Seeds and Good Ground
Having "good ground" really means being open to and aware of the presence of God. It means being able to tune out the distractions. It means letting go of so many of the thoughts and cares that seem so important, and making room for the power and love of God. 

Recently, my wife Marie because of advancing Alzheimer’s was moved from the memory unit of an enriched housing facility to a county facility with complete nursing care. She has made the adjustment well, but I have not.

"What the world needs now is love sweet love. That' the only thing that there's just too little of."

Remember Dianne Warwick belting out that Bert Bacharach song in the sixties? The lyrics express the yearning in all our hearts for the warm embrace of amour. There would be peace in the world and in our hears if only we could share the love that is in us.

The Church in the 21st Century Center at Boston College seeks to be a catalyst and resource for the renewal of the Catholic Church in the United States by engaging critical issues facing the Catholic community.  Many programs can be found online for your spiritual and theological development.

BustedHalo.com is a web e-zine that speaks candidly and occasionally irreverently on issues facing people in their 20's and 30's that intersect with spirituality. Open to dialogue and hearing the stories of young people, BustedHalo never preaches condescendingly, rather seeks to understand and to express the wisdom of Catholic and other religious traditions in away that makes sense to the experience of those "spiritually seeking."

WILL MY FAMILY BE REPRESENTED AT THE SYNOD ON THE FAMILY?

As Catholics, we know that because of our baptism, we are called to participate fully in the life and leadership of the Church. As we approach the upcoming Extraordinary Synod on the Family to be held in Rome October 5 through 19, 2014, we want to make sure that the beauty of all Catholic families is represented and that Catholic families have a voice. And, along with our bishops, we want theologians and experts who have families to be meaningfully engaged in the actual work of the Synod.

Join us in taking action that will raise awareness about the need to include Catholics with families in the work at the Synod on the Family in October 2014.

After more than 50 years of life in a monastery, Sister Joan Chittister asked herself some questions. What — if anything — of monastic life is worth passing on to others in our time? What does monasticism offer seekers who are already overwhelmed by all the spiritual and secular options available to them? And how can those outside traditional monasteries embrace this life that is both enriching and enlightening?

Rivers Patout R.I.P.

Obituary

Fr. Rivers Aristide Patout III died Monday morning, June 2, 2014 in Houston, TX surrounded by loved ones. He was born to Mary Azzalie Griffis and Rivers A. Patout, Jr. on April 2, 1938 in Galveston, TX. He attended school in Navasota, TX, continued his education at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1960, receiving a BA in Philosophy. He entered St. Mary's Seminary in Houston and was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1967.

<rivers.jpg>While serving at Blessed Sacrament, Father Patout became a founding member of the Houston International Seafarers Center. He was the full-time chaplain at the Port of Houston in 1972, a position he retained until his death. In addition, he served in several parishes in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston including: Blessed Sacrament, St. Joseph-St. Stephen, Holy Name, All Saints, St. Theresa and St. Pius V. ?Rivers became the pastor of St. Alphonsus in 1994, during which time, the parish membership increased in size and became a more dedicated, family community with the addition of a new two-story educational building. ?Some of his other ministerial activities included the Diocesan Director of Ministry to Seafarers, a Director of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston's Apostleship of the Sea, past president of The North American Marine Ministry Association, board member of the International Christian Maritime Association, member of the Diocesan Commission for Ecumenism, board of directors of the Notre Dame Alumni Club of Houston and a founding and continuing board member of the Appoline & Simeon Patout Foundation. He served as a chaplain of the Mariners Club, Propeller Club, Transportation Club, the Military Transportation Club and The Notre Dame Alumni Club of Houston. Some awards he received include: Notre Dame Man of the Year and the Notre Dame Exemplar Award from The Houston Alumni Club, Religious Service Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Anchor Award from the Houston International Seafarers Center, Transportation Person of the Year from the Transportation Club, a Certificate of Merit from Homeland Security/ U.S. Coast Guard, a proclamation designating "Rivers A. Patout Day" from Mayor Bill White, and Maritime Person of the Year from both the Propeller Club and the Port Bureau. ?Rivers was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by brother, Frank William Patout, Sr., wife Carolene of Houston, their children, Rivers Aristide Patout IV, wife Dora, and son Rivers Aristide Patout V, Frank William Patout, Jr. and Gabrielle Rosamond Patout; sister Elizabeth Azzalie Stone, husband Danny of Navasota; brother John Jared Patout, Sr. of Navasota and son, John Jared Patout, Jr.; sister Mary Fenet Deering, husband Dan of Indianapolis, IN, her children, Mathew Thomas Miller, wife Silvia, daughters Chloe and Luna, Sarah Anne Miller and Andrew Douglas Miller, wife Abbie, children Charolette and Peter. He is also survived by dearest friend, Patricia Rose Nemec of Houston.?He was fun-loving, charitable, and passionate about serving others. He will be missed by many including his parishioners at St. Alphonsus, fellow priests, friends of the Seafarers Center, and Notre Dame Club of Houston. The family expresses their deepest appreciation to those whom have been a part of Rivers' life. ?There will be two vigils held on Thursday, June 5. The first vigil will be held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 9217 E. Avenue L, 77012 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, rosary starting at 3:30 pm. The second vigil will be held at Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Parkway, 77002 from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm, rosary starting at 7:30 pm presided by Archbishop A. Fiorenza, D.D.?A funeral mass will be celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo at Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 6. A Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. ?The pall bearers are Fred Nemec, Joe Nemec, Rev. Jan Kubisa, Rev. Ed Able, Rev. Bart Bartnitski, Rev. Dan Warden, Rev. Chester Borski and Rev. Adam McClosky. ?In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorials be made to Houston International Seafarers Center, PO Box 9506, Houston, TX 77261 or St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 9217 E. Avenue L, Houston , TX 77012.