With the death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II this week, hosts of people gathered around her coffin, waiting in never-ending queues just to get a glimpse of her majesty, even if just her spirit. It was the most watched event in human history. The “queen of the world” had passed away. People saw her as [...]
When our shul’s next-door neighbors built a pool in their backyard, I toyed with the idea in my mind, that if our synagogue wanted to expand, we could become a modern day “shul with a pool.” Sounds so cool. The phenomenon became popular in America in the early 20th century. In his book Shul with a Pool: The [...]
Father Roy Tvrdik leads parishioners and friends of Our Lady of Ostrabrama RC church in lessons and discussions on the history of the Catholic Church. This week Father Roy continues teaching on Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation in "The History of the Church, A Complete Course" Father explains that as Catholics we believe in [...]
We’re not talking Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt, but we are talking HOSPITALITY. The Gospel of John gives us a hint that Jesus could do a mean barbecue (John 21:9) and that he liked a good party, especially ones that lasted more than six hours (Cana). For us, too, it’s the season to barbecue, to entertain [...]
In our last lecture, now available on www.vg9.236.myftpupload.com, Rabbi Gadi laid the foundation for understanding the three major denominations of Judaism. In this Lecture Rabbi Gadi describes Conservative Judaism as one of those denominations. As we learn more about our Jewish brothers and sisters, it is our hope and prayer that our interfaith friendships will [...]
It was Thursday, June 30, a beautiful summer evening, an opportunity to launch the kayak at the beach located at the end of Fourth Street. At 7 p.m., my dog Chaya and I were on the water. My phone rang. I saw it was a congregant calling, so I took the phone out of my [...]
In 2018, at least thirteen percent of all U.S. adults were former Catholics. What has happened to our religious formation? I’m sure blame and excuses abound. Some say, “We need more conformity to orthodoxy,” but orthodoxy is not the key to salvation. We hear today, “Well, I’m spiritual but not religious!” Among other things it [...]
We arrived in Jerusalem and made the pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulcher where we celebrated a mass in the Crusader Chapel and then to the Western Wall. We were able to join the “lock-in“ in the Holy Sepulcher last night. So some of our group spent hours in prayer and reflection during the night alone [...]
Father Roy Tvrdik returns from pilgrimages to Oberammergau and the Holy Land. In this episode, Father Roy will lead us in discussions that arise during his review of his trip. In between, his two pilgrimages Father takes a trip to France and teaches about St. Margaret Mary Alacoque's revelations of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. [...]
