All Hanging Together—in Prayer
The phrase “all hanging together” first said by Benjain Franklin” is still a powerful ideal. Most certainly it applies to families, congregations, schools, religious communities, nations, as “hanging out with” is a means of building strong bonds. The recent issue of America magazine spoke of Trump’s “Make America Isolated” policy. Contrary to this policy is […]
Servant Leadership
The term “servant leadership” has become a popular phrase. As people realize that good leaders must also be servants, our perception of those in authority moves in that direction. Perhaps the idea of “servant leadership” led to choosing recent popes. Within the next couple weeks, it may be useful in selecting our next provincial for […]
An Unlikely Read
Two days before Ash Wednesday I finished reading THE ORPHAN COLLECTOR by Ellen Marie Wiseman, an historical novel situated in Pennsylvania during the flu epidemic at the end of the First World War. While the plot and characterization were engaging, there were times I wanted to put the book down. The horror and evil disguised […]
There’s Snow and Then There’s Snow
The title of this blog could refer to time, meaning day after day the picture outside in Northwest Ohio is one of snow…and snow…and snow. But snow has many interpretations as does the manner in which we say “It’s snowing again.” Was that delight in your voice? Was that sarcasm or irritation or disappointment? One […]
Second Grade Spirituality
In second grade my teacher taught me the Hidden Angel game. Undoubtedly Sister Mary Sharon taught me many other things during our hour of religious instruction on Saturday afternoons, but this one I specifically remember. Game rules were easy: do a good deed without anyone seeing you. Nothing was said about being caught in the […]
Look Out for Lent
We’ve just concluded the Christmas Season and are only a few days into Ordinary Time, but I’m already behind the 8 ball. When studying for a masters in liturgy, I was taught to prepare a whole year at one time, starting with Holy Week and working forward and backwards from that point. I suppose full-time […]
Music Makes Us One
Almost daily I have the privilege and responsibility to play the piano or organ for Mass at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center in Whitehouse, Ohio. Although I am not the one who selects the hymns and ritual music, which have a greater impact on the liturgy, I imagine that my choices of preludes and […]
Tell Me about Your Favorite Christmas Carol
We are approaching the end of the Christmas Season, and I have only a couple days to play and sing every carol in the hymnal. A few like “Silent Night” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” have been used twice in the parish assembly. And the best interludes, postludes, and preludes have been played. But […]
Christmas Never Ends
One task today for me is to continue taking down and packing Christmas decorations. The season is about to end, and the official Ordinary Time begins. But that does not mean Christmas is over. Robert Taft, S.J., whom I was privileged to have as an instructor of the Church Year, was adamant that “every day […]
The Sisters of Notre Dame Are on the Watch
Perhaps you’ve seen posters suggesting we sleep well tonight; the USA Army is on the watch. I don’t need to enumerate all the terrible things going on in our world from ICE raids to starvation to floods and fires. But I find comfort in knowing my sisters, the Sisters of Notre Dame, are on the […]