Service to people...

 I was reminiscing and conversing with my wife regarding our service orientation since our student leadership days. I was third year in college when I made a resolution to serve others with no string attached. The rest are history. I never stopped serving others the best way I can.

I recently took a graduate class at St. John Seminary in Massachusetts. I really enjoyed it. The professor was very inspiring and brilliant. What captured my imagination was God's plan for humanity.  I was in awe; I never knew that God has this big plan for all people - God wanted everyone to become perfect like God, and to live forever in God's Kingdom.

Despite I attended Sunday services and participated in religious organizations, I remained skeptical and cautious with any organized religion. I am a student of history. I doggedly studied powerful religions like the Roman Catholic Church, Islam, and the Jewish faith and religion - One God religion. Monotheism as scholars and religious pundits aptly described. I am not here today to discuss about each religion. 

I am focused with really special people - The creation of the One God the three greatest religions often discussed. 

RP 

May 19, 2022

The Pandemics and Humanity of 2021

 The COVID-19 event and health crisis is a strong reminder to all of us that a "small germ" can humble the most powerful and strongest among us. Sad to note, the poorest among the poor pays a higher price compared to the richest among us. The year 2021 is not a spectacular year but another challenging time to all. The COVID-19 vaccine is not a panacea but a band-aid response to a deeper crisis of the world. The mutation of COVID-19 is a stark reminder we have a longer wait till the solution to our health problems find a lasting solution. 

On the glass half-full, we can start thinking about our own transgressions and role on this pandemic. Accepting the truth we should be part of the solution not the problem. For powerful nations to give priority to people not "empires".

May a really special person shines and inspire all of us to change for the better

Rest you must...

Its almost six years ago when I posted a blog about us. I was extremely busy at work and my volunteer activities with the Knights of Columbus of the Massachusetts Jurisdiction. 

Since then a lot of articles were written against Christopher Columbus, the name of the catholic, fraternal and family organization founded by Father Michael McGivney in 1882.   

History has been written by others to share and inform us of events and people that impacts us today. 

I am not an apologist for the shortcomings and mistakes of Christopher Columbus in North America, and other places Christopher Columbus explored. I only knew Christopher Columbus through the books I read. I will never pass judgment on his deeds. 

There is always three sides in a story. My version, your version, and the truth.  

Our century is a century of technological wonders, and space exploration. We are now sending "robots" to explore other planets like Mars. Many years ago we sent "people" to check one of the biggest "star" of our universe - the moon. 

The man in the moon. You probably read the book. Read it again. Did you see the meaning of the book to us ? 

Hope for the Flowers is another interesting "children book" that is applicable to us. A classic book that teaches the search and exploration of others from the ivory tower. 

Rodolfo Panizales

Why are you so special ? You do not need to be somebody to dubbed special. Interestingly, the special needs population, are indeed special people. I spent more than 16 years  in the field of autism, mental retardation, mental illness, the study and work of the special needs people, is a remarkable experience. I learned a lot. It is humbling to note, many of the so-called slow and developmentally challenged people and children, are really faster and advanced, compared to many of us. They are advanced in many ways - not materialism. They live life as it should be, and not what it is. Their innocence protected them from the many pains and evil of the world. Their truthfulness enable them to smile at you without pretensions, and conditions. Some people values dogs compared to people. They should try working, if not adopting people or children with special needs, they are much better than dogs - they are human beings. I have dogs, but also look forward each day, enjoying the company of special people. 

There are special people out there. They serve others without conditions. They help others without publicity. They are honest and happy to help without strings attached. Why can't we just do that ? It could help us a lot. The many people serving the poor and the sick. The two health workers, who contracted the Ebola virus, took the risks, serving people. God will never forget that. As the Lord said, " If you lose your life in serving me, you will live again." It is difficult to understand this. It is perplexing and daunting to think about the consequences of doing the right things. Many Christians martyrs died  for others. Many non-Christians sacrificed because of their ideals. What is the difference between a non-Christian, and Christians of the 21st century ? If you have been chosen to become really special, you will know the answer. 
Peace.

In losing a dear friend, the pain can penetrate your inner most being. Losing a friend and a good man, a selfless soul of a man, is compounding that pain, penetrating your heart and mind. 

I met Past Grand Knight Jack Buonopane in 2009. An extremely likable person. Caring. Dedicated. A man of few words but honorable.
He was always there when you call on him. He was that dedicated, of a leader, and a person, he will not hesitate to give his shirt off his back at moments notice of a need. I cannot think of a grandiose word to describe Jack. 

Jack is a wonderful person to talk to. While I was serving as Grand Knight of the Braintree Council, I would see and talk to Jack after the mass on Sundays at St. Claire Church in Braintree. St. Claire is one of our parishes in the jurisdiction of the Braintree Council.
I usually (if I am not at work, with my regular employment) make it a point to talk and see Jack B., seeing and getting his wisdom on Council matters. PGK Jack B. was one of my Council advisers, while performing my role as grand knight of the Braintree Council of the Knights of Columbus. He was also in charge of the Tootsie Roll Program documents processing for applicants (children with disabilities) . He was exemplary in the performance of his council mandates.


