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This week, an important discussion took place about respecting and being kind to one another. The US Capitol held a hearing to address issues of censorship, polarization, and corruption that are harming our country.

During the hearing, I observed the presence of four notable witnesses, each offering their unique perspectives and expertise on the matter at hand. However, among them, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stood out as the epitome of eloquence and unwavering passion. His arguments displayed an extensive understanding of the subject matter, leaving a lasting impression on all those present.

It was disheartening, though, to witness the apparent lack of concern from certain lawmakers for Mr. Kennedy’s insights. Despite inviting him to provide answers, they seemed determined to silence him prematurely, denying him the opportunity to fully convey his points. This unfortunate behavior inadvertently served as a testament to the very censorship he asserted was prevalent in our society.

In any democratic society, it is crucial to nurture an environment that encourages open and honest discussions, even when opinions differ. The purpose of a hearing should be to foster dialogue, exchange ideas, and gain a deeper understanding of various perspectives. However, when individuals are repeatedly cut off or prevented from expressing their thoughts, the essence of fruitful discourse is lost.

This incident highlights the need for our lawmakers to actively listen, engage, and respect the views of all witnesses. By doing so, they not only uphold the principles of free speech but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to the democratic ideals that underpin our society.

Likewise, one of the best friends I ever had taught me much about how every person has a right to their own opinion, but not their own facts. Photography and Art play a great deal in our culture to share opinions and ideas, as well as presenting the facts. As I often say, people need works of Art that are examples of goodness and hope – simple moments in time can create lasting impressions or make you smile if even for a moment.

Art allows us to see life differently and encourages conversation. What we consume shapes our thoughts and behaviors.

That’s it for this Sunday Letter. Thank you for reading, talk with you again soon,

Frank

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Photo: 'Connections' - Electrical workers install wire on utility poles silhouetted by the sunset in mid-west America. Copyright 2012 Frank J Casella. Reference: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/connections-frank-j-casella.html
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There are several blogs I host on the internet that require action or response from the reader. So a few years ago I started a personal blog on the Vivaldi platform, my intent was to share the things I don't talk about, that are not meant to be 'monetized'. However, the vibe and business model over there is moving in a different direction. This is what I cal 'the beast' of online platforms ....

I mentioned to you in a resent blog post that I intended to just move all of that content over here, and keep posting everything on one blog. However, some of you provided my very constructive pushback, that my personal thoughts should be just that ... personal. So I started a new blog here on the same Wordpress platform you're reading this blog. The main difference is that now you can subscribe to get each new blog post by email, just as you do with this blog.

Why is this important?

This is best said from what I shared in a personal blog post over there:

"The reason for sharing your thoughts is that it not only helps to form our own opinions, but that we all have a right to our own opinion even if we don’t have a right to our own facts. It doesn’t matter if others are reading what you are saying, because you need to do this for yourself first. ... I have been (and you will be) surprised that when people in the real world ask for opinions how much (you and) I will have it, and speak it, well thought out already.
https://fjcasella.wordpress.com/2020/10/29/people-dont-like-what-i-say/

The rest of it has not changed from the First Thoughts on that blog as well:

I plan to make a blog entry at least once a week, and hopefully more, that is NOT about my interests with photography, the Catholic Faith, manhood, or art, but rather everything else I might be thinking about and just need to write it down.

Thinking is a rare commodity in our world today, especially with the distractions of our information age. It is important now to be mindful how we are intentional about blocking out time with our own thoughts.

For example, it is said how the late Abraham Lincoln, when he was President of the United States, would spend much time in pure solitude with the decisions that he had to make after he got feedback from his advisors.

So I hope that you enjoy this blog, and come back to it often if it speaks to you. I don’t expect you to comment (though many as you can see have), because this blog is more about my thought process and I hope you can benefit from it.



Photo: 'Starbucks Coffee Vibe' - Walking past this coffee house in the millennium train station in Chicago, Illinois, I couldn't help but stop to capture the vibe of this moment in time.
Copyright 2021 Frank J Casella.

Reference Link - https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/starbucks-coffee-vibe-frank-j-casella.html




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I was drawn to this moment of an American Flag mounted on a tree with blooming flowers below it, in the country morning sunlight, because it reminds me of how this Flag is a symbol of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness", a well-known phrase in the United States Declaration of Independence. The phrase gives three examples of the "unalienable rights" which the Declaration says have been given to all human beings by their Creator, and which governments are created to protect. Without it we have chaos.

The American flag is a symbol of our nation and our people. It is a reminder to us that we are all united under one banner, and that we are all fighting for the same cause. It is a sign of our strength and our resilience, and it is a symbol of our commitment to our values and our way of life.

