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Day: September 11, 2006

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Current Events, Perspective

September 11 reflection

I’ve always loved this reading from Wisdom – Wisdom 3:1-9. I frequently use it at Requiem Holy Mass. For me, it and verses 10-12 are a great reflection for this sad day.

It is also fitting to remember that justice is the justice of God, not the justice we determine. We fail to see as God sees and for that reason we should all pay close attention to the last three verses.

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.

But the wicked shall receive a punishment to match their thoughts, since they neglected justice and forsook the LORD.
For he who despises wisdom and instruction is doomed. Vain is their hope, fruitless are their labors, and worthless are their works.
Their wives are foolish and their children wicked; accursed is their brood.

I pray that the Lord grant us wisdom and peace, that He look on us in mercy, and that He bring about the repentance and conversion of evildoers.

For all who died, Eternal rest grant onto them O Lord.
For all who suffered injury and loss, Hail Mary…
For all those who selflessly sacrificed for their brothers and sisters, Hail Mary…
For police officers, firefighters, public servants, and the members of our armed forces, Hail Mary…

Have mercy on us O Lord.

Everything Else

Home Depot – making moves

Today’s Associated Press carries a story about a re-do going on at Home Depot. A few excerpts from Home Depot strategy is to push customer service again follow.

CEO Bob Nardelli’s challenge is to make the stores more appealing to customers

ATLANTA – A customer service push three years ago by The Home Depot Inc. was hailed as a much-needed change at the home improvement chain. Now, with the economy slowing, the company is again trying with an extra $350 million in changes at its stores.
The company hopes not only to bring in more customers, but to also soothe investors who have driven Home Depot stock down more than 14 percent since the beginning of the year.

Win or lose, Chief Executive Officer Bob Nardelli says he is sticking with his strategy.

“What chairmen and CEOs have to do is prioritize,” Nardelli said in a recent interview in the Atlanta bureau of the Associated Press. “Those that don’t run the risk of trying to satisfy everyone and accomplishing nothing.”

In 2003, as Atlanta-based Home Depot faced a growing challenge from rival Lowe’s, the company said it would spend $400 million that year alone to modernize many of its stores, retrain employees and install computers to teach workers about the products they sell.

…

Davidowitz said Nardelli’s challenge is much the same as it was three years ago – to make Home Depot more appealing to customers by improving service and the feel of its stores. He suggested Nardelli take a cue from other big-box retailers.

“Go to Costco and look at those wonderful people giving out those free samples of food,” Davidowitz said. “Go to Target and look at the feeling you get when you go into the store. That’s what he’s got to go to school on.”

Nardelli said Home Depot doesn’t have its head in the sand.

…

The changes are part of a theme Home Depot has stressed in the past – improving the customer experience – but there is a greater urgency now, analysts say. Same-store sales, a measure that compares sales at stores open at least a year, fell 0.2 percent in the second quarter.

Based on my most recent negative experience with Home Depot this would appear to be the right move. We’ll see…

Homilies

Never thought I’d hear this…

I gave the homily at Holy Mass yesterday morning. I always prepare a homily, though I rarely deliver one. As our Prime Bishop has told us – always be prepared.

After Mass one of our most faithful and devout parishioners came up to me and told me how much he appreciated the homily. He told me: “You sounded just like Fulton Sheen.” I naturally thanked him – and I think I had a kind of shocked look on my face – because he followed up by saying he meant it.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard an episode of Life is Worth Living all the way through. Typically I’ve caught re-runs on EWTN late at night. I start watching and then I fall asleep in front of the television. Who knows – maybe something seeped in.

My mom always appreciated Bishop Sheen’s words. Like many Catholics of her generation, she took pride in Catholics that did well in the public arena (John F. Kennedy) or defended and taught the faith (Bishop Sheen).

I thank our parishioner for his kind words and for helping me feel close to my mom.

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