in the rescue, recovery and clean-up effort at the World Trade Center as well as covered various posts in Lower Manhattan after the attacks. He is survived by his wife Rita and son Matthew, mother Janice, brother Brian, a New York State Trooper, father Tom, brother Justin and sister Erica.

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Rebuild from the Grass Roots 911 Memory

Gregory Mussmacher God Bless!!

Rebuild from the Grass Roots – A 9/11 Memory

Another great e-mail blast from Father Leo!!

Several months ago, I visited New York City with some seminarians. I was there for a radio interview on Sirius, some business meetings, and a bit of sightseeing.
We made a stop at Ground Zero, as it was shortly after the Pope’s visit to New York. We saw some of the reconstruction efforts from afar and heard the powerful story of a young man whose life was affected by the tragic events of September 11th.
Meet Chuck, a resident of the St. Francis House, a home for young men who need a second chance in life, in Brooklyn, New York ; and Joe, the director of St. Francis House and the producer at Grassroots Films.
I had the pleasure of cooking for these guys and getting to know them. I knew about Grassr oots Films because they produced one of the greatest videos about vocations called Fishers of Men. The visit impressed me greatly. For these men, this house is really a home. They eat together every evening; t hey have regular chapel time and attend the parish church as a family; they work together and help each other grow in virtue together. That’s a great example of what a family should do. This is a house of Godly men!
Chuck is a quiet, mild mannered young man. When introduced, I thought he said his name was “Truck. ” So, I called him Truck for most of the evening before he gently corrected me. But, I think my nickname stuck, at least for a little while.
Chuck’s experience puts another human face on the tragedy of 9/11 and the hope that grew from it. He moved to New York from a small town with hopes of making it in the media world. What a talented guy! Check out the new Grassroots project called The Human Experience, and you’ll see what I mean.
When he left his family, Chuck chose to live at St. Francis House because he wanted a community of believers to help strengthen his faith. He was slated to start a good job in the media field on September 11, 2001. Needless to say, his opportunity for making a life for himself would be put on hold . He would have to come to grips with the trauma of being right in the midst of the chaos on that terrible day.
Shell- shocked, Chuck returned home to his family. Thank God he had one that cared for him, since the aftermath of that day left him naturally despondent. Though he wanted to return to New York immediately , Joe wisely encouraged him and his family to wait until the shock wore off. The fact is, we are fragile people and something so traumatic requires time for prayers and healing. In God’s time, Chuck gained perspective, found a way to deal with the pain, and mad e the decision to go back home to St. Francis House. With the strength of the Grassr oots family, he used his skills to work with a team of underfunded but extremely talented new Evangelists to create powerful videos with inspiring messages that bring about a conversion starting at the grass roots level.
Chuck, and indeed all of the young men living at St. Francis House, showed me that when our plans in life are shaken up or torn down, we need to find the strength to rebuild our family, our society, and our world. Human spirits can easily be broken, but the s pirit of God can help us rise again – even after the single most terrible act of terrorism in our country’s history.
Chuck’s experience shows us that we cannot recover alone. We need family; not just our biological family, but a community of believers in our church family. After all, families don’t live separate from society. Consider how you are plugged into a community of believers .
Chuck and his “ brothers” showed me that hope is real. With a view of Manhattan forever changed because of two planes, a few box cutters, and a group of hateful men, St. Francis House hopes to shape a better world with one house, a few cameras, and a group of men who know the meaning of Christ’s love.
As our country commemorates the seventh anniversary of September 11th , I pray that all of those affected by this tragedy will experience the prayerful support of family. And, if you’re still trying to figure out how to make a house into a home, just take a few cues from Grassroots Films and the brothers living at St. Francis House.
Grilled Chicken with Mango Chutney
While at the St. Francis House, I wanted to cook a grilled favorite accented with the freshness of mango chutney. I may have given this recipe before, but it’s definitely worth an encore, especially since it’s still warm enough to use your outdoor grill. I prepared a tremendous amount of food , and I thought there would be left overs . However, the brothers at the house seemed to enjoy it so much, there was only a little left. Eat up fellas. You have big work ahead as you evangelize the world with inspiring and quality films. With Joe as director of the house, Mary as queen of your home, and Jesus, the Lord of your life, I’m sure you men will transform culture from the grass roots up!
Click here for the recipe.

