As my kids get older, this time of year is filled with a different type of excitement, yet each year I am reminded that the energy and enthusiasm of waiting and our collective eagerness presents itself on many occasions, in many ways, throughout our household. Translation….we are busy and tired and ready for a break,Continue reading “Service is the work of the soul. -Rachel Naomi Remen”
Category Archives: Quote
Our souls long for a Gospel community directed by faith, filled with hope, and acting with love. Let’s embrace this season of hope by taking action to make real the hopes we carry. – Tim Joy
This morning during the bus ride to school my youngest kids were competing with one another about who could name the most players on the Philadelphia Eagles. I have been home for a while now in terms not leaving town for work, and one of my many great joys when I’m not heading out onContinue reading “Our souls long for a Gospel community directed by faith, filled with hope, and acting with love. Let’s embrace this season of hope by taking action to make real the hopes we carry. – Tim Joy”
It can be hard to see the whole picture…when you’re standing inside the frame. -Ann Garrido
I recently learned of a Buddhist approach to focus. The teaching centers around being mindful of how we respond to situations. Often in life, we will not have control over certain settings, interactions, circumstances or even relationships. However, what we can control is how we respond to any such situation. The Buddhist approach tackles theContinue reading “It can be hard to see the whole picture…when you’re standing inside the frame. -Ann Garrido”
“God meant for things to be much easier than we have made them”― Dorothy Day
This past weekend my daughter noticed the turtle depicted during a hike. I admit, I originally walked right past it. Yet again my children remind me to notice the important stuff, like the time taken by this innocent turtle to just soak in God’s beauty. Henri Nouwen’s approach to prayer (below) resonated with me duringContinue reading ““God meant for things to be much easier than we have made them”― Dorothy Day”
“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,” writes the poet Mary Oliver, “don’t hesitate. Give in to it.”
Gratitude By Melody Beattie Say thank you until you mean it. Thank God, life, and the universe for everyone and everything sent your way. Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal intoContinue reading ““If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,” writes the poet Mary Oliver, “don’t hesitate. Give in to it.””
If we truly believe that God surrounds us, we believe that prayer is an everyday experience of being alive…. When you step outside and engage with the world in quiet listening, prayer will happen, and it will take on its own way of being for you.—Kaitlin Curtice
Last night I drove my kids to San Jose to see my hometown Philadelphia Flyers play against the Sharks. I was raised as a big ice hockey fan, and I am proud to pass along that enthusiasm to my children. Although the Flyers lost, we enjoyed this annual ritual yet again. Simply sitting still togetherContinue reading “If we truly believe that God surrounds us, we believe that prayer is an everyday experience of being alive…. When you step outside and engage with the world in quiet listening, prayer will happen, and it will take on its own way of being for you.—Kaitlin Curtice”
Life has a way of tenderizing you. -David Brooks
This morning on my early walk I encountered a fellow walker, who described how his activity first thing each morning alleviates some of the pain caused by his Parkinson’s disease. I listened with admiration as I marveled at his perspective. He expressed deep gratitude for the gift of his daily walk, and for me thatContinue reading “Life has a way of tenderizing you. -David Brooks”
Let us open wide our hearts. It is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing. -St. Katharine Drexel
Today I enjoyed reading this interview here with Sr. Stephanie Henry. I am learning more about her religious order, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Below is an impressive excerpt from her comments: “We are called to open our hearts to God and to other people. God is inviting us to joy. Responding to GodContinue reading “Let us open wide our hearts. It is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing. -St. Katharine Drexel”
It takes time and intention to recongize the generosity of God in everyday signs of wonder and beauty. -Kathy Hendricks
I appreciate this time each year when life (finally) feels like we’re settling into a groove…at home we have had just enough weeks of consistent afterschool sports practices, combined with enough time with our kids getting to know new teachers…to feel like we (sort of) have things together. Yesterday my daughter marveled at the teamworkContinue reading “It takes time and intention to recongize the generosity of God in everyday signs of wonder and beauty. -Kathy Hendricks”
Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. -Francis of Assisi
This past weekend our family attended the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in Golden Gate Park. This free annual event is a San Francisco treasure. I am pleased to share a performance by artist Leyla McCalla, who we were introduced to on Saturday. I also share some prayer resources that have come my way recently. BlessingsContinue reading “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. -Francis of Assisi”
Keeping the Faith 