The following article appeared in the University of Notre Dame's Institute of Church Life Journal a year ago on May 23, 2016. Since it was written, God has continued to move me towards new roles and responsibilities within the life of the church. Lay ministry is indeed a graced vocation, one that not everyone is… Continue reading Worth Revisiting: An Invitation to Lead
God, I have found, is never outdone in generosity. Always the gracious giver, he longs to surprise us breaking into our everyday ordinary to do the extraordinary. And still how easily these moments could have been missed by our failure to respond. Ever have a day where an inconvenient appeal on time and energy turns into… Continue reading When the Spirit Speaks
Spiritual direction, it seems to me, is a beautiful dance. An intimate sharing of self, a gracious reception of the Other. Each step towards self knowledge is but a lyrical movement towards acceptance of the pre-existing dispositions and disequilibrium within our lives. Oh the freedom of movement that comes with self acceptance! No longer are… Continue reading Worth Revisiting: You Lead, I’ll Follow
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you… Continue reading There You Are!
What is it that astonishes us these days? Is it the headlines that flash across the written page, or in gossip carried to our all to willing listening ears? Olympic feats, milestones reached or previous limitations met and surpassed? Perhaps, however, it is something closer to home. Sparked by an awareness of God at work… Continue reading Worth Revisiting: Being Astonished
Never a strong swimmer by any means, the mere idea of treading water is completely unappealing to me. As well is the comfort of being within reach of the shore, and the proximity of my toes on the safety of the bottom. Every inch of distance apart requires surrender, faith and trust. Yet, while there… Continue reading In Deep Water
"An awareness of smells can illuminate our present. It can help us live more mindfully and gracefully. It can help us recognize that God's goodness saturates the world, in scents that are both obvious and subtle." Ginny Kubitz Moyer, Taste and See ( Loyola Press) Early morning dew, the scent of grateful peonies and roses greet… Continue reading Worth Revisiting: The Scent of Her Presence
This month Loyola Press is inviting each of us to "discover the riches of Ignation Spirituality" This celebration culminates on July 31st on the feast day of St. Ignatius. So please join me along with other Catholic bloggers and authors these 31 days of St. Ignatius, for a month long Ignatian feast ! Today's challenge: What… Continue reading Worth Revisiting: 31 Days of St. Ignatius
Of messy beds.. The first day and a half of silent retreat was spent unpacking the finer details of life, work and family that had been occupying time and space in my heart and mind lately. Even knowing that the goal of an Ignatian retreat was to leave my bags and enter into intimacy with… Continue reading Of Messy Beds and Coffee Mugs
