Jim Claffey
Author
Vincent and Frederic: So Different, So Similar
Two men born in April, with feast days in September, but otherwise very different individuals in significant ways. How did two such different men become recognized as apostles of the poor? One was a 17th century French priest; the other a 19th century husband and...
Habits and Systemic Change: A Reflection
A Latin proverb warns us “The power of habit is great.” We also know this from our spiritual formation. Wise spiritual directors counsel us to pray daily, to make it a habit, and our life will always have a solid foundation. Of course St. Vincent goes even further...
Who’s Missing: A Systemic Change Reflection
A recent U.S.A. news headline: “Poor seem far down list on candidates’ agendas.” No real surprise there! In the last presidential campaign in the United States, neither President Obama nor Mr. Romney ever mentioned people living in poverty in major campaign addresses...
Prayer and Action: A Systemic Change Reflection
Prayer and Action go together for Vincentians. There cannot be one without the other. “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient…” Abraham...
The Good Samaritan and Systemic Change: A Call to Youth
I wonder how many homilies over the years have urged us to be like the Good Samaritan! Young people making a pilgrimage to Krakow this month are a “summons” to the entire Church to ditch the “bad systems” which encourage a merciless heart, Archbishop Mark Coleridge...
Compassion and Systemic Change: A Vincentian Reflection
“Whatever else our God does, the first outburst is always compassion” Those striking words were penned by a theologian in the 14th century. Compassion: perhaps no other word goes more directly to the heart of the Gospel message, because it goes to the heart of God’s...
Anyone Listening?
A Vincentian Reflection on Listening and Systemic Change Someone actively engaged in ministry told me recently that he ran into a person from his former place of service, who thanked him profusely for helping her with a problem years ago. The minister was...
A Heritage of Systemic Change
We have a great heritage. Sharing that heritage can help the systemic change process and the process of collaboration within the Family. Two men born in April, with feast days in September, but otherwise very different individuals in significant ways. How did two such...