Jack B., a friend, a brother, a father to everyone (Jack has no children, I have been teasing Jack for years to adopt me.), a husband a knight and good man who choose greatness by serving others. 

This poem ,I am dedicating to the great man who faded away, but soon we will see him, in the day promised. 

               
                 To Jack from us.

You are not just a man but a good man.
Your wonderful deeds were not forgotten.
You might have left, but we will see you again.
Today is yours, tomorrow ours. Now, you received your everlasting rewards for your greatness. 
You are surely missed, and adored.
You are part of us and you will always be.
You have touched so many hearts, you have changed so many lives.
Your commitment to serve not only our Council, but others, have earned a space in our Deity's mansion.
You have shared your kindness and gifts in making our difficult world, a better place to live.
You have embodied the ideals of modesty and kindness, your humility worthy of emulation.
How can we forget you ?

In the succeeding months starting in June, 2014

Hello my loyal viewers and readers during the months after May, 2014
I will feature more people after I interview them for this article.
If you know anyone that deserves recognition, please email me at jd.phd.2togo@gmail.com

 

1. WHO ?

2. She is a winner. Ms. Joan Price. In fact, she is my Boston Marathon favorite this year, 2014. She is really a special person.

   
   

   She taught us that the journey matters, whether you are young or not so young anymore ? As the saying goes, only horses grow in years, not us.

   We walk, we run, the journey is the most rewarding not the destination.

    

   I do not mind finishing last. The journey matters. I finished last, I failed a few times, I stumbled, I mumbled, and I never gave up when some gave up on me. Remember our race with Continental Air in 1995 ? I was the last runner to reach the finish line. I felt like a winner...Remember our climb to Mt. Washington ? Remember our 86 miles trek from Samos, Spain to Santiago Campostela ? The journey taught me a lot.
   You make decisions. Its yours. Not others to make on your journey. Know what is in your heart not mind. 

    

    

    

    

    

   
   

   At 8:06 p.m., 73-year-old Hull resident Joan Price became the last person to finish this year's Boston Marathon. She started at 11:30 a.m., but got lost near the end of the course, she said.
   More photos from the finish line: http://bit.ly/1pnxdVg

   

   Like · · Promote · Share
3. 

   Rodolfo Panizales

   12 minutes ago

   Paradigm.
   Yours. Your perception of reality.
   Check if there is the possibility of shifting to help others.
   Many does not realize that what happens to many people will impact each one of us, directly or indirectly. The material poverty of so many people. They are not lazy. They are not dull or dumb.
   
   Win-win.
   Being able to travel (traveled and lived in many parts of the world taught me that all of us, are the same; Breathing the same air except the polluted air of some cities.
   
   May the Supreme Power in Heaven guide you in your journey.
   You only fail when you give up.

   Like · · Promote · Share
4. 

   Rodolfo Panizales

   7 hours ago · Edited

   Looking at the problem with a ready, well-thought solution
   
   Tonight, one of my fraternal organizations honored Dr. King a Massachusetts General Hospital surgeon, with a service award.
   Dr. King is a marathon runner, participated in the Boston Marathon last 2013, and after his marathon run that fateful day in 2013, operated patients for 30 hours at the MGH - where many victims from the Boston 2013 marathon bombing were taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries.
   
   There are so many unsung heroes in the world. You are maybe one of them

   Like · · Promote · Share

   • Eden Gianan likes this.
   • 

     Write a comment...
5. 

   Rodolfo Panizales

   22 hours ago

   When you see children dying of poverty related causes, and people dying from hunger...what do we do ?
   Some donates. Are you sure the money you donate is given 100% of its value to the poor ? Are you sure your money does not create more poverty among many people ? You have been donating for many years, and why is it poverty is increasing instead of decreasing ?
   
   We can change things.
   1. Empower p... See More

   Like · · Promote · Share

See More Recent Stories

1. Rodolfo, where do you work?

   55% complete

   Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.Leonardo Bartolome has worked herePrimericaMercedes L. Lagman has worked herePINOY TIME FOOD MARTPinoytimefoodmart Pinoytimefoodmart and Israel Lacson Inciong have worked hereI don't have a job right now.

   Enter an employer

   Public

   20 more pending items

2. About

   

   Rudolph Hermosa said you've worked at U. S. Coast Guard Retired.

   • • Lives in Boston, Massachusetts

3. Friends

   · 155

   • 
     Giovanni H. Melgar
   • 
     Carmen Pedrosa
   • 
     Rose Marie Arias Candaza
   • 
     Cesar Torres
   • 
     Kababayan Net
   • 
     CrispinJr Trompeta
   • 
     Marlene Damolo Howe
   • 
     Luis Pedron
   • 
     Donn Mc Angelo Valdez

4. Sports

   

   What teams do you like?

5. Music

   · 1

   

   

   

   Rachelle Ann Go

Chat (9)