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“The pain, uncertainty and fear, and the realization of our own limitations brought on by the pandemic have only made it all the more urgent that we rethink our styles of life, our relationships, the organization of our societies and, above all, the meaning of our existence.” Pope Francis

The words of Pope Francis (from Fratelli Tutti) and the picture of this passage I pulled from Twitter a while back capture the range of emotions so many of us find ourselves swimming in these days. Trying to articulate the surreal nature of last week’s riots at our nation’s Capitol to our children provided justContinue reading ““The pain, uncertainty and fear, and the realization of our own limitations brought on by the pandemic have only made it all the more urgent that we rethink our styles of life, our relationships, the organization of our societies and, above all, the meaning of our existence.” Pope Francis”

“True hospitality consists of giving the best of yourself to your guests.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

On this feast day of the Three Kings, I find myself reflecting upon the notions of journey and hospitality. Throughout my morning walk, I thought about the values of patience and persistence as we live through the tenth month of our experience of this pandemic. In terms of hospitality, I find irony in my beliefContinue reading ““True hospitality consists of giving the best of yourself to your guests.” -Eleanor Roosevelt”

Be satisfied and be grateful. For what you have. For what you receive, For what God has given you. -Rabbi Albert Lewis

This week I am grateful for how much I enjoy serving in educational leadership. I am thankful for my faith and my family. I appreciate my health and the privilege I experience in being able to work from home. In this excellent piece, Hang in There, Help is on the Way, the significance of perspective,Continue reading “Be satisfied and be grateful. For what you have. For what you receive, For what God has given you. -Rabbi Albert Lewis”

“The more you devote yourself in prayer, the more you will do well in your work.” John Baptist de La Salle

This long week concludes mid-day Friday with the start to Christmas break for my kids. We are all very ready for a break from screens, Zooms, printer glitches and virtual meetings. Teachers and kids are all doing their very best given the circumstances, but the cumulative toll is real. Tired from this unnatural experience ofContinue reading ““The more you devote yourself in prayer, the more you will do well in your work.” John Baptist de La Salle”

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

This quote from today’s Gospel seems appropriate. While I presume Jesus was preaching of the Kingdom of God, and how God can provide the nourishment that we need, I also hear it this morning from the perspective of prayer. This past weekend I spent time in the woods, in the Pacific Ocean, and with myContinue reading ““Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.””

“We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.”- Dorothy Day, Co-Founder of the Catholic Worker Hospitality Movement

Several significant anniversaries in the past week have me reflecting with appreciation on the many women in my life who have shaped my heart. Forty years ago last week, activist Dorothy Day joined her fellow rabble-rouser saints in heaven. Monday was the 65th anniversary of the day when Rosa Parks courageously refused to give upContinue reading ““We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.”- Dorothy Day, Co-Founder of the Catholic Worker Hospitality Movement”

“Appreciation can make a day — even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” Margaret Cousins, Suffragist

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. What typically would be a household full of friends is this year instead an intimate gathering of us and the dog:) We’ll still cook all day, have a 3pm toast with the neighbors on our block, and will also begin our day with our annual Family TurkeyContinue reading ““Appreciation can make a day — even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” Margaret Cousins, Suffragist”

“One of the unexpected impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may be that a society that feels besieged by the threat of the virus will increasingly treat scientific information, and not just scientists, seriously.” Nicholas Christakis

One day last week we paused to watch a dumpster load onto a truck. This is a familiar experience from my childhood, for my dad was a roofer and often used dumpsters at job sites. My children were fascinated- my oldest, an aspiring engineer, admired the pulley….my middle child just loves anything with dirt…and myContinue reading ““One of the unexpected impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may be that a society that feels besieged by the threat of the virus will increasingly treat scientific information, and not just scientists, seriously.” Nicholas Christakis”

“May these remarkable times bring out the best in all of us.” Rachel Maddow

To what end? I find myself asking that question quite a bit these days and months. I recently purchased Apollo’s Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live. I understand that it examines the Covid-19 impact through 2022 and beyond. With that in mind, I have been praying for, and reflecting upon, mental and spiritual sustenance.Continue reading ““May these remarkable times bring out the best in all of us.” Rachel Maddow”

“One only Holy Spirit of Father and son…renew in our day the wonders of Pentecost, grant that people of every race and nation may understand one another, and as one, proclaim the praises of God.” – Carl K. Moeddel

Yesterday I spent the day listening to a few webinars while I worked. I also enjoyed watching a virtual prayer service from one of our Lasallian schools. And last night I played guitar with my neighbors for a few hours before returning home to watch the news. I’m trying my best to attempt to beContinue reading ““One only Holy Spirit of Father and son…renew in our day the wonders of Pentecost, grant that people of every race and nation may understand one another, and as one, proclaim the praises of God.” – Carl K. Moeddel”