John Freund
Have We Outgrown Nativity Scenes?
by John Freund, CM | December 24, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
A good number of readers have either witnessed or were participants as children in appropriate costumes and props re-enacted the Nativity scene.
Who Wants To Change Your Way of Thinking?
by John Freund, CM | December 22, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change | 1 Comment
Sometimes it seems that everybody wants to change our way of thinking.
What I Dreaded Became a Source of Life
by John Freund, CM | December 17, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
It was a moment I think most of us dreaded. In the later stages of formation some 60 years ago I remember hearing the words “Mr. Freund please.”
Does Jesus Want Us to Build Back Better?
by John Freund, CM | December 15, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change | 0 Comments
When I was growing up there was a wonderful series on that still new medium … television.
![Pope Francis – A Different Approach To Peace?](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/01/Road-to-peace-e1640893281473.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Pope Francis – A Different Approach To Peace?
by John Freund, CM | Jan 5, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
Is Pope Francis taking a different approach in his message for the 2022 World Day for Peace?
![The Visitation as “Paying it forward”](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2021/12/Visitation-FI.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
The Visitation as “Paying it forward”
by John Freund, CM | Dec 31, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
In her visitation journey to Elizabeth, Mary was simply “paying her gift forward” by offering her elderly cousin much welcomed assistance.
![From Christ’s Mass to Merry Christmas… and Back](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/01/First-Christmas-FI.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
From Christ’s Mass to Merry Christmas… and Back
by John Freund, CM | Dec 29, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
A visitor from outer space might be forgiven for not seeing the connection between what happened 2000 years ago and the last week of December each year.
Dead Horse Theory
by John Freund, CM | Sep 29, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
The tribal wisdom of the American Indians says that when you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.
The Gift and Challenge of Vincentian Imagination
by John Freund, CM | Sep 24, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
We talk, perhaps too glibly, of the Vincentian charism. For a moment, I would like to reframe the conversation. Let’s talk about the Vincentian imagination!
Catechetical Sunday – Beyond Prepping For a “Regents Exam”
by John Freund, CM | Sep 22, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
This reflection started out as a reflection on Catechetical Sunday but wandered off into a reflection on the mind of Christ. I finally came full circle and thought of catechesis as helping someone put on the mind of Christ.
Is “OUR Father” a Challenging Prayer?
by John Freund, CM | Sep 17, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Vincentian Family
Is “Our Father” a Challenging Prayer? It was for the early Church. Pope Francis thinks it is a challenge for today. Let’s listen to voices we don’t normally listen to.
Pledging a “Better Kind of Politics”?
by John Freund, CM | Sep 15, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Spirituality and Spiritual Practice, Systemic change
Pope Francis calls us to “build a better kind of politics”. The USCCB suggest almost a “12 step program” for building community as envisaged when we truly commit to what we pray for in the “Our Father.”
Is Afghanistan A Place Far Away?
by John Freund, CM | Sep 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
Did a question ever lead you to think more deeply? Frederic Ozanam did … and sought help to understand it at a deeper level.
Me-ism In Our World … and Church
by John Freund, CM | Sep 8, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
Me-ism! A lens to understand our world, church… and the three year “synodal process” beginning October 2021.
Which Labor Day Are You Celebrating?
by John Freund, CM | Sep 3, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
Is Labor Day the last hurrah of summer? The weekend to catch supposedly fantastic sales? A recognition of the dignity of work? It is all that and more!
Mark’s Gospel – Coping With a New Normal
by John Freund, CM | Sep 1, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
Mark, as any good pastor would, uses Jesus stories circulating in oral tradition to help a community understand how the gospel is “good news”… even in the face of catastrophe and persecution.