Category: Writings

Today’s celebration awakens us to how deeply God loves us. Imagine being among the Israelites and hearing “that the Lord set his heart on you.” Indeed, they have been chosen to enter into a special relationship as a people sacred to God. Remembering the promise made to their ancestors, God has brought them out of […]MORE

A reflection on the readings of the day for February 26, 2026 Book of Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25 and Matthew 7:7-12 In her time of dire need, Queen Esther knows where to turn in today’s first reading: to God, her only hope. Her uncle, Mordecai, has warned her of a plot to destroy all the Jews […]MORE

The breath-taking Cathedral of Milan has appeared throughout the broadcast of the 2026 Winter Olympics, co-hosted by Milan and Cortina. Known as the Duomo di Milano, the Cathedral’s exquisite Gothic architecture, including135 spires, directs our eyes and hearts upward, creating a sense of rising energy much like that of the magnificent snowy Alps of Cortina. […]MORE

A reflection on the readings of the day for February 7, 2026 First Book of Kings 3:4-13 and Mark 6:30-34 We tend to associate understanding with intellectual pursuits and the heart with emotional responses. So, what do we make of Solomon’s request for an understanding heart? How can we bring together what is so often divided into […]MORE

This year, my new favorite Advent ritual arrived in my mailbox completely by surprise, a gift from my sister. It is the Bible Tea Advent Calendar from Café Emporos (www.cafeemporos.com). The calendar is a gift bag filled with individual packets of tea. Printed on each packet is a Bible verse, brief reflection, and a reflective […]MORE

For several years, I volunteered as an English teacher for a group of women who had immigrated from Mexico. Because of limited space at the front of our classroom, no one sat at the head of the table. I perched at an awkward angle at one corner of the table with the students sitting around […]MORE

The crowd in today’s Gospel has set out on a journey, coming from all corners of the land in a common quest. They have come from nearby neighborhoods, from Jerusalem, from Tyre and Sidon, from the region beyond the Jordan. They have heard that a man has been freed from a demon. Another has been […]MORE

True confession—I didn’t want to study Augustine when I began graduate studies. An Augustineseminar, however, was required in my very first semester! There, I was captivated by the great value hispreaching places on the lived Christian experience. Like the psalmist, he understands that those whowalk in God’s ways are truly blessed (cf. Ps 128:1). Augustine […]MORE

This summer I had the most profound experience of Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist. How could I have known what Jesus had in store for me during the Women of the Church regional forum?  I knew this gathering would be powerful. It would be the manna I needed for my ministry. Women gathered to […]MORE

In June of 2020, life had taken an extremely unexpected turn and it was only half-way through the year. Practically everything that seemed normal and routine had been shut down and many were isolated, fearful for what was to come.  Many were unable to attend Mass or adoration for weeks. The best one could do […]MORE