Author Archives: fromareportersnotebook

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About fromareportersnotebook

Former reporter and city editor at The Tribune, Welland, On. Active in various community groups and initiatives, married with two grown children, interested in roses specifically and gardening in general. A collection of previously-written columns was published in book form in the fall of 2013 and is available by contacting the writer at: fromareportersnotebook@gmail.com. It sells for $20.

Morning Offering: 08. 04. 25

Today’s Reflection: Gracious God, thank You for those who listen, laugh and lift us up. Bless each friend who walks beside us, in joy and in struggle. May we be as faithful to them as they have been to us.— Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.  

Morning Offering  is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 08. 03. 25

Today’s Reflection: We must talk about poverty because people insulated by their own comfort lose sight of it.— Dorothy Day

Morning Offering  is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 08. 02. 25

Today’s Reflection:  A Prayer to Heal Stress

Loving God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart. My soul is like a turbulent sea. I can’t seem to find my balance so I stumble and worry constantly. Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path you’ve laid out for me. I trust your Love God, and know that you will heal this stress. Just as the sun rises each day against the dark of night. Please bring me clarity with the light of God. In your name I pray. — Author Unknown  

Morning Offering  is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. 

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 08. 01. 25

Today’s Reflection:  May we find serenity to block out the noise of the world, to find peace amidst chaos and clarity in confusion. Let Christ help us focus on what truly matters and stay grounded in His presence. — Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

Morning Offering  is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. 

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 07. 31. 25

Today’s Reflection: Morning Prayer

Open our eyes,

hearts and minds

to the intrinsic value

of each person, Lord,

for all bear your image,

all are held in your love.

Steer us away

from treating others

as objects to be used,

rather than neighbours

to be loved;

may we live

the mutuality

of your kingdom. —  Bill Braviner, Anglican Archdeacon of Halifax, UK   

Morning Offering  is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. 

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 07. 30. 25

Today’s Reflection: Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary. — Commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi 

Morning Offering  is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. 

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 07. 29. 25

Today’s Reflection: Faith is not like a raincoat, only to be worn on drizzly days. — Kevin Ansbro

Morning Offering  is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. 

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 07. 28. 25

Today’s Reflection: It’s not about holding on, but what holds me when I let go. — Unknown 

Morning Offering  is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. 

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 07. 27. 25

Today’s Reflection: A New Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the people I cannot change,
which is pretty much everyone,
since I’m clearly not you, God.
At least not the last time I checked.

And while you’re at it, God,
please give me the courage
to change what I need to change about myself,
which is frankly a lot, since, once again,
I’m not you, which means I’m not perfect.
It’s better for me to focus on changing myself
than to worry about changing other people,
who, as you’ll no doubt remember me saying,
I can’t change anyway.

Finally, give me the wisdom to just shut up
whenever I think that I’m clearly smarter
than everyone else in the room,
that no one knows what they’re talking about except me,
or that I alone have all the answers.

Basically, God,
grant me the wisdom
to remember that I’m
not you. Amen.    — Fr. James Martin, SJ

Morning Offering  is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. 

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Note: Re-posted in response to a request


Morning Offering: 07. 26. 25

Today’s Reflection: Prayer for Courage to Advocate for the Poor

Dear Lord, Grant us the courage to stand up for the voiceless and advocate for the poor.
Fill our hearts with compassion and our spirits with strength, so we may be bold in our efforts to bring justice and support to those in need.
Help us to be instruments of Your love, shining light in the darkness of poverty.
Amen. — Jesuit prayer site

Morning Offering  is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich. 

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.