FLAG DAY, JUNE 14, 2008, ACHIEVERS RECOGNIZED

For the many men and women who have defended and our now defending our Freedoms under the banner of the United States of America Flag....THANK YOU AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU...NOW AND ALWAYS!

Your patriotism in displaying the American Flag not only on Flag Day but also during the rest of the year means you LOVE THIS COUNTRY AND YOU LOVE WHAT THE AMERICAN FLAG SYMBOLIZES...with the RED, WHITE, AND BLUE!
WE ARE A UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WITH ALL FIFTY STATES and Territories....UNDER GOD WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

For all of the Fathers who have given their lives in the pursuit of Freedom throughout the World and especially in the United States of America and for all the Fathers who are now serving in the United States Military in many capacities to keep our Freedoms that we have taken for granted at times....THANK YOU AND WE SUPPORT YOU AND WE HOPE TO HAVE YOU HOME SOON WITH YOUR FAMILIES WHEN YOUR JOB IS REALLY DONE.

In my mail today, a special wish for all Fathers/Dads on Father Day is worth sharing with you now:

"THE IMPORTANCE OF A FATHER"

"St. Joseph was strong in the face of adversity and poverty of his time. He is a model of the virtues of PRUDENCE, HUMILITY, STRENGTH, AND FORTITUDE. Even though Joseph is 'SILENT' in Scripture, his actions speak to us more clearly than recorded words. Just as Joseph resigned his own will to the will of God, so a GOOD FATHER walks the path as God sets it out for him. The greatest gift any father can give to his children is LIFELONG FIDELITY to his MARRIAGE COVENANT. Children learn about LOVE through a FATHER'S AFFECTION, PRAYER, HONOR, SELF-CONTROL, FORGIVENESS, AND INTEGRITY."
(June, 2008, Mindszenty Report, Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation, St. Louis, Missouri, 1958-2008)

"St. Joseph showed Jesus all the natural love, all the affectionate solicitude that a Father's heart can know." (Pope John Paul II)

HAPPY FATHERS/DADS DAY, JUNE 15, 2008...BE A LOVING FATHER FOR ALL SEASONS AND FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS!

Well Done...Good and Faithful Servant...6/13/2008

When my son gave me a special Fathers' Day gift about three years ago, my inclination was to eventually read that book a year later. The book has special significance for me today since the book was written by Tim Russert, "Big Russ & Me." On hearing the news of the death of Tim Russert late this afternoon, my heart was deeply saddened for a person that meant integrity, honesty, cheerfulness, sincerity, and a deep commitment to his faith. Most importantly, Tim Russert's desire, dedication, discipline, and determination to his family and to the many persons that he touched every day of his life will be missed by his friends and colleagues. Meet the Press was his passion and Tim always showed his expertise on each Sunday morning. Yes, we will all miss the presence of Tim Russert in our living rooms with his sharp wit and talent for seeking out the truth in a political environment that plays games with the truth.

Today, my son and his two children along with my wife spent a wonderful morning together at a local attraction called, "Wild Thing." After the tour we had lunch together in the company of family. My oldest son gave me a gift of mowing and pruning the lawn at our home. What a gift from a wonderful son! Tim Russert shared his story about his Dad in his book, "Big Russ and Me." In reading this book about a year ago, my thoughts drifted to my relationship with my wonderful Dad who always took the time to share his time with his children.
As my Dad now enjoys a Lifetime Achievement Award in Eternity, so will Tim Russert enjoy a Lifetime Achievement Award with his heavenly reward.

With a great deal of honor and privilege, my special Lifetime Ladder of Achievement Award goes to Tim Russert, the moderator of Meet the Press. Truly a Dad, a Gentleman, a man of faith, a man of conviction, a Just Man, and many more praises of manly honor are a few ways of remembering a Giant in the area of Journalism and Political Entities. May Tim Russert always REST IN PEACE and enjoy his eternal home. Yes, we can all hear the words addressed to him: "Welcome to the Kingdom, my devoted and faithful servant...WELL DONE!"
Happy Fathers/Dads Day, Tim Russert, now that you are with your Heavenly Father for all eternity. Let us all pray for his family and his Dad this Sunday.

