Father John Phalen, CSC - A continuing legacy of service above self.

Consistency and constancy, in service of others, the Father John Phalen of the Holy Cross Family Ministries that I knew since 2008. There are so many endearing qualities Father John possesses and exhibits, in humility and passion to serve God and others, I cannot help but noticed and observed for many years now. 

Last November 26, 2013 Father John celebrated a Holy Mass for the dear departed members of the Braintree Knights of Columbus Council and the Catholic Daughters of Braintree. Paraphrasing what Father John said, during his homily. " Why concern with the past, and why worry for tomorrow ? Nobody knows when the end will come. The here and now, what matters the most." (paraphrased)

Jesus during his ministry on earth in the new testament of the Holy Bible, Jesus through the  letters of his disciples admonished us, " Do not worry." 

The legacy of Jesus the Christ is living in the words of many of our priests and nuns, who serve others with all their hearts and minds...and Father John is a living example of them. 

The recent natural disaster in the Philippines, is an example of disasters/events beyond our control. 

Father John visits the Philippines as frequent as many Pilipinos travel annually to visit their relatives, Father John visits and frequent the Philippines to serve others. 

Father John Phalen is a living example of a saint in the making. There are people in the Catholic Church that serves others like Father John, many of them are from the Braintree Council of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters of Braintree.

 

Father John Phalen, yesterday and today.

I met and knew Father John Phalen through Grandknight Jim and the late PGK John. It has been almost 5 years now, since I met Father John.
It was 2008 when I met Father John. I instantly felt the connection to Father John because of his work in the Philippines. Father John P. is not only a priest but a natural leader. His leadership style is (my experience) the result of that Christ like influence on every Christians whether Catholic or Protestants or other Christian sects or groups. I felt the love that Jesus Christ taught and that "Love" that became an enduring legacy and meaning of Christianity - through the likes of Father John, it is manifested. I never physically met Jesus Christ but I met the result of that influence of Christ to people like Father Phalen, Mother Theresa and many other Catholic leaders including the late Blessed John Paul. Blessed John Paul visited the Philippines twice during my residence in the Philippines. I cherished my meeting with Blessed John Paul and Mother Theresa in my short lifetime. Meeting Father John Phalen felt like meeting and interacting with a saint in the making. We have experienced great challenges inside the Catholic Church. The tribulations we endured made as stronger and better as Catholics. The economic crisis that challenged many religions and faith is nothing compared with the thought of losing your faith in God and our mother church, The Roman Catholic Church. We will continue to support our chaplain, Father John Phalen because he symbolized that catholic faith that survived wars, litigations, and division among catholics, with our theology and direction in a historical juncture we cannot exist as a strong fraternity with out the counsel of Father John Phalen ! We love you Father John Phalen. The Braintree Council 1462 thank you for your services.

Rodolfo Panizales

August 8, 2011

The Best in You.

Fear not. Do the best you can ! Life is not about the race. The best in you is yet to come.

Life....

Life is a constant enigma. Challenges makes you realize who you are and what you can do .
You do what you do because you are fulfilled not because you are getting paid.

Blaming and Projecting ....stop it.

Have you notice how easy to project our mistakes to others ? We blame others for our failures...our miserable lives. We donot like owning our own mistakes.It takes really special people to admit they are wrong.How many really special people out there ready to make a statement like........ " that our miserable lives on earth was caused by our own complacency, ignorance, laziness, cowardice and lack of faith. Do you want to take the challenge ? Stop blaming and projecting your pathetic lives to others ! Stop talking, do something.

Rodolfo Phanizales

Healing.

A year ago my father died.My healing began 2010.I missed him.My mother died 2003.My healing began 2005.! 1998 My only brother died....my healing began now.Most of us experienced tragedies and sufferings in our short lives.It does not make sense.We donot understand.Earthquake in Haiti many people perished.Children and others suffered.It does not make any sense to us.I donot know about you.When will your healing begins ? Mine maybe later.........

FAITH Begins, where Reasons ends !

Tragedies...calamities...sudden death....poverty and many others unpleasant oftentimes stigmatic or traumatic events in our lives......earthquake,fire,wars,famine,global warming ?.......There are things beyond my comprehension and understanding.Where my reasons seizes,there my faith begins....making sense ? Senseless crimes and tragedies....happens to people....why ? I donot know.My faith tells me hope for the healing and moving on !!!Easier said than done.....faith begins.Painful and lingering fear....faith takes over.Hope for the better day.Ask and you will receive....knock and the door will be open.....search with all your heart and mind you will be answered.....satisfied........faith and hope....the Healing Begins.