Photo Credit: pixaby.com Novelist Anne Tyler developed the concept of The Church of The Second Chance in her novel, Saint Maybe.  Theologian Stanley Hauerwas has taken the concept a bit further from its storefront adding a bit of clerical dressing to it in his writings.  I am a fan of the concept.  A soul, ragged... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: Pixaby.com Have you ever experienced something so beautiful, so meaningful that it took your breath away for a split moment, followed by reverence and awe?  I’ve had a few of these.  Just recently while driving on an isolated road in mid-morning, I saw a red tail hawk descend toward me, gracefully and almost... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: @SNMIPHC My last post described the concept of the unintentional community, that which is formed as a result of a cataclysmic event where survivors employ ways to exist and more importantly, to thrive. Today I want to describe the intentional community, one that is formed by choice constructed by social connections of similar... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: Pixaby.com Nicholas Christakis is a physician-sociologist whose recent book Blueprint “…explores the ancient origins and modern implications of human nature.”  I’m reading this fascinating book for research toward the work I do with groups.  So far, the author’s argument is enlightening especially if one reflects on our life with COVID-19, which the book preceded by several months.... Continue Reading →

Last week’s blog hit a “trendy” stride when I presented the concept of liminality in reference to the spirituality of our liturgical ordinary time and its connection with this pandemic.  I mentioned that there is an analogy here between our faith and the condition of the world. I received several personal notes about the blog and the term liminality.... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: Pixaby Many cultures have rites of passage which can be demanding experiences for the candidate. After a period of separation from his or her community, and faced with seemingly indomitable challenges, the candidate returns home a changed person. Most often the change is for the better as intended by the initiation.  The candidate is ready to be... Continue Reading →

One of the stories in this post-Easter week has been the story of the travelers to Emmaus who meet Christ along the way. According to Luke, this happens on Easter evening as Cleopas and an unnamed companion are caught up from behind by a stranger who joins them as they walk.  A few points are interesting to notice: the “walkers” are walking... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: Patheos.com I remember as a very young child, the fear that World War II leveled on us after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  I remember standing in line with my mother at the “truck huckster” station to purchase, with red and blue card board coins, the rationed foods and other goods we needed. I don’t know... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: https://www.catholicbishops.ie We now begin the holiest week of the year. My friends and Anonymous Angels, we have experienced a Lenten season unlike any other, no matter what our age. We are aware of pain, grief, separation, and the global zeitgeist of fear overwhelmed at the same time by extraordinary generosity and heroism. We... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: Pixaby Right now we are all succumbing to cabin fever. As demanding as it is, why grouse about being together, playing games, reading books, talking to each other and, maybe, taking time to pray together or alone? It got me to thinking. Even in Biblical times we had the nay-sayers when it came to prophets giving... Continue Reading →