When I think of this mystery, I picture my brother holding his newly-adopted son Christopher. My brother looked so proud to be carrying his son, showing him off, I suppose. Anna and Simeon noticed a similar facial expression on Joseph—pride, joy, gratitude for what the Almighty could do. Mary

When I pray the rosary, I think of the meaning of the prayers (Hail Mary, Our Father). Or I think of the mystery of each decade (Resurrection, Ascension, and so on). Occasionally I wonder how Mary would reflect on each mystery, actual events that she and her Son Jesus lived.

Yesterday, October 1, we celebrated 175 years since the founding of our Sisters of Notre Dame congregation, when our Sister Maria Aloysia Wolbring and Sister Maria Ignatia Kuhling pronounced their vows. May I use this blog to raise a toast to 175 years. Imagine with me that you are holding

In case you’re wondering whether religious sisters approve Halloween parties, decorations, and costumes; know that we most certainly do. Every year there’s a party, and some come in elaborate costumes that completely obscure their identity. Besides, Halloween is the vigil of one of the greatest feasts of the year, All

Halloween is connected to the Christian observance of All Saints and All Souls Day. Although it’s not called a Triduum, it has similarities to the Sacred Triduum of Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter—three days but one celebration. In a somewhat similar way, the feasts of All Saints and All

By the time you read this, Carlo Acutis will have been canonized! You may know him as the teenager who used his computer skills to tell others about adoration of the Blessed Sacraments and the many miracles of the Eucharist. Perhaps a revival in Eucharistic adoration led to a recent

Having cited many evils in the world (entitlement of the wealthy, the rise in disease, recruitment of child soldiers, general apathy, unequal age expectancy, and more) Anthony Gittins writes in his book A Presence That Disturbs: A Call to Radical Discipleship that if Christians do not advocate for the poor

When I don’t want to write a blog or weed or practice piano, I can usually think of a reason to avoid the activity. If I gave in repeatedly, you wouldn’t be reading this blog, the weeds would dominate, and the parishioners would hear sour notes. One idea that surprised

Recently I completed 55 years of religious life. While no one celebrated except me, I was content with a quiet Emerald Jubilee. Green, my favorite color, is associated with new growth. I felt ready for new growth of some kind, and I was blessed that the time coincided with packing

You’ve probably noticed how the Gospels are forward-looking. Up ahead is eternal life. Of course, this is Jesus Christ’s modus operandi. His words pointed beyond. His thoughts were on His Father. Jesus based his decisions on the will of His Father. His Kingdom was not of this world. Looking forward