Whenever I have taught the Epistles of Paul or instructed lectors on these texts, I emphasize that one must read these letters as if they were addressed to oneself and to a Christian community gathered to hear them.
![A Vincentian View: The Synod and the Spirit](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2015/11/fr.-griffin-reflections.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
by Pat Griffin, CM | April 14, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Psalm 19 points in a similar direction and enables us to continue to reflect on Joseph as a just man in relation to the law of his people.
by Pat Griffin, CM | March 31, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
Do you want to hear Joseph pray? You might begin with Psalm 1.
by Pat Griffin, CM | March 17, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
“We need only ask Saint Joseph for the grace of graces: our conversion” (PC p. 9).
by Pat Griffin, CM | March 3, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
“In every situation, Joseph declared his own “fiat,” like those of Mary at the Annunciation and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.”
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jan 19, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
Whenever I have taught the Epistles of Paul or instructed lectors on these texts, I emphasize that one must read these letters as if they were addressed to oneself and to a Christian community gathered to hear them.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jan 5, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
In an earlier post, I noted how the Holy Father’s summons to “synodality” attracts me. His call to “journey together”...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Dec 22, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
Pope Francis has decided that an emphasis in our Catholic community for the next few years will focus our attention on the concept of “synodality.”
by Pat Griffin, CM | Dec 14, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: The Vincentian Heart The Theology Department at St. John’s University has offered me the opportunity to teach the course on Vincent de Paul next semester. I really have enough to do, but the thought of teaching this course during the 400th...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 30, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Your Children’s Children May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see Jerusalem’s prosperity all the days of your life and live to see your children’s children (Ps 128:5-6) Last year at this time after Thanksgiving, I wrote about my grandnephew...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 16, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “Remembering” “God gave us memories so that we could have roses in December.” (J. M. Barrie) That line still sticks in my mind from high school because it flows out of my sentimental heart. It reminds me of the importance of memories and their...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Oct 19, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “Human Stories” This past Saturday at St. John’s University, we launched the first of our ongoing series on interfaith dialogue. In collaboration with the Diocese of Brooklyn, the Vincentian Center at SJU will attempt to put together a whole day...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Oct 5, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Our Kids” Founder’s Week (September 20-27) at St. John’s University celebrates St. Vincent de Paul whose spirit rests at the heart of our University. This year, the theme for our remembrance was “Vincentian Education: Illuminating minds, creating...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Sep 21, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View “The Joy of Being Found” Our Gospel of Sunday, September 11 contains the entire fifteenth chapter of Luke’s Gospel and the three parables therein. The ideas of being “lost” and “found” and “joyful” are central in each story. Listen again to the words...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Sep 7, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View “Payback” Imagine a world in which everyone had all that they needed, not too much and never too little. No one was hungry—there was always enough food. No one was naked—adequate clothing was available to all. No one needed shelter—everyone had a...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Aug 24, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View “Giving Your Best” I have been on vacation for the past two weeks. I feel fortunate that these were the two weeks of the Olympic Games. During the first week, I was with my two sisters and my brother’s family in Northboro, MA. We spent much of the...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Aug 10, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View “The Head of John the Baptist” Think about it. You are dealing with a very powerful and immensely rich person who has promised you anything which you want—even to half of all he possesses—and all you can think of is that what you really want is the...