Griffin
A Vincentian View: The Synod and the Spirit
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: Journeying Together – To Bethlehem
In an earlier post, I noted how the Holy Father’s summons to “synodality” attracts me. His call to “journey together”...
A Vincentian View: Journeying Together – Joseph and Mary
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.”
A Vincentian View: Payback
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...
A Vincentian View: Giving Your Best
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...
The Head of John the Baptist
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...
A Vincentian View: Listening
A Vincentian View: Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, CM “Listening” Do you set aside books which you say that you are going to read when you get the chance? I try to do that during the summer. There are, of course, junk novels which I select for guilty pleasure, but there are...
A Vincentian View: The Cross and the Crucifix
A Vincentian View Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, CM “The Cross and the Crucifix” How close are you to a cross at this very moment? Could you reach into your pocket and find the cross on the end of your rosary? Is one attached to your collar or around your neck? Is there...
A Vincentian View: More
A Vincentian View Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, CM “More” At the center of the Queens’ campus of St. John’s University stands the eleven year old Church of St. Thomas More. The majority of the funding for the Church came from an alumnus of the Law School, and he also...
I Feel Your Pain
A Vincentian View Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, CM “I Feel Your Pain” I had the honor of speaking to the Trenton Diocesan Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on June 4. The topic offered to me made me think about the little park which rests within the confines of...
Mary in our Midst
In college, I had one course in Art Appreciation. Since my own background for understanding art left much to be desired, this course proved valuable. One remark remains with me: Once an artist finishes a work, he has lost control over it; now it belongs to the...
Remembering Fr. McCullen
For some months, the Daughters of Charity in the NY area had been in touch with me on the issue of preparing a memorial service for Fr. Richard McCullen, CM. Sr. Julie Cutter, DC, and Sr. Catherine Prendergast, DC, and I became the members of a planning group which...