THOUGHT FOR TODAY

TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE?
If there is a poor man...in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you,do not be hardhearted or tightfisted
Deuteronomy15:7



 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Giving is about compassion,not about judgement...
M.Beecher(Maryland)
In the median of her busy street stands a man in shabby clothes and run down boots.His cardboard sign reads (UNEMPLOYED VET-HUNGRY-WILL WORK FOR MONEY.GOD BLESS.)Every Sunday she goes to church and goes thru the intersection she sees someone begging for food or money.The director in NYork once told her that giving money to the homeless only enables them to stay on the street.If she gave the man money how would she know if he was to buy bananas or a beer,a coat or cocaine?Yet she donated money to shelters and programs that said they would help the poor the addicts the misfits of society.So why feel hardhearted,averting eyes as she passed by the urban scarecrow of a man?In the scripture above she can not find any test that the poor have to pass before she should give generously.There is no requirements that they must be honest,hard working,worthy or even thankful.Could it be that Gods admonition to give is sometimes more about her maintaining a compassionate heart than about what the recipient will do with the money she thought?

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

GOD CAN DO GREAT THINGS THROUGH US IF WE OFFER OUR WHOLE SELF IN GODS SERVICE
Pamela Vale-Taylor(England

A difficult divorce

Wendy emailed us about her sister who was still not over her divorce.Wendy felt after a year her sister should be able to put it behind her.Wendy told Fr John when she met him that her sister was acting like someone had died or something.Fr John explained to Wendy when someone goes through a divorce or end any kind of relationship and it was more one sided.It is like a death to many-its a death of a relationship.Of what might of been.Of their dreams as a couple.Everyone grieves for a loss differently but he would suggest to the sister perhaps to seek counseling or talk with the pastor of their church on a more regular basis.When we met her sister Sue,she was very depressed.Her husband and her had been having problems but nothing she thought that they couldn't work out.His answer to the problems was he wanted a divorce.They had no children together and had only been married for 3 yrs.but Sue said"he had been her soul mate.Her one true love.
Fr John while talking to her suggested the first thing she needed to do was address her depression and perhaps go to her doctor.The second thing was she needed to talk to someone about her feelings,maybe others who have gone through a difficult divorce.Counseling,and most of all try to keep busy and not dwell on what might of been,but what is.After about an hour Sue said she would keep in touch.But she never did.However,we heard from Wendy lately and seems as if Sue has met a man who had a bad divorce also and is doing much better.It is difficult sometimes to see the rainbow over the horizon.Many times life does not go as we plan.And there are many obstacles in finding happiness.But with the help of faith one can get through them.And perhaps have a better life than they had imagined.There is a reason for everything even if we don't understand it Fr John always says.

IT STARTED WITH A CHILD'S BOOK

Jennie was 3 yrs old.Her mom and grandma waited on her hand and foot.When she pointed to something or made grunting type noises they knew just what she wanted. Jennie did not talk. Occasionally the only words she spoke was ma and no. A young neighbor who lived next door to this family offered to babysit for Jennie free. So the mom and grandma could go to church on Sundays. The 16 yr olds name was Shelly. Shelly emailed us and asked if we had any children's books. We happened to receive a lot of books that year from Melodi in Jackson. We packed up a box of the books. And we delivered them. When Shelly babysat she would read to Jennie. Two favorite books  that Jennie liked was an alphabet book and an Elmo book. Jennie was encouraged to point to the pictures and repeat the words. Shelly also made her say cookie when she grunted and pointed to the cabinet. It took several months but Jennie learned to talk. In fact Shelly said she started talking so much you couldn't shut her up. Never underestimate the power of a child's book. It definitely can help in learning social skills .It opened a whole new world for Jennie. Perhaps by the adults in the house always grabbing whatever Jennie wanted she had no need to talk. Either way this 16 yr old babysitter helped Jennie to find her voice. And this is also another  reason we always add a few books in drop offs where children are involved. There just might be another Jennie.

Interestinng Article

http://tiny.cc/DaveDixon

One solution for the HOMELESS

TINY HOUSES OR MORE SHELTERS FOR HUMANS.


LETS ASK OUR GOVERNOR,MAYORS,FREEHOLDERS ,LAW MAKERS TO HELP GET SOME OF THE HOMELESS OFF THE STREETS.TYPE IN THE ABOVE AND SEE WHAT WOULD BE ONE SOLUTION TO OUR EVER GROWING HOMELESS PROBLEM.WRIGHT TO THOSE IN OFFICE TODAY.LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD.SHOW THAT THE HOMELESS ARE NOT THE FORGOTTEN PEOPLE

A SAD PICK UP

The elderly man had just lost his wife to Cancer.He wanted to donate her items and had his daughter email us.When we arrived it was obvious the man was depressed as he held onto his wifes picture in a frame.Fr John talked with the man as his daughter and I loaded up the car.She mentioned she wanted him to move in with her but he wanted to stay in the house him and his wife spent so many years in.
...We learned shortly after the man had died also(no doubt from a broken heart).These type of pick ups are sad for us.We get to see first hand many times some ones life ,their pictures,their nick nacs their clothes and their memories.Often we are handed boxes of items that when we sort through them there might be a card or a picture or an item someone took a lot of time and effort to make.Like a handmade blanket that you know took hours to make.Maybe even days.A card signed with love,a picture of them at happier times.Nic nacks that are all similar which you realize it was probably her collection(like all chickens).All these material things that once represented a persons life.GONE! But the memories for those left behind will never be replaced.

