This year at the Vatican Synod several hotly debated topics are being discussed, to the joy of some and dismay of others.

Knowing his demise was proximate, he was musing, one colorful autumn afternoon, about his life and the few unfulfilled wishes he had left. His principal wish was to travel by train along the Hudson River to Albany during the colorful fall season…

A simple gesture but loaded with meaning and affection. It is never too late to learn to love.

It seems the populace at large has been cowed into submission, afraid to state the immutable fact: He created them male and female (Gen 5:2)

We are all free to respond to His call or not. The invitation is set tenderly by the Host, not by the guests. It is my choice whether or not I will legitimately be nourished at His banquet.

He was holding forth at the breakfast table with great vigor and confidence about almost everything. He was “lecturing” a group of ancient withered-up priests who were awed by his intelligence, his easy flow of language in their captive audience status.

There were four of us. We were discussing and easily resolving multiple world problems. It was easy, sitting in a quiet office with friends, relaxed and free associating.

It was December 25th, Johannesburg, South Africa. Though 6,000 feet above sea level, with low humidity, it was sizzling hot. People in sandals and shorts were bustling about exchanging presents.

The other day, a priest friend of exceptional achievement died in a nursing home where he had been relegated for the past few years. There was an outpouring of encomia and expression of high regard from many places.

This is not the security blanket of the Peanuts comic strip. This is the presence of my heavenly Mother who has always been there for me at critical times. No amount of modern mockery or secular demolition can outweigh that.

When I was 10 years old and travelling the old time Vaudeville circuits with my ‘Song ’n Dance’ parents, there was often “on the bill” a gig (act) called the “Female Impersonator”. By definition this meant that a male was so cleverly adorned that the casual observer would assume he was a woman.

If one were to ask randomly for another’s perception of the meaning of “religion” or “spirituality”, there is a high probability that the reply would center around Jesus’s teaching of “doing for others” or “as you would have them do unto you” or the “least” among us.

Although only “half” of my being is Jewish since I had a Russian-Jewish father and an Irish mother, I have felt throughout my life a pull or draw (which I can’t explain) to the warmth, energy, laughter and loyalty to whatever we mean by “Jewish.”

When I studied dialogue and debate the point was often made of the necessity to find common agreement between opposing views. We were taught to agree up to the point where our consciences forbid us to proceed any further. Personal integrity was paramount. Transparency was essential. Truth was vital.

Suppose you were attending the Mass of a Bishop or Cardinal, had gone to Confession to him for real Big Time sins, been absolved and received the Holy Eucharist from his hands and subsequently found out that he was an active predatory homosexual for years.

I thought that I was making a simple visit to the Head and Neck Department of Mount Sinai West in New York City. When I arrived, I was flabbergasted to find the staff lined up to meet me. Someone noticed from my records that I had recently celebrated my 100th birthday and they planned a celebration of my attaining the Century mark.

Fr. John Collins of the Paulist Fathers is a big guy with a booming voice who preaches extraordinary Missions around the country. He claims he has only one talent: Preaching. But like many gifted people he has an elusive blind spot about God’s plans for him.

April, 1921 was a most significant month. Not only was the annual tuition at Harvard University $200 and gasoline 11¢ per gallon but two bouncing baby boys were born who would be called “amazing”. One hundred years later, on April 8, 2021 the same two had lunch together, gobbling up chicken parmigiano, drinking cocktails and cappuccino in a fancy New York Italian restaurant.

The recent statement from the Vatican refusing to “bless” homosexual unions has caused much interesting and eye raising reactions.

If our gracious God so decrees, I shall be one hundred years old on April 3, 2021. Since I am still able to remember my name and mimic, to some extent, human walking, I am with great gratitude and excitement awaiting my birthday. I am enjoying exceedingly the 19th hole as I am showered with a life that is almost regal.