FATHERS/DADS ACHIEVEMENT LADDER CHALLENGES-2008

For the 2008 Fathers and Dads who are looking forward to enjoying their families on Fathers/Dads Day, you may want to consider food for thought for the challenges that you are facing every day in the 21st Century. With so many Fathers and Dads giving up on their families and their spouses through death, divorce, financial woes, and lack of honest commitment, emphasis needs to be considered to encourage the perseverance and the renewal of the Fathers/Dads selfless responsibilities to achieve more positive results. Here are a few thoughts worth pondering and reflecting upon for Fathers and Dads.

"Happy are the Fathers/Dads who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."
"Happy are the Fathers/Dads who mourn, for they will be comforted."
"Happy are the Fathers/Dads who are meek, for they will inherit the earth."
"Happy are the Fathers/Dads who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied."
"Happy are the Fathers/Dads who are merciful, for they will obtain mercy."
"Happy are the Fathers/Dads who are pure in heart, for they will see God."
"Happy are the Fathers/Dads who are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
"Happy are the Fathers/Dads who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."
"Happy are the Fathers/Dads when other men revile them and persecute them and utter all kinds of evil against them falsely on Jesus' account. Rejoice and be glad for their reward will be great in Heaven." (Matthew 5: 1-12)

"If Fathers/Dads speak with human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have LOVE, they are a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal."

"If Fathers/Dads have the gift of prophecy and with full knowledge, comprehend all mysteries, if Fathers/Dads have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not LOVE, they are nothing."

"If Fathers/Dads give everything they have to feed the poor and hand over their bodies to be burned, but have not LOVE, they gain nothing."

"Fathers/Dads are patient. Fathers/Dads are kind. Fathers/Dads are not jealous. Fathers/Dads do not put on airs. Fathers/Dads are not snobbish. Fathers/Dads are never rude. Fathers/Dads are not self-seeking. Fathers/Dads are not prone to anger; Fathers/Dads do not brood over injuries. Fathers/Dads do not rejoice in what is wrong, but rejoice with the truth. There is no limit to Fathers'/Dads' forbearance, to Fathers'/Dads' trust, to Fathers'/Dads' hope, to Fathers'/Dads' power to endure."

FATHERS'/DADS' LOVE NEVER FAILS!

"When Fathers/Dads were children, they spoke and thought and reasoned as children do. But when Fathers/Dads became MEN, their thoughts grew far beyond those of their childhood, and they put away childish things."

"In the same way, Fathers/Dads can see and understand only a little about God the Father/Dad now. As if the Fathers/Dads were peering at God's reflection in a poor mirror; but someday Fathers/Dads are going to see God the Father (Dad) in His completeness, face to face. Now all that Fathers/Dads know is hazy and blurred, but then Fathers/Dads will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God the Father (Dad) see into the Fathers'/Dads' hearts right now."

"There are in the end three things that last: FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE, AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS A FATHER'S/DAD'S LOVE FOR HIS SPOUSE AND HIS CHILDREN." (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

In memory of my Dad who went to his eternal reward about ten years ago, here is my tribute to him:

"Dad, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow LOVE.
Where there is injury, PARDON.
Where there is doubt, FAITH.
Where there is despair, HOPE.
Where there is darkness, LIGHT.
Where there is sadness, JOY.

"Dad, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to CONSOLE;
to be understood as to UNDERSTAND;
to be loved as to LOVE;
for it is in GIVING that we receive,
and it is in PARDONING that we are pardoned,
and it is in DYING that we are BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE."
(Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi)

HAVE A WONDERFUL FATHERS/DADS DAY on June 15, 2008! Thanks Dad for the gifts of LIFE and LOVE, it is GREAT TO BE ALIVE!

iDES OF JUNE 2008***FATHERS'/DADS' DAY ACHIEVEMENT LADDER RECOGNITION AWARD

Congratulations to all of the Fathers/Dads of this entire world who will be honored in a very special way by their families, friends, and relatives on Sunday, June 15, 2008. To be a Father, to be a Dad means that you take the responsibility of bringing in new life into this world and that you respect the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. In respecting your spouse, you cooperate in bringing about a son, a daughter with the Creator of this Universe. As an earthly father, you are made in the image of your Heavenly Father and you are expected to show the wonderful characteristics that you have been given by the Heavenly Father to your spouse and to your children unselfishly and without reserve.

