Reflections

Who Is Pope Francis Listening To?

by John Freund, CM | February 18, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 3 Comments

One of the great games in the press, both secular and religious, is wondering who Pope Francis listens to on matters of pastoral care for the entire Church.

Homeless People with Cell Phones?

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | February 17, 2022 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections | 0 Comments

Seeing a homeless person with a cell phone raises eyebrows for some people. A formerly homeless person tells how it was a lifeline.

A Vincentian View: Blessed are the Poor

by Pat Griffin, CM | February 16, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments

If you have ever seen Fiddler on the Roof, you may remember the prayer of Tevye.

Did Listening To the Spirit Change People 2000 Years Ago?

by John Freund, CM | February 16, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments

We all know not listening changed the world. If not, grab your bible and read about Adam and Eve in Gen 2-3.

A Vincentian View: A Father had Two Sons

by Pat Griffin, CM | Sep 14, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

In recent years, when I have had the pleasure of reading the Gospel story of the Prodigal Son, I have gotten into the habit of giving special emphasis to the first words of the parable: “A man had two sons. . . .”

Pope Francis Just Won’t Stop!

by John Freund, CM | Sep 14, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

Pope Francis just keeps on going… well beyond what most consider normal for a man of his age and physical conditions.

Money That Is Not Deemed Righteous

by Ross Dizon | Sep 13, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

Jesus teaches us to worship the Father in Spirit and truth. He also warns us that we cannot serve God and money....

So you think you understand homelessness!

by John Freund, CM | Aug 2, 2019 | Formation, Reflections

What do I know about the common profile of people who sleep in each of these situations- on the street, in a car, in an abandoned building, on friends’ sofas, etc.?

The Poor Jesus: The Christology Of St. Vincent De Paul

by John P. Prager, CM | Aug 1, 2019 | Formation, Reflections

No one can invent a Christology out of nothing. We all receive the traditions from earlier generations. We meditate on the responses from the past about Jesus because some of those answers are definitive. Nevertheless, every time the Christian community answers some questions about Jesus, new questions come up.

Comforting Arms (Isaiah 66:13)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Jul 31, 2019 | Formation, Reflections

Comfort is high among the promises of Jesus’ Kingdom – the Reign of God bringing protection, welcoming, a soothing of painful wounds, a safe harbor.

Should Loans Carry Warnings?

by John Freund, CM | Jul 31, 2019 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) in Ireland has called for all licensed moneylenders to carry a tobacco-style warning on their advertising and literature.

Wise and Rich Before God Along With Jesus

by Ross Dizon | Jul 30, 2019 | Formation, Reflections

To be wise and rich before God means, above all, to follow Jesus and to live like him.

Ozanam, Social Mobilizer Par Excellence

by Renato Lima de Oliveira | Jul 29, 2019 | Formation, Reflections, Society of St. Vincent de Paul

We have to recognize this: Ozanam has managed to mobilize a large crowd of people to help the poor, through his preaching,

Can You Look People In the Eye?

by John Freund, CM | Jul 26, 2019 | Formation, Reflections, Vincentian Family

Pope Francis often uses the word, “encounter,” 32 times in “The Joy of the Gospel” and as an antidote to our “throwaway culture,” in which people who are seen as useless are cast aside.