The American flag is a symbol that means that we serve everybody equally without discrimination, but we do not show favoritism. Many American flags are displayed in my Midwest community, as it represents the strong support there is for the country among average people. Seeing these flags reminds me that there are still people in America who are willing to fight for our freedoms and the American way of life - even when it seems like the situation is not looking good. This proud sight will make everyone who sees it feel proud and patriotic.

Our woke overlords want us to think that America is a nation that needs to be destroyed in order to atone for the injustices that it has committed in the past. The “progressive” ideology is rooted in victim-hood and requires that America be dismantled in order to rebuild it in their own image. America was founded on the principle of individual liberty and self-reliance, so it’s no surprise that they don’t understand or appreciate this. Why do you have to have the Pride flag shown on government property to be represented? You’re already represented. We already know who you are.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, allegiance is “the faithful observance of an obligation, especially a sworn declaration or pledge of allegiance.” In this context, the American flag is an object of allegiance. Contrary to what some people might think, the flag does not restrict freedom of speech. In fact, it is one of the few things that can unite people from all walks of life under one banner. To show allegiance to the American flag is not a political statement, but a demonstration of patriotism.

The national flag of the United States of America (or the American flag) consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton (referred to specifically as the 'union') bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars.

The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 states and the 13 stripes represent the thirteen British colonies that rebelled against the British monarchy and became the first states in the Union.

Nicknames for the flag include the 'Stars and Stripes', 'Old Glory' and 'The Star-Spangled Banner'

Thus the American Flag unites American's as One Nation under God with Liberty and Justice for All.


Photo: Life and Liberty - Color Photograph of American Flag and Flowers - Copyright 2020 Frank J Casella - https://fineartamerica.com/featured/life-and-liberty-frank-j-casella.html



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American Flags on display in front of houses in Midwest America .. in black and white.


Prayer for Memorial Day

God of power and mercy,
you destroy war and put down earthly pride.
Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears,
that we may all deserve to be called your sons
and daughters.
Keep in your mercy those men and women
who have died in the cause of freedom
and bring them safely
into your kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this though Jesus Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen




Prayer for Our Troops

Lord God, Almighty Father,
creator of mankind and author of peace,
as we are ever mindful of the cost paid for the liberty we possess,
we ask you to bless the members of our armed forces.
Give them courage, hope and strength.
May they ever experience your firm support, gentle love and compassionate healing.
Be their power and protector, leading them from darkness to light.
To you be all glory, honor and praise, now and forever.
R/. Amen.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/prayer-our-troops
https://www.usccb.org/prayers/prayer-memorial-day-last-monday-may


Photo: Freedom in Black and White - Copyright 2012 Frank J Casella - frankjcasella.pixels.com

Image Reference Link: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/freedom-in-black-and-white-frank-j-casella.html


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A Father and Son go for a bike ride. But it is more than a simple bike ride, it is love in action. Because many children relate the love of their own father to that with the love of the Heavenly Father. In a culture that is presently literally feminizing men and manood, there seems to be a new call for the traditional role for a father and husband, as God desinged it, that impacts positively the family unit - It is the mother who does the nurturing, and the father who sets the mission or direction of the family, although these roles can overlap at times. There comes a time when every boy goes through the right of passage, when a boy becomes a man, and there is no better way for him to do this than with his father if possible. The presence of a good father and mother is important because our children learn more from our actions than from our words. Sadly, there are many children today who are looking for a father figure because their own father has left them, one way or another - All good men can be that person in their life, whether for a moment or a lifetime.

Black and White Street Photo Copyright 2008 Frank J. Casella - frankjcasella.pixels.com

Reference link: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/presence-frank-j-casella.html



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Sometimes, it is important to seek for grace though the darkness, before we can experience elegance from the Light. Photo: Light and Wood Monochrome – Copyright 2018 Frank J Casella.


Reference Link: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/light-and-wood-monochrome-frank-j-casella.html



"The start of strife is like the opening of a dam; check a quarrel before it bursts forth!"

Proverbs 17:14

The arguer insist on his own way.

A conflict resolver looks for a resolution instead of trying to win an argument.

Love means looking out for the other persons interest.

Unresolved conflicts stand as barriers to unity, whether it be friendships, co-workers, politics, or a marriage, etc.

If we don’t find a way to meet in the middle, or what we do agree on, we become enemies instead of teammates.

So, the key is to stop trying to win an argument, and start trying to understand each other.

"Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but [ also ] everyone for those of others."

