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: 06. 08. 25

Today’s Reflection: When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself. — Tecumseh 

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: 06. 07. 25

Today’s Reflection: Lord Jesus, thank you for the times you “bother” my heart, stirring me from comfort and calling me to care deeply. When I see injustice, suffering, or need, let that holy discomfort move me to action. Help me to pray persistently and seek your guidance, trusting that through you, my small actions will make a difference. Amen. — Jackie Schulte  

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: 06. 06. 25

Today’s Reflection: The Power of a Whisper

Slow me down today, Lord,
and whisper a word or two – or more,
in the quiet of my mind and heart…

When I’m cursing myself or others,
whisper words of blessing…

When I’m judging another’s words and deeds,
whisper words of patience…

When my voice is still and silent,
whisper words that I might speak…

When I’m saying much too much,
whisper words to shut me up…

When I’ve failed and when I’ve sinned,
whisper words of pardon…

When I’m facing loss and grief,
whisper words of consolation…

When I’m stuck in my own foolishness,
whisper words of wisdom…

When I’m confounded and confused,
whisper words of counsel…

When I’m caught up in my lies,
whisper words of truth.

When life is just too tough to take,
whisper words of hope…

When my heart is broken, hurt and wounded,
whisper words of healing…

When I’m at war with my neighbor or myself,
whisper words of peace…

Slow me down, Lord,
and help me find a quiet place to hear
the whisper of your word…

Slow me down today, Lord,
and whisper a word or two – or more,
in the quiet of my mind and heart…

Amen. — Rev. Austin Fleming

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: 06. 05. 25

Today’s Reflection: God, I come before you today in need of hope.
There are times when I feel helpless,
There are times when I feel weak.
I pray for hope.
I need hope for a better future.
I need hope for a better life.
I need hope for love and kindness.

Help me to walk in your light and live
my life in faith and glory.
In your name, I pray, Amen. — A Prayer for Hope, 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: 06. 04. 25

Today’s Reflection: Lord, guide my thoughts today that they may be oriented toward you.
Lord, guide my words today that I may speak your truth.
Lord, guide my actions today that I may serve you by serving my neighbor.
Amen.— Jesuit Prayer team

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: 06. 03. 25

Today’s Reflection: God, if we could only know how patient you’ve been with us, we’d be a little more understanding with others. Give us a sense of your serenity so we might share it with someone else today. Amen. — Joe Ertle, 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.

Morning Offering: 06. 02. 25

Today’s Reflection: Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to walk through life’s winding paths with hearts anchored in you. Kindle in us a spirit of trust, that we may surrender our fears to your providence and see your hand at work even in our darkest moments. In everything we do, may we glorify you and draw closer to the fullness of your eternal embrace. Amen. — Ryan Serfas, 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.

Morning Offering: 06. 01. 25

Today’s Reflection: Service is what prayer looks like when it gets up off its knees and walks around in the world. —Michael J. Graham, 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.

Morning Offering: 05. 31. 25

Today’s Reflection: Do not face the day until you have faced God.  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: 05. 30. 25

Today’s Reflection: God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it’s me. — Variation of an excerpt from the Serenity Prayer, by Reinhold Niebuhr 

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: This reflection is repeated here in response to a request.