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"Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois, established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end." (Wikipedia)
"And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Isaiah 2:4. King James Bible)
In a perfect world, there would be no more war and no more military conflicts. Such is the dream of all who cherish and value peace and unity. Unfortunately, we all understand the nature of the human condition: far too often disagreements between nations are decided by war. The casualties are not those who declare the aggression, but those who, either willingly or by draft must fight these battles. Again, how wonderful it would be if our world, already so torn apart and battered by hundreds of wars throughout history were to use the term "war" in the past tense, as something no longer considered an option.
And yet, we, as a nation, set aside the last Monday of May to honor the millions of veterans who have valiantly fought and sacrificed so much to keep our nation free. For me, this holiday is bitter-sweet. Certainly, I offer my sincere thanks for our brave veterans who willingly served our country, with pride and honor. I think of my own father, Charles Sebastian Borg, a U.S. Army Sergeant and British subject who fought in WWII in the jungles of the Philippines. Blessedly he survived and became my beloved Dad. Still, if circumstances had been different, he may well not have survived and a very small piece of human history would be considerably different. The word 'if' is mighty small but carries such tremendous weight.
Consider 'if' we all did what we could to promote peace, in our small corner of the world, and how our efforts may well spread outward, further and further, affecting the lives of others. 'If' we all shared our passion for unity and harmony, imagine what a world we could create. Perhaps then, along with Veterans of War whom we honor, there will come a day when we honor Veterans of Peace. Until that time...Thank You to the brave women and men who gave so much for us all. God bless and keep you in God's loving arms.
Amen.
-Manny
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As Shared By Dick Day in Honor of Memorial Day
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 I am sitting in my living room watching a documentary on the 24 hours after Pearl Harbor.
Sunday was a day that my Father usually took us bowling, something I enjoyed. On Sunday, December 7th, 1941, I was waiting to go bowling but my Dad was glued to the radio listening to a report of Japan's bombing of some distant place called Pearl Harbor. That can't be as important or enjoyable as bowling.
I didn't understand it until President Roosevelt spoke to Congress the next day and ask for a declaration of war against both Japan and Germany. This created both an understanding in the room as well as a deep resolve. During the day while at school, there was a radio relay of the speech.
It also precedes my enlistment in the Navy during which I lost my best friend in the Battle of the Bulge as well as learning that a member of my class was on the Arizona. I learned that he was still on the Arizona during a later visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial.
Up and down streets were houses with blue stars or gold ones indicating a serviceman or the death of one. There were also signs posted by the health Department indicating that a communicable disease was present. These were present every day as we walked to school.
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Let's Celebrate the Whole Month Long
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 The master chef at the barbeque, the one who in spite of being tired will still walk the dog, take out the garbage and maybe even do the dishes...maybe. Regardless, June is for fathers, our dads, and at St. Nicholas, we shall celebrate them the month long. Please bring a picture of your dad and place it on the back altar. We shall offer prayers of thanksgiving and blessings to all our dads, those with us and those who have gone to their heavenly reward. Through the intercession of St. Joseph, patron saint of fathers, may blessings and grace be upon our fathers, now and forever. Amen. |
To Audrey Cannon, Katie Black, Sandra Glos, Laura Lampe, Claudia Boyle, Val Gruenwald, Dorothy Lamberson, Saul Vazquez, Penny & Hank Mandziara, and Manny who prepared, served and shared dinner with our less fortunate sisters and brothers last Friday. What an honor it is to minister with such dedicated and loving friends as we fulfill the mandate of Christ who asked us to care for and love one another.
To Jason & Saul, who were officially received into the Episcopal Church last Saturday at St. James Cathedral. We are so thrilled that they are a part of our community!
To our Connie Nicholson who -- in spite of wind, chill, heat and the annoyance of bugs -- continues to transform the church gardens into show-stopping beauty. Loving care from the heart.
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Movable Feast Groups Are Set
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At long last, we're ready to start our engines and get this year's Movable Feast up and running.
The groups have been formed. All that is left is for the groups to connect, schedule who will host the first week, arrange the time and enjoy. Remember: the host supplies the entree while the others supply side dishes/dessert. It may be helpful to settle on a consistent schedule, for example the 3rd Friday of each month starting in June. It's up to the group to decide.
