Bro. Rene's Raiders

Thousands of people gathered yesterday to take part in the growingly popular Spartan Races sponsored by Reebok at a remote farm in Barre, Massachusetts; among them were Bro. Rene's Raiders, a small team of one teacher and four students.  It was the first of such races for them, so, not knowing ahead of time what to expect, they learned the hard way, step by step of the 5 mile course filled with challenges and obstacles, which demanded stamina, determination and strength.  They crawled over bales of hay, climbed fences, ducked under barbed wire, plunged into streams and jumped over smokey, smoldering hay.  Finishing was a major accomplishment, no matter how long it took; for our boys, it was 2 hours and fifteen minutes.  Like all  the other runners, they were covered with mud and sweat at the finish line.  They took the "punishment" willingly, as we had mentioned in an earlier slice of bread, to raise money for the new Marist high school in Bangladesh, St. Marcellin High School.  The final tally is not available yet, but just the effort these young men made alone is worth its weight in gold.  They definitely poured "sweat equity" into this new school.  Thank you, Bro. Rene's Raiders!
Bro. Rene

Wandering Youth

It's sad, if not frightening, to read about the defection of thousands of "Millennials" from the Faith of their Fathers, Mothers, or maybe we should say, Grandfathers and Grandmothers.  A Poll in May revealed a growing number of "Nones" to the question: "To which denomination do you associate yourself?"  Alternatives are sought, offered, ranging from poetry readying to just sitting.  As we look on, we experience the sadness of Monica as she watched her Augustine swept away by the tide of his day.  She prayed and shed tears, and finally, his search for truth led him to discover THE TRUTH.  "Oh late have I loved, thee, O Beauty Everlasting."  With his passion for truth now rightly directed, he made a huge difference in our world through his writings and sermons.  We might liken todays Millennials to the wandering Augustine who will someday arrive at the Truth and pursuit it with a passion that would bring a smile to the faces of their grandparents.  They may not see this now, as neither did Augustine in his youth, but with our Monica prayers and faith, it will happen.
Bro. Rene
Note:  I will not have internet access Saturday and Sunday, so there will be no slice of bread offered then.

A Subborn Mother's Love

In the last long conversation with her son Augustine in Ostia, outside of Rome, Monica asked, "Why am I still here?  My work is done.  I have seen you baptized, and now there is nothing on earth that can bring me delight."  Five days later, she died of a fever and was buried in Ostia.
Her life had been a trial:  married to a philandering and violent man, Patricius, she suffered much abuse from him, but her prayers were answered and he converted before his death.  Her brilliant but wayward son, Augustine, was the source of more pain as he dabbled in Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism, took on a concubine and fathered a son out of wedlock. She followed him to Milan where he tried to escape her, but could not escape the effect of her prayers, and already converted by St. Ambrose, he was baptized in her presence by him.  What joy filled her heart!  She was ready to die in peace; her life's work was over, her stubborn love had prevailed.
When we are in doubt about the effectiveness of our prayers we think of Monica and are consoled.  In addition to being such an inspiration and consolation, she is also the patroness of alcoholics, victims of abuse and adultery, of widows, and mothers facing family difficulties--all very current situations that need such an advocate.  Let us not, then,  hesitate to call on this woman of remarkable faith and stubborn love.
Bro. Rene

Sharing With The Poor

Pope Francis will be known as the Pope of the Poor.  It is with intention and purpose that in almost every statement he makes, he mentions the poor and keeps prodding all of us to share what we have with them.  This is no new message:  In Psalm (33/34) we read that "The Lord hears the cry of the poor" (v. 17) and also in Psalm 69:33, "the Lord takes care of the needy."   St. John Chrysostom, one of the early Church Fathers, spoke of the discrepancy between gold threaded altar cloths and gold chalices, while outside the church people in rags were shivering with the cold and their empty stomachs.  He was quick to say, these are incompatible, and in our modern jargon, we would say, "unacceptable."  He said that it is not wrong to honor he Lord with golden vessels, but only AFTER we have taken care of the poor.
We pass panhandlers on the streets, (and wonder how legit they are), our daily mail is full of solicitations, and the phone often rings with pleas for this or that cause.  It is maddening, to say the least, but this constant hammering in line with the Pope's messages should make us stop and evaluate our use of goods, money, time and talent.  And certainly the institutional Church, though it does much already and has huge financial burdens, still needs to stop and look at lifestyle and the way it disperse funds donated by the people in the pews.  Lord, if I were poor, how grateful I'd be if someone would hear my cry for help.  Let me not be deaf to the cry of the poor.
Bro. Rene

