Posts From The Road: Mission San Juan Capistrano
Bell Wall: A bell wall displays four bells recovered from the ruins of the Great Stone Church. The two larger bells have been recast but the two smaller bells are the original. The bell wall connects the ruins of the Great Stone Church to the Serra Chapel at the left side of the image. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Bell Wall and Ruins: Beautiful gardens cover the grounds around the mission complex. Seen here is the Serra Chapel, the Bell Wall, and ruins of the Great Stone Church. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Great Stone Church Ruins: The ruins of the great cathedral style Great Stone Read More
Fr. Glenn: ‘Each Went To His Own House’
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Well, happy spring everyone!—the equinox having been on March 20. Sure is a lot better than last year when the pandemic was just starting to ravage through the world’s populations. A lot of pain since that time, and we mourn with all those who lost loved ones to the virus. Know that thoughts and prayers are with you all.
The pandemic sure opened a lot of cracks (or chasms) of division—to close or not to close, masks or no masks, travel or not travel, hoax or no hoax, Fauci or no Fauci, etc.—some such arguments still ongoing, both in the U.S. and overseas. One would think that something Read More
New Mexico Transportation Dept. And State Police Support Archdiocese Of SF Cancellation Of Holy Week Pilgrimages
NMDOT News:
- “Please take care and celebrate safely at home. The department is grateful for everyone’s understanding and cooperation.” –Transportation Secretary Mike Sandoval
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), New Mexico State Police (NMSP) and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe are asking the faithful to please stay home during Holy Week.
While annual pilgrimages to El Santuario de Chimayo and Tome Hill are cherished New Mexico traditions, the events have been cancelled.
The Archdiocese made the difficult decision to cancel all pilgrimages and special processions Read More
Father Theophan: So Much To Do!
Jesus on the cross created by Father Theophan. Photo by Father Theophan
By Father Theophan
Saint Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church
Los Alamos
So much to do!
It’s just a garage. Moreover, it’s just a hobby. How can there be so much to do?
The wet clay and the newly thrown pots need to be kept wet, but the pots need to dry but not freeze. The wheel and tools need to be cleaned and put away. The kiln needs to be cleaned out and vacuumed before I fire another bisque load. Before another glaze firing, I’ll need to buy and apply kiln wash. For that matter, I need more clay and glazes. Pots that have been bisqued wait to be Read More
Fr. Glenn: Status Report
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Well, now … Lent is halfway over. How we doing with those Lenten (or New Year’s, for that matter) resolutions, hmmm? Now, you know those things take effort and may have a periodic failure of weakness, so don’t give up. And if you have a “whoops”, be like a boxer and get right back up! Sadly, we tend to be like water, seeking the lowest energy level, and become spiritual couch potatoes if we aren’t careful and continually strive to better ourselves. Not just in prayer, but in those active works of service and charity needs that surround us every day.
This came to mind in the Sunday reading Read More
Fr. Glenn: The Civilization Tree
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
The weekly excursion to the grocery store is always kind of interesting—especially on weekends. One sees the elderly going about methodically, quietly minding their business. The middle-aged without kids usually somewhat more hurried. That parent with older kids—or teens by themselves—even more rushed and more harried, the kids in various stages of boredom and courtesy (is it that hard to say “Excuse me” … you young whippersnappers!!) And, of course, the range of young parents with little kids—quiet kids, bored kids, grabby kids, screamers … frazzled parents showing Read More
WRPC Invites Community To At-Home Vespers, Communion
The community is invited to join WRPC for At-Home Vespers and Communion at 5 p.m. Sunday. Courtesy/WRPC
By Pastor Deb Worley
White Rock Presbyterian Church
Join the White Rock Presbyterian Church for At-Home Vespers and Communion beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday. Click here for more information.
“Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; Though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.” (Psalm 27:3)
This speaks to me of enemies, of opponents, of those who want to hurt or defeat or dominate. “Though an army encamp against me … though war rise up against me….” And I think, “Thank you, Read More
Fr. Glenn: All In
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
“All In”—def.: fully committed to, or fully involved in, something; in poker, to bet everything on a hand.
What are we truly committed to these days—long term, as in “never-ending” commitment. There’s so many things to choose…so many distractions. We jump from job to job, town to town, spouse to spouse, very often from church to church—and many even from denomination to denomination or religion to religion. “Commitment” nowadays often extends hardly more than to watching every episode of a favorite Netflix series.
So much more impressive, then, becomes the Old Testament
Local Organizations Join Forces To Help Homeless
Kiwanian Tim Glasco, Linda Daly and Don Casperson busy assembling clothing bags this morning at the IHM parish hall. LANL’s Community Partnership Office purchased the clothing from Desert Tees & Sports in Santa Fe, which owner Ralph Ortiz sold at cost. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Kiwanians from left, Cheryl Pongratz, Don Casperson and Jackie Beebe preparing boxes filled with bags of clothes for the homeless at shelters around the area. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
COMMUNITY News:
Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Community Partnership Office (CPO) provided 633 Read More
Two Local Thrift Shops Open Wednesday Feb. 24
COMMUNITY News:
The Shop on the Corner (at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal) and United Church Thrift Shop will be open at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24 for customers. Shopping at both stores is encouraged.
COVID-safe practices will be in effect with masks and hand sanitizer required, and limited numbers of customers and workers.
Both shops are organized and operated by volunteers from their respective churches. And both shops donate about 98 percent of their profits to local and Northern New Mexico charities.