Philippians 2: 3-4




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Photo: Happy Female Red Winged Blackbird in the Wetlands,from the pink flowers to the rippled water by the ducks, all drenched in the golden hour sunlight. The elements of God's creation in nature at work. - Made at the Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve in Illinois - USA. Copyright 2022 Frank J Casella - frankjcasella.pixels.com

This says it better than I ever could:

"God talks to human beings through many vectors: wise people, organized religion, the Great Books of religions, through art, music and poetry. But nowhere with such detail, and grace and joy, as through creation. When we destroy nature, we diminish our capacity to sense the divine."

-- Robert F Kennedy, Jr.


Thanks for reading,

Talk with you again soon,

Frank J Casella, Artistic Photographer
Blogger on Fine Art America

Reference Link: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/happy-bird-in-the-wetlands-frank-j-casella.html


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Photo: 'Groups of Flowers' - It is interesting to me how flowers grow in groups. Sometimes different kinds, and other times blooming before the others. Such is the case of life itself ... We all need each other to make it in the world, and this is one reason why belonging to groups of interest is important in life.

Reference Link: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/groups-of-flowers-frank-j-casella.html

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Friends,

Sharing other artists works is something important to me, because doing it simply warms my heart. Recently another artist on Fine Art America, who was the administrator / curator for the Stained Glass Artwork Group and The American Flag group, decided to give them up after many years .. and gave them to me .... which is a total surprise.

The key I think to these artist groups is that collectors learn over time the curators who pick the best new artwork before it gets ranked by the website system, and these collectors visit those groups based on the subject or theme of their interests. Likewise, artists know what groups to join and share their works based on who the curator is .. and this is why it was a total surprise for me to be handed these prestegious groups!

Stained glass artwork can be very uplifting, as it illustrates moments in time or stories about our lives and history. Likewise, the American flag unites us as American's. You can have many other flags for things that you admire, but the American flag is the One that is like a box of crayons - there are many different colors all together in the same box.

In addition, I also share my photographs on MeWe Social, and recently the owner of the Pentax group there decided to give it up and, short of the long, it was also handed to me. This goes hand-in-hand on Fine Art America, because I also curate the Pentax and Ricoh Group there. Below is a brief explainer about the features of these groups.

Here are the links to the groups:

On Fine Art America:

STAINED GLASS ARTWORK
This group welcomes all media and pictures of real Stained Glass. As a material stained glass is glass that has been coloured by adding metallic salts during its manufacture.

THE AMERICAN FLAG
This group welcomes all media and pictures of The American Flag. Nicknames for the flag include the 'Stars and Stripes', 'Old Glory' and 'The Star-Spangled Banner'


On MeWe: The Pentax Group




Group Features:

On Fine Art America: Participate in Groups
Join one of our 5,000+ member-moderated groups or create your own.

We have groups dedicated to art, photography, graphic design, print-on-demand technologies, and the ever-present topic of 'how to sell online'.

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On MeWe: Why MeWe Groups?
MeWe is the Next-Gen Social Network for groups. No censorship, spying, or targeted 3rd-party ads. Groups can have up to 12 admins, and can customize member levels of participation.

Plus, 100% of your posts will reach 100% of your members since there are no algorithms or bots. MeWe is the social network to serve your community.

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Happy Easter 2023 to you all !! There is no better way for me to explain this day other than this:

"He is risen." The resurrection of Christ is a pledge of our own resurrection. It is the foundation upon which our faith rests. It is the guarantee of our redemption and God's assurance that our sins are forgiven and that we are called to eternal life. "This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us be glad and rejoice therein. Give praise to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. Alleluia."

—Excerpted from The Light of the World by Benedict Baur, O.S.B.


Let us pray ..







O God, who on this day,

through your Only Begotten Son,

have conquered death

and unlocked for us the path to eternity,

grant, we pray, that we who keep

the solemnity of the Lord's Resurrection

may, through the renewal brought by your Spirit,

rise up in the light of life.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.


Photo: 'Easter Sunday Silence' - Square Tulip Flowers Sunrise - Copyright 2019 Frank J Casella
https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/easter-sunday-silence-frank-j-casella.html



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A bare altar with purple banner sets the tone at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois, where faithful Catholics visit throughout the days for prayer and observing for Holy Week. Copyright 2016 Frank J Casella -frankjcasella.pixels.com


Triduum --

The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery.

The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.

The liturgical services that take place during the Triduum are:

Mass of the Lord's Supper

Good Friday of the Lord's Passion

Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord

Click For More Information


Photo Reference Link https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/easter-triduum-frank-j-casella.html



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