Psalm 37

The Psalter, the collection of 150 Psalms of David and other authors, is, in my estimation, the best "prayer book" around.  Every situation, every emotion or need we experience, has already be experienced and reflected upon by these prayerful writers who both affirm what we are going through or offering sound advice, through the Holy Spirit, to help us face our situation.  Psalm 37 is a long and rich psalm that can serve as fodder for meditation for days.  For example, the first 9 verses are rich in wisdom, comfort and assurance:
Do not fret because of evildoers,
Be not envious toward wrongdoers.
For they will wither quickly like the grass
And fade like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit you way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. Ps 37: 1-9)

If something leaps out at you, then stick with it; this is how you nourish your soul.
Bro. Rene

From Skepticism To Martyrdom

When Philip told his friend Nathaniel (AKA Bartholomew) that he had found the Messiah, Nathaniel was doubtful when he heard he was from Nazareth:  "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"  (Jn 1:45). Besides giving us an idea of the poor reputation of Nazareth, his remark reveals his skepticism. However, when Jesus tells him that he is a "true child of Israel in whom there is no duplicity" and that he saw him under a fig tree, his skepticism turns into a confession of faith:  "Rabbi,, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." ( Jn 1: 49). What a change!  And such faith took him, as tradition has it, to India where he sowed the seeds of faith in the Goa Region of India, where Christians there attribute their faith to his preaching and eventual martyrdom.
Can we confess such a deep faith, especially these days when evils in the form the Isis, the increasing violence and shootings in our own country, and to some, the "imploding of the church itself"?  We might ask "Can any good come of out this mess?"  There can be if we deep down, as did Nathaniel, believe that Jesus is our Deliverer.
Bro. Rene

Mary's Queenship

Today's Memorial, the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was instituted by Pope Pius XII on October 11, 1954, the Marian Year, and complements the Solemnity of the Assumption, which we celebrated a week ago.  Again we are called to turn our attention to Mary, this time as Queen, by virtue of her Son's Kingship, but also queen by humility and service. Jesus said, "The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Mt 23: 11-12). Mary lived out this injunction better than any other human being, and thus deserves the "exalted" title of queen.  She urges us, her children, to follow her example. In any role, be it leader or simply follower, by doing whatever we are asked or "have to do" first for God, with good cheer and delight in the task, and as if it were a privilege to be so needed or used,  we share in Mary's queenship.
Bro. Rene


Note: I will be at Sr. Rose de Lima parish in Chicopee, MA this weekend...Not sure of internet access.  So far, most rectories have allowed me to use my I-Pad...

Restoring All Things in Christ

Although he was born in 1835 and died in 1914, Giuseppe Sarto, later known at Pope Pius X has had a huge impact on Catholic life today.  He was a pastor for many years before being chosen as pope and thus was in touch with people; he had a special love for children, and is responsible for moving the age when they can receive Holy Communion from 12 to 7, a practice we still follow.  He had the Code of Canon Law codified and brought up to date, thus preparing the way for further revisions. He opened the way for Scripture study, which continues to blossom and affect our lives as the Word of God becomes more accessible.  His love for the poor foreshadows that of our Pope Francis, and as he approached his death, he declared:  "I was born poor, I have lived in poverty and I wish to die poor"
He was canonized on May 29, 1954, a year before St. Marcellin Champagnat, another champion of children and the poor, was beatified.
Pope St. Pius X had chosen the motto, "To Restore All Things in Christ" and devoted the energy of his papacy to that goal.  It stands as  challenge for us today in our era of secularism, atheism and  persecution.  We can take part in this renewal by living the great commandment of love of God and neighbor with our whole heart, strength and mind. (cf. Mt 22: 34-40). Pope St. Pius X and St. Marcellin, pray for us!
Bro. Rene