A Grass Roots Prayer for Your Family

Loving God, we can face so many struggles that we may want to give up. We endure so much tragedy that we wonder whether it’s worth trying again. We encounter situations that may even feel hopeless. But, we know Lord that You never let us experience these challenges alone. Bless our families , near and far, with the strength to face these struggles with hope. We pray in a special way for all of those who will commemorate loved ones who died in the September 11th tragedy . May they know of the power of Your love, experience the strength of faith, and the light of hope that pierces our darkest night. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ask Fr. Leo for fatherly advice.Any submissions may be used in future Grace Before Meals publications.
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The Loss Of a Furry Four Legged Friend

Gregory Mussmacher God Bless!!

Rest In Peace

Lilly Mussmacher

We all loved you and will miss you very much!

I hope your having fun in heaven playing with Nikki, Buttons and Tammy. Watch over Jake he misses you the most!

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown

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Start a Change with Prayer!

Gregory Mussmacher God Bless!!

Start a Change with Prayer!

Another great e-mail blast from Father Leo, God Bless Him!!

This past weekend marked a time of much change . The celebration of Labor Day in the U.S. begins a transition from the lazy days of summer to the busy start of the school year. This weekend, the seminarians began their first full week of the new semester, while college students got acclimated to their new courses. For seminarians and students, that’s a big change . Finally, this past weekend in the St. Joseph Cathedral of Wheeling West Virginia, I witnessed the wedding of a young couple whose lives are now transformed in the Sacrament of Marriage. Here’s the before and after picture.

Change is inevitable, and yet we often forget that it will happen to us. The father of the bride, in a heartfelt speech, recalled the many changes he experienced watching his three daughters grow from newborn babies to married women. And now with his youngest daughter married, he humbly admitted he never expected this change to be so difficult!
The fact that we are creatures of habit means we crave stability. Stability is a good thing; however, a life without change can lead us to a life of routine, which a s comfortable as it seems, will only dull our senses, stunt our emotions, and limit our potential to grow. Change is tough , but it is necessary for growth. As Christians, we are on a pilgrimage throughout life and are always changing. It’s called ongoing conversion.
After one year of seminary formation work, I realize how good change requires prayer. The orientation period for seminarians provides great opportunities for prayer and our new men need it. They faced a tough week of learning what it means to be a seminarian, a completely new lifestyle for them. The men took time to re-orient themselves through prayer t his weekend while they were on a silent retreat. They prayed like they have never prayed before! I snapped this picture of the seminarians asking for prayers at the tomb of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, buried less than two miles from the seminary.
Talk about a saint who experienced change. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was an Episcopalian wife and mother, who became a widow at a young age . Her biography tells us she accepted these changes through prayer. She experienced even more change when, after years of serious prayer, she converted to the Catholic Faith, despite the possibility her family might disown her. She moved from big city Baltimore to very rural Emmitsburg, MD. She took on a religious habit with a mission to educate poor children. While raising her own children in very poor conditions, she felt the pain of having to bury three of them. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton handled each of these changes with such prayer and grace that she eventually experienced the greatest transformation of all: she was canonized a saint. Prayer is the only thing that will get us through difficult changes. This time of year, accepting your kids have grown up and are going to college can be painful. It’s hard for me to accept that Tim and Megan Watkins, now off at college, are the same children in the original Grace Before Meals video trailer that was filmed 6 years ago! Check out the trailer and you’ll see how quickly they have grown up .
If it’s hard for me to accept they are growing up, what’s it like for their parents? For students leaving home for the first time, the experience can be a painful change, too. Believe me parents, I do a lot of talking with college freshmen who are a bit sad to be away from home. Yes, they miss you too! This change isn’t easy for them either.
I consider how seminarians must also change but from within, which is the most difficult change to make.
Prayer doesn’t always change the situation, but it can help us understand and accept the lessons that change brings .
This past weekend marked a change for many of our Grace Before Meals families. When it gets tough accepting these changes, you may want to slightly modify your g race before meals. Instead of rushing the prayer before you eat, take some extra time and say an special prayer for parents feeling the change of an empty nest; for newly married couples living a life no longer for themselves but for the other; and for seminarians called to re orient their lives to do the Father’s will.

