Photo Credit: National Catholic Reporter Pope Francis has approved Hope as the theme for this Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church. Jubilee years occur every 25 years and are meant to inspire prayerful gratitude for the good that has happened these past 25 years as well as participation in events and occurrences that will generate enthusiasm for... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com The Christmas and post-Christmas seasons are really a season of journeys, travels, and seeking. Consider Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, then to Egypt with Jesus, and then back to Nazareth. Consider the shepherds taking heed of the angels and traveling farther from their hillside to the stable, or the Magi traveling... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: Getty Images Last year I once posted about my list of heroes, men and women who inspire me for their courage and their dedication to speak the truth while serving the needs of others. I have a new name to add to that list as of a few days ago. Former President and... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: gettyimages.comThe holiday tidings extended by Pope Francis to his Curia (the administrative departments that run the Vatican), and the body of Cardinals in attendance, showed a pope somewhat peppered about rumors and disgruntled leaders in his household. It was as if the principal had come to the classroom to scold students and find out... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: HuffPost  In a few very short days, we will celebrate Christmas. Our readings and our liturgical practices have provided meaningful reflection for our personal, spiritual preparation for the festivities. One of the prophets the Church uses frequently in Advent is Isaiah who reminds us to give “comfort to my people,” and to remember, “I have... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com In 1949, during the fallout of the indescribable horrors of World War II, Viktor Frankl, holocaust survivor and psychologist, coined the term, “tragic optimism” to describe a way to find meaning and hope in times when hope is blurred by seemingly greater power and oppression. Frankl maintained that there are three tragedies every human faces.... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com Just now, after our late afternoon walk, Lily (our little Maltipooh) and I have noticed the quiet drifting of snowflakes for what promises to be a healthy snowfall tonight here in our corner of Northeast Ohio. The trees and pumpkins in the yard are dusted with snow looking like sugar on the edges... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com I ask you to read this poem by Mary Oliver with quiet openness.      Praying It doesn't have to be the blue Iris, it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few small stones; just pay attention, then patch a few words together and don't try to make them elaborate, this isn't  a... Continue Reading →

It's 4 in the morning on election day. My alarm goes off and I am getting ready to take on the responsibility of being a poll chaplain for a precinct to which I had been assigned a week earlier. I have been contacted and told to appear by 6 a.m. with a folding chair, snacks, water, and... Continue Reading →

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com Here we are post-election and some of us may be happy, and some may be dismayed and disappointed. Despite what some pundits declare, our narrative must be truthful: the election was not a mandate of a win since the Harris candidacy lost by only a few points in every state Trump won. If... Continue Reading →