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: 02. 13. 25

Today’s Reflection: Today, let us pause for a moment.

Today, let us embrace moments of silence.

Today, let us be present in the present.

Today, O God, may we simply be. — 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: 02. 12. 25

Today’s Reflection:  Lord Jesus,
You have run the race before us and conquered the cross with joy.
When we grow weary, strengthen our steps.
When we feel discouraged, lift our eyes to you.
Surround us with your great cloud of witnesses,
that we may run with endurance and faith.
Let us not fear the struggles of the journey,
but press on, knowing that you are our prize,
our victory, and our guide. Amen. —Benjamin Rogers, 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: 02. 11. 25

Today’s Reflection:  Lord, bless those who serve  the sick,  the elderly and the at-risk so that they have the resources to help provide the necessary care and to do so with dignity and respect.  Lord, make a way where there may seem to be none. — 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: 02. 10. 25

Today’s Reflection: There are two rules on the spiritual path: Begin, and Continue.— Sufi saying 

 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: 02. 09. 25

Today’s Reflection: Pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst,  a mind that forgets the bad and a  soul that never loses faith in God. — Ally Donaldson 

 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: 02. 08. 25

Today’s Reflection:  Lord help me to live simply,

To give my life and all I am

Into your hands.

Help me to unclutter my closet,

For I have too much stuff that takes me away

From your presence.

Help me to unclutter my calendar,

For I am often too busy to focus my attention on you.

Help me to unclutter my  mind

For I have too many unguided thoughts

That distract me from

Your instructions.— Christine Sine

 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: 02. 07. 25

Today’s Reflection:  Good and gracious God, thank You for the gift of this new day. Fill my heart with Your peace, my mind with Your wisdom and my hands with kindness for others. Help me to walk in Your light and trust in Your love in all I do today. — 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: 02. 06. 25

Today’s Reflection:  All of us will have to render an account of our lives when we die. God will not be interested in who or what we were. No, only in this: how did we live? That will be the sole matter for judgment. A company director won’t be able to pull rank on a waiter, and a fisherman’s wife will be on a par with a millionaire’s wife. Ships’ officers will receive no preference over ships’ cooks. All will be judged by exactly the same measure: did we use our talents well and for his glory? —Takashi Nagai, quoted in the book, A Song for Nagasaki 

 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: 02. 05. 25

Today’s Reflection:  Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You have run the race before us and conquered the cross with joy.
When we grow weary, strengthen our steps.
When we feel discouraged, lift our eyes to you.
Surround us with your great cloud of witnesses,
that we may run with endurance and faith.
Let us not fear the struggles of the journey,
but press on, knowing that you are our prize,
our victory, and our guide. Amen. —Benjamin Rogers, 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: 02. 04. 25

Today’s Reflection: once
i saw my grandmother hold out
her hand cupping a small offering
of seed to one of the wild sparrows
that frequented the bird bath she
filled with fresh water every day

she stood still
maybe stopped breathing
while the sparrow looked
at her, then the seed
then back as if he was
judging her character

he jumped into her hand
began to eat
she smiled

a woman holding
a small god 

—”why i feed the birds” by Richard Vargas

 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.