network
One of the forgotten truths about Vincent is that he never allowed himself to be trapped in ministerial silos. Rather, he was skilled in engaging a wide spectrum of people.
Repairers of a House Divided
Repairers of a House Divided offers Catholics and indeed all Christians timely reflections and 7 biblical habits for Catholics to remedy a torn country.
What Paul, Vincent de Paul, and Martin Luther King Never Dreamed
We all get surprised by life and its ups and downs. We are often forced to rethink our dreams. Sometimes we discover or rediscover our mission through these ups and downs.
Vincentian Prayer Images: What Would Vincent Say Today
What do you think he might say if you asked him about recent events in our world?
What Is Truth?
Pilate’s somewhat cynical question is among the most famous questions of history. In a somewhat prophetic message for World Communications Day 2020 Pope Francis offered what amounts to a “mindwalk” on truth.
Making Sense Of What Just Happened
“Are you the only one in the world who has not heard what is going on in (Washington?)” (Luke 24:18) People from around the world are trying to make sense of recent events. I offer some resources for reflection.
Vincentian Prayer Images: Living in the Presence of God
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton reminds us to live in the presence of God.
Can Catholics Lead In Healing the Nation?
This morning I read John Allen’s reflection in Crux about an opportunity and a challenge for Catholics to play a major role in healing our deeply divided nation.
Is Your Glass Half Empty… Or Half Full?
True optimism is the ability to see the emptiness of half the glass while choosing to focus on the fullness of the other half of the glass.
Vincentian Prayer Images: God’s Language
God speaks to us in the lives of people we meet!
The Pay It Forward Plan for Peace
Jesus’ mission was all abou teaching us to pay it forward. After all, God has first loved us and wants us to share that gift in our lives! Isn’t this what Jesus did? And it changed and is changing the world!
What Size is Your Dream?
Let us not settle only for what is necessary. The Lord does not want us to narrow our horizons or to remain parked on the roadside of life. He wants us to race boldly and joyfully towards lofty goals.
Vincentian Prayer Images: Prayers and Resolutions
What can I do to live in a kingdom where all are truly welcomed as God has welcomed me?
Recognizing the Child Jesus Today
Some stories need no comments. Here is the story of a new mother recognizing who she was caring for…
Incarnation – Call To Change
Jesus came to change our minds, not God’s! The Word became flesh to show us what God’s message and way of thinking looks like when lived humanly. Jesus is the living model of world-changing systemic change.
Vincentian Prayer Images: What Gift Can I Bring?
What gift can I bring to those who have no room in the inn?
Family Historians
St. Matthew was trying to get his Jewish audience to think about the very unlikely people who played a part in salvation history.
We Don’t Listen To Secular Prophets Either
Israel’s prophets talked, but their audiences didn’t listen. Little has changed in 3,000 years. Like the prophets of the Bible, anyone who tries this nowadays is likely to be ignored or derided at best, if not silenced in a variety of ways.
Vincentian Prayer Images: A Heritage of Reconciling
How did Vincent, Louise, and our respective founders embody reconciliation?
Did the Mother of God Speak Spanish?
The mother of Jesus speaks the universal language of mothers or “mother tongue.” In each apparition, she speaks the motherly language of comfort, advice, warning, or encouragement.
Each Approach Is Necessary
An image each Vincentian should consider! It is a simple image of people imperiled by a river flooding out of control. Read on to learn how a Franciscan uses that image to explore various approaches to saving people.
Praying With Art
I just discovered this rich resource for all of us visual learners who follow “Praying Our Heritage”
The Cost of “Preferential Option for the Poor”
Forty years ago, four women gave their lives as part of their preferential option for the poor. Read their own words. It should take just about 40 seconds.
How a Baby Changes Everything
A baby changes everything. Never was that truer than in the birth of the one we call Jesus of Nazareth. The birth of Jesus literally changed everything for everyone.
Vincentian Prayer Images: Another Look At Dented Coins
Who are the dented coins in my life?
Les Miserables – Vincentian Influences and Reflections
Les Miserables strikes a chord in Vincentians when they hear… To love another person is to see the face of God. Victor Hugo admired Vincent de Paul. He based the character of the Bishop on Vincent de Paul.
Forgotten Truths About Mary the Mother of God
Viewing Mary not just in that one marvelous moment of the Annunciation but in the context of a lifetime of discipleship.
Vincentian Prayer Images: God Speaking To Our Hearts
How often do we thank God for speaking to our hearts?
From “Thanks” to “Giving” – An Ancient Tradition
The tradition of “thanksgiving” is not new. It has deep roots in the Old Testament and especially the New Testament. The Last Supper was a celebration of thanks but it was also a call to giving.
Systemic Change Begins with Education
St. Vincent instinctively realized the role of laypersons in bringing about systemic change.