I sometimes wish I could be teleported back to the days of the early church and experience Jesus as they did.
Reflections
Acts of the Apostles, Systemic Change and Polarization
by John Freund, CM | April 7, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change | 0 Comments
Over the next several weeks the liturgy, drawing from the Acts of the Apostles, presents selected stories of ordinary people who coped with severe polarization some 2,000 years ago.
Joyful to See the Lord in Their Midst
by Ross Dizon | April 6, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Vincentian Prayer Images: Walking Through Each Day with St. Vincent IV
by John Freund, CM | April 6, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
St. Vincent told the Daughters of Charity: “Saint Paul tells you how much you lose when the first thoughts of your mind are filled with anything other than God.”
Creating a Space of Retreat At Home
by Jordan Bouchard | April 5, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
As we find ourselves continuing to practice physical distancing, it has called us to be creative in how we can go on ‘retreat’ and connect with faith-filled communities.
A Poverty of Empathy
by Pam Matambanadzo | Feb 10, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
For years now I have fully appreciated the thought behind celebrating Black History Month. At least that was until I saw…
One More (Luke 5:1-11)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 9, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
I can imagine Peter’s consternation when Jesus challenges him to head out one more time. Likely shaking his head, Peter nonetheless gives his “ok, one more!”
All our Work Consists in Action
by Aidan R. Rooney, C.M. | Aug 24, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
St. Vincent was fond of the classic adage, "Totum opus nostrum in operatione consistit." "All of our work consists in action." Or, again, "All our works end up in action." or, more loosely, "Action is our entire task." This applies to everyone, especially leaders....
A Vincentian View: Beauty and the Beast
by Pat Griffin, CM | Aug 23, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Beauty and the Beast As a child, like most of you, I heard and read the story of “Beauty and the Beast” many times. As an adult, I saw the animated Disney Movie (with Angela Lansbury beautifully singing the title song) and a Broadway version. Now,...
Knowledge for Christian Service
by Ross Dizon | Aug 22, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Knowledge of Christ is what matters above all. Those who know him receive in trust keys of authority to serve others faithfully and caringly. The Father, Lord of heaven and earth, gives to the childlike the knowledge he hides from those who are wise. Peter is among...
Remembering the Lord
by Fr. Binoy Puthusery, C.M. | Aug 20, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
In Kishwahili language of Africa, the Book of Deuteronomy in Bible is called “Kumbukumbu la Torati” which means “Remembering the Torah”. This name is very apt to this book because we find in it in many places there is a constant appeal to the Israelites to remember...
Wonder Women – Vincentian style
by John Freund, CM | Aug 19, 2017 | Reflections
A recent post in the National Catholic Reporter, "Does Christianity have a Wonder Woman”, triggered thoughts about the women in our own Vincentian tradition. In the Reporter, Jennifer Mertens wrote: As one of millions who have been introduced (or reintroduced) to...
The Value of Effort
by Javier F. Chento | Aug 18, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
At this time, in many countries of the northern hemisphere the school year begins. As a reflection on the value of effort and the importance of education, we invite you to see, comment and share the following video, an animated short story that tells us how education...
Evangelizing:“assumptions” about Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, and social justice
by Aidan R. Rooney, C.M. | Aug 17, 2017 | Evangelization, Formation, Reflections
Catholics often struggle to explain doctrines to their friends (Catholic by birth and/or non-Catholic). We often think "everyone knows." We have assumptions. John Kane, in his Denver Post commentary "Holy day highlights Catholic “assumptions” about Virgin Mary, mother...
Expecting and Seeing
by Tom McKenna, CM | Aug 16, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Expecting and Seeing (Matthew 13:13) Some time ago I went to see a touring art exhibit featuring Monet’s water lilies. Laid out in three big murals that were hung together, it wrapped around the room to give the visitor a sense of being right there at the pond’s edge....
Does charity choke justice? On the Limits of Charity (part 2)
by Aidan R. Rooney, C.M. | Aug 16, 2017 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
David Hilfiker, a veteran of decades of direct service with the poor, raised questions 15 years ago in a 2001 article from The Other Side magazine exploring the tension between charity and justice. This is the second of a two-part reflection on his writings. Symptoms...