It was the summer of 2007, and I was blessed to co-lead a group of St. John's University students on a service pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. A quick history lesson: Lourdes was a poor town where a teenage girl named Bernadette lived. In 1858, over a period of 5 months, Mary, the Blessed Mother, appeared… Continue reading LOOKING FOR A MIRACLE
Social distancing has provided the incredible blessing of precious with my beloved wife and my daughter, Shea. While we spent quality time together during those good old normal days of endless tasks, beating the clock, and struggling to get Shea's socks and shoes on before school, we now have an unprecedented amount of time together… Continue reading Lessons from my 3 1/2 year old
"Love isn't a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now." - Fred Rogers As we hopefully continue to socially distance ourselves, we find ourselves with a sacred opportunity to love… Continue reading LOVE THE ONE YOUR WITH
"Half a loaf is better than no bread." Several years ago, during a vacation in Ireland, I picked up a small book titled "Favorite Irish Proverbs." On this very different St. Patrick's Day, when the pubs are closed and the streets are empty, I was struck by the above saying while flipping through those… Continue reading AN IRISH-INSPIRED MESSAGE
During these trying times, my ability to spiritually reflect has been challenged by the constant "bad news" that arrives with the changing of the channel, most social media alerts, and "doomsday" text messages that are arriving more often than I can probably handle. Perhaps you can relate. I am feeling deeply for those who are… Continue reading Discovering our True Self in Trying Times
Tuesday night, I was blessed to attend the Broadway show, Girl from the North Country. Set to the soundtrack of Bob Dylan, it tells the story of strangers surviving at a boarding house in the 1930's. The family that runs the house provide the main storylines, but the guests add complexity and sorrow to the… Continue reading WHEN THINGS NO LONGER MAKE SENSE
During this holy season, we may find ourselves focusing on the notions of sin and repentance. As difficult as this may be, exploring our sins present an opportunity for us to learn some important lessons about ourselves so we may truly grow in relationship with our God. The best definition of sin that I heard… Continue reading What Can Our Sins Teach Us?