Timmy’s Meal Before College: Beef and Zucchini
FYI: Timmy Watkins is the second of Tim Watkins' three children. Tim Watkins is the producer of Grace Before Meals and a good friend who has invited me to his house for dinner on many occasions, though I usually do the cooking! H is wife is a great cook and kind enough to give me free range of her kitchen. Timmy has been my assistant chef for many of these meals, but this meal was my going away gift to him before he left for college.
Click here for the recipe.

A Prayer to Say During a Change in Life
Heavenly Father, help us to accept change with grace. Help us to ask for grace when change comes into our lives. Help us to see how these changes, no matter how painful , can be great sources of grace for us! We ask this through Christ o ur Lord. Amen!

Ask Fr. Leo for fatherly advice.Any submissions may be used in future Grace Before Meals publications.
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We Need More St. Monica's

Gregory Mussmacher God Bless!!

Another great e-mail blast from Father Leo!!!! A Must Read!!!!

We Need More Monica’s!

August 27th is the Feast of St. Monica, the saintly mother who prayed for her son, Augustine, aka St. Augustine. She prayed for her son to turn away from a sinful life and to reconcile his intellect to the wisdom of the Church. Her prayers worked! God, in His time, answered her prayers. And Augustine finally understood why Faith meant so much to his mother. Eventually, Augustine experienced an intellectual conversion and a change of heart. With St. Monica’s inspiration, Augustine became one of the greatest intellectual and theologically inclined saints in the Catholic Church’s history.
Monica is a great example for many families who may feel frustration and even despair that their children may not be practicing their Faith as the parents taught them and want for them. Parents write to me all the time, or stop me at a conference and ask, “what do I do? My children aren’t practicing their faith anymore?” Unfortunately, in these brief emails or meetings, I can’t answer all of the various situations that are posed to me. However, I can suggest a few different ways that parents can preserve and encourage their family’s faith.
First, start young! Children are naturally more receptive to faith when they are raised in it. Teaching the basics in prayer means developing a prayerful foundation. This young set of parents from Nashville is teaching their daughter Mimi to pray Grace Before Meals! Isn’t she like a little “poster child” for Grace Before Meals! They are only doing what they themselves learned from their parents!