This Cub Scouts Pack donated many gloves and hats

AND WHEN I SENT THEM A THANK YOU BY EMAIL THIS WAS THEIR RESPONSE:(NOW IS THAT AWESOME OR WHAT)

Our group that donated the winter items is:

"Jackson Cub Scout Pack 204"

I am the chair of our Cub Scout pack and will be happy to do other drives for needed items. If you are in need of anything in particular, we can do another drive this Spring. Let me know.

Many thanks,

Michelle Kohute

THE WALKER GIVE AWAY

THE WALKER GIVE AWAY NOT ONCE BUT TWICE
We keep a walker in the car for the days Fr John thinks the cane just isn't enough to help him walk when we go out.So the first give away was when I went to the Joeys Pizza to pick up our order and I saw an elderly man trying to maneuver through the parking lot holding onto peoples cars.I asked him do you need any help?He replied"if you could get me a cart from the SAVE ALOT STORE I would be obliged.Then I would have something to hold onto"I told him I could do better than that.I just happen to have a walker in my car.I have been looking for someone to give it to.I gave the man the walker and his eyes lit up.And he maneuvered himself to the shopping cart area without any assistance.Threw the walker in the basket of the cart and was on his way into the store.After I picked up the order I went home.And told Fr John the events that led up to his walker being given away.Fr John was surprised but pleased I gave it to the man.However,what was he going to do if he needed one.?When Fr John mentioned to Debbie our volunteer about how I gave his walker away she laughed.And said"I have one at home you could have.
So Debbie gave us the walker she had.And several months went by.And Fr John used it often in the store.Then one day we were in a Chinese restaurant in Hammonton .And we noticed an elderly couple trying to hold onto each other from their car to the entrance of the restauraunt.The man was hunched over and the woman shuffled slowly along with her arm under his.Truthfully they both looked like they needed a walker.But we only had 1.By the time we finished our meal the couple made it in the door.Fr John directed me to ask them if they needed a walker.The elderly man said"my wife might need one but,I do just fine at walking and have no need for it(men are so stubborn).
So the 2nd walker give away happened in Hammonton.Fr John asked me to go to the car and get his cane.And again when Debbie heard about it she found another walker for Fr.John.Only this timeDebbie said"I am not sure if I can be able to find anymore ,and we laughed.THIS IS WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS DO THEY GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HELP.AND WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE THEM

FR TONY SAYS THANKS

FR TONY RECIEVED 2 SMALLS BOXES VIA MAIL.1 BOX OF HANDMADE CHILDREN'S HATS. 2ND SMALL BOX OF CHILDREN'S GLOVES.HE WOULD LIKE US TO SAY THANK YOU FOR HIM.ONE OF THE CHILDREN WAS SO HAPPY TO RECIEVE A PAIR OF GLOVES SHE SAID"NOW I CAN PLAY OUTSIDE AND NOT BE COLD"
*if anyone else would like to send Fr Tony some gloves or hats for the children his address is
                                                            FR.TONY CORTSI
                                                           210 CENTRAL
                                                              BENLD ILL   62009

U THINK ITS COLD HERE, CHECK OUT PINERIDGE FORECAST

Pine Ridge, SD

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Weather for Pine Ridge, SD

Today

Clear

Hi: 16°

Lo: -09°

Fri

Sunny

Hi: 14°

Lo: 02°

Sat

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 33°

Lo: 11°

Sun

PM Snow Showers

Hi: 21°

Lo: 06°

GLOVES,SOCKS & FOOD DESPERATELY NEEDED

As you know Fr John and I try to send a care package once a month to the Pineridge Reservation in South Dakota.But its never enough for the many children that pass through the community center there. Often the only hot meal they have is at the Community Center.   Many children come with no socks nor gloves on. It is for this reason  alone that we can not forget them especially in the winter months. Pastor Karen appreciates all those who have been kind enough to send items in the past. Especially the food items. It is not uncommon for anywhere from 50-75 people to go through the doors on a given day. Mostly children. If anyone could help please mail the items to
                                 PASTOR KAREN
                                  RETREAT COMMUNITY CENTER
                                 51 EAST  HIGHWAY 18
                                 PINERIDGE  SD  57770

REQUEST FROM PEACHESS

IF YOU HAVE THESE ITEMS PLEASE EMAIL PEACHESS AT pncchy@yahoo.com
HER COMPUTER HAS BEEN FIXED.
(AT THIS TIME FR jOHN AND I ARE NOT COLLECTING ANY ITEMS TILL APRIL)






baby girl 3-6 months winter  for the new baby elizabeth is now in need of that  size ( mom of 8 kids)

boys size 4..3 children the twins and another child
boys size 7/8 bottom, 8/10 top, 10 bottom, 12 top & bottom, 14 top &bottom, 16 top & bottom
boys snow suit 8

girl size 4, 4/5 and 5
girl 10 top & bottom
boys snow boots ..rain boots 1.5 or 2

DOMINIC AND FR JOHN

Dominic did not know what a nativity scene represented.He bought each figurine to Fr John and asked him who they were.Fr John explained each one and what they did when baby Jesus was born.Dominc's bike was runned over awhile ago and he had been heartbroken.Our volunteer Susan had replaced it with her grandsons old bike.And Dominic also had to tell Fr John that the bike was running fine  LOL