The Measure of Love

In speaking of how much we should love God, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, whose memorial we observe today, wrote that God himself is the reason for loving him, and that "the measure is to love him without measure."  To love without measure is a good principle to apply to all our loves.  If we say we love someone, we commit our entire being to that person while accepting his or her entire being, strengths and weaknesses, virtues or faults (as we might see them).  There's no holding back, no restrictions, no limits or conditions, just a total gift of self and a total acceptance of the beloved.
St. Bernard's love of God was so strong that it overflowed into his writings, sermons, and beautiful poetry.  At one point he convinced 31 of his friends to enter the monastery with him. Such is the power of pure love.  Lord, purify my heart so that I may love you and all without measure.
Bro. Rene

You Raise Me Up

The haunting melody and comforting words of the popular tune, YOU RAISE ME UP help us understand the lavish generosity of God which shows itself in the goodness and beauty of each one of us, the wonders of all creation and especially in his desire to share his life with us.  Yes, he would raise us up to the level of divinity as shown in Jesus, the Divine taking on our human nature.
Today's Gospel illustrates this magnanimity: a landowner who lavishes a daily wage on all his workers, even those who only worked one hour. (cf. Mt 20: 1-16).  When criticized, he reminds his critics of his freedom to give as his heart moves him.  So too  with God.
From time to time, we see examples of this generous spirit in people who so give of themselves that their legacy of love endures from generation to generation. Such a man was St. John Eudes, whose memorial we observe today.  He gave his heart to God at 14 with a vow of chastity, became a priest, one of the best preachers ever, served the sick during two plagues and founded an order of priests (the Eudists) for the education of seminarians, and an order of sisters, the Order of Our Lady of Charity (often called Good Shepherd Sisters), and promoted devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary through the liturgy. He died in 1680 at the age of 79, after a life of endless giving in which God raised him up to a level he hardly imagined at 14.  May we follow his example and think of him when challenged to step up to the next rung.
Bro. Rene

Relinquishing All For Jesus

Jesus again hits hard on riches and possessions in today' Gospel (Mt 19: 23-30), warning that it's easier for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle (even if it is understood as a narrow passage), than to enter the kingdom of God.   The question of the disciples, "Who then can be saved?" indicates that they saw it as impossible.  Yet Jesus says, "For men,  this is impossible, but for God all things are possible."  That is reassuring, even if we are among those who would not be considered wealthy.   However, again, it's not the amount of money we have, but our attitude toward material possessions, or even toward ourselves.   If we think that OUR WAY is better than God's, or if we'd rather proceed in life without him at the center of it, then we are putting our trust in ourselves, our jobs, our gadgets, or even in other people...No, no thing or no one, least of all ourselves,  can get us into the kingdom, only God.  That's why Jesus tells us not to be dismayed by his description of the eye of the needle, but to turn our hearts and lives over to him....then we'll see the difference, then we'll be able to accomplish what would have been deemed impossible.
Bro. Rene

"What Do I Still Lack?"

The rich young man in today's Gospel asks Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life. (cf. Mt 19: 16-22). Jesus tells him to keep the commandments and specifies which ones.  The young man protests that he does keep them and still feels something lacking.  "What do I still lack?" (Mt 19:20)
The answer is startling:  sell his possessions, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Jesus.  I often wondered if he was kicking himself for asking as he walked away sad, still a prisoner of his possessions.  And what about us?  I would guess we too find something awry in our lives, something hindering a total commitment to follow Jesus.  It may be our possessions, our things, or our own opinion, or our own self-righteousness or selfishness.  Can we cut ourselves loose from them or will we also walk away sad?  Instead of thinking we have to unload our "possessions" immediately and all at one, it might be more doable if we take one at a time and gradually make our way toward our goal.  A good pace with all of this might make it actually happen.  Let's ask Jesus for help to do this, but at all cost, let's not turn our back on his freeing advice.
Bro. Rene

