So, You Want to Be Part of the Glory?
I’m already looking forward to Easter, so late in April this year. But now is the time to focus on the Passion of Jesus Christ. Do I believe Jesus’ cause, loving neighbors and enemies, is more important than anything else? No one is spared suffering, so we offer to God our little pinpricks—those hourly inconveniences, […]
Spring Equinox Lurks
The first rays of dawn revealed a mountain range that had not existed the night before. The image was something totally new—snow-capped hills like the foothills of the Rockies. Was I awakening in a cabin in Glacier National Park? I had seen this morning sky years ago when mountains were a novel sight to this […]
From Paczki to Easter Eggs
We may be wondering about the price of eggs. Perhaps this year it will be more economical to fill plastic eggs with dollar bills. But I’m not talking here about the price of eggs. The customs of Lent vary greatly depending upon the century. Even the length of Lent has seen differences in the number […]
You Can’t Do It Alone
John the Baptist did something entirely new. His name “Baptist” or “Baptizer” proves it. The word literally means one who “immerses in” or “submerges.” The dunking had nothing to do with common Jewish practices of ritual purity done by the individual. It was an entirely new way. John’s symbolic action meant to protect against final […]
They Could Have Been in Historical Novels
I love reading historical novels. Even though the characters are fictional, the setting, the dialogue, the plot give credibility. I feel the reality of history. I wonder if many of our ancestors could be characters in novels. Do you have a story like this one in your family background? My great-great grandmother brought eight children […]
“Let Me Tell You a Story”
In her book Firstlight Sue Monk Kidd claims “All personal theology should begin with the words: ‘Let me tell you a story.’” Jesus used this technique, his parables explaining deep truths. Lately we Sisters have been communicating via Zoom to prepare for a convocation this summer. Having read assigned articles and preparing responses to discussion […]
“Yanked Out of Normalcy”
Had you asked me a couple days ago what I would be doing today, I would have said “What I do every Sunday. Play piano for two Masses, probably visit in a care facility, read.” Some inches of snow on the roads and the car yanked me from my normal routine. I cleared the car […]
P-F-A- This Lent
Lent is taking a long time to arrive this year. As I write this, we still have almost 20 more days until Ash Wednesday (March 5th), but it’s not too early to consider Lenten practices. You’ve heard it before: Pray, fast, and give alms. Maybe you’re considering “more.” Could I pray more, do more fasting, […]
“Coming to Completion”
Saint Paul really liked the Philippians, always thanking God for them and praying for them with “joy” and being in “partnership in the gospel” (Phil. 1:3). Paul is even confident that God who began a good work in them “will go on completing it until the Day of Jesus Christ.” Well, if this is true […]
“I Didn’t See the Gift”
Four of us Sisters of Notre Dame participated in a day for students at St. Paul Schools in Norwalk to consider priestly and religious vocations . After a panel presentation, a freshman girl talked to the Sister directing the questions to the panel. Looking as if she had made a discovery of something she should […]
