Reflections
A “We” Virus?
A million refugees, no refugee camps: Poles open their homes to Ukrainians (Crux)…The headline immediately caught my attention – especially since the reality as I write has swelled to more like two million.
Lenten Video Series, Day 14: Joy of Friendship
In the Summer of 1958, Jack McErlean discovered the joy of honor, the joy of faith, and the joy of friendship, through the sacrifice and hardship of military service.
Have You Ever Thought About These Issues?
Did you ever think about these issues homeless people face? The following four headlines caught my eye during the past month.
A Vincentian View: Apostolorum Apostola
A Vincentian View: Apostolorum Apostola This past Saturday, for the second time, the Church celebrated the “Feast of Mary Magdalene.” One year ago, in June 2016, the Congregation for Worship elevated her memorial to a feast in the decree "Apostolorum Apostola,"...
Imagery of Pope Francis – Lessons for Systemic Change
How the Pope’s Imagery on critical care can overlook long-term rehab got me thinking about implications of how some in the Vincentian Family view direct service and systemic change.
Treasure without Price and wholly Gladdening
In Jesus Christ is hidden the priceless treasure that can make us wholly happy. In him begins and ends, therefore, the search for the true treasure. Jesus starts his public ministry by announcing that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He points out in some way that...
Out of Season
At the start of the Easter season this year I was inspired by a reading that emphasized celebrating the 50 days of Easter. Yet as the season has unfolded there has been much more dying and death in my life than resurrection. I find it nearly impossible to continue to...
Do you Hear the Word? – What is Your Goal?
Do you Hear the Word? – What is Your Goal? – Harmony & Peace – What is God’s Job? Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast: Re-post from July 22, 2014 Do you Hear the Word? Are you listening? God’s miracles and mighty deeds happen every minute of every day. Are we...
Vincentians of Wherever: Shelby’s Personal Mission Statement
"Living an authentic life focused on helping people and empowering others to be all they can be." I’m majoring in community psychology. This is a relatively new division of psychology which is focused on individuals and how they relate to and are affected by their...
Five Things Vincent Thought About Mercy
Paulino Sáez López, CM reflects on "The Value of Mercy according to Vincent de Paul.” Here are five points that struck me from his well-documented article. He writes from the perspective that in the time of Vincent "the words mercy, compassion, and charity have much...
Vincentians of Wherever • Shiny Distractions
Last summer and fall, we were fortunate to get several visits from my wife’s brother and his girlfriend. They would come through town often en route to various destinations around the country where they could visit national parks, climb, fly fish, and enjoy the...
Vincent’s Praying-Acting Cycle
Vincent’s Praying-Acting Cycle Years ago I heard Fr. Robert Maloney say something about St. Vincent de Paul I never forgot. “Hardly have I ever read somebody who could come down on one side of an issue and then 50 pages later say something the exact opposite.” And...