Transforming Our Actions

It is something we take for granted, but thinking a bit more deeply on it, what a miracle it is to have simple bread and wine transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus. Who among us would have ever thought of taking those ordinary things and making them divine? Do we really appreciate the ingesting of Divinity, of our loving Savior, our all-sacrificing Savior, our best friend who becomes one with us in the most intimate union possible? It is humbling to acknowledge the depth of God's love for us, that he gives us his Son to be ONE with us, the weak, the lowly, the sinful, to raise us up and slowly over time transform us to the Divine.
Moreover, when we act, even the most simple actions of smiling to one another, joking, teasing, brining laughter, compassion, a listening ear, washing the floor...whatever, when done with love, these too like the bread and wine can be transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus. It is through these simple gifts that we nourish one another as Jesus nourishes us in the Eucharist.
Alleluia!
Bro. Rene

Our Special Marist Feast

Today the Marist World, along with the Church, celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption; it is a special day for us who recognized with Mary that God "has done great things for us...and has lifted up the lowly." (cf, Lk 1: 50).  Many of us received the Marist Habit on this day (myself, 55 years ago) and today in Australia, two novices will pronounce their first vows as Marist Brothers:  Brother James Hodge and Brother Jack O'Sullivan.  These men spent two years in our Novitiate and endeared themselves to all who met them.  They bring an optimistic vitality and energy to our Congregation and hope that the Providence of God will continue to call men such as these to continue the work begun by St. Marcellin Champagnat.  Our joy echoes that of Mary when Elizabeth greeted her and acknowledged the presence of Jesus in her womb.   As Mary brought forth Jesus to the world, so the Marist Brothers vow their lives to continue that mission by making Jesus known and loved through education.  We offer prayers and gratitude as well as of support for Brothers James and Jack as they continue their formation for the following year in the Marist Asian Center in Manila.  Let us keep them in our prayers and continue our prayers for new vocations.  And to those whose lives  are dedicated to Jesus through Mary, AD MULTOS ANNOS!
Bro. Rene

Self Sacrifice

As we reflect on the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the familiar dictum of Jesus automatically comes to mind:  "Greater love has no one/ than to lay down his life for his friends." (Jn  15"13), for that's exactly what St. Maximilian did. His self-sacrifice enabled a prisoner to live, who as a free man raised his family and was able to be present at the canonization of his rescuer.
Today's Gospel passage speaks of commitment, choice and self-sacrifice as it focuses on Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce. (cf. Mt 19:3-12). Without these three elements, marriage can easily fall into the all-true prevalent pattern of divorce.  Without these three elements, who could forsake marriage for a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life?   Without them, how could people serve in the military?  All, whether explicitly or not, are "laying down their lives" for another. 
How can we grow in this self-sacrificing love?  Spending time in prayer with Jesus whose self-sacrifice is the model for all others; pondering out present situation and weeding out the patches of selfishness and self-seeking; asking to be purer in our gift of self: removing the strings we consciously or unconsciously attach our "giving."  We will find lots of room for improvement.
St. Maximilian, help us to be as totally self-less as you as we go about our ordinary daily duties and tasks.
Bro. Rene

Seventy-Seven Times

When Peter asks Jesus how often we should forgive someone who has wronged us, Jesus is very clear and direct: "  I say to not seven times, but seventy seven times"  (Lk 18: 22), which is the equivalent of saying, "endlessly, always".  This is another one of those "hard sayings" that challenges our instinct to hold a grudge, to get even, or simply stop talking to the offender.  Again, Jesus tells us to go against the natural inclination and to reach higher.  Jesus always raises the bar.
Father Jacques Philippe, a French priest and renowned spiritual director adds his insight to this passage:
It bears repeating...that unless we understand the importance of forgiveness and practice it in our relations with others, we will never achieve inner freedom but will always be prisoners of our own bitterness.
When we refuse to forgive someone for harm done to us, we are adding anther wrong to the first.  That solves nothing at all.  We are increasing the quantity of evil in the world, which has quite enough a it is.  Let us not join in the propagation of evil.  St. Paul tell us: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rm 12: 21)
Let us make it a point to practice forgiveness today as a head start on our "seventy-seven times."
Bro .Rene

