Many people today struggle in casual conversations with neighbors, friends, and family members when polarizing issues surface to threaten, discomfort, or offend them. It is a challenge for many of us to proceed in dialogue when differing viewpoints cause emotional upheaval or relational rift. Saint Ignatius of Loyola, sixteenth century Spanish founder of the Society […]
Inspired by the Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, whose final painting was produced while she faced severe illness and tremendous pain, Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, entitled his 2008 hit with the same phrase contained in her art piece, “Viva la Vida.” It translates as “long live life.” He was impressed by the painter’s bold […]
There is much that changes in a quarter century. There are some 8.3 billion people on earth; 3.5 billion or so were born after September 11, 2001; another billion were so young that they have no memory of the events of that day. Over half the world knows little to nothing about the four planes, […]
“Energy” is defined as the quantitative property transferred to a body or physical system, recognizable as the capacity to do work and produce change, heat, or light. In physics, “work” means the force to move an object—so energy is what causes movement. The law of conservation teaches that energy cannot ever be created or destroyed, […]
One of my faith communities, Saint James at 39th Street and Troost Avenue, hosted its annual parish picnic last weekend, marking its 120th anniversary. Bishop Johnston presided over a Mass there to observe the occasion. Since 1906, much has changed in that region which, in the 19th Century, was immediately south of the Porter Family […]
Saint Teresa’s Academy (STA) is Kansas City’s oldest high school, founded in 1866 on Quality Hill of our fledgling downtown. The girls’ school, operated by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet (CSJs), moved to its Windmoor Campus (55th and Main Street) in 1909. The next year Rockhurst High School for boys and College for […]
Saint Augustine of Hippo (ancient city in modern-day Algeria) was famous for his great mind, remarkable conversion, and deep faith. His classic fifth century autobiography, Confessions, is less about his sins (though he reveals plenty) and more about God’s loving mercy and grace. In other words, he confesses that God is God and we are […]
As Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina sat in the Sistine Chapel during the conclave of 2013 and realized that he would be the next pope, his friend, Cardinal Hummes of Brazil who sat next to him, leaned over and whispered, “Don’t forget the poor.” Sherry was born in Central Missouri in the 1940s, the only […]
In 1909, the same year that the Jesuits of the Saint Louis Province established Rockhurst College, Rockhurst High School, and Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Kansas City on shared land where 52nd Street intersects with Troost Avenue, the Jesuits of the United States established a magazine called “America.” Its title indicated their desire to engage […]
Those who attend lots of Saturday weddings are familiar with the Catholic Wedding Gap; it refers to the time between an early afternoon church ceremony and evening reception. The two-to-three-hour frame has become part of our Catholic culture. During that afternoon time, guests usually assemble in small groups at bars, hotels, homes, or Airbnb’s until […]
