Nick Tonnesen discusses his encounters with the homeless and how the sacrifices made to work for others provide the most fulfilling experiences.
Reflections
Live and Die as Jesus Christ Did
The risen Jesus is at God’s right hand and intercedes for us. His love enables us to live and die as he did. There...
Vincentian Prayer Images: One of the Great Saints of History XXVIII
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.
A Vincentian View: In-Between Times
Vincentian View: In-Between Times We sometimes refer to that period which is sandwiched between two events as an “in-between” time. The occurrences which flank this interval often provide its character and purpose. The unifying force of the interlude draws the two...
Jesus Promised the Disciples the Explosive Power of “Dynamite”
The word “power” that Jesus used when He told His disciples, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” has the same Greek root as the English word “dynamite.”
Anointing with the Holy Spirit and Mission
The risen Jesus breathes on us. Anointing us so with the Holy Spirit, he sends us to work with him in the evangelization of the poor. The risen Jesus stands in the midst of his disciples. Never mind that it is dark and the disciples bolted the doors. First, he...
Future of Marthas is ‘hope-filled’
Joanne O’Regan met her first ‘Martha’ in the late 1990s. “I remember thinking, ‘I like the way they are in the world,’” she said Wednesday of her first impression of the Antigonish-based Sisters of St. Martha. Though raised a Roman Catholic in Toronto, O’Regan hadn’t...
A Source of Vincentian Reflection on Pentecost
As I was thinking Pentecost thoughts I focused on the passage in Acts. 'It will come to pass in the last days,' God says, 'that I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your...
A Canadian View: Indigenous Peoples in Canada
Indigenous peoples in Canada include aboriginal First nations peoples living on reserve and in urban locations as well as Inuit, and Metis. The history of relations between Indigenous people and Canadian governments and churches is not a good one, with most actions...
On Pruning Vines
On Pruning Vines (John 15) In his letter to the Church in Rome, St. Paul asserts, “All things work together unto good for those who love God.” (Rom. 8:28) No matter what kinds of things happen, both good and indeed bad, good will rise on the other side of it. It’s a...
From Awed Followers to Courageous Missioners – Getting Practical
On Pentecost, they received the gift of God’s Spirit and they realized they had a mission to accomplish. Pentecost changed them… but not fully. As we have seen in the readings of the Acts of the Apostles they still had a lot to learn about their mission.
Descend to the Earth First to Ascend into Heaven
Christ ascends into heaven, which means he deigned to descend to the earth to bring the Good News to the poor. If we imitate him, we will ascend into heaven also. The apostles look intently at Jesus as he leaves. But a question cuts short their contemplation, “Why...