How God Works

 We are assured daily by Scripture, spiritual reading and our own prayer, that God is always with us and will help us overcome every obstacle.  Sometimes, however, the obstacles are so huge, that our vision is blurred and we fall into discouragement, despair and depression.  Where is this loving, ever-present God? we ask.   We learn that God is there in those dark times, but it's how he works that causes us to question and fall into those three "d's". 
St. Jane Frances de Chantal's life is a good example of God's "devious" but planned-for-the-best ways.  She married at 20, brought forth 8 children, three of whom died very young.  Her husband died of wounds and left Jane a widow at 28.  Here is where she succumbed to depression, no wonder why.  Friends urged her to "move on" for the sake of her remaining children, which she did.  A vision of a man caused her puzzlement, but later when he was preaching, she realized that it was Francis de Sales she had seen in the vision.  He became her spiritual director, encouraging her works of charity and finally proposing that she begin a religious order which would take in widows, or women who were rejected by other orders.  She envisioned an order that would be active and involved in the local community.  Rome, however, insisted that they be cloistered like other nuns.  Another disappointment for Jane.  Yet, she carried on, in the meantime, burying the rest of her children, and losing her dear friend, Francis, when he died before her.  She died peacefully at the age of 69, having learned, but never fully understanding the mysterious ways in which God works.   May her life inspire us to TRUST, even when it seems we are headed for complete disaster!
Bro. Rene

Clare's Light

We remember Clare, sometimes though of as the female St. Francis.   She was one of his first followers, and had to fight her family to do so.  At one point, they came to take her from the convent where Francis had placed her (before she and her companions occupied San Damiano) and succeeded in ripping off her clothes, as she clung steadfastly to the chapel walls.  Such determination is visible throughout her life with her fastings, penances, and dogged determination to live in total poverty.  It was only just before her death that HER approved Rule reached her from the  Pope.
The Gospel for today recounts Jesus' s love for children, and his admonition to the disciples to become like children, uninhibited, totally trusting and loving.  Such was Francis; such was Clare.  Her complete turning over of herself to God's providence lets her shine as a light even today and live up to her name, Clare: Light.
Bro. Rene

Evangelizing Through Action

Pope Saint John Paul II and Pope Francis have called for a "new evangelization", that is, a bringing of the Good News Jesus proclaimed to our current world. Technology enables us to over-saturate our senses with words and images that do not always complement this Good News, but most often, it seems, submerges it under a deluge of Godless goals, values and false gods.  At the same time, this same technology can be very effective with this visually oriented generation in passing on what's good and true.  However, it is still a rock-bottom truth that personal contact and personal example touch people to the core of their being.   Joy is communicated in a real way and causes people to ask:  "What makes him/her so happy?"  A kind deed such as stepping back in the checkout line to let someone else go ahead; holding the door for someone and greeting him/her with a smile, helps "to make his/her day." If asked "Why are you doing this?" we have the perfect "in" to say, "Jesus told us to love one another, and that's what I'm doing for you."  Good "old fashioned" acts of kindness speak loud and clear without the benefit of a hand-held device or some other piece of technology.  Try it.  You'll see.
Bro. Rene

Another Little Brother of Mary

For those who read this and love the Marist way of life, yesterday's profession was another affirmation that the vision and spirit of St. Marcellin is alive and well.  Br. Samuel David Amos pronounced his First Vows in the chapel at Marist College, a chapel built by the Marist Brothers in the Marian Year of 1954, at a college, also built by the Brothers. Again the Salve Regina reverberated from the high ceiling and tied the whole event together....Mary, our Good Mother, bringing us all together with her Son so that we will make him known and loved.  Br. Sam will continue that mission at Mount St. Michael Academy as  teacher of religion and as a man who lives what he teaches. Joy filled the chapel and the grounds of our Marist Center in Esopus, where a huge picnic took place.  It seemed there could not be enough celebration.  There were also many young men there who are discerning their own call to the Marist way of life...many as committed laymen, and others leaning toward the actual brotherhood,  It will only take the clarifying grace of God to nudge them forward; certainly, yesterday had to be a big push.  May our prayers urge them to "take the leap" and soon join Brother Sam.
Bro. Rene