Here are some of the traits that you may see exemplified by earthly Fathers/Dads:
A - Admired, achiever
B - Believable
C - Considerate, Chaste
D - Dedicated, Determined, Dignified
E - Enthusiastic, Exemplary Example
F - Faithful, Fatherly
G - Generous
H - Holy, Humorous
I - Inspirational, Ingenious
J - Jovial, Joyful
K - Kind
L - Loving
M - Motivated
N - Nurturing
O - Open
P - Patient
Q - Quandary Resolver
R - Respected
S - Sincere, Smiling, Sense of Humor
T - Trusted, Teacher
U - Understanding
V - Virtuous
W - Wise, Wisdom Seeker
X - EXTRAordinary
Y - Yielding, Youthful
Z - Zealous

You may want to add more traits to the preceding as you have learned over the years. In addition, there are many careers/jobs/and on-the-job training that you may want to consider for Fathers/Dads:

A - Artist, Accountant
B - Barber, Baker
C - Chef, Computer Geek, Coach
D - Drama Coach, Democrat
E - Executive, Entrepreneur
F - Financier, Firefighter
G - Geologist
H - Horticulture Specialist
I - Intrapreneur, Inspector, Interviewer, Independent
J - Janitor, Job Specialist
K - Knowledge Resource
L - Lawyer, Legal Expert
M - Mechanic
N - Nurse
O - Opportunist
P - Plumber
Q - Quality Assurance Officer
R - Roofer, Real Estate Broker, Republican
S - Salesperson, Secretary
T - Teacher
U- Union Official
V - Veterinarian
W - Welder
X - Xylographer
Y - Youth Director
Z - Zoologist

Again, you may want to make additional entries to the preceding list.

Congratulations to all Fathers/Dads who will be celebrating Fathers/Dads Day on June 15, 2008. You are the special recipients of the Achievement Ladder Recognition Award for June 2008.....THE IDES OF JUNE 2008 BELONGS TO YOU!

DE COLORES....Cursillos in Christianity...2008

More than thirty-six years ago, my opportunity to spend a spiritual weekend has been a lasting memory in what is considered a short course in Christianity called a Cursillo. My special table of friends was with Harry, Bob, Bernard, Walter, Mike, and Tom. These were hard-working men who represented all earthly types of trades gave their weekend to the power of the Holy Spirit and the team of devoted men who knew how to love in God's way. But the one thing we had in common was that we were hungry for more than the world, the flesh, and the devil could provide. This was the 9th Men's Cursillo in the Scranton Diocese of Pennsylvania. We received fifteen talks that affected our prayer live, our study life, and our apostolic life. By the end of that weekend we learned what Love is and that we could live this special life in our FOURTH DAY. The Fourth Day is the rest of our natural lives, but preparing all of us and others for the eternal life that is yet to come for those who are committed to loving God, loving their neighbors, and loving themselves.

This evening was another opportunity to witness the commitment of thirteen men who completed their Cursillo weekend in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Their special witness indicated what they gained from this weekend and what they were preparing to do in their FOURTH DAY. Yes, they were encouraged to have a Friendship Group and to attend regional Ultreyas in their areas. They realized that we are never alone when you are preparing daily for the Kingdom that is coming and to make their difference through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to evangelize their environments by living their total commitment to Jesus Christ to the fullest.
This was the 107th Men's Cursillo weekend in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. The Women's Cursillo will be in two weeks for a group of women who will be dedicating their lives to the service of Jesus Christ here on this earth.

Congratulations to all of the new Cursillistas of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg.
May your live your Fourth Day in union with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and all of the saints who have gone before you to their eternal reward. Jesus loves you!

"Where two or three meet together in my name, I shall be there with them." Yes, Jesus Christ is counting on us to live the life of the Christian and we count on Jesus Christ to help us daily to live HIS WAY, HIS TRUTH, AND HIS LIFE.

"To fall in Love with God is the greatest of all romances; to seek Him is the greatest of all adventures; to find Him is the greatest human achievement."

A Clear Vision and a Clear Choice for Achievement Ladder Enthusiasts

As the 2008 Presidential Primaries are counted into history, a clear choice and a clear decision is quite evident for the responsible American voter and constituent. Where do the Political Parties and the presumptive nominees Stand on Life?

