In 1953 at the age of 17, Pope Francis had a life-changing experience in confession.
Facing St. Joseph’s Challenges Today
Often we want to get around troubles and challenges in life rather than go through them. If only we could skip from the beginning to the end without going through the middle.
St. Patrick: A Prophet for Social Justice
I must admit the above title caught my eye. I never considered Patrick as a Prophet for Social Justice. Wander down this path with Kevin Ahern. You may be surprised.
What Can You Learn From History?
I don’t often think of it. But one of the courses that influenced my life was a history course.
Is God Tired of Waiting for Us Among the Poor?
Some words stay with you for a lifetime! Sometimes front and center. Other times they sit just beneath the surface… like a quiet motor doing its job unnoticed.
Jesus – the Ultimate Bridge Builder
Over a lifetime, we each learn the stories of where we fit and don’t fit, and who are our good and bad guys.
What I Learned in the ER
Try to “listen” for the backstory of at least one conversation today.
A picture of polarization today?
Polarization is not new.
“I Forgot To Wear My Hearing Aids”
The challenge during Lent is to make sure we take time to listen to the God who speaks in the ordinariness and messiness of our daily lives.
Do Your Spiritual Hearing Aids Need Cleaning?
Lent is a time of listening… cleaning my ears to hear the Good News.
Longing for Belonging … Parish Possibilities
Belonging is “the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for a member of a certain group.”
Connecting Dots: Lent, Valentine’s Day, and Systemic Change
At first glance, it may seem like quite a stretch to connect Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s Day, and Systemic Change. But hear me out. Actually, it is not that hard.
A Surprise Gift From Pope Francis
Much to my surprise, Pope Francis seemed to comment on yesterday’s Mindwalk. Of course, I know he never read it … but his reflection today certainly fit! See if you agree with his comments on “Blessed are the poor in Spirit.” Pope Francis begins with a question Who...
Are You a “Quiet Influencer”?
One of the buzzwords among internet literati is “social media influencer.” That’s “digital speak” for someone who has an impact on what others think, say, and do.
Jesus Flips the Religious and Cultural Script
In the sermon on the mount, Jesus flips the script to show how different his mission was from what ordinary people expected.
Where Would You Begin?
Today I ask you to imagine where you might expect Jesus would begin his mission and who would he choose?
Imagine That!
But let’s look at God’s imagination and the imagination of St. Vincent de Paul.
God’s Record as a Recruiter
The Jerusalem headhunters would not have been very interested in Jesus’ leadership team. They preferred the way rabbis were picked from among the most promising in their schools.
Saying Goodbye To My “Big Sister”
We are all on a journey and our journeys have a pattern and overlap more than we realize. We are all on a journey to a “final frontier.”
Dreamers – Martin Luther King and Many Others
My parents were dreamers. Their dreams kept them going.
I Never Saw It Coming
I knew the letter was coming. But I never expected to be drawn as deeply into it.
Magi School for Seekers – Open Enrollment
Anyone seeking health insurance or entrance into a school knows the term “open enrollment.” Triggered by a Pope Francis’ homily on the feast of the Epiphany,
Is Christmas Over?
In this Vincentian Mindwalk, I am asking whether Christmas is the celebration of a moment in the past or something that takes place in your life every day?
Tell me who your friends are…
“Tell me your friends, and I will tell you who you are.” These words are but echoes of words spoken over 400 years before Christ.
Who is the “Keeper of Memories” in Your Family?
Almost every family has one. You know… the person who remembers the family history, the stories of Uncle… and Aunt…, the in-laws, and the outlaws.
Did You Know That Pope Francis…
Did you know Pope Francis has Twitter accounts in nine languages and almost 53 million followers?
How NOT to Imitate Christ
In this season, as we prepare for the birth of Christ, I am reminded of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus.
How Many Languages Does Mary Speak?
In a sense, I have never outgrown the “why” stage of childhood. Parents may realize it is all part of children trying to understand their world.
Should You Rethink How You Think?
Sometimes it seems that everybody wants to change our way of thinking. That has probably always been true. But it certainly feels truer now in our polarized times.
How do you handle conflict? An Examination of Conscience.
A simple fact of life. We don’t always agree… especially on things that are important to us.