network
Missioners must live a life adapted to that of the poor.
The Visitation as “Paying it forward”
In her visitation journey to Elizabeth, Mary was simply “paying her gift forward” by offering her elderly cousin much welcomed assistance.
From Christ’s Mass to Merry Christmas… and Back
A visitor from outer space might be forgiven for not seeing the connection between what happened 2000 years ago and the last week of December each year.
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History XIII
The servant of the poor must be poor himself, must suffer the hunger and the pain of the poor.
Have We Outgrown Nativity Scenes?
A good number of readers have either witnessed or were participants as children in appropriate costumes and props re-enacted the Nativity scene.
Who Wants To Change Your Way of Thinking?
Sometimes it seems that everybody wants to change our way of thinking.
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History XII
The poor and rich, the weak and the powerful are one and the same flesh of humanity…
What I Dreaded Became a Source of Life
It was a moment I think most of us dreaded. In the later stages of formation some 60 years ago I remember hearing the words “Mr. Freund please.”
Does Jesus Want Us to Build Back Better?
When I was growing up there was a wonderful series on that still new medium … television.
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History XI
St. Vincent wrote: “We are living on the patrimony of Jesus Christ, on the sweat of the poor.”
What Is It like At a Papal Audience?
When I was growing up there was a wonderful series on that still new medium … television.
Whatever Became of Sin… and Compassion?
Compassion literally means “to suffer together.”
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History X
Vincent was convinced that the poor exist because society is badly organized and the wealth badly distributed.
I Predict the Synod will…
The Church has begun a three-year process focused on not only truly listening to each other.
Pope Francis – The Poor Are True Evangelizers
Sometimes we wish we were among those who walked with Jesus 2000 years ago. Pope Francis boldly says… even today we do walk with them.
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History IX
St. Vincent wrote: “what a beautiful sight are the poor if we consider them in God…”
Should We Imitate a Servant King?
The most effective reporters highlight the impact on the life and concerns of a viewer. Pope Francis seems to instinctively do the same.
The Poor Will Always Be With You??
Here I reflect on a “prequel” to the very first council, the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15). I will also fast-forward to the two-year-long “sequel” taking place right now.
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History VIII
St. Vincent wrote: “what a beautiful sight are the poor if we consider them in God…”
“What are you hearing?”
The most effective reporters highlight the impact on the life and concerns of a viewer. Pope Francis seems to instinctively do the same.
What is the Prequel of Today’s “Synodal Process”?
Here I reflect on a “prequel” to the very first council, the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15). I will also fast-forward to the two-year-long “sequel” taking place right now.
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History VII
“…the Kingdom of God is near and that Kingdom is for [the poor].”
Our Unfinished Business – All Saints and All Souls
In recent years I have reflected on that wonderful phrase of Pope Francis – “the saints next door.”
Learning to See What Jesus Sees?
That day, as Jesus sat in the temple precincts, what impressed him? What caught his eye?
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History VI
Vincent would try to lift the poor out of their corporal and spiritual poverty and to make the rich put themselves at the service of the poor.
Do You Ignore “Nudges”?
A big storm approaches. The weatherman urges everyone to get to higher ground. In his rectory, a priest says, “I won’t worry, God will save me.”
Are You a Vincentian Cricket?
It is only in my later years that I have realized how he has influenced the Church of today!
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History V
Vincent de Paul would suffer all his life from the obsession to put the entire Church at the service of the poor.
Mary’s Memories – the Rosary As Her Scrapbook
You all know what a scrapbook is. It is not about throwing away scraps. It is about keeping memories alive.
What Questions Get You Thinking?
Oprah Winfrey got me thinking with two questions.