At this time of year it’s hard to find a parking place in metroparks. The birders have returned, migrating to the parks to satisfy their passion to see a Waxwing or a Great Crested Flycatcher. There’s a thrill in seeing whether it’s birds, stars, meteors, rainbows, a five-star movie, or

Recently a friend asked for prayers for her daughter. When this intention came to mind, I prayed a short prayer. Throughout this time I kept feeling the urge to do more. I decided to give this woman a Fatima rosary, along with a note about Our Lady of Fatima and

May 13 is the 100th anniversary of the apparitions to the three children in Fatima. Our Lady of Fatima has been a strong Marian devotion for a century, especially praying for peace. Many have gone to Portugal to ask for Mary’s intercession at her shrine. Others have experienced her aid

In late April I participated in the dedication of St. Joan of Arc Church in Toledo, Ohio. Many Catholics never have such an opportunity, and if they do, it may be a once-in-a-lifetime event. The experience is profound given the richness of the symbolism. What affected me the most was

The three of us living in Waterville ordered a take-out Chinese meal. Of course it came with fortune cookies. Mine read “The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” Surprised that the little paper had something profound, I kept it. I’ve reflected that nothing will be

Often the date of death is called one’s birthday into eternal life. Consequently the date of death sometimes becomes the day on which the Church celebrates canonized saints. If our foundress Hilligonde Wolbring (in religious life Sister Maria Aloysia) ever becomes canonized, May 6 could become her feastday. That date

Mary F. C. Pratt writes in her poem “Spring Beholding” that “bluebird, robin, forgotten songs come home.” When life is fraught with tension, when the burdens weigh us down, we forget to sing. But if we can even remember the musical line “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen,” the memory

During Lent, fish fry events spring up like weeds after a drought. Certainly this is advantageous for the church coffers and convenient for those abstaining from meat. But from a scriptural point of view, why stop eating fish after Easter? Didn’t Jesus prepare a breakfast of fish after he rose

There used to be a commercial asking the question: “How do you spell relief?” My answer is “T-R-U-S-T.” Trust in “Ask, and you shall receive.” Trust in “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Trust in “I will never forget you.” Certainly there are times in life when

Joseph, Man of prayer, Man of prayer-filled expectation, Man of prayer filled with expectant longing Man of prayer filled with expectant longing for birth Man of prayer filled with expectant longing for birthplace in Bethlehem Man of prayer filled with expectant longing for birthplace in Bethlehem of no room Of