Yet, teaching them from the start isn’t a “guarantee” your children will be saints. Therefore, if you did raise your children in faith, but they are no longer practicing or starting to question their faith, make sure you remain open to their questions and try to seek answers to their questions or issues of doubt TOGETHER! Don’t just dismiss them in your frustration. Instead, try to seek the response to their concerns. Keep open the lines of communication and try to grow more confident in your own faith by trusting that God still loves your child more than you can imagine.
Another consideration is to make sure that you as parents are practicing what you preaching. While in Japan, I met several families who are trying to live their faith openly by taking time to pray together as members of an international group called “Couples for Christ.” While in Japan, I had a chance to do a Grace Before Meals Presentation for them.
The formula for this gathering is simple. While the parents come together, share a meal, take time for sharing, offering each other support, singing a few songs and offering some petition prayers. The children join in the prayers for a while but also have some time to play with the other kids. The children see that mom and dad DO pray together and with others – and not just in church. The kids see that mom and dad ARE serious about their faith.
The statement, “I believe faith is a ‘private’ thing” is unfortunately a temptation of the devil. We are tempted to not live our faith outside our home or church. The fact is, if you really have faith, you will not be afraid to share it everywhere! I realize that people are convinced that separation of church and state means that no one should talk about faith outside of church. But the fact is, God’s kingdom is not limited to church walls or my bedroom door! Make sure your children see that you are practicing your faith, and trying to practice what Christ preaches.
Here’s another little tip to help: make sure there is a balance between praying and playing! It would be nice if children and teenagers were naturally inclined to prayer. Although I do know some children who are, it is more likely they are more interested in playing outside or video games. The reality is, we can’t and should not force kids to say “formal prayers” all the time. That would be imbalanced. Remember, families are families. They aren’t mini-monasteries, or mini-convents, or mini-seminaries. Therefore, make sure you and your family has a healthy and balanced “diet” of activities: playing, praying, eating, relaxing, learning, talking, etc., etc.,
If you’re whole life exists around a particular sport or hobby, to the exclusion of other wholesome and inspiring activities, then you may need to take a break from it. Especially if it’s slowly creeping out time for prayer, excluding family meals, and just ‘chilling out’ as a family! The balance of a healthy life requires us to make sure we master our schedules instead of having our schedules master us!
Another suggestion would be for the families to encourage their children to make sure they have good friends. Make sure parents ask their kids questions about what makes a good friend for you? How can your children be good friends for others? Ask, “how do you know if a friend is helping or hurting you?” Children should know how to make these important interpersonal relational distinctions.
When I was in Toronto a few weeks ago, I met several young people as part of the BLD Youth Conference. In the Tagalog Language, BLD stands for “Bukas Loob Sa Diyos” – which translates to “Open Your Heart to the Lord.”
(Make sure you check out the updated picture page on the web to see other fun pics from these and other events!)
It was inspiring to see so many families in Canada and parts of the USA who are part of this growing International Group. Like the Couples for Christ, this group also started in the Philippines, where family ties are strong – but not without the challenges faced by the families in the west. But, these groups, and so many other ecclesial movements provide resources and relationships that can truly help your family grow stronger in communion with each other and God! If you have questions about your family’s faith, do something about it and join a good group of people who, like St. Monica, want their children to be saints too!
To summarize, I know that St. Monica provides for us a living example of what is necessary to preserve your family. Are you “waiting” for your children to grow up before making a decision to raise them in faith? If you are, you are denying them grace now! Are you telling your children to pray, but at the same time not praying yourself, or not letting your own children see you pray? If so, then your children are receiving mixed messages from you! Is there is a balance in your family, or do you just try to “squeeze in” prayers and church? If there is an imbalance, trust that the devil will always push and pull us off the path that requires us to be balanced if we want to ‘walk the talk.’ Finally, are you helping your children to “flock together” with other good kids? Trust me, they ARE out there! Are we helping them to understand healthy distinctions in relationships by making sure we have good relationships ourselves – starting with your spouse?
Ultimately, your children will make their own decisions. You can’t force them to be a saint right here and now! Just ask St. Monica who witnessed her son, Augustine, take baby steps in Faith only when she was ready to die! We have to trust that God is hearing your prayers. This week’s email blast is just one more way that God is trying to remind families of what is most important. This advice didn’t come from me, Fr. Leo. It really came from the witness of the saints, especially Monica, who I humbly ask to pray for all families and all children who do not yet know Your love and call to be saints, now and forever! St. Monica, pray for us!

