A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
I unexpectantly met these fine, famous folk of the Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage yesterday at the Acton University in Grand Rapids. Prior to the panel discussion on "Faith, Entrepreneurship, and Community Development," I had never heard of any of them and their philanthropic achievements. Following their talks, I was amazed that their names had previously been unknown to me and left inspired and encouraged about the potential positive impact of one dedicated, resourceful individual. Let me introduce you to (from left to right) Rabbi Alexander Goldberg, Jason Beene, Christy Davis, and Umi Waheeda. More on Acton University in tomorrow's post.
Liturgical: Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock."
Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections today.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is traditionally commemorated today.
Religious Freedom Week, June 22-29 continues.
Sanctoral: St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria (376-444)
Human: Birthdays of Mildred J. Hill (composer of song Happy Birthday to You) – 1859; Paul Laurence Dunbar (American poet) – 1872; Helen Keller (author, lecturer) – 1880
Writer's Almanac edition for today.
363 AD- the Roman army, after the death of Julian the Apostate, proclaimed Jovian the new emperor. He was an officer, 32 years old, a Christian from Singidunum (current Belgrade). Jovian made peace with the Persians, giving them 15 fortresses, including Singara and Nisbis in Mesopotamia. This caused widespread indignation, but the emperor could calmly retreat. (Reigning for only 8 months, he nevertheless left an important legacy so is worth reading about.)
Natural: Where do pine nuts come from? Pine nuts, also called pignolia, are the naked seeds of many different species of pine tree. Trees grown to produce these seeds can take up to 75 years to become commercially useful. Spain and Italy are the leading exporters of pine nuts.
(This caught my eye because we once lived on the grounds of a monastery in Rome where farmers with cranes would collect the pine nuts from the towering umbrella pine trees annually.)
Italian Word of the Day: Signore (man / gentleman / sir / Mr. / the Lord)
Quote: "O Earth, O Sky, O Ocean, both surpassing,
O heart of mine, O soul that dreads the dark!
Is there no hope for me? Is there no way
That I may sight and check that speeding bark
Which out of sight and sound is passing, passing?"
--An excerpt from "Ships that Pass in the Night," by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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