When I was a kid in middle school, I broke my left arm at the elbow. It has never since been straight. In my twenties and again in my thirties, I had orthoscopic surgery on my left knee. For most of my life, I have favored my right side and now, in my sixties, I […]
While the New Testament scriptures were written in the first century, Christians were getting persecuted, especially in Rome. According to a famous legend, Peter, Jesus’ choice to lead the church, was fleeing the city to escape the suffering when he encountered Christ going the other way—into the wreckage and turmoil. Peter asked Him, “Where are […]
Mother Teresa once said, “At the end of life, we will not be judged by how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, taking in the homeless—hungry not only for bread but hungry for love, naked not only for […]
About thirty years ago, when I served as vocation director for our diocese, members of a particular religious order visited Kansas City to recruit future priests. They asked my help to secure a home where some young men could gather to learn about their order. A wonderful couple stepped up to graciously host them. After […]
Everybody benefits from a break now and then. Though ancient Greeks enculturated a multi-day springtime “awakening” tradition, our American custom of spring break began in the late 1930s when a coach from frigid upstate New York took his Colgate swimmers to Florida to gain Olympic-style training in warmer climate. Similarly, professional baseball teams from Philadelphia […]
“I arise today through the strength of heaven, light of the sun, radiance of the moon, splendor of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of the wind, depth of the sea, stability of the earth, firmness of the rock. I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me…” It is with these words that the prayer […]
March often enters like a lion and exits like a lamb, for it is the month in which winter officially turns to spring. The transition is played out as atmospheric pressures and gravitational pulls bring forth weather that vacillates between cold and warmth while air can gust into strong winds or burst into storms. As […]
Twelve years ago, when the new pope, unknown to the world was elected, the first question he was asked by the gathered press was, “Who are you?” He responded by saying, “I am a sinner.” Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) began as a movement in the 1930s in Ohio. At the center was Bill W who, though […]
This Lent, I will offer some mini retreats for people to reflect upon the most significant issues of life and address topics of death. Utilizing guidance from spiritual directors, life coaches, death doulas, and Catholic traditions, we will spend time discussing how to make the most of what remains of our earthly life, how to […]
Herman Melville once wrote, “We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads and, along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes, and they return to us as results.” “Catholic” means universal. The Catholic Church has been a good reminder through time that all humanity is part of […]
UPON THIS ROCK 