Cid’s “dribble” of vinaigrette!
The Couples for Christ dinner in Japan, where I shared a Grace Before Meals presentation, gave me an opportunity to share (on an international level), the powerful message of our movement. At the same time, it gave me a chance to share a recipe for tasty vinaigrette that people can make with their children. By allowing one of the participating children, Cid, to help make the salad dressing, he not only learned a skill he can share, he also learned how eating veggies (like salad) taste so good!
When I “tested” him to remember the ingredients of the vinaigrette, he passed with flying colors. Then he proceeded to reiterate a very important point: Don’t drown the lettuce in salad dressing, but instead, simply lightly “dribble” (i.e., drizzle) the dressing over the salad greens! What a great kid, from a great family!
I use this vinaigrette, mixing and matching various ingredients and common sweeteners to inspire diversity in vegetable flavors as well as to wake up the taste of meats. For example, grilling steaks or meat and putting it on top of the fresh and lightly dressed greens inspires a bold taste without being an overly heavy meal! I made a similar meal while me and my friends were on vacation. We wanted a meal with bold flavors, but nothing too heavy that would hinder us from taking advantage of outdoor hiking and biking. Give it a try for your family.
Click here for the recipe.
Prayer for Families
Parents have a great responsibility AND privilege to raise their children in faith. Don’t worry, you are not alone. And, above all, God knows that you are trying to do your best. And, if you’re not doing your best, then God can also give you the courage and strength to do your job better. Go ahead and talk with the one who helped St. Monica get through her difficult years with her son, who eventually became a great saint!
Let us pray: Father in Heaven, we can be so imperfect at times. We can forget the blessings and we so often focus on the bad. In a time when families struggle to stay together, help us to remember that a family that prays together stays together. And Lord, even when some of our family members turn away from You, help us to trust that you will never turn your back on them. Give us grace to strengthen our ties with one another and with You. Give us grace to seek the support and communities to keep our family focused on Your love, Your laws, and Your invitation to be part of Your heavenly family forever. Amen.
Ask Fr. Leo for fatherly advice.Any submissions may be used in future Grace Before Meals publications.
Please forward Fr. Leo’s weekly email blast to anyone you think would benefit. If you haven’tsigned up for the Food for the Body, Food for the Soul weekly email blast, go here to register now. Also visit our blog.
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Please Pray For Me!!

Gregory Mussmacher God Bless!!

Hello everyone, I am going through a really tough time right now and I am asking everyone to pray for me.. God BlessSphere: Related Content

Are we supposed to fast on Sundays during Lent?

