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: 12. 22. 24

Today’s Reflection (Fourth Sunday of Advent): Incarnation

We tried in so many ways
to communicate our love.
If communication is not
what you say but
what people hear,
then what we said
was warped and wrenched
into distancing prescriptions
that had no heart.

You asked for food.
We sent manna.
You asked for drink.
Water flowed from the rock.
You asked for directions.
Moses brought the law.
And on and on.
Still you grew
more distant,
more deaf,
more blind.
Memories dulled.
Speech slurred.
Dreams dissolved
into wander dust.

And so we did
what families do
when confronted
with calamity.
We drew straws.
Shorty lost.
He came to share
your plight,
your fight,
your night,
and point you
toward tomorrow. — Michael Moynahan, S.J.

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: 12. 21. 24

Today’s ReflectionLord of Peace, thank You for the gift of quiet moments and the stillness when we can feel Your presence. Bless those who find solace in their solitude, renewing their hearts and minds in the calm of Your love. May they draw strength and inspiration from the silence, hearing Your voice more clearly. Help them to know they are never alone, for You are always with them.— 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: 12. 20. 24

Today’s Reflection:  I  surrender to silence. It is in stillness that I can hear what speaks to my soul. —  M.G. Williams 

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: 12. 19. 24

Today’s ReflectionAre you one of the Inn crowd, or one of the Stable few? —  Unknow

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: 12. 18. 24

Today’s Reflection:  I alone cannot change the world but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. —  St. Teresa of Calcutta

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: 12. 17. 24

Today’s Reflection  Lord, we can be a stubborn people. Thank you for your guidance, your teachings, your patience, and your love, for your faithfulness despite our failures to listen and love. Open our ears this Advent to your Word and open our hearts to your Son who again is coming into our lives; help us to get ready to follow Jesus back to you. Amen. — Bill Lipscomb 

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: 12. 16. 24

Today’s Reflection  Show gratitude for:

Those who support you

Those who lift you up

Those who keep you going

Those who make you smile

Those who bring you joy

Those who comfort you

Those who give you a shoulder to lean on

Those who are there for you in good times and bad

Those who give you purpose

Those who bring you peace

Those who are no longer here but you still feel in spirit — Maria Shriver  

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: 12. 15. 24

Today’s Reflection (Third Sunday of Advent): Morning prayer –

Come, Lord Jesus;

make us ready for your advent:

your advent in the crib

as we celebrate your birth,

your advent when the kingdom

comes in all its fullness,

your advent in our lives today,

revealing your kingdom among us

by the love you share,

in us and through us. — Bill Braviner 

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

Morning Offering is posted by 8 a.m.

Morning Offering: 12. 14. 24

Today’s Reflection: God of good news,

of great joy for all people,

give us warm and generous hearts,

inspire us to share what we have

and work for peace,

so we may share your joy.

Amen. — CAFOD, Catholic social justice 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.

Morning Offering: 12. 13. 24

Today’s Reflection: I believe in the eternity of God who has entered into our time, my time.— Karl Rahner 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.