John Freund, CM
Author
![When Life Gets In the Way of Prayer](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2019/06/pray-baseball-cap-urban.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
When Life Gets In the Way of Prayer
Contemplation can be cultivated in many ways that don’t require a monastic, solitary, silent approach. St. Vincent shows us to pray in a different and more concrete way.
![St. John’s Students 13th Annual Lourdes Service Pilgrimage](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2019/06/Lourdes1-FI.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
St. John’s Students 13th Annual Lourdes Service Pilgrimage
From May 24 through June 3, four St. John’s University students had the opportunity to take a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France.
![A Parable – Paying attention to details](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2019/06/home-visit-those-we-serve-facebook.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
A Parable – Paying attention to details
We can learn from Pope Francis how little things can be so significant in a “culture of encounter.”
![Navigating the Realities of the Business World](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2016/04/vincent-life-lessons-series-facebook.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Navigating the Realities of the Business World
Many ministries face a challenge navigating the realities of the business world, often described as “the real world.” Vincent knew those challenges well… and was a genius in facing these challenges.
![Does Eucharist Call For Confronting Sinful Structures?](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2019/06/communion-solidarity3.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Does Eucharist Call For Confronting Sinful Structures?
Does Eucharist call for confronting sinful structures? To some, the question may sound strange, especially when we think of the Eucharist as the sacrament of unity. But that is not the way all recent Popes and the United States Bishops see it. St. John Paul II ......
![Who Is My Favorite Person In the Trinity?](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2019/06/geese-featured.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Who Is My Favorite Person In the Trinity?
“God for us, we call you “Father.” God alongside us, we call you “Jesus.” God within us, we call you “Holy Spirit.” Chances are that at various time in our lives we have felt closer to God with one of these images.
![If You See Something Good, Say Something Good!](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2019/06/famvin-on-all-devices.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
If You See Something Good, Say Something Good!
It is all too easy to fall into the trap of sharing bad news. Rather… let’s SHARE GOOD NEWS! Affirm it, publicize it when we see it!
![The Church must always surprise – Pope Francis](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2018/05/mosaic-pentecost-1024x576-1.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
The Church must always surprise – Pope Francis
Is there any doubt that those in the upper room were surprised by the Spirit? Probably not. So maybe we should not be surprised when Pope Francis writes… “The Church must always surprise”.
![I Can’t Help Every Homeless Person!](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2019/06/homeless-1.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
I Can’t Help Every Homeless Person!
Have you ever walked past a homeless person lying on his back on the sidewalk? Did it stir up any mixed feelings? Maria Shriver shares an incident in her life.
![Finding Jesus’ Footprints Today](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2019/05/Tissot-detail.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Finding Jesus’ Footprints Today
We live in a post-Ascension world where Jesus no longer walks among us. Or does he? If we are the Body of Christ then our footprints are his footprints.