On this 50th Anniversary of the Assassination of President John F Kennedy, I thought I’d take a moment to share 5 quotes that we might need to hear today…
“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”
“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.”
“I would rather be accused of breaking precedents than breaking promises.”
“If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.”
“Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.”
BONUS… the most famous quote of them all…
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.
(Speech prepared for delivery in Dallas the day of his assassination, November 22, 1963)
♦♦♦
Special note:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Mom!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!
With the start of a new month, along comes the job of flipping the calendar pages. As I changed the religious calendar I have hanging on the basement door, I couldn’t help but make note of the fact that October 1st is the feast of St. Therese of the Child of Jesus (aka St. Therese of Lisieux or “The Little Flower“). It made me smile with a memory.
The photo over here on the right? That is me, dressed up as St. Therese. November 1st is All Saints Day, and at least one year while in (basically) bible school, we were encouraged to dress up as our favorite saint. My mom had told me a lot about St. Therese and she was my favorite saint.
Mom made my costume, and she went all out. I was definitely the best dressed of those that dressed up. (Hey, I just call it like I see it.) I still smile at that memory, and I can’t believe I actually found a photo of me in my costume!
Therese was also the saints name I took for my Catholic Confirmation.
That was many, many years ago, and I’ve long since forgotten much of St. Therese’s story. I took last night as my opportunity to research her again. I thought I’d share some of my favorite excerpts from what I read…
“What matters in life,” she wrote, “is not great deeds, but great love.” [Link]
“Instead of being discouraged, I told myself: God would not make me wish for something impossible and so, in spite of my littleness, I can aim at being a saint. It is impossible for me to grow bigger, so I put up with myself as I am, with all my countless faults.” [Link]
The depth of her spirituality, of which she said, “my way is all confidence and love,” has inspired many believers. [Link]
“Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love.” [Link]