I've received several emails regarding Sundays during Lent. Because I’m a big “foodie” the question is asked, “Are we supposed to fast and do our Lenten Disciplines on Sundays of Lent, or not?”To answer this question, it would be good to take note of something that took place this past Sunday. Did you notice your priest wearing a different shade of purple for Mass this past weekend? If it looked a little pink in color, you're not going color blind. The masculine side of priests would say (and rather defensively) that it is a "rose" colored vestment – not pink! This unique "fifth liturgical color" represents that we're more than halfway through the Lenten Discipline. The rose-colored vestments show that soon, and very soon, we're going to see the end of our pilgrimage. There is hope at the end of our fasting! This past Sunday (March 2) was called Laetare Sunday. It is similar to Advent's mid-season Gaudete Sunday – the only other time the priest wears those rose-colored vestments. Laetare Sunday; however, means much more than just liturgical colors. It represents an attitude of hope within our sacrifices! In fact, the color almost seems to encourage one another in the disciplines of Lent. Our pilgrimage of faith always ends in hope and joy. This past Sunday – a time to rejoice – also indicates that Sundays are NOT a day of fasting and abstinence! I realize many people may be very happy about that. But those who are really trying to follow through the whole season of Lent with a serious discipline may feel like I’m taking a wimpy approach to Lent. But I’m not. The rose-colored vestments, worn only on two Sundays during penitential seasons, indicate Sundays are always a day to celebrate and rest. To fast or perform other ascetical disciplines on Sundays could lead us to scrupulosity, a rigid approach to Lent. Eventually this could develop into a mentality of Jansenism, which says that human efforts are more important than the grace God wants to give to us on Sunday!If you don’t believe me, let’s consider which days count as the “40” days of Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Saturday morning of Holy Week, i.e., The Easter Vigil that begins at sundown of that Holy Saturday. If you count that many number of days, it would total 46. Therefore, to get the 40 days remaining of Lent, we must subtract 6 days from the total. Which set of days do we subtract from that total? I realize this may sound too mathematically simplistic, but there is also a theological reason why we don't count Sundays during Lent as days of Fasting and Penance. It's the same reason why the priests wore those rose-colored vestments last Sunday. Sundays, no matter what time of the year or liturgical season, are always a "mini-version" of the Easter Sunday. It is the Lord's day – the ultimate Sabbath day – a day to rest, rejoice, and celebrate the Lord's triumph over all sin and sadness. Can you see why God made it a commandment? Does that mean you can stuff your face with all of the things you gave up for Lent? Not so fast with that chocolate bar! If we look at this Lenten season like that, then we may be using Sundays for ourselves, rather than resting and serving in the Lord. Technically, you can eat those sweets and treats. But do we have to eat them in order to celebrate the Lord’s day? If Sunday is a day dedicated to you, then go right ahead and gorge away! But if this is really the Lord’s Day, then what can we do, and what can we eat to celebrate HIM? In other words, is our focus on Sunday for ourselves or for God?As you can see, I haven’t exactly told you if you should or shouldn’t eat those things you gave up for Lent. Although Sundays of Lent are within the Lenten Season, they are also a day to remember the Resurrection – which is more important than any chocolate bar we could give up. If you want to eat that certain food you gave up for Lent, you clearly won’t be committing a “sin,” nor should you think you’re just a weak and pathetic Christian. But will we eat that chocolate bon bon in order to remember God on the day commemorating the Resurrection, or will we be stuffing our faces to satisfy a temporal hunger that will leave us hungry once again?The “pink” vestments Sunday, Laetare Sunday, as well as any Sunday for that matter, should ALWAYS be celebrated as a Feast Day! But as much as I care about the foods that are eaten to celebrate the Lord’s day, it would be a shame to take our eyes off the reason we celebrate it in the first place. And the reason we celebrate is God’s goodness to us, and not our goodness to ourselves! Check out our site for new updates: This week we have added new photos, audio and events.A Laetare Styled “Dessert” – even if you gave it up for Lent!If you can’t already tell, I enjoy mixing up flavor combinations from different cultural backgrounds. That’s why I so enjoy presenting to the Grace Before Meals Family the variety of foods from the Operation Rice Bowl Program. However, this week, I have to put out a recipe that has become a little “signature dish” at some of the events I’ve had in the past month. I did this recipe in New York and Georgia, as well as for a few different local news segments. It’s a warm lemon and mint cream fruit topping!By the way, I have to say a big hello to several groups who have really made this past month so much fun!First, I want to say hello and thanks to the people of St. Paul in New York city, especially Fr. Gil, the Pualist community of priests, Cathy and husband Wee Tai, Anna and the breakfast crew, and Eric from the Associated Morton Grocery store! I had a blast in NY, and look forward to visiting again!Second, I want to thank the people of Statesboro, Georgia. Fr. Tim, Jonathon, the parish staff and families of St. Matthew’s Church, Jamie and Gerrard’s produce, as well as Brandon and Olivia of Shane’s Rib Shack! What a great culinary experience. I can see why Paula Dean is so wonderful – it’s the Georgia hospitality!Third, I want to thank Sr. Miriam, the Alhambra Carmelite Sisters, and retreat participants of the Sacred Heart Retreat Center, where I just finished up a three day talk discussing the theology of the Body. Talk about God’s sense of humor – I was the only guy there among so many intellectual and inspiring women discussing this unique topic! These past weekends have been so wonderful and uplifting! I hope the slightly decadent dessert recipe this week, reserved only for Sundays and other Feast Days of course, helps to lift up your spirits in thanksgiving to God! For the recipe, [click here].The Laetare Sunday PrayerSometimes we can take ourselves, or even our Lenten Disciplines so seriously that we lose focus on their purpose. To help us keep the proper perspective, it may be good to keep our Lenten Fasts, but also do something extra fun next Sunday – as a way to celebrate God’s goodness! Let us pray: Father of peace, we are joyful in Your Word, Your Son Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to You. Let us hasten toward Easter with eagerness of faith and love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.Ask Fr. Leo for fatherly advice.Any submissions may be used in future Grace Before Meals publications.Sphere: Related Content