The Democratic Party nominee supports the Supreme Court decision that allows abortion for any reason and co-sponsored the "Freedom of Choice Act," which advocates for reproductive choice and preserves women's rights under Roe v. Wade as a priority. In addition, the DP nominee supports a vote against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act and supports any action to restrict further measures by state legislatures to deny a women's right to choose, and supports Supreme Court justices that will uphold Roe v. Wade in any confirmation hearings.

The Democratic Party supports voting for legislation to allow federal taxpayer dollars to go to organizations that perform or promote abortion. In addition, the presumptive nominee for President voted to kill a bill that would have required an abortionist to notify at least one parent before performing an abortion on a minor girl from another state.

The Democratic Party supports and has voted in favor of funding embryonic stem cell research. The presumptive nominee stated, "Embryonic stem cells can be obtained from a number of sources including in vitro fertilization...We (whoever we is) should expand and accelerate research using these embryos...."

The presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party has co-sponsored a bill (S.1520) in 2005 that would allow the cloning of human embryos for research but prohibit their survival.

The Republican Party presumptive nominee has consistently opposed over many years in the Senate the Supreme Court decision that allows abortion for any reason. The nominee indicated "we would be better off by having Roe v. Wade return to the states...I don't believe the ...Court should be legislating in the way that they did on Roe v. Wade."

The Republican Party presumptive nominee voted for the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. Quoting the nominee, "Today's Supreme Court ruling in Gonzales v. Carhart is a victory for those who cherish the sanctity of human life."

The Republican Party presumptive nominee voted against legislation that would have allowed federal taxpayer dollars to go to organizations that perform or promote abortion. The presumptive nominee voted to support a bill that would have required an abortionist to notify at least one parent before performing an abortion on a minor girl from another state.

The Republican Party presumptive nominee voted in favor of funding embryonic stem cell research. The nominee says, "I believe that skin stem cell research has every potential very soon of making that discussion (embryonic stem cell research) academic." In addition, the nominee opposes the intentional creation of human embryos for research purposes.

Yes, the Clear Choice has been made. Are we willing to continue for another 35 years the infamy that 1973 brought with Roe v. Wade or are we willing to make REAL CHANGE by accepting the fact that HUMAN LIFE IS A CONTINUUM FROM NATURAL CONCEPTION TO NATURAL DEATH. With all of the medical technology that we have discovered since 1973, we need to make a CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITMENT to the dignity of human life at all stages of development. Will the voters and constituents MAKE A PRO-LIFE CHOICE or a PRO-ABORTION CHOICE? Only time will tell whether our blessed United States of America will uphold the original intent of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. In every elective abortion, a baby dies! Vote as though your life and the lives of innocent human beings depended on it!

Congratulations to Eastside Elementary School, Hernando County, Florida

Today, my day was blessed by attending a special ceremony honoring the children and the teachers at Eastside Elementary School, Hernando County, Florida. The goal during the academic school year was to earn 22,000 points in the Reading Program for all the grades...kindergarten through fifth grade. These brilliant children and teachers exceeded their goal by more than six percent...to reach a goal of 23,275 points. Points were awarded for the number of books read during the school year especially from February 14 through the end of May.

Congratulations to the children who read the books, the parents who encouraged their children to read the books, and the teachers who inspired them to reach a Reading Achievement that has far reaching consequences. READING BOOKS, LEARNING MORE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE, BUILDING LEADERSHIP THROUGH POSITIVE COMPETITION, AND CLIMBING THE POSITIVE ACHIEVEMENT LADDER WITH SUCCESSFUL RESULTS.

You can be sure that these children will continue to expand their horizons during the summer and accept the challenge for a new goal in expanding their minds through positive and effective reading materials in 2008-2009 academic year. You are our future leaders; and your efforts during this past year with the guidance of your administrators, your teachers, your parents, and your classmates will be rewarding for you as you continue to prepare for your leadership roles during this 21st century. Thank you for giving this guest an opportunity to realize your enthusiasm in accepting the task and the challenge to exceed your goal of 22,000 points and to achieve a worthwhile goal of 23,275 points.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2007-2008 ACHIEVEMENT LADDER READING AWARD RECIPIENTS....EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA.