My Christmas Wish List, 2025

Christmas is always a time for expectations, hope, joy, believing, and making a Christmas list. We are all familiar with the “happy ending” of Christmas movies. George Bailey, in It’s a Wonderful Life is ready to throw in the towel but is reminded by his Guardian Angel, Clarence, that George really has made a difference in the… Continue reading My Christmas Wish List, 2025

In All Things Be Grateful

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” ~ Meister Eckhart Gratitude is the doorway to peace and well-being. What gratitude does for us is open our minds and hearts to life beyond us. Back in July I wrote a blog about the two astronauts who had… Continue reading In All Things Be Grateful

Speak in Truth, Not in Anger

Recently I read a statement prepared by a group of religious women, Sisters of Charity (Elizabeth Seton’s group) headquartered in the Bronx, NYC. The statement was in reply regarding a statement that Cardinal Dolan (NYC) made on national television about the late Charlie Kirk who was assassinated as he addressed students at Utah Valley University… Continue reading Speak in Truth, Not in Anger

The School Bell Has Rung, and We’ve Got Homework!

I realize that the school bell now rings in August, at least in Missouri, but humor me. Habits are hard to break. As a child, school always began the day after Labor Day. When I taught school, it still began the day after Labor Day as did our sons’ schools until they reached high school.… Continue reading The School Bell Has Rung, and We’ve Got Homework!

Adding a Touch of Music to Death

Those of you who know me personally know that I grew up in an Irish-heritage family, which means that death/dying is a part of who we are in a way that other ethnic cultures are not. It doesn’t mean we aren’t sad when we lose a loved one but we see it as part of… Continue reading Adding a Touch of Music to Death

A Message from Outer Space

Dear Friends, as we are celebrating the 249th birthday of our country, I thought it appropriate to note how transportation has evolved during these 249 years. We have moved from our horse and buggy days to today’s spaceship travel. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore during Suited EMER SIM Operations in the Boeing Starliner spacecraft… Continue reading A Message from Outer Space

A Mother’s Heart

A reflection shared from parishioner and friend, Sandy Spencer.Sandy spent 25 years as a Missionary in Guatemala. Friends, this is a Mother's Day story. This story comes back to my memory because it is Mother's Day. With a special heart, mothers come to know that community and belonging are a right for every human being. The nurturing, life-giving quality of LOVE is not biologically, nationally, or racially determined. Mothers know this from their hearts. This Mother's Day, I go back in memory to Guatemala. I remember Bonifacio Coz. He was five months old when his tuberculous grandfather hobbled into the clinic with him. Bonifacio's mother died – maybe a week before. The father was in the army. Boni weighed 3½ pounds. He did not look human. The fight for life in this little person was incredible. Every two hours, 1½ ounces of milk – after every feeding – vomiting – diarrhea. And yet – he lived. A young Indian mother whose own child was very ill was watching Bonifacio. After two days she said,“That little boy is hungry for more than milk from a bottle. He needs to feel a heart that beats with his own.” “What do you want to do?” “I want to give him my own breast to feed from; I want his hand to… Continue reading A Mother’s Heart

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Neighborhood children riding bikes down a suburban street in the 1960s pre-helmet era. Some of you may remember Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, a very popular children’s television program that ran from 1968 to 2001 on PBS. I used to watch it with our sons. Sesame Street’s fast pace was fun and educational, but there was something very calming… Continue reading Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Lent 2025: Stand Up, Speak Out, Be Alert to What is Going on in Our Country

As kids, many of us were encouraged, probably taught that Lent with its “lengthening days” was about “giving up something,” usually candy or sweets. Adults sometimes tried giving up smoking or other habits that needed attention. Lent became sort of an “endurance project” to the point of competition. I gave up more than you gave up!… Continue reading Lent 2025: Stand Up, Speak Out, Be Alert to What is Going on in Our Country

Love is a Many Splendored Thing 

As I reflected on what to share in the February blog, Love dominates the month. You have seen enough ads for candy, flowers, and diamonds! That’s not where I am. I have been thinking of the lyrics from the song “Maria” that is part of the Sound of Music score. One of the lines is, “How do you solve… Continue reading Love is a Many Splendored Thing