For me, the word most frequently invoked as one reflects upon and participates in the call to synodality in the current Church is “listening.”
Griffin
A Vincentian View: Mary’s Lessons on Joseph
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 12, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
Mary knew Joseph. As we are attentive to her, we learn about the one who stood beside her for much of her life.
A Vincentian View: Yearning for Home (Joseph and Psalm 137)
by Pat Griffin, CM | April 28, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
The Babylonians destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem in 587 BC and took most of the people of Israel into captivity—moving them from their ancestral home to foreign lands. Psalm 137 engages the feelings of those displaced persons.
A Vincentian View: Joseph and Psalm 19 (Pleasure in Law)
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.
A Vincentian View: Joseph and Psalm 1
by Pat Griffin, CM | March 31, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
Do you want to hear Joseph pray? You might begin with Psalm 1.
A Vincentian View: Be Kind
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 2, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
Sometimes when I read the Scriptures, a word pops out for me in a way that it has not done before.
A Vincentian View: Blessed are the Poor
by Pat Griffin, CM | Feb 16, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
If you have ever seen Fiddler on the Roof, you may remember the prayer of Tevye.
The Head of John the Baptist
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...
A Vincentian View: Listening
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jul 27, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
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
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jul 13, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
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
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jun 29, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
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
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jun 15, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
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
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jun 1, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
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
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 18, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
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...
The Gift of the Spirit
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 4, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “The Gift of the Spirit” The readings in the Scripture for these days have directed our attention more than once to the gift of the Holy Spirit which Jesus promises the Christian community. On this past Sunday, we heard: “The Advocate, the holy...
Three Things which you didn’t know about Easter
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 20, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Three Things which you didn’t know about Easter” We are halfway through the Easter season, and it is a good time for a short test. 1. Did you know that Easter is the pivotal celebration of the Christian calendar? Though Christmas might seem to hold...