The sculptures of Michelangelo; the beauty, climate, and food of Tuscany; the whole experience of Italy: these are the positive memories that brighten the windiest March day. The feelings of appreciation in my heart held there even a short while change me. Scientifically I know that my heart vibrates

As I heard the Scripture story of the Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8) read both yesterday and again today at Mass, I was struck by the vulnerability of women and how this has been true throughout the centuries. Whether or not the woman is actually guilty almost seems secondary;

  Our founding sister, Sister Maria Aloysia Wolbring, put herself into the hands of the dear God and, whether in Germany or the United States, did whatever needed to be done. Sometimes she was a local superior, sometimes not. She taught school, catechized, took care of the aged, managed a

I had the opportunity yesterday to read a piece on St. John of the Cross, and while it was about the fourth time I read it, it touched me in a whole new way. In the book, Impact of God, Iain Matthew writes of God’s intense desire to enter our

As we celebrate today the Feast of Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, I’m reminded of how grateful I am of the gift of true friendship. These two women of the early Church had a relationship deeper than owner and slave; they supported one another in a friendship that led to closer

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Jesus asks us for freedom of heart. As our country faces economic crises, as our Church prays for a new pope, as we start our day with its unknowns, we need freedom of heart. I feel humbly proud of the response of religious

Ever since Charles Darwin gave us the phrase “survival of the fittest,” we’ve believed that the best, the strongest, the fastest will endure. But is that true? Darwin used the phrase “survival of the fittest” only once in a book that spoke of love 95 times and moral sensitivity 92

Many of us, perhaps, go into Lent with a sense of dread about what we can’t do and can’t have. So let’s approach Lent differently this year. How? Let’s go to Cedar Point until March 28. Explore the rides! The devil tempted Jesus to be self-serving, self-exulting, a real Power

This morning I began to use a little book entitled God Speaks in Many Tongues. It contains sacred texts from a variety of religious traditions followed by a meditation on a line or two from the text of the day by Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister. The words of wisdom for

We join with the universal Church this morning as we hear the news of Pope Benedict’s resignation as Holy Father in praying for him and for all Catholics throughout the world. I’m reminded of the times I’ve been privileged to visit the Vatican and the overwhelming gratitude I felt for