Friends gathering to better know one another, exchanging ideas and suggestions on how to better our church. And we do all this with food and fun. It may be a good idea to perhaps jot down any notes that are worth sharing with the entire community once we come all together and exchange our experiences.
Group 1
Manny Borg & Douglas VanHouten
Ray & Thelma Malecek
Tom & Jean Smith
Eunice Dohra
Group 2
Penny & Hank Mandziara
Mary Fletcher-Gomez & Jennifer Brundige
Claudia Boyle
Eunice Dohra
Group 3
Tony and Fran Begonja
Jennifer Garcia & Jeff Washer
Laura Lampe
Eunice Dohra
Group 4
Hal Stratton, Steve Raftery, Connie Nicholson
Katie Black & Audrey Cannon Saul Vazquez & Jason Holliman Eunice Dohra
Group 5
Val & Steve Gruenwald, Dorothy Lamberson Donna Tamaski Eurlene Forde
Eunice Dohra
What a treat that we will have Eunice as a member in all 5 groups, too.
Ready. Set. Meet and Eat!
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Remember St. Nicholas before you click...
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
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For all mothers: Pray that the Lord bless these remarkable women with the Creator's grace and peace as we celebrate the many wonders they share with us, here on earth and from their heavenly home. 
For all who served our nation and made the greatest sacrifice for the freedom we now so treasure and value. Thank you to all our veterans.
For Melissa, stepdaughter to our Cyndi DeBock. Melissa is fighting metastatic cancer which has returned at the age of 27. Her sister-in-law has set up a GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses. Click here if you'd like to donate.
For Eddie, the brother of our good friend and neighbor Rev. Cerna Rand, pastor of Prince of Peace Methodist Church: Pray the soul of our dearly departed brother be welcomed to Paradise and that those who mourn his passing find comfort and solace.
For Lynn, daughter of our Marilyn Brown who has been under the weather of late: Pray Lynn is soon back to her healthy self and feeling 100% better.
For Nancy, a friend of Marilyn Brown who is dealing with cancer: Pray Nancy receives the care and medical attention she so needs and recovers fully and without any complications.
For our Thelma Malecek who recently underwent foot surgery: Pray Thelma is up and around and pain-freely dancing her way through life again.
For our Barry Malas who is to undergo outpatient surgery: Pray he recovers quickly and without any complications.
For those who perished in the plane crash off the coast of Egypt: Pray for their souls as we pray for those who mourn the tragic deaths of their loved ones.
For our unemployed, underemployed and over-employed family and friends: Pray their situation eases and their work situation is rectified.
For victims of violence, alienation, racism, homophobia and sexism: Pray for peace and acceptance of all God's people as equal and deserving.
For members of our Support Groups that call St. Nicholas their home: Pray that in their day to day efforts, they find much happiness, peace and encouragement to succeed.
For all our St. Nicholas community members who are under the weather and in need of healing and prayers: may they find peace and be blessed with sound and better health: Anna Marie, Melissa Beck, Michelle Miller, Eloy Madrigal, Courtney Marsh, Amanda and Alex, Ruth, Grandma Shirley, Phyllis Whitmer, Leon Stiles, Cora Lopez, Eddie Albers, Dick McQuade, Rosario de Vazquez, Rosarini Vazquez, Nora Pun, Carolyn Drolen, Mindy Golden, Tess Setchell, Julie Suess, Katie, Elaine and Barry Malas, Susan Lackey, Marcia Kizior, Kesha, Eunice Dohra, Bernie, Ron, Dale Rickey, Grant MacDonald, and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes.
*** "Pray for Phil DeBock who is dealing with a heart problem."
*** "Pray for those looking for affordable housing"
Please let Fr. Manny know the current condition of those for whom we are praying and if we wish to keep their names on the prayer list. Thank you.
(***written prayer requests)
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This Week at St. Nicholas
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As a reminder, the full master calendar is always available online at this link. Here is the schedule for the next week: |
| Wednesday, May 25, 2016 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Thursday, May 26, 2016 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | GA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Friday, May 27, 2016 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM |
Saturday, May 28, 2016 | | The Principled Group | 7:30 AM | | AA Meeting | 1:00 PM | | Worship Service | 4:30 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Sunday, May 29, 2016 | | Worship Service with Jadyn's First Communion | 10:00 AM | | AA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Monday, May 30, 2016 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Food Pantry | 4:00 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
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