As a young adult I became a fan of Rainer Maria Rilke’s writing after reading “Letters to a Young Poet.” Rilke’s words have come back to me again and again as I’ve navigated life. Recently I was sitting with the following passage: “Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to Read more »
1. Jesus’ Agony in the Garden — Decision to migrate Loving God, be with the people of the world who are struggling with the decision to leave home in order to save their lives and the lives of their families. Support them as they step onto the unknown pathway. Comfort their loved ones and give Read more »
Toward the end of Jan. I had the opportunity to make a 1-day Zoom retreat on God in the Cosmos. It explored the wondrous compatibility of the visions of Hildegard of Bingen, an 11th century Benedictine mystic, the explorations of Teilhard de Chardin, a 20th century Jesuit physicist, and the 21st century astronomical findings of Read more »
“…the moon marks the changing seasons, governing the times… From the moon comes the sign for festal days, a light that wanes when it completes its course.” Sirach 42:6-7 With some exceptions, the feast of Easter is celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox. Read more »
Ash Wednesday, 2026 – I am always amazed and puzzled at the crowd of people who come on Ash Wednesday to receive ashes. What is it about ashes that attracts them and us? Pondering this a little further, I think of the words that are said as one receives the ashes. “Remember you are dust Read more »
My turn for writing the community’s blog often comes when Lent is about to begin. This year is no exception. The word Lent means springtime, and refers to the lengthening of daylight. Following the harsh weather that we recently experienced, I imagine most of us will be especially delighted to see spring appear! Judith Sutera Read more »
Words expressing a growing reality among citizens of the world as daily reports of brutality, family separations, deportations, and loss of life headline the news. A recent poem by the same title, When It’s Just All Too Much from the pen of Rosemerry Whatola Trommer offers pause for reflection. The more complex the problem, the Read more »
I recently attended the funeral of a dear friend and fellow retired teacher. She was a woman of great faith and a positive influence on everyone she met. Her generosity was unequaled. The gospel chosen for the Mass was from Matthew 5:13-16: You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world. Read more »
The book of Samuel opens with a beautiful and powerful story of the Lord God remembering Hannah, and she gave birth to Samuel. “Hannah was very distressed since she was childless. She went to the temple and prayed in her bitterness, and made a vow, promising: “O Lord of hosts, if you look with pity Read more »
When I was a sophomore in high school, we had an assignment to memorize a bible verse. I chose this verse because it was short and easy to remember. We were living in a new house, and the words connected naturally to my life. Over time, the verse took on deeper meaning. In a world Read more »