Father Gregory Boyle, S. J., has spent most of his adult life working with gang members in Los Angeles. In his book, The Whole Language: the power of extravagant tenderness, he comments on the ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Study to encourage us, who want to engage in and strengthen cities across America, to understand root […]
Freedom of Speech, as spelled out in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, protects the right of individuals or communities to openly articulate opinions and ideas without interference, retaliation, or punishment from the government. We see that freedom expressed on college campuses and across the American landscape, especially as spring turns to summer. […]
Saint Francis Xavier (SFX) Parish, established in Kansas City in 1909, has been led by Jesuits for its entire 115-year history. Lack of manpower, however, sadly forces the order to withdraw from parish leadership there this summer. The history of the Jesuits in Kansas City goes back to the 1820s when a group of them […]
Early in my priesthood, I was privileged to be mentored by Monsignor Arthur Matthew Tighe, longtime pastor of Visitation Parish, site of my first assignment in 1987. Then, like now, there were various discussions and debates among Catholics about how the church should function as a sacramental institution, a hierarchical enterprise, a community of faith […]
This beautiful poem was first published by Cedar Fort in 2008. On Christmas Eve, a young boy with light in his eyes looked deep into Santa’s, to Santa’s surprise, and said as he sat on Santa’s broad knee, “I want your secret. Tell it to me.” He leaned up and whispered in Santa’s good ear, […]
Chiefs All-Star Tight End Travis Kelce is amazing in so many ways, he even teaches us how we can do—or be—two things at once. As his imagination takes him to grilling while mowing, or working out while being interviewed, or ordering two diverse dinners at the same meal, his pedagogy reminds me of what religious […]
“Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings.” I don’t know where that quote originated but I’ve been thinking about it since Thanksgiving morning in the Church of the Little Flower where some of KC’s inner-city parishioners sat bundled in a late autumn chill because the parish’s […]
I live along the Old Santa Fe Trail, one of three major roadways originating nearly 200 years ago along the Missouri River heading west. Recently a landscape crew dug up a horseshoe in my front yard that dated back to the era of wagon trains, frontiersmen, and pioneer families. As one who values history, I […]
It is fitting that we inaugurate the holiday season at family tables. Ancient Judaism, like many religions and cultures, valued the household meal as the center of vitality and faith. There, table fellowship implied fellowship with God. There, we are not only nourished physically but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually through conversation: reflection on blessings, chat […]
There are lots of opportunities to participate in Autumn Giving. If you’d like, I can serve as a conduit for your generosity or, in holiday language, we can make elves of ourselves. Journey to New Life, a ministry that assists incarcerated people to reenter society, is receiving lightly used winter coats for adult men and […]
UPON THIS ROCK 