Lent Is Just One Day at a Time

Abraham Lincoln said: “The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.” Ask me to give up sweets for 40 days, and I’ll say “Forget it.” But Lent is only one day at a time. Maybe we can give up sweets—or bad habits or excess time on social…

Read More

We’re All the Same

We Christians enter into Lent knowing the three basics: pray, fast, give alms. Other religions know the importance of these three also. The Koran, for example, states “Prayer carries us half way to God, fasting brings us to the door of His palace, and alms-giving procures us admission.”  Why do we need all three? I’m…

Read More

All Is a Miracle

Albert Einstein said: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Which way describes your life? We may have been asked, “Have you ever had a miracle?” and our response might have been “Well, once when .…

Read More

Frosted Window

Sub-zero temperatures have frosted my bedroom window with an exquisite collage.  With little imagination I see a cactus, mountain, waterfall, leaves. “Imagination is more important than knowledge” claims Albert Einstein. Could a scientist explain how the ice picture was formed—I mean, really? Or would it take a poet? Who could explain better the truth of…

Read More

Christian Unity Begins in My Home Parish

Throughout this week of Christian Unity we pray that all denominations will be one. But unity is needed within the Church, too. In particular, let us pray for and reach out to the “nones.” Perhaps those who identify themselves as “no religion” could have their interest piqued. Take a chance on inviting someone to Liturgy…

Read More

Fidelity is Our Uniqueness

William McNamara, OCD wrote: “To be unique is not a matter of peculiar differences but of outstanding fidelity . . . fidelity to myself and the God who calls me to become more and more gracefully myself, my very best self, not in isolation but in communion with the whole human race.” McNamara adds that…

Read More

Ready and Eager

January 9 is the birthday of our foundress Sister Maria Aloysia Wolbring. The birthday of our co-foundress Sister Maria Ignatia is the following day. Their charism that began the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1850 is one of trust in God’s provident love and goodness Consecrated religious life is in a time of transition for…

Read More

God-matter

Popular yard signs and hash tags tell us that Black Lives Matter, Women Matter, You Matter. I’ve never seen a yard sign “God-matter.” Yet the outdoor Christmas decorations that are starting to disappear are signs of “God-matter.” The Logos, the Word of God, took on a body. God and matter united, and in that process…

Read More

Magi on the Move

Magi on the Move Among my favorite Christmas cards to give and receive are those with the Magi. The silhouettes of camels and riders crossing the desert in the twilight stirs me to join the trek. “Come on! Come let us adore!” the pictures call. This year I received a Magi card from a charitable…

Read More

The Divine Child Offers His Hand

Edith Stein wrote: “A new year at the hand of the Lord—we do not know whether we shall experience the end of this year. . . . The Divine Child offers us his hand to renew our [commitment]. Let us hurry to clasp this hand.” Is Edith Stein’s thought yours as we begin a new…

Read More