The Bread of Life

A good meal satisfies the soul as well as the body...Good company around the table adds to the enjoyment of an already tasty repast. Wine gladdens the soul and brings levity to the conversation.  Atmosphere, ambiance, all help lift the human spirit.
Wisely did Jesus leave us his greatest gift, himself, to us in the form of a meal...a very special meal, a sacrificial meal which ties in with his sacrifice on the cross, for he is not only the bread and drink of the meal, he is also the lamb that was slaughtered for the remission of sin and the salvation of all. The invitation to this meal goes out weekly, even daily and offers the nourishment we need to live as close to Jesus as we can.   When we eat his body and drink his blood, we become one with him as well as receiving the promise of everlasting life. The Jews who heard Jesus speaking this way did not fully comprehend what he was saying, and some, thinking he was talking of barbarism, pulled away from him.  When we prepare youngsters for the Eucharist, we try to explain the wonder of this sacrament as best they can understand it.  As adults, we hope that we have moved on from that child's understanding to that of an adult.  May we approach the table of the Lord as often as we can to partake of this greatest of gifts.  If someone were to offer us ten million dollars at this table, would we not rush to be there at every opportunity?  If so for money, how much more for the Bread of Life the Body and Blood of Jesus?
Bro. Rene
PS. At the celebration of the Eucharist at Marist College today, Br. Sam Amos will pronounce his first vows as a Marist Brother.  Please keep Br. Sam and his fellow novices form Australia, Br. James and Br. Jack, in your prayers.  The Australian novices will pronounce their vows in Australia on August 15th.

Remebering With The Heart

Today's responsorial psalm response is:  "I remember the deeds of the Lord."  If I may be personal for a moment, this is a fitting response for my 75th birthday.   How can I fully thank the Lord for the experience of his love over three quarters of a century?  Volumes could be written, and perhaps someday will, but I find that remembering with the heart, not just the head, brings up the feelings attached to those memories and the people who are part of them.  Mary pondered events in her heart, she remembered with her heart, and it brought her closer to the God who was the author of her history.  Might I suggest that "remembering with the heart", pondering the Lord's mighty deeds not only in the history of the world, but in our own personal history will bring us closer to him, and fill us with gratitude.  What return shall we make to the Lord?  A life of joy, love, service to others, in small ways or as big ways as we can.  An ever-expanding love that embraces all, is the result of closer imitation of our all loving God.  Let's not fear to go there and "just do it."
Bro. Rene

The Transfiguration Today

What if the Transfiguration occurred this morning on a nearby hill?  Who would Jesus invite to be with him?  What would be the impact on those chosen guests?  What if you or I were one of them?  Would we want to erect three tents to stay there?  Would we be fortified enough to come down the hill and face the disfiguration of today's world?  Would we be able to so focus on the radiant, resurrected Jesus, that we would not falter, but would confront and help ameliorate the injustice and pain of today's world, so alienated from God?  We might like to think so, but Peter. who suggested the three tents, denied Jesus three times when challenged.  There is a part of Peter in all of us, so before we spew forth our bravado and macho protestations, perhaps a dose of humility would bring us back to reality and force us to realize that only by Jesus can we transformed into the disciple we would like to be.  Jesus, transform me at your pace and to the extent that you desire.  Not my way, but your way.
Bro. Rene

Basilica of Mary Major

August 5th presents the celebration of one of the four Roman Major Basilicas, St. Mary Major.  It brings to mind the role of Mary as Mother of the Church, Mother of God and our Mother too.  As she nourishes each one of us, she nourishes the Church.   As I write on August 4th, we are remembering St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, whose saintliness and role in the confessional brought much nourishment to thousands during the 19th century.  He stands as a model for priests today, as well as for all of us who are called to nourish one another.   We go to Mary for grace, sustenance and the modeling  of what it means to bring Christ to others.   Through her  intercession and that of St. John Vianney, may we be nourishing food for others.
Bro. Rene
Note:  soon to be back home and on a regular schedule of slices of Daily Bread.  Thanks for your patience.