John Freund, CM
Author
![A Polarized Church – Then and Now](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/05/Acts-of-the-Apostles-FI.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
A Polarized Church – Then and Now
Often, history can be boring. It seems little connected to our lives. That is unless it is our history!
![Jesus Drew the Best Out of Ordinary People](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/05/Jesus-and-Pharisees-2-FI.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Jesus Drew the Best Out of Ordinary People
The Jerusalem stockbrokers would not have been very interested in Jesus’ leadership team. They liked the way rabbis were picked from among the most promising.
![Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History XXXI](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2020/05/praying-our-heritage-featured-new.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History XXXI
One of the reasons for Saint Vincent de Paul to be considered a key figure in the history of the holiness of the Church is his style of living his vocation. Each week we will present an example.
![An Undervalued Gift](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/04/Global-home.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
An Undervalued Gift
Let me share an image of myself as an immature child at Christmas with an undervalued gift.
![Empty Seats in the School of Jesus](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/04/adultery-woman-FI.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Empty Seats in the School of Jesus
In a recent homily, Pope Francis warned us about “the empty seats in the school of Jesus:” Do any of these excerpts hit home?
![Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History XXXI](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2020/05/praying-our-heritage-featured-new.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History XXX
One of the reasons for Saint Vincent de Paul to be considered a key figure in the history of the holiness of the Church is his style of living his vocation. Each week we will present an example.
![Mary’s Experience of Her Son’s Resurrection](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/04/Empty-tomb-2-FI.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Mary’s Experience of Her Son’s Resurrection
“How was your Easter?” How many times have you said that recently? Usually, it leads to a lively conversation about family gatherings, etc.
![Can one word change the world? Yes!](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/04/Mary-Shock-FI.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Can one word change the world? Yes!
Today I would like to explore the “annunciation” of the greatest change in human thinking. Mary’s yes changed HER world … and OUR world!
![Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History XXXI](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2020/05/praying-our-heritage-featured-new.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History XXiX
One of the reasons for Saint Vincent de Paul to be considered a key figure in the history of the holiness of the Church is his style of living his vocation. Each week we will present an example.
![Is anybody listening?](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/04/conversation-featured.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Is anybody listening?
Listening is more than waiting for a chance to respond or rebut the other.