United Church Thrift Shop will feature outside tables with sports equipment if weather Read More
Fr. Glenn: God’s Desire
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
In every monotheist’s musing comes the question, “Why did God make us?” After all, if God is God, eternal and self-existent in Himself, He certainly doesn’t need us—we puny little humans who came along a paltry few tens of thousands of years ago and are, as we hear in scriptures, simply “dust and ashes” … or, using a favorite Star Trek term, “bags of mostly water”, with a few handfuls of chemicals thrown in.
Secondly, think about what are many of our favorite books and stories. Do we not love images and stories in which people help one another or rescue the helpless, especially those Read More
Community Invited To Participate In Food Drive Saturday
COMMUNITY News:
The Pajarito ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is hosting a food drive to benefit Jemez Pueblo.
The community is invited to participate in this drive-thru food drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Feb. 20, in the parking lot of the church building at 1967 18th St. in Los Alamos.
Jemez Pueblo has particularly requested the following items: paper bowls, paper plates, disposable cups, disposable utensils, napkins, paper towels, Kleenex and baby wipes.
These items are very useful to individuals who are isolating due to COVID infections or COVID exposure.
They Read More
Fr. Glenn: ‘Recalculating…’
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Well, a happy Valentine’s Day (or week, depending on when you read this) to you all…our annual societal tribute to romance … to affection … to luuuvvvv. For you husbands that forgot, well … I hope the couch is comfy. (“Ouch…move over, dog!”) Even after all these years, I remember still our 1st grade exercise of making Valentines for all our classmates … even the “yucky” girls. Yet, it wasn’t long before those girls weren’t quite so yucky anymore, and then hardly any time when a young lad thinks of little else … the mere presence of his beloved bringing incomparable joy … and her absence Read More
The Many Myths Behind Inspiration For Valentine’s Day
Saint Valentine, who according to some sources is actually two distinct historical characters. Fototeca Gilardi/Getty
By LIVIA GERSHON
History.com
On February 14, when we share chocolates, special dinners, or doily cards with our loved ones, we do it in the name of Saint Valentine. But who was this saint of romance?
Search the internet, and you can find plenty of stories about him—or them. One Saint Valentine was supposedly a Roman priest who performed secret weddings against the wishes of the authorities in the third century. Imprisoned in the home of a noble, he healed his captor’s blind daughter, Read More
Father Theophan: Tools
Pottery tools. Photo by Father Theophan
By Father Theophan
Saint Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church
Los Alamos
I’ve come to realize something over the years of puttering around in my workshops, both here and in the previous places I’ve lived and worked: I like tools. If there is a hobby that requires a bunch of tools, equipment, and/or skills, there is a better chance that I will like pursuing it. That may be why I’d rather rock-climb than run. All the harnesses, ropes, and carabiners are fun and interesting! Running shoes? Bah! Everyone has shoes!
Pottery is one of those things in which, the deeper you Read More
United Church Youth Group Receive Record Donations At 2021 Souper Bowl Of Caring Food And Fundraising Event
UCLA Youth Group collects cash and food Sunday during the annual Souper Bowl of Caring. All funds raised and food items collected go to LA Cares Food Bank. Photo By Megan Crawford/UCLA Youth Group
UCLA News:
Members of the United Church of Los Alamos (UCLA) Youth Group accepted food and cash donations Sunday during the annual Souper Bowl of Caring. All donations stay completely local.
2021 marks the 30th anniversary of this nation-wide, youth-driven, effort to end hunger and contribute to a local charity.
The United Church of Los Alamos has been participating in Souper Bowl of Caring for at least Read More
Fr. Glenn: Losing The Drudge
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Oh, the dreaded—the detested—alarm … the daily tocsin calling us forth from sound slumber unto another day’s labor. Yet, arise we must … though the warm tentacles of bedding wrap themselves ever more tightly until we force ourselves from their oh-so-seductive embrace so that we might face the day. Each day becomes much like its predecessor … as is its successor. As Job exclaims frustratingly: “Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of hirelings…who waits for his wages…” (Job 7:1-4) Hmmm … such a cheery thought.
Yet, that attitude Read More
First United Methodist Church Provides Bagels To Frontline Healthcare Workers At Los Alamos Medical Center
Mayra Lerna with bagels at Ruby K’s Friday morning prior to delivery to frontline healthcare workers at Los Alamos Medical Center. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Ruby K’s employees help Camille Wescott of First United Methodist Church take the bagels to a waiting vehicle Friday morning for transport to LAMC. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
The bagels arrive Friday morning at Los Alamos Medical Center for distribution to every healthcare worker to thank them for their service. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
First United Methodist Church of Los Alamos News:
During the Read More
Our Lady Of The Woods Offering Wicca 101 Classes
OLW News:
Are you reaching out for community in this isolated time?
Our Lady of the Woods is offering a four week series, Wicca 101, to seekers interested in the Wiccan path encompassing northern New Mexico from Taos to Albuquerque.
The class is free to the public and scheduled 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays in March via Zoom.
Our Lady of the Woods is a coven and congregation of the Wiccan religion, which is one of the nature-oriented spiritual traditions of ancient Europe. It is based in the Los Alamos/Santa Fe area and incorporated as a church in the State of New Mexico.
OLW has been meeting in the Los Alamos Read More
Fr. Glenn: Authority
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Well, a new president with his staff now firmly ensconced, and now we look to four governed years no doubt very differently from the preceding four years due to vast differences between outgoing and incoming. As we witness daily in the media, the situation elicits cheers from the victorious and laments from the defeated. Yet, so it is with every change of administration in national, state or more local elections—speculations about “the devil we know and the devil we don’t” disparities.
This happens in religious groups as well, whether it be with pope or pastor … whisperings Read More
